BALLET LESSONS
Classical Ballet is an outstanding system of training for all, from the small child through to the vocational student, adult, professional dancer and future teacher. At Orchard Academy of Performing Arts in Dorset your child can start their ballet lessons in Poole from the age of 3 and continue their journey through our academy into adulthood.
RAD Classical Ballet offers examinations and qualifications for children, students and teachers that are nationally and internationally recognised for their excellence. Enjoyment is of prime importance for anyone beginning to dance and our ballet lessons in Poole provide ideal opportunities for those attending classes for recreational purposes on a once a week basis. They provide strength and co-ordination, together with a quality of movement which is second to none.
For students wishing to study ballet in greater depth, there are the more technically demanding Vocational Examinations. Training for these prestigious examinations can be taken at our Poole dance studio. Our outstanding ballet teachers provide one to one tuition and focused group ballet lessons to aid with exam preparation.
Throughout the extensive range of ballet lessons that we offer, a steady build up and safe practice are of great importance to us.
Some identifying features of our ballet lesson in Poole include:
Five positions: the basic positions of the feet and arms through which most ballet skills move through
- Well-maintained posture, extension, and precision
- Body alignment: A harmonious line through the body, correctly placed arms, and centred weight placement
- Turn out: the rotation of the legs from the hip so that the feet are facing outward
- Complicated patterns of dance moves, challenging steps such as leaps, beats and turns
- Graceful athleticism: muscular, flexible, toned physique combined with elegant, fluid motions
Contact us today if you are looking for ballet lessons in Poole, Broadstone, Corfe Mullen or Bournemouth catchment area, our Poole dance studio is the perfect venue to learn Classical Ballet!
MODERN
ISTD Modern Theatre dance is a rhythmic dance style which originated in America before travelling to the rest of the world. It is often seen on the stages of musical productions, Variety shows and backing dancers. It is known for its theatrical qualities. The style uses travelling steps, high kicks, leaps, and turns which all need strength, flexibility and athleticism. This is a highly energetic dance style allowing the dancer to express themselves on stage. Jazz dance roots are found in this form of dance and we love sharing new powerful routines with our students.
Elements used in our Modern dance lessons include:
- Steps: Kicks, turns and leaps
- Our dancers use travelling steps at a variety of speeds and levels
- Strengthening, stretching and loosening exercises
- Rhythmical interpretation and development
- Improvisation and choreography
- Includes Jazz, lyrical, contemporary and commercial styles
At Orchard Academy of Performing Arts, Dorset, we offer a great variety of ISTD Modern dance lessons in Poole from Primary through Grades 1-6 and Vocational Grades to Advanced 2 Level.
For more information on the times and availability of our Modern dance classes in Poole contact us today!
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance forms. Contemporary dance emerged in the 20th century as dancers strived to exhibit more personal expression in their dancing. It was a way to stray from the more traditional and structured styles. Breaking the conventional style of dance, contemporary focuses on freedom of movement.
When performing, dancers focus on connecting their mind and body through fluid dance moves. This allows dancers to explore emotions, and use their natural energy to portray personal expression.
A combination of techniques are used ranging from ballet, jazz, modern and lyrical. As it incorporates different styles, it is also performed to a variety of music genres. The music will be important to help tell the story and set the mood. Some performances may even be silent or have voice overlay.
When hearing the word contemporary, think freedom of movement and expression of mind and soul. Allowing a free range of creativity and passion to flow.
ACRO
Acro dance is designed as a supplement to dance training. In Acro there is no use of apparatus on stage, the dancers ARE the apparatus. It is very common to "stack" or build platforms out of dancers through partnering to create exciting layers within a performance. The focus in Acro is strength, balance and flexibility but the difference to gymnastics is in the overall "look" of a performance. Acro is an art form not a sport so the transition from dance move to acrobatic movement should be seamless and part of the routine.
For dancers, Acro is great for adding versatility to your training. Not only will you work on and develop the skills to one day perform moves like aerials and back handsprings but it will improve your ability to leap and turn in your technique classes as well.
TAP
ISTD Tap has evolved as an American dance form, popularised throughout the world, with debate about its origins coming from African dance, Irish dance and/or clog dancing. The dancer uses their feet to strike the floor, beating out different rhythms, with dancers wearing tap shoes which have small metal plates on the toe and heel to give the distinctive sound. Our tap dance lessons in Poole are a theatrical art form often seen on stage in musicals.
Some fundamental vocabulary you will experience in our tap lessons include:
- Time steps: a dancer keeps time, or the musical beat, with her feet
- Taps: a dancer isolates one part of her foot (heel, toe, ball) to make a sound
- Brush: one foot remains stationary, the other strikes the ground moving forward or backwards
- Shuffle: the combination of two or more brushes
- Ball change: a two-count move that changes the body's weight from one foot to the other
- Flap (pronounced FUH-lap): a quick brush followed by a step
Of course, in performance or practice, many of these fundamental moves are combined into much more complex and advanced footwork, rhythm and style.
Tap dance lessons begin at Primary (from approximately reception age) and go up to Advanced 2. Our tap dance lessons take place at the Orchard Academy of Performing Arts in Poole, Dorset. To find out more information on the tap dance lessons we offer in Poole, call us today or drop us an email.
DISCO
The aims of these classes are to create sound and safe techniques while understanding the need to allow freedom of expression and musical interpretation. This style of dance is an ever-changing art form. Modern music, trends, and different cultures will always give us new challenges and material to introduce to our dancers. At present we do not study towards exams in these dance classes but the students enjoy socialising with like-minded people and keeping fit and active.
You can learn disco dance with us from the age of 4 and continue with our social disco lessons up to the age of 16 without the stress of exams. During our lessons you will experience different styles which include some acrobatic work. Some of our students follow on from their disco lessons into our jazz lessons which begin from age 10.
If you would like to join our disco lessons in Poole and learn fun dance routines inspired by the latest music videos call our dance teachers at The Orchard Academy of Performing Arts in Dorset.
JAZZ
Know it or not, you see jazz dance all over the place, from television shows and movies to music videos and commercials. People enjoy watching jazz dancers, as the dance moves and techniques are fun and energetic. This type of dancing consists of fancy footwork, big leaps, and quick turns. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background in ballet and modern, as it encourages grace and balance.
Jazz dance is an umbrella term encompassing several different styles of dance that became popular in the early 20th-century. Though jazz dance has mixed roots extending back through both African and European traditions. In the 1940s, the improvised, social aspect of jazz dance began to be replaced with intricate choreography as more dancers with training in ballet and modern took up the dance form, especially on Broadway and West End stages. Today, jazz dance continues to evolve and blend with other dance styles — for example, street jazz and Modern theatre dance.
Some identifying elements of our jazz dance lessons in Poole include:
Isolations: a dancer isolates one specific part of her body, such as her rib cage, hips or wrist
- Grounded movement: dancers keep a low centre of gravity, and often bend their knees and travel well
- Syncopation: accenting an offbeat or note of the musical accompaniment that surprises the audience
- Contractions: motivated by breath and muscle tightening a dancer will change the shape with her core or limbs
- Stylisation: there are many styles in jazz dance to explore that is lacking in more traditional styles
Come and try our jazz dance lessons in Poole and learn to dance with strength and style. Contact us at The Orchard Academy of Performing Arts in Poole to book one of our jazz dance lessons.
