Academy Dance Programs
Metayer Conservatory for the Arts offers a complete program for the young dancer.
YOUNG DANCER DIVISION
Creative Movement (Age 3)
A 45 minute class that provides a child’s first exposure to basic ballet
skills, terminology, rhythm, music and movement in a nurturing
environment. This 45 minute weekly movement class is a great
introduction to dance for toddlers. It helps young dancers use their
imagination while developing basic motor skills and memory in a
classroom environment. Dancers must be 3 years old by august 1st.
Pre Ballet (Ages 4-5)
A full hour class including both ballet and tap techniques. Basic
rhythm and tap choreography, as well as the foundations of ballet. This
one hour weekly ballet and tap class is a great introduction to dance for preschoolers. It helps young dancers use their imagination while developing basic motor skills, rhythm and memory in a classroom environment. Dancers must be 4 years old and toilet trained by august 1st.
LOWER LEVEL DIVISION
Primary Ballet (Age 6)
Proper posture, body positions and alignment, will be taught. Class structure and discipline are also emphasized, and musicality and creativity are explored through improvisation. This weekly combination class of both Ballet and Tap helps young dancers continue to build their dance education. Dancers must be 6 years old by august 1st.
Ballet 1 (Age 7)
Proper posture, body positions and alignment, will be taught This weekly combination class of Ballet, Tap and Jazz helps young dancers continue to build their dance education with an emphasis on counting music and an introduction to basic Jazz steps. Dancers must be 7 years old by August 1st.
Ballet 2 (Ages 8-10)
The structure of this ballet class enhances students’ physical and mental discipline while re-affirming posture, placement, flexibility, and strength. Students learn performance skills and basic music fundamentals while cultivating self-confidence and presence. Students receive the individual attention they need whether they have had previous experience or are absolute beginners. Intro level classes are offered in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. No prior dance experience is required.
UPPER DIVISION
Ballet 3 (Ages 11-13)
Moves in the direction of a more formal ballet class by adding such
classical elements as adagio, petit allegro, pirouettes, grand allegro, and
advanced pors de bras and epaulement. Previous experience is suggested
for this level. Student should consider taking three ballet classes per week
to gain the proper strength and technical skills necessary to meet their full
potential but a minimum of two ballet technique class per week is required.
Students may also register for one or more additional classes offered by
their level in jazz, tap, modern and contemporary. Students taking
pre pointe or beginning pointe must be registered in three ballet technique
classes per-week.
Ballet 4 (Ages 13 and up)
Is Building on concepts practiced in Ballet 3. This level elevates experienced dancers into a technically more demanding level that prepares them for pre-professional training. Emphasis is placed on coordination, musicality, and technical proficiency as dancers learn how to execute ballet combinations and choreography both in the center and across the floor. Previous experience is necessary for admittance to this level. Students are encouraged to take three to five times per week or more of ballet technique and at least one pointe class supplemented by variations class as well.
SUPPLEMENTARY CLASSES
Pre-Pointe (by invitation only)
Preparation class for intermediate students for pointe work. Muscle strength and total body awareness is the focus. Two ballet technique classes per week are mandatory.
Pointe (Intructor's recommendation only)
Is offered to those students who have mastered the knowledge and technique of ballet and have the required strength to dance en pointe. Three ballet technique classes per week are mandatory.
Modern (Ages 11 and up)
Is characterized by bodily movements and rhythms less formalized than in classical ballet. Students learn techniques developed by the great modern dance pioneers such as Martha Graham and Lester Horton.
Beginner Jazz (Age 6-10)
This is an energetic class that will include stretching and cardiovascular warm Up along with basic body isolations and coordination exercises using upbeat And popular music.
Jazz (Ages 11 and up)
We challenge our students with many different forms of jazz, all high energy but with different styles. These classes are popular with all ages, it provides cardiovascular exercises due to the high level of energy exerted. Jazz class is a fun and fast paced mixture of various techniques. It is less restrictive than ballet. A ballet foundation is recommended.
Tap (Ages 4 and up)
A style of dance using precise rhythmical patterns of foot movement. Tap helps students develop rhythm, coordination and timing as well as allowing them to make music with their feet. No previous dance training is required.
Contemporary (Age 11 and Up)
Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dance can be performed to many different styles of music.
