Dance Styles Available at Tap Fever Studios ⋆ Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop

Tap Dance

Tap dance is achieved by using the sounds of metal plates on the bottom of each shoe (at the heels & toes), hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. Tap shoes are available to rent for just $3.

FUNDAMENTALS

Dancers will be eased into the terminology and execution of all the single sound techniques, then start to combine sounds to make new steps. All dancers in this class are in the same boat, so no need to feel self-conscious. We’ll offer lots of tips to make you feel comfortable and successful! Along the way, you’ll also learn:
• correct body positioning & where to shift your weight
• how to loosen your ankles to achieve the best sounds
• ways to relate tap steps to walking for ease of understanding
• the differences between rhythm tap vs. Broadway tap
• how to count music and hear the phrasing

Jazz Dance

Jazz dance is a snappy, sassy, theatrical type of dance. It can be danced to mainstream music, or Broadway. Every movement conveys lively expression.

Dancers will be eased into the terminology and execution of various jazz dance styles and techniques. Dancers can progress from beginning, through advanced classes.

BASIC TERMINOLOGY

• ball change (gallop)
• cat walk (cross & lean)
• extension (long reach)
• fan kick (circle kick)
• grapevine (cross step)
• kick ball change (front)
• jazz hands (fingers spread)
• jazz walk (long steps)
• pivot (step turn)
• rainbow arms (overhead)
• splits (legs front/back)

Ballet Dance

Ballet is a graceful, yet highly technical and precise classical form of dance. This style has its own vocabulary based on French terminology.

Dance Veggies

Just as vegetables are good for your body, ballet is a beneficial foundation for ALL types of dance. Tap Fever offers a quality, high education of ballet for all ages; toddlers through adults. Dancers will be eased into the terminology and execution of various ballet dance techniques.

BASIC TERMINOLOGY

• arabesque (leg up in back)
• battement (kicks)
• chasse (foot chases)
• echappe (jump out & in)
• jete (leaps)
• passe (toe to knee)
• plie (bend)
• releve (rise)
• saute (jump up)
• tendue (point toe)

Contemporary Dance

Contemporary dance is based on ballet techniques, but is more free-spirited. Dancers explore emotions, and use their that to portray personal expression in their dance techniques. Some dancers wear half soles that support the ball of the foot, while others are barefoot.

Hip-Hop Dance

Hip-Hop dance is a hard-hitting style of dance with intricate isolations. The swag and style produced is as important as the movements themselves.

BASIC TERMINOLOGY

• arm rolls (front fist circles)
• coffee grinders (leg swings)
• groove (feel music)
• holds (freeze for a beat)
• isolations (one section)
• poses (freezes)
• rock step (forward/sides)
• tutting (hand moves)

Acro Dance

Acro dance, or just acro, as it’s commonly called, is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with fluid acrobatic movements. It is very physically demanding and requires strength, control and flexibility. Gymnastic feats can add a “wow” factor to choreography when incorporated into movement appropriately. This is why so many dancers turn to acro when attempting to spice up their routines.

BASIC TERMINOLOGY

• bridge
• head stand
• hand stand
• walkover
• splits