Ages 2-6

Pre-Dance: (Age 2) Children are introduced to the fundamentals of dance in a fun and creative mode. Children are encouraged to participate independently from parents/caregivers. Class meets once a week. Uniform: Girls - Pink leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink ballet slippers. Boys - White t-shirt, black tights or dark sweat pants and black ballet slippers. Hair must be neatly pulled back for class. Necklaces, bracelets skirts, tutus and leg warmers are not permitted in class. Children must be age two by September 30th.

Pre-School I: (Age 3) Similar to Pre-Dance, this class also provides an introduction to standard classroom etiquette, body awareness, movement exploration and musicality in a positive and creative environment. Class meets once a week. Uniform: Girls - Pink leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink ballet slippers. Boys - White t-shirt, black tights or dark sweat pants and black ballet slippers. Hair must be neatly pulled back for class. Necklaces, bracelets skirts, tutus and leg warmers are not permitted in class. Children must be age three by September 30th.

Pre-School II: (Age 4) A continuation of Pre-School I, Pre-School II incorporates simple elements of tap to enhance the student's coordination and rhythm. Class meets once a week. Uniform: Girls - Pink leotard of any style. Pink tights, pink ballet slippers and black tap shoes. Boys - White t-shirt, black tights or sweat pants, black ballet slippers and black tap shoes. Hair must be neatly pulled back for class. Necklaces, bracelets skirts, tutus and leg warmers are not permitted in class. Children must be age four by September 30th.

Tap & Ballet: (Ages 5 & 6) This class provides an introduction to the fundamentals of both tap and ballet while emphasizing proper alignment, coordination, musicality and good habits for physical exercise. This class meets once a week. Uniform: Girls - Pink leotard of any style. Pink tights, pink ballet slippers and black tap shoes. Boys - White t-shirt, black tights or sweat pants, black ballet slippers and black tap shoes. Hair must be neatly pulled back for class. Necklaces, bracelets skirts, tutus and leg warmers are not permitted in class. Children must be at least age five by September 30th 2005.

Pre-Ballet Level I: (Ages 4-5) A preparation for basic ballet study. Elementary positions and exercises are introduced at this level. Posture, musicality and coordination are emphasized. Pre-Ballet is a prelude to formal ballet instruction. This class meets once a week. Uniform: Girls - White leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink ballet slippers. Boys - White t-shirt, black tights or sweat pants and black ballet slippers. Hair must be neatly pulled back for class. Necklaces, bracelets skirts, tutus and leg warmers are not permitted in class. Children must be age four by September 30th.

Pre-Ballet Level II: (Ages 5-6) A continuation of Pre-Ballet Level 1. Children continue the study of elementary positions and exercises. Posture, musicality and coordination are emphasized. Pre-Ballet is a prelude to formal ballet instruction. This class meets once a week. Uniform: Girls - White leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink ballet slippers. Boys - White t-shirt, black tights or sweat pants and black ballet slippers. Hair must be neatly pulled back for class. Necklaces, bracelets skirts, tutus and leg warmers are not permitted in class. Children must be entering kindergarten by September 30th. Otherwise, please see Pre-Ballet Level 1.

Ages 6 1/2-Adult

Classical Ballet: Studied in its traditional form and structure, these classes are graded by age and ability, levels 1 through 7. Proper body alignment, classical line, musicality and ballet vocabulary are emphasized at all levels. The ballet syllabus at SNHDT is based on the classical Russian tradition and is further enhanced by the ideas and concepts of several other major methods and syllabi of training (i.e. Balanchine, Bournonville, Ceccehetti, RAD). Young students are taught the basic elements of classical ballet that are common to all major syllabi. Intermediate and Advanced students (level 5 through 7) are later introduced to the number of varying styles that exist among some of the major methods of training. Additionally, students are exposed to several guest artists throughout the year to broaden their knowledge and to ensure versatility. This more universal approach enables our students to be prepared for the eclectic demands of the dance world today.

Ballet Level 1: (Age 6 1/2 and older) Ballet level 1 meets once a week. Uniform: Girls - Black leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink slippers. Students must be turning 7 no later than April 1st 2007. If not please see Pre-Ballet Level II.

Ballet Level 2: (Age 8 and older) Ballet level 2 meets once a week. For more guidance with placement please speak with our staff. Uniform: Girls - Black leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink slippers.

Ballet Level 3: (Approximate ages 8 to 11) Ballet level 3 meets once a week. For more guidance with placement please speak with our staff. Uniform: Girls - Black leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink slippers.

Ballet Level 3/4: (Approximate ages 9 to 12) Ballet level 3/4 meets once a week. For more guidance with placement please speak with our staff. Uniform: Girls - Black leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink slippers.

Ballet Level 4: (Approximate ages 9 to 12) Ballet level 4 is a two-year program. Minimum required study is twice a week. A third class is strongly recommended for all level 4 students during their second year. Placement class is required for new students. For more guidance with placement please speak with our staff. Uniform: Girls - Black leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink slippers.

Ballet Level 5: Minimum required study is three times a week. We strongly recommend four classes a week. Placement class is required for new students. For more guidance with placement please speak with our staff. Uniform: Girls - Black leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink slippers.

Ballet Level 6: Minimum required study is four times a week. We strongly recommend five to six classes a week. Placement class is required for new students. For more guidance with placement please speak with our staff. Uniform: Girls - Black leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink slippers.

Ballet Level 7: Minimum required study is five times a week. We strongly recommend six to seven classes a week. Placement class is required for new students. For more guidance with placement please speak with our staff. Uniform: Girls - Any color leotard of any style. Pink tights and pink slippers.

Boy's Ballet Ages 6-8: This class meets once a week and is an introduction to the technical development of the male dancer. Placement is not required. Uniform: Plain solid-colored T-shirt (white preferred) with black tights, jazz pants or dark sweat pants. White or black ballet slippers.

Boy's Ballet Ages 9-12: This class meets once a week and is geared towards developing ballet technique for the male dancer. Placement is not required. Uniform: Plain solid-colored T-shirt (white preferred) with black tights, jazz pants or dark sweat pants. White or black ballet slippers.

Boy's Ballet: (Ages 12 and older) This class meets twice a week and is geared towards the technical development of the male dancer. Placement is recommended. Uniform: Plain solid-colored T-shirt (white preferred) with black tights, jazz pants or dark sweat pants. White or black ballet slippers. Pas de deux for those who qualify, when offered, is an additional class at no cost.

Open Ballet Classes: For teens and/or adults who can only commit to studying ballet once a week.

Modern Dance: (Ages 9 and older) The modern dance syllabus at SNHDT is based primarily on the teachings and styles of Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey. Movement is based around Graham's contract/release and Humphrey's concept of fall/recovery. Movement theories and steps common to forms of modern dance are also introduced and further explored at upper levels. Intermediate and advanced students are challenged by increased complexity and length of sequence, constant level change and use of nontraditional phrasing. Uniform: Leotard and tights any color. Bare feet.

Jazz: (Ages 6 1/2 and older) The jazz program focuses on developing strong lines, technique, command of proper terminology and an understanding of the body's center of movement. Styles of concentration include modern jazz as well as a combination of vernacular and contemporary movement. Jazz dance also emphasizes the bodies natural response to rhythms and syncopated beats of jazz music. When possible, students explore hip-hop a style of jazz dance. Uniform: Leotard and tights any color. Jazz oxfords or sneakers.

Tap: (Ages 6 1/2 and older) The tap program incorporates a blend of both buck and rhythm tap styles. These classes will emphasize technique, terminology, precision and strong rhythm skills.