GDC HANDBOOK SEASON 13
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS & ATTIRE
“COMPANY”- We strongly recommend that the dancers who are placed in the Senior, Junior, Cadet & Mini Companies register for the styles and classes as determined by audition results. These classes have been placed all on the same day for each age level so that technique can improve in all areas of dance. All dancers in Company classes are required to have regular attendance. Registration for Company classes is only open to those who have auditioned. *ALL COMPANY DANCERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A LEOTARD TO EVERY CLASS*
*WE ARE AN ACROBATIC ARTS CERTIFIED STUDIO* (Includes Tumbling and Acro)
TUMBLING – A strong focus on strength and skills. Tumbling students will use mats on stage for their recital performance.
Attire – Leotard/Biketard/Unitard is required. Shorts/leggings/tights are to be worn with leotard (not necessary with biketard/unitard). No shoes needed.
TUMBLING 1/2 – (4 yrs & up) Students will learn basic tumbling skills as well as skills that will focus on improving balance, flexibility, and strength. Skills of focus include: Rolls, Cartwheel, Somersault, Forward pike roll, Pre-Roundoff, Gallops, Bridge, Donkey kick, L handstand, Skipping.
TUMBLING 2/3 – Designed for students with one-two years of tumbling experience. Students at this level should be able to demonstrate the skills listed for Tumbling 1/2. Skills of focus for this class include: Pre-Splits 6 inches, Beat handstand, Bridge with kick/jump, Straddle roll, Cartwheel with correct finish, Round Off, Handstand facing the wall for 10 seconds, V-sit for 20 seconds, Plank for 30 seconds, Down the wall backbend, Teddy Bear stand. Students moving on from this level will need to demonstrate cartwheels on both sides and a round off.
TUMBLING 4/5– Designed for students with at least 1-2 years tumbling experience. Students at this level should be able to demonstrate a cartwheel on both sides as well as a round off. Skills of focus include: Pre-Splits 4 inches, Bridge with kicks (right and left), Backbend without a spot, Bridge kickover with stacked mat, Dive cartwheel, Handstand to forward roll, One-handed cartwheel, Backward roll, V-sit for 30 seconds, Plank Hold for 40 seconds, Tuck headstand, Bridge with straight arms and legs, Dive roll, Front Limber, Kickover. Students moving on from this level will need to demonstrate a backbend.
TUMBLING 6/7-Students should be able to demonstrate skills listed from Levels 3-4, particularly the kickover. Skills of focus: Front walkover, Back walkover, Front Handspring, Standing Back Handspring, Side aerial, Splits 2 inches, Push-ups (10), Superman Hold (30 seconds), Wall-Sit (40 seconds), Back Arabian, Dive Front walkover, Valdez, Back roll to Handstand.
JUNIOR & MASTER TUMBLING– Students signing up for this class must have completed at LEAST one year of more of Tumbling or Acro. Designed for students 12 & up with Tumbling experience.
*ADVANCED TUMBLING– Students at this level should be able to perform a back handspring and/or aerial.
ACRO
Acro (Acrobatics) combines tumbling and dance elements and has a strong emphasis on limbering and flexibility. Dancers signing up for Acro need to be aware that mats will NOT be used onstage for their recital performance. Skills of focus will not be limited to what is listed below, however skills will be taught and mastered in a progressive format to ensure the dancer has the proper strength, flexibility, and balance to move on to the next skill. Dancers are required to take at least one year of Tumbling BEFORE Acro. Students who have not had experience in Tumbling or Acro previously will not be admitted to an acro class. It is also STRONGLY recommended for any acro student to take another form of dance (such as ballet, lyrical, or jazz) in addition to Acro.
Attire – Leotard/Biketard and tights are required. No shoes needed. Students are not permitted to attend acro class without a leotard or biketard.
