Class Descriptions

Q. Is Three Too Young to Start Dance Classes?

My grand daughter Kalayiah just turned three years old. Is she too young to start dance classes?

Most dance instructors require children to be at least three years old to attend dance classes. Before the age of three, bones are too soft and attention spans are too little to meet the challenges of formal dance training. A dance class of two-year-olds would basically be a room of preschoolers in diapers. A dance class of three-year-olds, however, would focus on creative movement and basic body control. Beginning dance steps would be introduced in a fun, recreational way.

If you think your three-year-old would enjoy dance classes, go ahead and try it. Baby ballerinas are adorable, and the memories are priceless.

Ms. Kami~

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JAZZ DANCE: is a rhythmic, percussive dance form seen primarily in commercial venues such as Broadway shows, The Academy Awards, dance revues and music videos. Evolving from a blend of European and African traditional social dances, it assimilated into the American culture, with Ballet and Modern Dance contributing to its elegance and African Dance providing its rhythmic propulsion and percussive style.

Pop Jazz Dance: In this class, FUN, high energy choreography is taught using the latest Top 40 Pop tunes & Club music. This is ideal for beginners looking to learn basic dance vocabulary & get a great workout!

Funk Jazz:, as the words imply, uses movements that are "funky" in nature while maintaining its integrity as a technical dance form. Funk Jazz also incorporates some urban and Hip Hop moves into its style giving it the contemporary "music video" look.

Lyrical Jazz: maintains the percussive, rhythmic characteristics that define Jazz, but it incorporates elements of Ballet and Modern Dance to give it a smooth, lengthened look and lyrical quality.

MODERN DANCE: is usually a lyrical and more poetic way of moving, which evolved as dancers found the need to break away from the rigidity of Classical Ballet and express themselves using a freer style. Modern Dance is characterized by its bending of the spine into spirals and contractions as well as the use of off-center movement such as tilts and layouts. It lends itself to various types of music including Classical and New Age, and is traditionally danced barefoot.

SALSA:is a form of Latin social dance, and there are many different varieties. At Manhattan Motion the instructors concentrate on teaching the footwork that breaks "on 2" otherwise known as "New York Style". Basic shines are taught in level 1 class, and there is no need to bring a partner. By the fifth class of a 6-week cycle, men & women are paired together buy the instructor to start putting those basic shine patterns into a partner format.

Class Descriptions

Class Descriptions

Q. Is Three Too Young to Start Dance Classes?

Kalayiah Say's "I like ballet."