Musical Feet Dance Classes

Musical Feet offers two programs from which to choose: A Performing Program which runs a full school-year and a shorter length Non-Performing Program which is offered each term.

Performing Program 2007-08

(10 Months) September 10- June 15
Classes assemble in the fall and apply their dance studies to three progressive performances during the season, enhancing technique and skill-building, team work, responsibility, and the joy of performance. There are two in-progress performances during the year and the year ends with a fully staged concert at the Hult Center.

Non-Performing Program 2007-08

10-week sessions for fall, winter and spring terms
Summer session is an eight-week term.
Short-term classes begin fresh each term. Students apply the technique and skills they learn to short dance phrases without the pressure of performance deadlines. Students may join a non-performing class at any time during the season. Summer session offers a variety of choices and an opportunity to sample different dance forms and build skills for the next level. Bunny Warmup

Non-Performing Term Sessions 2007-08

Fall Term: Sep 17 - Dec 15
Winter Term: Jan 7 - March 15
Spring Term: March 31 - June 7
Summer: June 23 - August 15

Training - Technique is the cornerstone of the training program. Both children and adults are taught the progression of skills, vocabulary, and improvisational methods of the dance form they are studying. We specialize in age-appropriate costumes, music, and choreography.

Our Studios are outfitted with floated maple dance floors. This provides resilience which minimizes potential for fatigue or injury. The surface is comfortable to dance on and produces high-quality tap sound.

View Class Listings and Schedule.

Tap Dance – Levels I through V – ages 6 and up

Musical Feet was founded in the 1970s as a school of tap dance and has since expanded to include five levels of tap expertise in its curriculum. As beginners, students learn the basics of the tap dance vocabulary as it was danced during the heyday of tap on Broadway (1920s – 1940s) and in the Hollywood musicals. As they progress to Tap II and III, they learn the more intricate footwork that is used in jazz/rhythm tap. With emphasis on musicality and laying the foundation of the classics of tap’s early history, students learn to make music with their feet, with traditional as well as contemporary music as their accompaniment. The School trains a student company known as the Sonic Soles, and (with the 2007-08 season) also added a junior company, ages 7 and up. Along with the hip hop company, these dancers will be doing their own performance, May 17, at Agate Hall.

Hip Hop – Levels 1 through III – age 8 and up

Hip Hop has become a secondary leader in our dance training program. With an emphasis on age-appropriate choreography and music, we are able to turn kids onto dancing with the music they relate to and the contemporary moves of the day. The School launched the student hip hop company during the 2007-08 season – Project Bounce – who will be performing on May 17 at Agate Hall, along with the tap companies.

Hip Hop Jr. – ages 4-5, 4-7, and 6-8

Students are introduced to dance fundamentals with contemporary music. With an emphasis on fun, there will be dance games and exercises, as well as learning dances for performance.

Hip Hop/Tap – ages 6-8 and 7-11

Students wear tap shoes for half the class and jazz shoes or dance sneakers for the other half. In addition to learning the basics of both tap and hip hop, dances will be taught that incorporate elements of both dance forms.

Tap/Jazz/Ballet – ages 3-4 & ages 5-7

Students are given an introduction to all three dance forms. Wearing tap shoes, they learn the basic tap vocabulary and begin immediately to learn dance steps, as well as playing rhythm games. During the part of class when they wear ballet or jazz shoes, they learn dance rudiments and the “personality” of each of the dance forms.

Jazz/Ballet – ages 7 and up

This class includes classical ballet as well as contemporary and lyrical jazz, in a non-competitive learning environment.

DanceSk8 – ages 4 and up
Basic roller skating technique, including one-foot, posture, creative movement on wheels, as well as skating games and tricks – hokey pokey, shoot the duck, monkey races, turns, forward, backward, shuffle glide, crossovers.

Roller Funk –Employing basic roller skating techniques and combining with hip hop dance.

Bellydancing – Teen/Adult
Bellydancing is a dance that is designed for the body of any age, size or shape. It tones and exercises the body with stretching and low-impact aerobics. You will learn how to shimmy, snake your arms, undulate your torso, and work different parts of your body in isolation, all while listening to exotic and upbeat music in a safe learning environment. Have fun and get fit while you study the ancient art of Bellydancing! Bring a scarf to class to tie around your hips.

Ballroom – Teen/Adult
Ballroom dance is a fun and social activity! In this series, you will learn six different dances- Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha Cha, Merengue, and East Coast Swing. No partner necessary. Learn to elegantly glide across the floor with a Waltz or Foxtrot, or steam up the dance floor with a spicy Cha Cha or Merengue. All this and more in your exciting introduction to Ballroom!

West Coast Swing – Teen/Adult
West Coast Swing is one of the hottest dances in the country- this partner dance can be done to a variety of music styles, making the dance anything from sophisticated to funky. (Note: this is not the same as East Coast Swing, which is done to big band-style music.) Learn some basic steps and styling in this series. No partner necessary. Come and experience for yourself this versatile dance that is sweeping the nation!

Salsa – Teen/Adult

Learn an upbeat rhythmic dance that is being danced at local venues such as the Vets Club and Cosmic Pizza. We will dive into this hot spicy dance with cool patterns, as we cover the necessary technique to make you look good on the dance floor. This class will include lead and follow skills as well as Cuban Motion. No experience is necessary to take this class. A partner is not mandatory.

Dance Fitness– Kid/Teen (10 & Up)

This class is for dancers ages 10 and up who would like to get in better shape through dance and other fitness techniques while improving their technical dance skills all at the same time. This energy-packed class will challenge students as a dancer and as a physically fit individual, and it will help to improve strength and stamina as a dancer.

Fitness Class – Teen/Adult

This class is for mature teens and adults who would like to improve their overall physical fitness. The class will work on cardio, strength training, and endurance. The class will be tailored for all fitness levels, ages, and sizes.