*Cadet & Junior Acro/Tumbling– Students signing up for this class must have completed at LEAST one year of more of Tumbling or Acro. Strongly advised to take with ballet, lyrical, or jazz. Skills of focus include: Half scorpion balance for 10 seconds, Bridge kicks (right and left), Bridge prances, Splits (2 inches), 25 upper body lifts, Handstand balance (5 seconds), Heel stretch hold (5 seconds), One hand cartwheel (right and left), Handstand to chest roll, Elbow stand hold (5 seconds), Straddle press handstand, Arabian, Dive cartwheel, Round off, Jete, Chaine jete, Single pirouette, Front Walkover, Back Walkover
Intermediate Acro– Students signing up for this class must have completed at LEAST one year of more of Tumbling or Acro. Strongly advised to take with ballet, lyrical, or jazz. Skills of focus include: Half scorpion balance for 10 seconds, Bridge kicks (right and left), Bridge prances, Splits (2 inches), 25 upper body lifts, Handstand balance (5 seconds), Heel stretch hold (5 seconds), One hand cartwheel (right and left), Handstand to chest roll, Elbow stand hold (5 seconds), Straddle press handstand, Arabian, Dive cartwheel, Round off, Jete, Chaine jete, Single pirouette, Front Walkover, Back Walkover. Mats will not be used onstage.
*Advanced Acro – Students in this class should be at least able to demonstrate most skills listed in Junior/Cadet Acro/Tumbling and Tumbling 6/7. Must also show a high level of flexibility and confidence. Students in this class must be able to have good stage presence and the ability to learn very quickly. Bonus skills such as aerials, back handsprings, scorpions, and/or exceptional flexibility may qualify a student in this class. Strongly advised to take with ballet, lyrical, or jazz AND DESIGNED TO TAKE WITH ADVANCED TUMBLING. Regular attendance is required. *Acceptance Required*
BALLET
Attire: All ballet students are required to attend class in a leotard and tights. Hair must be up and secured away from face. Ballet skirts are permitted. Leather ballet shoes, (preferably pink) are required.
Beginner Ballet (4-6yr): Dancers will begin to explore the art of ballet through basic technique and creative movement. Classes are a fun environment designed for the younger dancer. Must be 4 years of age.
Intermediate Ballet (7-11yr): An uplifting approach to teach the student proper technique discipline, strength, flexibility and confidence. Dancers will also be taught proper ballet barre technique. Dancers should be at least 7 years old with prior ballet experience.
Intermediate – Advanced Ballet (8-12yrs): Students need to have prior dance experience. Technical skills needed to attend the class include splits, pirouettes, piques, jumps and leaps. Proper execution of barre work as well as technical skills will be implemented. Dancers need to have an understanding in the execution and performance of ballet.
Master Ballet/Lyrical (13&up): Building on prior dance experience and designed for dancers 13 & up. Technical skills needed to attend the class include splits, pirouettes, piques, jumps and leaps. Proper execution of barre work as well as technical skills will be implemented. Dancers need to have an understanding in the execution and performance of ballet.
*Senior Company Ballet-Dancers must have 3+ years experience and approved by the teachers by audition. A disciplined focus on core strength and flexibility will be implemented. Technical training for pointe at the barre and floor work will be taught. Pointe shoe approval is required by the teacher. Basic requirements for pointe include but are not limited to: 1) 13 years of age, 3+ years of ballet experience, and prior demonstration. Acceptance is required.
*Mini, Cadet, Junior, Senior Company Ballet: Audition & acceptance required. A serious and disciplined technical ballet class. Dancers need to be structured in their technical study and execution of barre and floor skills and be able to pick up choreography quickly. Skills studied will include splits, jumps, jete’s, battemattes, double pirouettes, double piques and fouettes. Dancers must show performance ability and confidence in front of an audience. Additional fees may be required. Regular attendance is required.
LYRICAL
Attire: All lyrical students are required to attend class in a leotard and tights. Hair must be up and secured away from face. Skirts/shorts are permitted. Half sole or other lyrical shoes required.
Intermediate/Advanced Lyrical: (8&up). Students must have completed one year of ballet. Students will further study and engage the combination of ballet and jazz technique. A disciplined, technical approach to skills and lyrical interpretation will be implemented. Core strength and overall flexibility will be a strong focus. Splits, extensions, leaps and turns will be included in technique training.
Advanced Lyrical/Ballet (11 & up): Students entering must have completed 2+ years of lyrical and/or ballet. Students need to be able to execute all lyrical 2 technical skills. Students will increase in the technical understandf ing of lyrical, ballet and jazz technique. Dancers should have a strong understanding of connecting the art odance with musical lyrics and an audience. Core strength and flexibility will be included to further develop technique.
