Ballet
The ballet taught at Emjay School of Dance is set on the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. Teaching both the grades (Pre-primary to Grade 8) and the Majors (pre-intermediate to Advance II), there is a class to suit every standard from beginner to senior. There are also pointe work classes available for those who want to improve their technique. Don't forget that there is also an Adult Ballet class too - see timetable for more details! Ballet is also performed at festivals where you will get a chance to wear a tutu and possibly pointe shoes (if you are old enough!).
Ballet is excellent for embedding good technique, postural alignment and discipline into a dancer's body and recommended for any dancer who wants to do well.
Modern Theatre Dance
Modern is a great style for any dancer who wants to improve their dynamic quality and rhythm! It is a mixture of Jazz, Lyrical, Blues, Musical Theatre and Contemporary and also helps to keep the body toned and in peak physical condition. The syllabus taught is the Imperial Society Teachers of Dance (ISTD) and has grades for the very young up to the most competent of adults.
Modern Theatre Dance will keep the body limbered and toned and complements other styles of dance such as Tap and Jazz. Modern is also one of the biggest categories in Dance Festivals, with many of the Modern Groups being the highlight of the shows!
Tap
Tap is described by the ISTD as 'one of the most enjoyable and rhythmic forms of recreational dance'. It is also one of the noisiest! It is a vigarous form of dance where you use the metal plates on your 'tap shoes' to beat the rhythms (like a drum). Here at Emjay School of Dance you will follow the ISTD syllabus, but have the option of doing tap dances for Festivals and other performances.
Tap will help to improve your co-ordination and sense of rhythm - vital for anyone who wants to become a professional performer!
Greek
At Emjay School of Dance we have many opportunities to practice Greek Dance based on the Ruby Ginner technique mixed in with natural movement and the ISTD Dance Syllabus. Dancers are able to perform their Greek dances at the many Festivals (see below) and school shows, as well as showcase their choreography talents at the various competitions put on by Emjay School of Dance and at festivals. There are various styles of Greek Dance such as Lyrical and Athletic, all allowing the dancer to use their body to portray stories - Greek Mythology, Nature, Emotions and other stories that will move an audience.
By doing Greek, a dancer will learn the importance of the line through the body, to be fluid in their movement and will complement other dance techniques such as Ballet and Contemporary.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a generic term used to describe the styles of dance that don't fit into any other category. You have the main techniques such as the 'Graham Technique', Cunningham Technique' and the 'Humphrey Technique' (all named after the Modern Dance Pioneers). Many of the school's modern festival dances contain elements of contemporary dance as well as some of the choreographies.
Many ex-Emjay School of Dance pupils do come in a give the occasional workshop which involves freework with a contemporary base. The permanent class combines all styles of contemporary with freework, improvisation and dancers' choreographics skills. Benefits of this class include raising awareness of the body in space, core postural alignment along with improving strength, control and dynamism.
To watch videos of the works and techniques and various guides to the History of Modern dance visit http://samwisedanceguide.wordpress.com/about
Festivals
Emjay School of Dance has a long tradition of taking part in local, regional and national competitions. Students can take part in either groups, trios, duets and solos in the many different disciplines such as ballet, greek, modern, lyrical, national, character, tap and song and dance. Speak to any of the mums & dads you find 'hanging around' the dance school for advice!
