Dance   

Acro I/II (previously called “beginner/intermediate”)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 6-12

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled back off the face.

A combined level class for students of mixed ages and skill levels. An introduction to acro dance stretch, strength, and tumbling skills like bridges, candlestick, forward roll, handstand kick-up, beginner cartwheel, and mini trampoline! …which lead into intermediate acro dance stretch, strength, and tumbling skills like bridges, backward roll, handstand, cartwheel, roundoff, backbend & stand up, half valdez, etc. Minimal focus on play and games, more focus on technique and skills.

Acro II/III  (previously called “Intermediate”/“Elite Acro I”)

Instructor:  Samantha Johnson

Ages: 7-12

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, acro socks or bare feet.  Hair must be pulled back off the face.

A combined level class for students of mixed ages and skill levels.  An introduction to acro dance stretch, strength, and tumbling skills like bridges, candlestick, forward roll, handstand kick-up, beginner cartwheel, and mini trampoline!  …which build to intermediate/advanced strengthening, stretching, and conditioning to build core strength for floor tricks geared towards achieving front and back walk-overs, backbend & standup, limbers, half valdez, roundoff, handspring, leaps and more creative tricks like headstands, elbow stands, tinsica, switch walkovers, roll throughs, mini trampoline, fish flop, back rolls, etc.

Acro III (previously called “Elite Acro I”)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 9+

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled back off the face.

Technical floor acrobatics combined with jazz dance. All students must have taken acro or gymnastics in the past and have strong knowledge of intermediate acro tricks (must already be able to cleanly execute upon entering class: forward roll, backbend, cartwheel, handstand). Intermediate/advanced strengthening, stretching, and conditioning to build core strength for floor tricks geared towards achieving front and back walk-overs, backbend & standup, limbers, half valdez, roundoff, handspring, leaps and more creative tricks like headstands, elbow stands, tinsica, switch walkovers, roll throughs, mini trampoline, fish flop, back rolls, etc.

Acro IV (previously called “Elite Acro II”)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: By Permission only

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled back off the face.

Technical floor acrobatics combined with jazz dance. All students must have taken acro or gymnastics in the past and have strong knowledge of intermediate/advanced acro skills (must already be able to cleanly execute upon entering class: splits, dive roll, backward roll, fish flop, backbend & stand up, cartwheel, handstand, elbow stand, headstand, roundoff, front and back walkovers). Advanced strengthening, stretching, and conditioning to build core strength for floor tricks, such as, creative cartwheels, creative walkovers (tinsica, switch, windmill), valdez, front and back handsprings, leaps, front and side aerials, front and back tucks, roll throughs, kip-ups, mini trampoline, etc.

This class is required for Elite Competition Team participants.

Adult Irish

Instructor: Nancy Kane

Age: Adult

Requirement: Participants wear flexible sole hard jig shoes. Women may wear poodle socks.

A hard-working but very sociable and fun-loving group of dancers, they learn jigs, reels, and hornpipes while getting a good workout. New dancers of all levels are welcome, and no prior experience is necessary!

Adult Tap

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: Adult

Requirement: tap shoes - black oxford preferred, athletic wear or dance clothes

A fun way to socialize and exercise! Beginners welcome! Tap is dancing done with metal taps on the shoes to the rhythm of, or in absence of, the music, by striking the floor. Variations on tempo and syncopation. Moderate core and lower body workout. Class combines both traditional and contemporary tap techniques. Beginner tap steps lead into an intermediate/advanced level of steps, terminology, combinations and choreography through recital performance (optional). 

Ballet III (previously called “Advanced Ballet & Pre-Pointe”)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 9+

Requirement: Traditional ballet attire: ballet slippers, hair pulled off the face; Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights

Students learn intermediate/advanced ballet terminology, steps, transitions and choreography. A strong knowledge of beginner ballet steps is encouraged prior to entering this class. Classes include barre warm up, petite allegro, grand allegro, across-the floor and center exercises. Steps include all 5 ballet positions, body positions, pirouettes, changements, tour jetes, grand jete, pique and chaine turns, etc. Ballet is a graceful, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques, requiring immense precision, focus, and athleticism. Contemporary and classical ballet styles and techniques taught including historical background will be taught. This class is required for Junior Competition Team participants.

Ballet IV (previously called “Elite Ballet”)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Master Classes: 9/19 Sergei Mali

                           10/3, 10/17, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21 Dr. Nancy Kane

Ages: By permission only

Requirement: Traditional ballet attire: ballet slippers, hair pulled off the face; Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights

Students must have Ballet III experience. Students learn advanced ballet terminology, steps, transitions and choreography. Classes include barre warm up, petite allegro, grand allegro, adagio, across-the floor and center exercises. Steps include pirouettes, fouettes/a la seconde, entrechat quatre & cinq, grand pas de chat, etc. …A graceful, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques, requiring immense precision, focus, and athleticism. Intense focus on strengthening the core body, legs, ankles and feet. Both contemporary and classical techniques are taught.

