The dance season is about to begin and you know you want to take a class. There is one small problem. With so many options of classes that look fun, you can't decide which one should take. Don't worry, we are here to help you decide! We have a dance style to fit your personality.
If you like rules, structure, and find comfort in consistency and stability, than ballet is for you. In ballet there is no grey area. You are either doing something right or wrong. Ballet requires precision and attention to detail. The skills are difficult to master correctly, but hard work and determination makes the payoff so much better when you finally accomplish a goal. Ballet is typically practiced to classical music, and dancers are respectful of the specific dress code required. Class includes exercises at the barre, in center, and traveling across the floor. Don't be fooled, ballet class is anything but boring! It includes a variety of types of movements such as turns, leaps, jumps, and balancing.
Recommended class pairing: Contemporary
If you like the rules, structure, and consistency listed above, but would rather dance to pop music, you should take jazz! Jazz has a lot of similar movements to ballet, but instead of listening to classical music, you'll typically listen to more popular music. You'll still be turning, leaping, jumping, and traveling across the floor in this class. Jazz will help you develop your sense of rhythm. The cool style will allow you to add your own personality to each movement.
Recommended class pairing: Musical Theater
If you like dancing in a way that allows your body to express what you are feeling, you should take contemporary! Contemporary is a style of modern dance that is very popular today. Movements connect together and flow nicely. All of the exercises are based on body initiations, which means you don't have to dance exactly like your neighbor to be doing the movement correctly. Contemporary includes floor work, exercises in the center, and across the floor combinations. It will help you develop strength, coordination, flexibility, and body awareness.
Recommended class pairing: Jazz or Ballet
If you love grooving to hip hop or pop music, and can't help yourself when your favorite song comes on the radio, hip hop is for you! Hip hop is more grounded in it's movement. Your body will move to the rhythm of the music, and you'll focus on isolations and strength. Hip hop has less leaps and turns, but is flashy because of the quick patterns and the play on musical rhythms.
Recommended class pairing: Tap
If you like creating music with your body, or find yourself drumming your own beat to the song you're listening to, you will love tap! In tap, you'll use your feet in new and fun ways to create beats with your feet. This highly coordinated technique focuses on building rhythms by using your feet and taps in different ways. You'll practice technique in center and across the floor combinations, making music and dancing all at the same time!
Recommended class pairing: Jazz, Musical Theater, or Hip Hop
If you like belting out your favorite tune while acting the part and choreographing sweet moves, you'll definitely be into musical theater. Musical theater is for students who were born to be stars. They don't just want to dance. They want to sing while they dance, and act the part at the same time! Musical theater classes have singing, speaking, and dancing exercises. Students will audition for parts and create scenes from popular musicals.
Recommended class pairing: Jazz or Tap
If you think dancing is ok but you love doing tricks, you definitely need to sign up for acro or aerial dance. You know this class is for you if you'd rather cartwheel than walk down the aisle of the grocery store. In acro you'll work at your own pace to accomplish skills that require strength, flexibility and balance Aerial dance is separate from acro, where you climb the silks and perform amazing tricks up in the air. Both are a ton of fun!
Recommended class pairing: Contemporary
No matter what your personality type, there is a dance class out there for you. New styles are always worth a try! If they don't work out, at Atlanta Dance Central we offer the option to switch into a different class as long as it isn't full. There's nothing to lose when trying a new class. If you need even more help deciding, talk to your dance teacher or give them a call!