Classes offered at Kinner Dance Studio in Springfield, Illinois

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Summary of Our Classes

All students are placed in classes according to age as well as ability and experience. We understand that each and every child is different, and that is why we give individual attention, as well as group instruction, in every class. No audition is required to be placed in a class. If after placing a child in a class, we feel they would do better (whether physically or emotionally) in a different class, we may move them after a few lessons.

Ages 3 and 4 Pre-school dance | Age 5 and 6 | Ages 6 and 7 | Ages 7-10 | Ages 8—11

Private Lessons

Ages 3 and 4 Pre-school dance: (one hour class per week) - Our pre-school classes include the fundamentals to participate in future dance classes, as well as begin school. The students study ballet, tap and tumbling. They exercise with movement games and sing children’s songs. Their creative ability is encouraged, and they work on musicality and coordination. They are taught basic dance steps, with correct terminology and beginning combination skills. These classes perform 1 dance in our recitals, which occur on an every other year basis

Age 5 and 6: (one hour class per week) - Our 5 and 6 year old classes build on the pre-school basics (although a child does not need to have taken a pre-school class to begin classes at this level). This class teaches the building blocks of tap and tumbling, correct terminology and more complex combinations. Memory skills at this age allow for a faster learning pace than pre-schoolers. We still teach with a great deal of imagination and games to peak the children’s interest, as well as trigger quicker comprehension. This class performs 1 dance in our recital.

Ages 6 and 7: (one hour class per week) Our 6 and 7 year olds take a combination class of tap, ballet and tumbling. These classes teach the building blocks of each technique, working towards mastering the basic terminology and steps and preparing for taking longer classes in each of the dance techniques.

Ages 7-10: (1/2 hour and 45 minutes class lengths) These levels are very exciting, and are where the children really begin to dance. They begin understanding the concepts of technique and learn more complicated combinations. They are taught performing skills and begin to learn some advanced steps. Progress at this level is great. It is where we begin to divide children by ability and experience instead of ages. These classes perform a dance in the recital for each of the types of dance they study.

Ages 8—11: (45 minute and hour long class lengths) This level can have very advanced 8 year olds, while 11 year olds have little experience. These students are offered one hour ballet technique classes, 45 minute or one hour long tap and jazz classes, and they also can take tumbling hip hop or poms. These classes begin to move into much more complicated combinations, as well as advanced steps. Flexibility, strength, endurance and dedication begin to factor into these developmental years. This class is invited to several extra activities throughout the year (see company activities) . Each class performs a dance in our recital.

Older and advanced dancers: Please see Competition Page.

Tumbling: (ages 5 and up. 1/2 hour and 1 hour per week) - This is a basic floor work tumbling class which improves flexibility, strength, balance and coordination, while learning basic tumbling skills. Students are in a class, but given individual attention and allowed to progress on tricks individually. The 1/2 hour class does not perform in the recital. The 1 hour class does.

Ballet: (ages 7 and up. 1/2 hour, 45 minute, and 1 hour classes) - Ballet I is 1/2 hour of ballet, Ballet II is 45 minutes, Ballet III, is one hour, Ballet IV, is 75 minutes and is ballet and Pointe, Senior Ballet is one hour.

Advancement to the next level is not automatic in one year. These classes study alignment, rotation, and the technique aspect of ballet. They are much more in depth than combination classes. More advanced steps and combinations are included. Ballet is the building block of all dance, and these classes bridge the gap between the intermediate and advanced dancer. All ballet classes perform in the recital.

Pointe class: By permission of instructor, after a minimum of 1 year in Ballet Technique III or equivalent at other studios. Current levels are Pointe with Ballet IV or Senior Pointe. Advanced ballet dancers learn to dance en pointe (on the toes). Repetition strengthens the foot and ankle muscles until the beginner pointe dancer is strong enough to leave the barre. The dancer must "start over" in her training, when beginning pointe classes and learn to stand up, progressing from there. The intermediate and advanced dancers continue to strengthen their bodies and train, transitioning the steps and technique from soft shoe to pointe. These classes perform on pointe in the recital.

Tap: (ages 6 and up (after combination classes) Tap I is 1/2 hour of tap. Tap II is 45 minutes of tap. Tap III and Tap IV are 1 hour of tap. Senior tap is 45 minutes. Advancement is attained as the skills of each level are mastered.

Jazz: (age 6 and up (after combination classes) Jazz I is 1/2 hour of jazz, basic isolations steps and stretches. Jazz II is a 45 minute class and builds on the framework learned in jazz I. More complex combinations and increased memory skills are required in this class. Jazz III and Jazz IV are 1 hour of jazz and present a rounded class of stretching and increasing flexibility and strength. Double turns, leaps and complex combinations are taught at this level. All classes perform in our recital.

Hip Hop: (ages 9 and up) (Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced classes) Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced Hip Hop classes are one hour. More complex combinations are presented in this class and increased memory skills are required. These classes perform in our recital.

Pom Pons: (ages 6 and up) (Beginner/Intermediate class) Basic jazz and hip hop dance combinations are used and performed with Poms. This is an 1 hour class that meets once a week. This class performs in the recital.

Private Lessons: Students may sign up for private lessons if teachers have available time slots for them. (summertime is a great time to take private lessons) Sometimes students take these classes to catch up on missed choreography or attain needed skills to advance to the next level. To do an extra dance in the recital (solo, duet, etc.), you must be in the dance company or on the dance team, you must have 3 years experience and be at least in the 2nd Grade. Only one extra dance is allowed (except student teachers that have been certified by SADM, who may also perform a student choreography piece). However, if you do not meet these requirements or wish to do more or do a student choreography piece, you may do these dances in competitions or perform them for team fundraisers or other civic performances. Ms Kathy will decide which routines are performed in recitals. If you have never done this, a duet or trio is usually recommended.

The cost for a private lesson is $12.50 per 1/2 hour class. Solos—$200.00,

Duets—$125.00 each dancer. Trios/Quartets—$100.00 each dancer.

This cost is based on 6 classes to teach choreography. There would be additional charges if additional classes were desired. After your music has been cut to performance length, you will receive a practice CD.

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Kinner & Co. Dance Studio. Inc., 4120 East State Route 54, Springfield, Illinois 62707
Email: staff@kinnerandcodance.com Tel: (217) 522-1200