Classes We Offer At CGS
Age Groupes
Pre-Junior
5 to 7years
Pre-Juniors can participate in Ballet, Acrobatics and a Mixed Style Class (Jazz and Lyrical alternation).
Junior
8 to 10years
Classes for our CGS Juniors include: Ballet, Lyrical/Contemporary, Jazz, Acrobatics and HipHop.
Intermediates
11 to 13 years
Classes for our CGS Inters include: Ballet, PBT, Fitness/Tech. Acrobatics, Lyrical, Contemporary, HipHop and Jazz.
Teen
14 years +
Classes for our CGS Teens include: Ballet/PBT, Fitness/Tech, Acrobatics, Lyrical, Contemporary, HipHop and Jazz Classes.
DREAM
•
CREATE
•
GROW
•
DREAM • CREATE • GROW •
Ballet
Ballet is known as the foundation for all styles of dance as it allows the student to build strength within the entire body in a very specific way. Ballet consists of elegance and precision. It’s main characteristics also include correct postural alignment, balance, flexibility, external rotation, and control. In our ballet classes, students delve into the intricacies of ballet terminology and technique, from fundamental exercises at the barre to the graceful execution of classical ballet variations. Ballet allows students to develop artistry and defined musicality in a dance style which is by nature very structured. We strongly advocate for every student to enroll in a ballet class, recognizing its pivotal role in a dancer’s development. Ballet not only establishes a robust technical foundation but also ensures safe and steady progression, setting the stage for excellence in dance.
PROGRESSING BALLET TECHNIQUE
Progressing Ballet Technique is an example of how ballet has evolved into a highly defined dance style. PBT is an innovative body conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance dancers’ technique by focusing on improving muscle memory and mind-to-muscle activation though a variety of exercises. PBT has specific programs for individual age groups, to allow children to safely extend their skills as they grow. This program helps immensely with injury prevention and rehabilitation and utilizes equipment to help students isolate and gain greater control over target muscles. The PBT program is an incredible opportunity for students to discover the power of the mind and body and learn about their bodies in relation to dance practices. Our PBT instructor Mia completed her certification with Marie Walton-Mahon in 2023 and is fully equipped with the skills to teach this highly beneficial program to CGS students.
Pre-Pointe/Pointe
Pre-pointe and Pointe Technique is a class aimed at students who are interested in progressing into pointe shoes within the next 2 years. Pre-Pointe focuses on preparing students with the strength, flexibility, technique, knowledge confidence to dance en pointe. There is a particular focus on building strength in the ankles and plantar fascia of the feet, as well as perfecting turnout and core activation. It's important that before students progress en pointe they are mature with their ballet training. We recommend taking any ballet class available to you if you wish to progress en pointe.
In saying this, pre-pointe and pointe classes are not exclusive to those whose end goal is pointe shoes, the strength and habits developed in pointe prep can help improve any dancer's technique and stability, which is important for the integrity of the ankles and feet we dance on.
JAZZ
Jazz is an upbeat and enthusiastic dance style which incorporates strong applications of jazz technique. Jazz is rhythmically complex and utilizes the isolation of body parts such as head, shoulders, rib cage and hip. In class students will participate in energetic warmups, combinations which travel across the floor, as well as learning a variety of different Jazz style choreography. There are a variety of different Jazz styles, the main categories of Jazz include: Traditional Jazz, Musical Theatre, Heels, and Commercial jazz. For older age groups, students will be challenged on occasion through mock auditions. Creative Ground aims to include each of these jazz styles in the Jazz classes provided. Jazz is a key pathway for those who wish to pursue dance beyond Creative Ground and is a great way to build confidence and unleash your fun and energetic side.
Lyrical
Lyrical dance is a blend of classical ballet and contemporary with music containing lyrics. Lyrical dance is unrestricted, and heavily motivated by lyrics and story telling. Lyrical classes are a wonderful way to broaden a dancers creative bounds and to empowering dancers through their self expression.
In our Lyrical classes, dancers will refine their skills in evoking emotion, exploring musicality, and mastering a diverse range of movement qualities. Through innovative choreography and heartfelt performances, we empower our students to unleash their creativity and express their innermost feelings through dance.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a very diverse style, with many similar techniques to ballet as well as pulling inspiration from jazz. Contemporary is abstract and interpretive which consists of creating unique shapes, pathways, patterns and expression. Contemporary is grounded and allows the entire body to move without restriction whilst also incorporating a diverse variety of movement qualities to convey an emotion or subject. At Creative Ground, we believe in the power of improvisation to ignite creativity and spontaneity. Through guided exercises, dancers tap into their intuition, finding new depths of expression and connection to the music.
Technique and Fitness classes at Creative Ground are a perfect way for students to build confidence in their Kicks, Leaps, Turns and overall technical strength. Technique and Fitness Classes will include thorough warm-ups, attention to cardiovascular fitness, full body conditioning, full body stretching, the break-down of kicks, leaps and turns, with specified exercises designed to improve the muscle memory in technical skills, analytical skills to assess their own technical progression and lessons in harnessing their understanding their physiology to improve their technique. Though these classes do not involve much creative movement they are incredibly important for students to undertake as hard work in Technique and Fitness classes will pay off in their overall control and execution of any style of choreography.
Technique & Fitness
Acrobatics
Acrobatic dance classes will focus on building and utilizing strength and flexability to execute variations of handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, ariels, handsprings, and group lifts. Acrobatics requires flexibility and strength, both of which are focus points in our Acrobatic Classes. At Creative Ground our Acrobatic Classes will always start with a warm-up, stretching, strengthening, and progressive skills down the Acro Mats. All students are encouraged to work at their own pace. We recognize that every dancer's body and confidence is different, and we will support our students to progress safely. For younger students, the focus will be in mastering the foundations of acrobatics and slowly progressing to achieve new skills. For older students who have already mastered these skills, they will learn how to link more advanced acrobatic skills into combinations. Acrobatics, though not necessary for a dancer, is a great addition to a dancer 's toolbox.
HIP-HOP
Hip Hop is a style of street dance that evolved from hip hop culture and hip hop music. It borrows elements from various other dance styles such as African dance, tap and ballet. It originated as a freestyle dance performed in the streets, but today hip hop dance may involved choreography along with improvisation. Techniques involve body isolations and other unique movements including ‘popping’ ‘locking’ and ‘krumping’. It is a high energy dance style with complex footwork and requires the dancer to project the ‘attitude’ of the music used, which is often confidence, boldness and irreverence.
