Intro to Dance for 3 & 4 year old (boys and girls)
These classes will introduce our youngest dancers to the amazing world of dance through ballet, creative and jazz. Fun warm up activities, leaps, jumps, rhythm, choreography, props and tons of fun!
Dance for 5 years and older
Jazz
Jazz has become one of the most popular dance styles in recent years, mainly due to its popularity on television shows, movies, music videos and commercials. Jazz is energetic and fun, fast paced, consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns. The class includes a warm-up with stretching, isolations, strengthening exercises and then moves across the floor to work on turns, leaps, jumps and runs. Choreography is fun and innovative.
Hip Hop
These classes teach the fundamentals of hip hop movement. They are upbeat and high energy. Classes include stretching, isolations, rhythms, musicality, upper body strength and funky footwork, along with b-boy (floor stunts), tutting (hand & arm movements), popping, locking, and choreography.
Ballet
Ballet introduces the fundamentals of classical ballet technique. Each class focuses on proper posture, body positions, and alignment while also building on ballet vocabulary. Classes include barre work, balance, hopping, skipping, jumping, galloping (basic locomotor movements), age appropriate stretches, basic positions of the arms and feet, and ballet class etiquette are part of the curriculum.
Advanced Technique
12 years and older
This class is for students with dance experience. It is designed for dancers to perfect their technique in a fun, fast paced, energetic class. Focus on strength, body positions, skills and choreography.
Acro
Ages 3 – 18 years: Acro is the fusion of dance technique and the precision and athleticism of acrobatic elements. Acro technique includes balancing, limbering, tumbling and partnering based in flexibility, contortion, and strength. Acro dancers seamlessly blend emotional expression, awareness of music and rhythm, line and extension with acrobatic movements in a dance context.
The Academy West Dance Team is an award winning competition team. 1st Place awards for teams and solos are won at competitions every season along with specialty and judges’ choice awards such as; Best Precision, Best Sportsmanship, Best Choreography, Most Creative, Best In Show, Best Facials, High Point Teams, and Overall Grand Champions!
The AW dancers have auditions every June for team placement which starts in July. Team levels are determined by age and by ability in dance styles, technique and tumbling tricks. Because of their hard work and discipline, the AW dancers are known for their great technique and precision. Add in interesting choreography from dedicated teachers and you have winning teams!
The AW dancers are hard working in their personal lives as they take the lessons they learn in dance and apply them to their personal goals. Most of our dancers are 4.0 students and go on to earn academic, athletic and dance scholarships. We have had our dancers do the following: earn an all expense paid trip to “America’s Got Talent and be on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, earn college scholarships, open their own studios, and go on to be successful in whatever fields they have chosen. We are so proud of our dancers and alumni.
Academy West believes that if you teach a child to succeed in what they do, you have taught them a lesson for life. We are making ‘Champions for Life’!
Academy West has a talented and dedicated staff as well. The director, Amy Drage, was the first 5A All State Drill Team pick from Copper Hills High School and has been on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. She danced with a professional troupe before starting a successful business with Academy West where she is an owner. Amy recently started an adult fitness program at Academy West called AW Fitness.
Begin your journey to be an AW Dancer by enrolling in our weekly classes. Offered are Intro to Dance classes for 3 and 4 year olds and Jazz, Jazz/Acro, Ballet and Hip Hop for dancers 5 years and older, along with advanced technique classes. We offer this challenge: Be the best, Be an AW Dancer!!