Dance & Theater Class Descriptions

Materials Fees can be made in one, two or three payments, again adjusted upon receipt of your contract.

Tap

Tap is one of our very favorites here at KAPA.

Making rhythms and playing music with our feet is truly incredible.

Tap encompasses all styles of music and performing -- there are endless possibilities when it comes to tap dancing.

A rhythmical tapping sound is attained by the dancer from the small metal plates on the dancer's shoes. It is in his way that the dancer also becomes a percussive musician. Tap dance is often characterized by syncopation and improvisation. Tap can also be performed without music, known as ‘Capella’ dancing. Another type of Tap dance is the ‘soft-shoe’ form, which is a style that is performed in soft-soled shoes without metal taps. The nature of the tapping in this style of Tap is more leisurely and smooth, and there is generally an element of humour within the dance routines. In contrast, the ‘buck-and-wing’ Tap technique is danced much more vigorously in wooden soled shoes.

Jazz

To define Jazz dance is to hold Jazz in a static state. Jazz dance is dynamic and ever changing, as all art forms are. In many ways, we truly don’t want to define Jazz dance; we want to live it, to feel it, to move with it. Jazz is as diverse as the people who create it, and it is through this broad, melting pot concept of Jazz dance that we start to find the essence of this truly American art form. - Doug Yeuell

Jazz has become one of the most popular styles of dance in recent years,mainly due to its popularity on television shows, movies, music videos and commercials. People enjoy watching jazz dancers, as the dancing is fun, up beat and energetic. It consists of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns.

To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background in ballet, as it encourages grace and balance.

Ballet

Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread, highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary based on French terminology. It has been globally influential and has defined the foundational techniques used in many other dance genres.

Ballet requires years of training to learn and master, and much practice to retain proficiency. It has been taught in ballet schools around the world, which have historically used their own cultures to evolve the art.

Lyrical

A style of dance created from the fusion of ballet with jazz and contemporary dance techniques and is a "cousin" to those styles.

Lyrical dancing is performed to music with lyrics to inspire movements to express strong emotions the choreographer feels from the lyrics in the chosen song. Because lyrical dancing focuses on the expression of strong emotion, the style concentrates more on individual approach and expressiveness than the precision of the dancer's movements. The emergent lyrical style has a relatively recent history and a genesis based on the coming together of ballet with rock/folk/pop/alternative music and a variety of jazz dance styles and modern dance.

Hip Hop

Hip hop is much more than a way of moving to hip hop music...it is a way of life. Hip hop is a lifestyle that includes its own language, music, wardrobe style and style of dance.

Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles primarily breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States

Hip Hop Funk

Hip Hop funk dancers will learn basic jazz technique and hip hop moves while developing rhythm and confidence. Music is age appropriate and will encourage an engaging, high energy class.

Tumbling

Tumbling at KAPA is to enhance the dance experience and for cheerleaders. We currently have 4 levels of curriculum for our tumbling program. These skills range from simple forward and backward rolls, to handsprings, aerials, tucks and layouts. We have a small balance beam to help our students develop their core as well as learn some fun and exciting tricks on the aparatus!

Musical Theater

This class has it all! Singing - Dancing - Acting - Props - Stage Sets and so much more!! Students age K-9th grade will produce a mini-musical (20-40 minutes long) each session. They help build props and stage sets. Class meets twice a week and enrollment in both days is required. We have a very limited time to put together our show.