Master Lyrical (13&up): For dancers with 3+ years prior lyrical and/or ballet experience. Technical requirements include all technique required for lyrical III including full splits, leaps, double pirouettes and extensions. In addition, a strong understanding of lyrical interpretation is required. A disciplined focus on core strength and flexibility will be implemented.
*Mini, Cadet, Junior, Senior Company Lyrical : Students in this class should be able to show a high level of confidence in technique for each age level. Students must be able to interpret music effectively through movement and stage presence. Dancers may performing at different places around the community. Parents signing their child up for this class need to be aware of possible additional fees. Regular attendance is required. *Acceptance Required*
TAP
Attire: Leotard with leggings, capris, or shorts. *BLOCH OR CAPEZIO TAP SHOES ARE REQUIRED*.
Beginner Tap (4-7yr)- Students will learn the basic skills of tap dancing. They will learn how to work with various rhythms as well working together with their classmates. Some areas of focus include: toe taps, flaps, shuffles, brush steps, drawbacks, Cincinnati’s.
Intermediate Tap (8&up) – This class is designed for students who have completed at least 2 years of Tap I (unless permitted by teacher) and should be able to successfully complete the tasks of Tap I. Students in this level with work more on their rhythms with one another as well as syncopation. Students will begin to build more on the skills of Tap I and be able to do them at a higher speed. Some areas of focus include: pull backs, pick ups, wings, buffalos, and time steps.
Junior Tap/Hip Hop – This class is open to Junior Company Students as well as those recommended by a GDC Teacher. **PLEASE NOTE: Two Costume payments will be required for this class**
Master Tap/Hip Hop – For students 14 & up with 4 or more years of Tap and complete successfully the skills for Intermediate Tap. Acceptance required. **PLEASE NOTE: Two costume payments will be required for this class**
*Senior Company Tap/Hip Hop – For students 14 & up who have completed one year of Master Hip Hop/Tap or selected by audition. **PLEASE NOTE: Two Costume payments will be required for this class.**
HIP-HOP
Attire: Leotard & tights along with jazz pants, capris, or shorts. Jazz shoes or black dance sneakers are required.
Beginner/Intermediate Hip Hop (4-7yr)- Students will learn the basic skills needed in hip hop dancing as well as learning to find their own style. This class is designed to get the students moving throughout the entire class and to learn basic hip hop movements. Some areas of focus include: splits, straddles, heel stretches, skips while using various rhythms.
Intermediate Hip Hop-Advanced Hip Hop (8&up)– This class is for students who have completed one year of Hip Hop and should be able to complete most of the tasks listed for Beginner Hip Hop. In this class, students will build off what was taught in Beginner Hip Hop as well as learning new various skills. Areas of focus include: toe touches, heel stretches both right and left, planks, leaps, basic break dancing, and isolations.
Junior Hip Hop/Tap – This class is open to Junior Company students as well as those recommended by a GDC teacher.
Master Hip Hop/Tap – Acceptance Required. 14 years & up. **PLEASE NOTE: Two costume payments will be required for this class.**
*Senior Company Hip Hop/Tap – For students 14 & up who have completed at least one year of Master Hip Hop/Tap. **PLEASE NOTE: Two costume payments will be required for this class.**
JAZZ
Attire: Leotard & tights along with jazz pants, capris, or shorts. Jazz shoes or half-soles are required.
Intermediate Jazz– This class is designed for dancers 7 yrs & up with prior experience in ballet, lyrical, and/or hip hop. Students in this class will focus on strength, flexibility, and technique. Areas of focus include: total body movement, isolated movement, and interpretation of music. Skills of focus include jumps, leaps, & turns. Skills of focus include jumps, leaps, and turns
*Mini, Cadet, Junior, Senior Company Jazz– Accepted by audition only. Skills required vary by age group/level. Overall total body movement and ability to interpret music is also required. Dancers may be performing at different places around the community. Parents signing their child up for this class need to be aware of possible additional fees. Regular attendance required. *Acceptance Required*
TINY TOTS
Introducing the world of dance through creative movement, songs, and techniques that will build a foundation for dance training. Must be at least 3 years of age by and potty-trained. Class is 35 minutes in length.
Attire Ballet & Tap: Leotard and tights. Short dance skirt or shorts are permitted. Full tutus are not permitted. Leather ballet shoes & tap shoes: CAPEZIO & BLOCH brands permitted ONLY.