Class Program Descriptions
Beginning Years Program Overview:
Parent and Tot, First Steps, Second Steps and Kindersteps Program
The curricula for our Beginning Years Programs center on a developmentally appropriate syllabus of dance techniques and creative movement. This syllabus offers a very structured program for young children. The goal of the Beginning Years Program is to prepare students with foundational dance skills and knowledge that will prepare them for our Combination Years Program. Similarly, we value the importance of fostering social skills and peer engagement. The program offers growth in a variety of skill areas presented in an educational environment. Students will begin to learn about classroom etiquette, musical awareness, expressing emotions through movement and more.
Please note: We do not begin “End Of Year Performance” routines until the end of March/beginning of April. This gives students a full year of growth and dance education before they begin to apply those skills to the “Year End Performance” routine.
As part of respect and discipline, all classes at Illusions require a uniform. The Illusions leotard and pink tights are required for all classes at Illusions.
The director, based on a combination of age and level, will place all students in the appropriate class.
Parent and Tot: Creative Movement
In this guided environment, parents (or any adult) and teachers, together, will introduce the fundamentals of dance through creative movement. This class will foster the development of gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills. Students will also be introduced to classroom etiquette and respect for the art of dance. Additionally, students will enhance gross motor skills by participating in obstacle courses and by using props such as scarves, maracas, tambourines, hula hoops, Tumble Trak trampolines, cheese mats, roll mats, bean bags and more. * This is a great class for our youngest dancers!
First Steps: Creative Movement/Pre-Ballet
In this fun-filled environment, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of ballet through creative movement. This class will foster the development of gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills. Students will also be introduced to classroom etiquette and respect for the art of dance. Additionally, students will enhance gross motor skills by participating in obstacle courses and by using props such as scarves, maracas, tambourines, hula hoops, tumble trak trampolines, cheese mats, roll mats, bean bags and more. *This is an “On My Own” class!
Second Steps: Creative Movement/ Pre-Ballet/ Pre- Tap
In this exciting class, students will continue learning the fundamentals of ballet through creative movement and ballet mats. Most importantly, students will be introduced to the Ballet barre technique using Ballet mats and will learn why using the Ballet barre is important for dance training. This class will continue to foster the development of gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills. Students will continue to learn about classroom etiquette and respect for the art of dance. Additionally, students will continue enhancing gross motor skills by participating in obstacle courses and by using props such as scarves, maracas, tambourines, hula hoops, tumble trak trampolines, cheese mats, roll mats, bean bags and more. Furthermore, students will participate in ‘Pre-Tap’ with basic Tap terminology and basic Tap dance fundamentals.
KinderSteps: Creative Movement/ Ballet/ Tap
In this continuing class, students will begin to concentrate on fundamentals of ballet technique using the ballet mats along with the barre. Most importantly, students will be introduced to the Ballet barre technique and will learn why using the Ballet barre is important for dance training. This class will continue to foster the development of gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills. Students will continue to learn about classroom etiquette and respect for the art of dance. Additionally, students will continue to enhance gross motor skills by participating in obstacle courses and by using props such as scarves, maracas, tambourines, hula hoops, tumble trak trampolines, cheese mats, roll mats, bean bags and more. Furthermore, students will participate in Tap class where they will continue to learn Tap terminology and Tap dance fundamentals based on a sequential tap syllabus that is used as a framework for all tap classes. This syllabus is separated into grade level units that allow the teacher to build off of previously taught skills and steps. As students grow, the foundational steps become more advanced and intricate.
Combination Years Program Overview:
Combo 1, Combo 2, Intermediate, Senior
The curricula for our Combination Years Program centers on a developmentally appropriate syllabus of dance techniques that serves as a continuation of our Beginning Years Program. This syllabus offers a very regulated program for young children which focuses on fostering advances in their dance education. The goal of the Combination Years Program is to prepare students with foundational skills in Ballet, Jazz and Tap while simultaneously fostering social skills and peer engagement. Furthermore, the program covers a wide variety of skills such as choreographic design, technical awareness, and injury prevention, which are presented in an educational environment. Students will also learn about classroom etiquette, musical awareness, expressing emotions through movement and more. Our combo classes are especially convenient for transportation purposes since all classes are back to back. For example, students will have Ballet, Jazz and Tap sequentially all on one night.
Ballet is the foundation of dance and technique. For this reason, students in our combo classes may choose to participate in only Jazz or only Tap with Ballet being the required foundation class. For instance, you may take Ballet and Jazz or Ballet and Tap; you cannot enroll only in Jazz without taking Ballet etc.
Please note: We do not begin “End Of Year Performance” routines until the end of March/beginning of April. This gives students a full year of growth and dance education before they begin to apply those skills to a “Year End Performance” routine.
As part of respect and discipline, all classes at Illusions require a uniform. The Illusions leotard and pink tights are required for all classes at Illusions.
