ISTD QCF GRADED SYLLABUS CLASSES PLUS VOCATIONAL GRADED EXAMINATIONS

Imperial Ballet

Ballet is an excellent way of developing strength, flexibility, control and improving posture. The ISTD Imperial Classical Ballet syllabi have been carefully developed in order to provide a fully comprehensive training both for children and young adults. Each grade consists of set exercises and a dance, which is assessed by an external examiner. Children in this class will have an opportunity of working towards the ISTD graded examinations.

Modern/Jazz Dance

This ISTD modern syllabus has proved extremely popular due to its ability to adapt, develop and evolve with the changing fashion in dance. The syllabus combines modern dance, jazz and other dance styles. Children will learn set exercises and dances choreographed to popular music. They will also have the opportunity of working towards the ISTD graded examinations.

The ISTD Jazz Awards provide a basic grounding in modern Jazz, and are ideal for the late beginner or as a recreational course of movement. Boys’ work has been developed to meet increasing demand for a modern dance training for boys.

Tap Dance

Tap dance is one of the most enjoyable and rhythmic forms of recreational dance. It is excellent for developing musicality, co-ordination and also great fun. Each grade consists of set exercises and a dance, which is assessed by an external examiner. Children in this class will have an opportunity of working towards the ISTD graded examinations.

PERFORMANCE BASED CLASSES

Contemporary and Lyrical Dance (12 years+ )

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet.

Today’s contemporary dance is an eclectic mix of styles, with choreographers drawing from ballet, modern, and “post-modern” forms of dance. While some contemporary dancers create characters, theatrical events, or stories, others perform entirely new creations as they improvise in their own unique style.

Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor. This dance genre is often done in bare feet. Contemporary dance can be performed to many different styles of music.

Pioneers of modern and contemporary dance include Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham. These dancers/choreographers all believed that dancers should have freedom of movement, allowing their bodies to freely express their innermost feelings.

In this class we will explore different styles of contemporary dance through technical exercises, sequences, improvisation, choreography and performance of repertoire. We will also integrate the ISTD Modern graded and new contemporary syllabus into this class for the training of technique.

Freestyle/Street Dance (12years +)

Street dance is diverse and can be performed to many forms of popular music – from pop to hip hop. Popularised by the mass media, this form of dance is highly energetic and full of attitude. Within the class you will learn basic principles such as body isolations, waves, and spins. Most combinations are performed at a fast tempo with intricate hand and foot patterns, which will challenge your co-ordination skills. My style of teaching is a fusion of commercial jazz, hip hop and break dance. Each class starts with a warm up followed by a dance routine, which will be added to each week.

Performing Arts (12years +)

Learn to sing, dance and Act. Build confidence in reading and speaking out loud, challenge your performance skills and work as a team. This lesson leads to a short performance piece based on a West End musical or play at the end of term. Each lesson consists of a warm up, followed by learning a section of the routine, song or script.

Acrobatic Dance (12 years +)

Acrobatic Dance, is the beautiful fusion of classic dance technique and the precision and athleticism of acrobatic elements. As seen on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ and ‘Dance Moms’, Acro is an especially challenging style for dancers to master as training in both dance and acrobatic elements is required.

It includes balancing, limbering, tumbling and partnering, based in flexibility, contortion and strength.

The initial training, covers the safety aspects, technique and training exercises, which you need to practice and perfect first.

We will then move onto the Acrobatic Arts professional curriculum for acrobatic dance. This programme is designed to promote excellence in tumbling, flexibility, strength, balance, contortion and partner/group stunting for dancers. As part of the training children will develop flexibility, and technique required to perform tumbling and partner/group tricks on stage as part of a complete dance routine.