fayetteville class Descriptions
Not sure which class to take? Read below to discover more about the different dance styles we offer. All classes are co-ed. Technique classes to do not perform in recital. Make sure to read our Class Levels & Requirements for more information. Also, view our current schedule or contact our office to see what classes are currently running.
Creative Movement Class (introductory/transition to regular dance classes, ages 2-4)
This is a class where a brand new dancer can learn basic dance and coordination skills while still having fun! For many of our students, this is their first experience with a structured dance class or group class, so we will explain and teach how to stand in a line, take turns, share as we dance and play games, and (most importantly) have fun while moving at a more relaxed pace than our older dance classes. As a result, students will be introduced to the basic foundations of not only dance but also musicality, rhythm, motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness, as well as benefit from learning how to follow directions, group play, creative expression, cognitive/physical development, and much more. This will be a fun and exciting class, as well as a helpful tool for students when they move into older dance classes, preschool, or daycare programs!
**The Creative Movement classes do not participate in our recitals, instead, they perform at AODA at their normal class time (date is TBA). This helps prepare our youngest dancers by performing in front of a small audience in a much more informal setting without the distractions of stage, lights, and costumes. With our hope of the Creative Movement class acting as a stepping stone before entering a combo class, we want to prepare your young dancers the best way we can in regards to class structure, class etiquette, and performing!
Combination Classes (ages 3-6)
Ballet/Jazz and Ballet/Tap Children's Class: These combination classes are designed for boys and girls ages 3-6 years old. They combine the foundational basics of ballet and jazz or tap by covering positions, movements, stretches, and terminology. This class is also fun and interactive for children and includes time for creative expression. **Children must be fully potty-trained prior to enrollment. Thank you!
Hip Hop/Tumble Children's Class: This combination class is designed especially for the more active boy or girl. It combines beginning basics of hip hop while staying age-appropriate and using clean movements and music. As a combination class, it also incorporates the basics of tumbling such as somersaults, cartwheels, and balance work on a floor beam, etc. This class is currently offered for children ages 5-6.
Adult Classes
Adult Ballet (Beg/Int): Ballet is the foundation of all dance styles and a great class for beginners or the most advanced student. It involves barre, center floor work, and combinations that focus on the dancer's musicality, technique, coordination, core strength, and grace. We recommend ballet for every single dancer, whether they’re focusing on contemporary or jazz, etc. This class is great for those new to ballet or returning and provides the option of performing in our annual recital.
Adult Wild Card Technique: This class will rotate through 5 different dance genres weekly: Modern, Ballet/Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary, and Tap. It is great for the Adult who is not able to take multiple dance classes throughout the week, but would still like the opportunity to take various genres of dance while only having to come out once a week. This is a non-recital class and can also be taken as a drop-in class (call/visit the office for more details).
Classes 7+
Ballet: Ballet is the foundation of all dance styles and a great class for beginners or the most advanced student. It involves barre, center floor work, and combinations that focus on the dancer's musicality, technique, coordination, core strength, and grace. We recommend ballet for every single dancer, whether they’re focusing on contemporary or jazz, etc. AODA’s ballet classes incorporate Cecchetti and French technique.
Ballet Technique: These classes provide an even more in-depth focus on the proper technique behind each movement and is a great weekly addition to the serious and aspiring ballerina; it is recommended for people with a least a few years of ballet training. This is also a great additional class for those dancing en pointe, as this class is danced in regular ballet technique shoes, allowing the dancer to focus on their basic technique instead of pointe technique. AODA’s ballet classes incorporate Cecchetti and French technique. These classes do not perform in recital.
Pointe Technique: These classes are geared towards students either new to pointe or wishing to further their pointe training (students must be recommended by their ballet teacher to enroll in Pointe). To be considered a candidate for dancing en pointe, girls must have at least three recent consecutive years of ballet training, be 12 years old, and demonstrate proper ballet technique in all areas as well as ankle strength and core support; in addition, we look for the appropriate respect of ballet, class attentiveness and maturity, hard work, and discipline. AODA’s ballet classes incorporate Cecchetti and French technique. These classes do not perform in recital.
Company (Alpha Company, Omega Company, and Pre-Company — invite only): These classes are for the well-rounded dancer demonstrating not only great dance skill and potential, but also exemplary work ethic and character, excellent technique, the ability to quickly pick up and retain choreography, self-motivation and discipline, and more. Most accepted members have had years of training in various styles of dance and take 5 or more classes each week. In these classes, students are trained in different dance styles on a weekly basis, participate in extra performances (AODA events, community performances, etc) throughout the year, and are often cast in various roles in our end-of-the-year spring Dance Production. These classes are invitation only.
Contemporary: Contemporary fuses ballet, jazz, and modern techniques and movements together for choreography while also drawing inspiration from natural or everyday moments and movements. Dancers will find this style creative, athletic, fluid, and expressive. Each contemporary class style is a little different depending on the teacher.
Hip Hop: This class is great for both boys and girls. Our Hip Hop classes consists of up-to-date dance moves that focus on natural rhythm, while staying age-appropriate. Students will learn different movements and musicality through technique and through different pieces of choreography in class.
Jazz: Our jazz classes can range from broadway jazz to more modern jazz pop, but all jazz is characterized by the use of improvisation and influenced by rhythms and techniques of jazz music. Students will be pushed with this fast-paced, dynamic, and fun choreography! Jazz draws from the same techniques of ballet while changing them slightly to make them unique (purposefully turning in instead of utilizing one’s turn out, flexing feet instead of always pointing them, etc). This class is recommended for those looking for a fun way to exercise or to increase their cardio in other dance styles, and it is a must-have for those interested in musical theatre, as much of broadway choreography utilizes jazz dance.
Lyrical: This style combines the beginning elements of ballet with contemporary for dance that is fluid and expressive. Somewhat similar to praise or liturgical dance, this is a great class for someone new to dance or looking to explore other dance styles.
Modern: This style of dance emerged as a break-off of classical ballet and tends to have grounded, turned-in movements that focus on the dancer's strength and expression. AODA incorporates the Lester Horton technique, and students will learn different fortifications and preludes that isolate specific muscle groups. This class is a great option for any dancer looking to grow in strength, control, and expression!
Musical Theatre: Students will have fun while being pushed out of their comfort zone! The musical theater dance style combines broadway jazz and tap styles to make a fun and athletic form of dance. Students will also learn some singing and vocal exercises to hone their voices, and acting skills so they can come alive on stage. This class is a great addition to your dance repertoire and helps prepare you to be a triple threat! We recommend students to supplement these classes with a jazz and/or tap class!.
Tap: Tap focuses on natural movement combined with great muscle coordination and memory. The use of taps on the dancer's shoes emphasizes different sounds and rhythms and is lots of fun for people of all ages! Ballerinas who wish to improve with allegro will benefit from taking tap. We also recommend this class to those students pursuing musical theatre, as having tap experience will give auditonees a great advantage.