CYT Dance Class Benchmarks

5, 6, 7, 8 It's time to get up and dance! Step up to all the basic techniques that will prepare you to take on any form of dance. Beyond the standard ballet positions you'll learn how to chasse, channe, pirouette, kick, leap, and more. Whether you want to learn Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, or Ballroom, this class will give you the foundation you’ll need to succeed.

Benchmarks:
Understand and articulate the principles of dance, including grace, fluidity, discipline, strength, flexibility, technique, control, musicality, and style
Execute basic dance technique, including the following steps: Plie, releve, tendu, degage, ronde de jamb, battement, pique, chasse, outside pirouette, pique turn, channe turn, split leap, saute, change mots, pas de boure, balance, arabesque, attitude, positions of the arms and feet, grape vine, lindy, pivot turn, flap, shuffle, ball change, buffalo, cramp roll, and single time step.
Name each of the above techniques when someone else demonstrates them
Understand and demonstrate basic foundational dance technique, such as the following principles: Holding one's center; finding proper placement of arms, torso, shoulders, hips, etc; being turned out; being turned in; spotting; and using focus
Pick up basic dance combinations and execute them from memory

Dance 2

Alright, dancers it's time to leap through Broadway's most popular forms of dance: Jazz and Tap. Kick up your knowledge of dance as you master more intermediate steps all the while strengthening your foundation in basic technique. Learn how to do drags, pencil turns, fan kicks, toe touches, paradiddles, riffs, pull backs, maxi-fords, and much, much more. This class will have a major focus on style as we will explore the differences between classic and contemporary and everything in between. Jazz and Tap shoes are required.

Benchmarks:
Show individual progress in the areas of discipline, strength, fluidity, flexibility, technique, control, musicality, and style
Execute beginner/intermediate dance technique, including the following Jazz steps: Plie, releve, tendu, degage, ronde de jamb, battement, pique, chasse, pas de boure, balance, outside pirouette, inside pirouette, pique turn, channe turn, split leap, stag leap, arabesque, attitude, positions of the arms and feet, grape vine, lindy, pivot turn, drag, pencil turn, triplet step, layout, fan kick, isolations, consecutive kicks to the front, side, and back
Execute beginner/intermediate dance technique, including the following Tap steps: Flaps, shuffles, flap ball changes, shuffle ball changes, running flaps, rolling shuffles, buffalos, cramp rolls, irishes, riffs, paradiddles, maxi-fords, flap turns, flap heel-heels, time steps single, double,and triple
Name each of the above techniques when someone else demonstrates them
Understand and demonstrate basic foundational dance technique, such as the following principles: Holding one's center; finding proper placement of arms, torso, shoulders, hips, etc; being turned out; being turned in; spotting; and using focus
Demonstrate memorized Jazz and Tap combinations with a strong sense of technique, style, confidence, and personality

Dance 3

Explore two of the most popular forms of dance: Lyrical and Modern. You will be stretched and challenged in this class as we continue to expand our knowledge and ability. Your creativity through dance will help us focus on technique, strength, control, flexibility, musicality, and style. We will spend a lot of time both on the ground and in the air, so get ready to let go! No shoes are required as we will be barefoot. Lyrical Sandals or Paws are optional for Lyrical.

Benchmarks:
Show individual progress in the areas of technique, strength, control, flexibility, musicality, and style
Execute beginner/intermediate dance technique, including the following steps: Plie, releve, tendu, degage, ronde de jamb, battement, pique, chasse, pas de boure, balance, outside pirouette, inside pirouette, pique turn, channe turn, split leap, stag leap, arabesque, attitude, positions of the arms and feet, grand jete, tour jete, prance, walk, run, fan kick, pencil turn, drag, and lay-out.
Execute beginner/intermediate floor work, including the following movements: various types of rolls, bends, contractions, and spins Name each of the above techniques when someone else demonstrates them Understand and demonstrate basic foundational dance technique, such as the following principles: Holding one's center; finding proper placement of arms, torso, shoulders, hips, etc; being turned out; being turned in; spotting; using focus; controlling a movement verses letting it go Demonstrate memorized Lyrical and Modern combinations and routines with a strong sense of technique, style, confidence, and personality

Dance 4

Ready for a challenge. This class will be sure to keep your mind and body active from start to finish! Put your knowledge, skills and best moves to the test. Be prepared for some major differences when it comes to learning both Ballet and Hip Hop in the same class. You'll learn classical steps like glissades, assembles, pas de chevals, and tour jetes, followed by funky fresh steps from the latest Hip Hop fads.  So grab your tights and your baggiest pants! Ballet shoes and Gym shoes are required.

