Class Descriptions

Intro to Dance - (ages 3 to 4 years)
45 minute class focuses on creative movement and introduces students to ballet steps. Class beings with warm up, and then moves to the introduction of a new step or movement. Students learn to travel across the studio individually and with partners or as a group. Cooperation, listening skills, patience and self-confidence are emphasized.

Pre-Dance I - (ages 4 to 5 years)
45 minute class includes ballet basics and creative movement as well as an introduction to dance terminology. Class begins with warm up, and then moves to introduction of a new step, movement or combination. No prior dance experience is necessary.
Pre-Dance II - (age 5 years) 1 hour class includes warm up followed by 1/2 hour of ballet and 1/2 hour of introductory tap. Pre-Dance I is a suggested prerequisite for younger 5 year olds with no prior dance experience.

Combination I - (age 6 to 7 year)
1 hour class with instructional focus on Ballet and Tap. Students will also be exposed to some jazz and modern technique as well. No prior dance experience is necessary though some prior dance experience would be beneficial.

Combination II - (age 7 to 8 years)
1 1/2 hour class focuses on Ballet, Tap and Jazz with 1/2 hour for each subject area. Modern dance technique may be introduced or periodically integrated into the instruction. Combination I is suggested for 7 year olds and your 8 year olds with no prior dance instruction.

The following classes are offered at a variety of levels for students’ ages 8 and older. Length of class will vary depending on the level of instruction.

Ballet -
Ballet’s strong technical basis is the foundation of all dance, and is central to a student’s study of any dance form. Our students are introduced to many different techniques including the Vaganova Method, Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Contemporary Ballet.

Tap -
Tap dance focuses on rhythms of the feet and helps develop coordination, balance and musicality. MMPAC’s tap instruction includes Rhythm, Broadway, and Classical style of Tap.

Jazz -
An enegertic, fast moving, enthusiatic dance form, Jazz is both transitional and traditional. Varied styles of movement are explored with attention to body isolations. Our curriculum ranges from Classical Jazz to L.A. stylized Jazz and Hip-Hop.

Modern -
Modern dance explores movement in its entirety and goes beyond the boundaries of other techniques. The relationship between a student’s body and its ability to move through time and space, is explored.

Lyrical and Liturgical -
Characterized by its fluidity, Lyrical combines elements of Ballet, Jazz and Modern dance. Choreographed to inspirational music, lyrical dance gives students an opportunity to interpret a wide range of expressions and emotions, while liturgical can also include festive spiritual dance movements.