This class is required for Elite Competition Team participants.

Creative Movement

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 3-5

Requirement: ballet slippers, tap shoes (January), hair pulled off the face; athletic wear or traditional ballet attire: Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights. One parent/guardian is required to stay in the room for the entirety of class time.

A pre-dance class for our youngest dancers. Students learn many song-dances through play. Basic beginner stretch, balance, rhythm, movement and classroom instruction, ballet and tap steps. Dance exploration games. Class starts Littlest Tap in January.

Elite Competition Team (Level IV)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: By permission only

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, jazz shoes, turners. Hair must be pulled back off the face.

-Must also be currently enrolled in both Ballet IV and Acro IV (tuition applies). 

-Dancers will be required to take created dances to THREE regional dance competitions during the school year, more information TBA. (Possible dates: January 10-12, April 25-27, May 23-25)

-Dancers will be expected to participate in fundraising activities that will benefit the whole team’s competition fees, more information TBA.

-All team dancers will need to purchase a TCFA Jacket, more information TBA.

Dancers will briefly train together in advanced contemporary, jazz, acro and lifting/partnering dance techniques (rotating). Team will learn choreography for THREE group dances during class time (additional entry fees apply). Solo or Duet/Trio dances (additional entry fees apply), if desired, will be expected to be created outside of class time by yourself or by arranging additional private lessons with Ms. Sam for an additional TCFA fee, please inquire! Solo/duet/trio dances can be practiced twice a month during class time.

Hip Hop (Level II, III)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 8+

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, sneakers (clean, not street shoes, any design)

Learn popular party dances, choreography and how to improvise/cypher in a dance circle! Beginner/intermediate hip hop warm ups, steps, combinations and choreography, including brief histories of steps. Street dance styles, including basic beginner breaking, primarily to hip hop and pop music. “Old school” and “new school” variations.

Irish Dance

Instructor: Nancy Kane

Ages: 8+

Beginning Irish step dance classes focus on posture, strength, rhythm, lightness, footwork, and jumps. The emphasis is on the lower body, with arms held at the sides. Basic jigs and reels will build confidence and a sense of accomplishment with each step learned. Fun, lively traditional and modern Irish tunes accompany each class. To see an example of this type of dance: https://youtu.be/43i01vk2p40

Attire:

Participants wear t-shirts, shorts, and light shoes (Irish ghillies/pumps, available at TCFA or https://www.danceirish.com/products/corrs-economy-practice-ghillie-irish-dance-soft-shoe  for example), or black ballet slippers. “Poodle” socks are recommended for girls to keep calves and ankles warm. Girls with very slender lower legs may want to use special Irish sock glue, available online, to keep socks from slipping down.

Students in this class who have had two years of Irish dance or tap dance will also be dancing in hard shoes. Here is a basic shoe for beginners: Antonio Pacelli Essential Jig Shoe - Irish Dance Hard Shoe - Black Str and we have some available for purchase at TCFA.

Boys may wear Rutherford or Hullachan Irish reel shoes (available at Boys Irish Dance shoes Archives - The Feis Shop) or at TCFA, or black jazz oxfords with black socks.

Junior Competition Team (Level II, III)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 8+

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, jazz shoes, turners. Hair must be pulled back off the face. 

-Must also be currently enrolled in Ballet III (tuition applies). 

-Dancers will be required to take created dances to TWO regional dance competitions during the school year, and have the opportunity to compete in THREE regional competitions total, more information TBA. (Possible dates: January 10-12, April 25-27, May 23-25)

-Dancers will be expected to participate in fundraising activities that will benefit the whole team’s competition fees, more information TBA.

-All team dancers will need to purchase a TCFA Jacket, more information TBA.

Dancers will briefly train together in intermediate contemporary, jazz, acro and lifting/partnering dance techniques (rotating). Team will learn choreography for TWO group dances during class time (additional entry fees apply). Solo or Duet/Trio dances (additional entry fees apply), if desired, will be expected to be created outside of class time by yourself or by arranging additional private lessons with Ms. Sam for an additional TCFA fee, please inquire! Solo/duet/trio dances can be practiced twice a month during class time.

Junior Musical Theatre (Level II, III)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 8+

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, jazz shoes, tap shoes

Focus on both historical and modern junior musicals. Introduction to beginner acting and vocal techniques, including lip syncing. Level II and III (intermediate) tap and jazz dance techniques. Intermediate jazz dance terminology, techniques, steps, combinations and choreography. Jazz dance is a fun style that first emerged with the jazz age of music--A technical style that combines modern pop culture with jazz soul and Broadway theatrical styles. Tap dancing is practiced with metal taps on the shoes in rhythm by striking the floor. Beginner vocal warm-ups and songs. Fun, social improvisational acting games.