The director, based on a combination of age and level, will place all students in the appropriate class.
Combination Level Classes
Class Descriptions
In our Combo Classes, students are exposed to three genres of dance including Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. The class is separated into three sections of time one after the other.
All Combo Classes begin with a proper warm up of muscles and joints, including a cardiovascular portion. This ensures that the entire body is warm before any rigorous stretching or movement has begun.
After the initial warm up, students are exposed to proper Ballet technique by using the barre for Ballet exercises. Following Ballet Barre, students continue for across the floor Ballet exercises such as turns, petit allegro, grand allegro etc. Students finish class with center work and technique building exercises with combinations.
Following Ballet, students participate in a Jazz warm up consisting of kicks, turns, leaps and progressions. After, students work in the center to increase flexibility and stamina by participating in a full stretch exercise routine. Jazz class participants then learn a combination to music of the directors choosing. This may consist of contemporary, lyrical, modern styles.
Following Jazz, students will join for a Tap class. Our tap classes follow a sequential tap syllabus that is used as a framework for all tap classes. This syllabus is separated into grade level units that allow the teacher to build off of previously taught skills and steps. As students grow, the foundational steps become more advanced and intricate. The class begins with across the floor combinations, which include developmentally appropriate steps and skills. Class continues with center floor work and combinations.
Single Subject Class Descriptions
All Single Subject Classes are 45- 60 minutes in duration. Students do not need to enroll in the Combo Class Program to participate in the Single Subject Classes. All Single Subject classes begin with a warm up for muscles, joints and the cardiovascular system. After, students participate in a focused and proper stretch of the body. Finally, they learn choreography specific to the single subject course.
Acrobats: Various Levels
In this energetic environment, students are introduced to acrobatic art techniques and skills. Following a proper warm up exercise, students are able to use our equipment room with our very own TUMBLE TRAK. Students will also use various mats to learn techniques for improving acrobatic and tumbling techniques.
Contemporary/Lyrical:
This 45- minute class is for students enrolled in Combo 1 Ballet or higher. The class focuses on contemporary/ lyrical style of dance, which uses the music and body to tell a story with music. The characteristic of this dance genre is less rigid than ballet but slower than jazz. Various Levels Available
Hip-Hop: Various Levels
This 45- minute class is for students 5 and older. No previous dance experience is required for enrollment. The class starts off with a warm up designed to build strength and style. The class continues with combinations that are the perfect fusion of styles which combine jazz roots and hip hop. This class works to increase fitness, strength and flexibility through a range of intense exercises. Participation in this class gives students the chance to learn great dance moves, develop a funky dance style and increase confidence.
Irish Step
This 45- minute class is for students 5 years and older. Our program is designed to teach traditional Irish Step moves while providing students with the opportunity to explore the Irish heritage. Students will learn a variety of skills to ensure precision, technique, footwork, and good posture. Class will begin with a warm up, across the floor, stretches ending with choreography.
Pointe
This 60-minute class is for students who have been given permission by the director. It is a requirement to participate in Ballet Combo Class Program, to ensure that students are receiving proper training in ballet for a specified number of hours per week. Students in our Pointe class will develop the necessary strength through warm up variations, strengthening exercises, Barre exercises and center floor work.
Please note: Pointe is a very demanding and disciplined form of the art. It is up to the director to determine whether a student is ready for pointe work. Readiness for Pointe is determined by each student’s individual strength and physical development. This may mean that there may be a difference for when specific children are permitted to enroll in pointe class; regardless of friendships or ages of students. For the safety of the student, the director will advise parents when a student has the necessary strength and maturity to go on Pointe. This is strictly enforced at our academy.
Pre Pointe
Pointe class may also be taken by students not yet authorized to go on Pointe. This 60-minute class would be taken using pre pointe shoes. This will help further develop and strengthen the muscles necessary to go on Pointe in the future. Students will participate in the class as though they are on Pointe.
Musical Theater
During this class, the students will be engrossed in several aspects of theater. Acting, singing, dancing, and other opportunities await them. This class will prepare students for various theater roles while increasing overall personal confidence both on stage and off. Multiple Levels Available
Illusions Performance Company/ Enrichment Program
The Illusions Performance Company is a separate enrichment program for students who show dedication and commitment to a higher level of dance. Those students will be asked to audition for the Illusions Performance Company. Upon a successful audition, students will be enrolled in the Performance Company class. Students of the Illusions Performance Company must be willing to commit to weekly classes where the director determines the times. Attendance at these classes is of utmost importance and necessary. Students must also be willing to commit to performances in the community. Participants will represent Illusions Academy of Dance, Inc. by performing at events throughout the community regionally and nationally. Illusions Performance Company has traveled to Disney World and performs every other year! Master Classes and Conventions are important in the development of all dancers. Exposure to a variety of styles fosters the development of well- rounded dancers. For this reason, the students of the Illusions Performance Company, who are 13 an older, will have the option travel with us to places such as Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City.