Benchmarks:
Show individual progress in the areas of discipline, strength, fluidity, flexibility, technique, control, musicality, and style Execute beginner/intermediate Ballet technique, including the following steps: Plie, releve, tendu, degage, ronde de jamb, battement, pique, chasse, pas de boure, balance, outside pirouette, inside pirouette, pique turn, channe turn, saute, split leap, stag leap, arabesque, attitude, positions of the arms and feet, glissade, jete, assemble, pas de cheval, grand jete, tour jete, tarantella, pas de basque Execute beginner/intermediate Hip Hop technique, including the following steps: Isolations, hip hop walks, pop n’ lock, body rolls, top rock, six step, slides, freestyle
Name each of the above techniques when someone else demonstrates them
Understand and demonstrate basic foundational dance technique, such as the following principles: Holding one's center; finding proper placement of arms, torso, shoulders, hips, etc; being turned out; being turned in; spotting; and using focus
Demonstrate memorized Ballet and Hip Hop combinations and routines with a strong sense of technique, style, confidence, and personality

Dance 5

Pre-requisite: 1 dance class
What's more fun than dancing? Dancing with a partner!  This class will teach you the basic skills of partnering that apply to all forms and styles of dance. Discover what it means to hold your center and maintain your side of the frame. You'll learn how to do supported poses, dips, turns, and spins; whether you're dancing with a girl OR a guy! And most importantly, we will focus on developing a strong sense of trust and commitment so that you can always approach a new partner with confidence. Jazz shoes and Character shoes are recommended.

Benchmarks:
Show individual progress in the areas of technique, strength, control, trust, and give-and-take with a partner
Demonstrate basic partnering skills, such as holding their center, maintaining a consistent frame with their partners, being sensitive to their partners’ needs, adjusting and adapting to each new partner they dance with
Execute basic partnering steps, such as various supported turns, spins, jumps, leaps, poses, dips, and simple lifts with multiple partners

Dance 6 for Teens (Specialties) (age 12-18)

Pre-requisite: 2 dance classes
Alright, so you know basic dance technique but you want to spice it up a bit? Then this is the class for you!  Offered multiple times throughout the year, the focus of this class will change from session to session. We will offer specific forms of dance that you don't see every day. Irish Step Dancing, Square Dancing, Break Dancing, African Dancing, and more.

Dance 7 for Teens: Project Dance (ages 12-18)

Pre-requisite: 2 dance classes & audition
For seasoned students, Project Dance is a 3 session progressive dance journey. Students will receive intense training in technique and raise the bar on their dance performance. The goal of PD is to elevate the quality of dance training in CYT by creating a community of dedicated students and teachers who want to use their talents to glorify God through the art form of various dance styles.  Students are encouraged to attend a summer Project Dance Camp offering workshops and a dance concert.
Create a class of 12 - 16 students
Provide extensive training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop or tap
Develop skills such as spins, leaps, across the floor, and proper dance posture
Showcase the progression of technique, not so much a completed routine performance
Encourage the use of mirrors, ballet bars and dance studios if available to classes
Instructors encouraged to sub for each other when needed providing a variety of training
Prepare and perform 2-3 routines per year to be selected for camp (not a competition)
Review and build on the progression of learned techniques and routines
Attend Project Dance Camp the summer following spring session
Attend specialized workshops to sharpen skills taught by all  CYT  PD and some guest instructors, work with all instructors to incorporate an all county choreographed piece performed the last day camp