Dance Theatre Fairbanks
Basic Information & Class Descriptions

Ballet is considered the basis for all styles of dance technique. Regardless of what style of dance a dancer chooses to pursue he or she will undoubtedly be exposed to ballet terminology. Ballet classes typically begin with a slow warm up at the ballet barre and progress through a series of jumps and turns in the center. Dancers over the age of 13 may take the ballet I/II class with ever having a previous ballet class. Experienced ballet dancers may take the ballet I/II class as a placement class for higher levels.

Pointe classes are for the serious ballet student who has already had a substantial amount of ballet training. Primarily for female dancers, pointe and pre-pointe classes prepare the dancer to dance "en pointe" or wearing toe shoes. Often these classes go through a rigorous series of exercises geared toward strengthening the muscles of the feet, ankles and legs. Pointe classes may only be taken with permission from the instructor.

Senior Jazz classes focus on the development of style and stage presence. Jazz is an energetic style that uses quick turns, big leaps, and graceful elongated moves. Students practice center choreography in modern or fosse style jazz.

Senior Hip Hop is a comprehensive class covering major styles of hip hop, including popping, locking, uprocking, krumping and more. Students practice quick articulations and isolation of the body in warm-up, breakdancing "power moves," followed by a center combination focusing on a specific branch of hip hop.

Modern or Contemporary dance began as a rebellion against the rigid constraints of ballet. It is considered a new and wild form of free dance. As a result, there is no single definition for contemporary dance. An essential component, however, is expression. Often it is said that ballet is of the heavens and modern is of the Earth drawing attention to the humanistic rather than the fantastic in theme and choreography. This "earthiness" is reflected in the bare feet of contemporary dancers and the use of movements on the and out of the floor.

Senior Division Tap is designed to refine tap skills, while moving beyond the fundamentals of tap.  Students will learn new steps, rhythms, patterns, and combinations. This technique class will focus on faster and more intricate footwork.  The dancer at this level will develop speed, clarity, dynamics, and the ability to execute complex rhythmic combinations.

Partnering class is usually the first chance young male and female dancer have to work closely with each other. Students study both Ballet and Contemporary technique and learn small choreographed combinations. Lifts are a large part of this class and it is essential that the students learn to trust in each other. As this class requires a great amount of strength, poise, and skill, it is invitation only.

Lyrical is a combination of Jazz, modern and ballet technique that focuses on the emotions of dance. We use popular music with lyrics that invoke a certain feeling. For the senior level class combinations are the emphasis, giving the students ample time to focus on the lyrics and emotion of a piece of music and choreography. For the junior level class emphasis is put on improvisation, where students explore their own style and find out what makes their bodies want to move.

Junior Division Ballet classes are where true ballet technique is introduced. Young dancers learn basic ballet vocabulary and how to properly execut steps. Emphasis is placed on creating strong, well-placed dancers so the risk of injury is minimal. Dancers also begin to learn the art of expression and ar taught to bring themselves out through their movements.

Junior Pre-Pointe is a young dancer's first introduction to dancing on pointe. Dancers begin on flat doing exercises meant to strengthen the feet, ankles, and legs and prepare the dancer or pointe shoes. When the dancer is deemed sufficiently strong and well-placed they are fitted for their shoes and perform these same exercises on pointe. Young girls' bodies mature at very different rates and it is important to remember that age alone is not enough to place a dancer on pointe. We leave this careful decision to the instructor.

Junior Hip Hop is a comprehensive class covering major styles of hip hop, including popping, locking, uprocking, krumping and more. Students practice quick articulations and isolation of the body in warm-up, breakdancing "power moves," followed by a center combination focusing on a specific branch of hip hop.

Theatre Dance combines dance with acting and singing. Multi tasking and adaptability are just a few of the skills developed in this fun class.

Modern or Contemporary dance began as a rebellion against the rigid constraints of ballet. It is considered a new and wild form of free dance. As a result, there is no single definition for contemporary dance. An essential component, however, is expression. Often it is said that ballet is of the heavens and modern is of the Earth drawing attention to the humanistic rather than the fantastic in theme and choreography. This "earthiness" is reflected in the bare feet of contemporary dancers and the use of movements on the and out of the floor.

Junior Jazz classes focus on the development of style and stage presence. Jazz is an energetic style that uses quick turns, big leaps, and graceful elongated moves. Students practice center choreography in modern or fosse style jazz.

Junior Division Tap teaches rhythm, coordination, and an introduction to basic tap fundamentals, terminology and basic tap choreography. Students will put the fundamentals to work by learning new steps, rhythms, patterns, and combinations.

Junior Lyrical is a combination of Jazz, modern and ballet technique that focuses on the emotions of dance. We use popular music with lyrics that invoke a certain feeling. For the senior level class combinations are the emphasis, giving the students ample time to focus on the lyrics and emotion of a piece of music and choreography. For the junior level class emphasis is put on improvisation, where students explore their own style and find out what makes their bodies want to move.

Little Feet is an introduction to dance that is shared with Parent and Child. In this class we concentrate on introducing young children (2-3) to dance by singing, dancing, poems, and interacting with the parent and teacher, all fun ways to introduce the essentials of Ballet to a young child! The class is 45 minutes long and the parent is included in the entire class. We learn the basics of ballet in a fun pre pre-school level!

Ballet: Ages 3-4 is an introduction to dance for the youngest dancers. Students learn through fun dance movements the concepts of counting, isolating body parts, balance, stretching, basic dance positions of the arms and feet, basic choreography while developing increased attention and retention.

Ballet: Ages 5-6 is an introduction to basic ballet class structure, body positions, Ballet terminology, musicality and choreography in a fun yet structured environment. Students learn dance etiquette where respect for the art of ballet, themselves, classmates and instructors is emphasized.

Tap/Jazz: Ages 5-8 & Ages 7-8 is a combination class that offers young dancers introduction to basic techniques in Tap and Jazz. This class is designed to increase musicality, rhythm and coordination.