Kinderdance

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 4-6

Requirement: ballet slippers, tap shoes, hair pulled off the face; athletic wear or traditional ballet attire: Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights.

Students play fun song-dances, explore movement, and will learn basic beginner ballet and tap terminology, rhythm, steps and choreography taught through games, warm ups, and combinations. Ballet is a graceful, classical, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques. Tap dancing is practiced with metal taps on the shoes in rhythm, by striking the floor. First full classroom experience, no parent/guardian required!

Level I Combo: Ballet I, Tap I, Acro I (previously called “beginner”)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 5+

Requirement: ballet slippers, tap shoes, acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled off the face. Athletic clothes (close-fitting, such as a leotard and convertible tights or leggings) or traditional ballet attire: Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights

Students learn beginner ballet, tap and acro, techniques, steps, terminology, combinations and choreography. Students also play dance games together and learn basic improvisation! Ballet is a graceful, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques, requiring discipline, focus, and athleticism. Students learn the first 3 ballet positions, balances, basics of leaps and turns. Contemporary and classical styles will be taught. Tap dancing is practiced with metal taps on the shoes in rhythm by striking the floor. An introduction to acro dance stretch, strength, and tumbling skills like bridges, candlestick, forward roll, handstand kick-up, beginner cartwheel, and mini trampoline!

Level II Combo: Ballet II, Tap II, Acro II (previously called “intermediate”)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 7-12

Requirement: ballet slippers, tap shoes, acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled off the face. Athletic clothes (close-fitting, such as a leotard and convertible tights or leggings) or traditional ballet attire: Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights

Students learn intermediate ballet, tap and acro, techniques, steps, terminology, combinations and choreography. Students also learn basic dance improvisation. Ballet is a graceful, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques, requiring discipline, focus, and athleticism. Students learn all 5 ballet positions, balances, across the floor and center exercises including beginner petit allegro, grand allegro, and adagio. Contemporary and classical styles will be taught. Tap dancing is practiced with metal taps on the shoes in rhythm by striking the floor to encourage rhythm and connection to music, and intermediate steps include shuffle ball changes, flaps, buffalos, time steps, etc. will be taught. Intermediate acro dance stretch, strength, and tumbling skills like bridges, candlestick, forward and backward roll, handstand kick-up, handstand, cartwheel, roundoff, backbend & stand up, half valdez, and mini trampoline!

Pointe

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Master Classes: 9/19 Sergei Mali

                           10/3, 10/17, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21 Dr. Nancy Kane

Ages: By permission only. Must be currently enrolled in Ballet IV.

Requirement: Traditional ballet attire: ballet slippers, pointe shoes, hair pulled off the face; Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights

An advanced class geared towards the beginner pointe student, mixed levels. Focus on grace, strength and balance through barre, center floor footwork, turns, etc. Students will gain flexibility and strength in their feet at the barre before turning or moving to the center floor. Exercises include releve, eleve, balances in all 5 positions, changement, pique, pique marche, chaine, pique tour, pirouette, etc.

Teen Contemporary (Level III, IV)

Instructor: Samantha Johnson

Ages: 12+

Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, turners

The emerging dominant dance style of our era… Contemporary dance is an expressive form that combines dance techniques. This class will have a technical focus on modern dance. Music varies, but always inspires movement and an outlet for emotional expression. Students learn intermediate and advanced contemporary dance terminology, steps, technique, combinations and choreography. Solo and group improvisations and movement exploration, mirroring, trust exercises… which lead up to beginner and intermediate lifts and contact improvisation.

Teen Musical Theatre (Level III, IV)

Instructor: Dona Roman

Ages: 12+

Requirement:

Requirement: Leotard or t-shirt (any color) with leggings or warm-up pants that allow for full range of movement. Character shoes or jazz shoes and tap shoes.

A character driven approach to singing, dancing, and acting in various styles and genres of Musical Theatre. Emphasis will be placed on determining vocal range, learning dance combinations commonly used in musical theatre choreography, and approaching a role. Students will perform during the May recital.

Our Elite Dance Competition Team excelled at the March 23-24 Access Broadway Dance Competition and Convention in Lake George, NY. Our Elite team, consisting of Abby Arco, Raelynn Hyer, and Zafira Ferrari brought home the following awards:

Platinum, 1st overall BROADWAY STAR age 11-12 - Zafira Ferrari solo “The Cure”

High Gold, 6th overall age 13-14 - Abby Arco solo “Seven Devils”

High Gold, 7th overall age 11-12 - Raelynn Hyer solo “Strut”

High Gold, 4th overall 11-12 duo/trio - Trio “Red Light Green Light”

High Gold, 5th overall age 11-12 duo/trio - Trio “Choreomania”

We are thrilled at the growth and success of our competition program and to all of our dancers. Thank you to our Director of Dance, Ms. Sam, for her outstanding dedication to our dance program and to these dancers.