We offer ballet classes from the beginning level to the advanced level. We teach a combination of Vagonoval (Russian) and French techniques. Emphasis is placed on correct positions and placement in the more advanced classes, while the beginning classes concentrate on a more general knowledge of the arts. Ballet classes are essential to all other dance forms as they help with technique and strengthening. We highly recommend taking ballet in combination with any other dance forms studied.
Ballet 1— ages 5 and up. Must have completed Pre-Ballet or demonstrate proper skills and know basic ballet terminology.
Ballet 2 - ages 6 and up. Must have completed Ballet 1. Must be able to use all basic positions and terminology. We will focus on proper alignment and work on center combinations.
Intermediate Ballet 1— at least 2years of ballet experience. Need to have a decent knowledge of ballet terminology and technique.
Intermediate Ballet 2 - Must have at least 4 years of ballet experiencee and/or a good knowledge and understnading of terminology and technique and be able to apply these things in all exercises.
Advanced Ballet - Must have at least 6 years of ballet experience. Must be proficient in technique and able to execute steps, leaps and turns with ease.
Adult Ballet - A basic ballet technique class intended to learn basic allet moves and terminology and provide a good workout. We will focus on strengthening and stretching and we'll have a good time while we do it!!
Pre-Pointe - Must be in Ballet 2 or higher level and at least 7 years of age. Must demonstrate a good understanding of ballet technique. This class should be taken in conjunction with a ballet class as we only focus on strengthening muscles and getting ready for Pointe.
Pointe 1 - Age 10 and at least 2 years of experience in classical ballet. Must demonstrate good strength and control of leg and foot muscles.
Pointe 2 - Must be able to execute Pointe combinations away from the barre and with ease.
PreBallet
These classes serve to develop coordination, strength and creative movement as well as the opportunity to learn basic ballet steps and positions. Your child will learn to relate to other children and gain a sense of confidence... and have fun, too!
PreBallet 1— age 3 and up - no experience necessary
PreBallet 2— ages 4-6 - 1 year of preballet experience or be able to concentrate and begin learning in a slightly more sructured atmosphere. Must be able to skip and gallop.
PreTumbling
Designed especially for the toddler/preschooler ages two and up, PreTumbling teaches basic movement concepts (in/out, up/down) while moving to music. The class teaches children to follow directions while having a lot of fun at the same time! Parental/guardian involvement may be required.
Attire: Leotard or loose-fitting clothing, bare feet.
PreTumbling 1 - beginners, ages 2-4
PreTumbling 2 - must have completed Pre-Tumbling 1 or be ages 4-5
Pre-Ballet/PreTumbling
A lightly structured class of creative movement, ballet, tumbling, and development of motor skills as well as communication and social skills. Designed for ages 2 and up.
Must take an additional pointe class. A fun and creative way to improve your pointe skills. All of those basic jazz steps will just be done on pointe!
Attire: Leotard, Tights, Pointe Shoes
Combination Dance Classes
ages 5-9 - Should have completed 2 years of PreBallet or demonstrate a good knowledge of Ballet.
Combination Classes will offer a student a well rounded study of dance but are not intended for older children.
Attire: Leotard, Tights, appropriate Shoes
Tap
Tap classes teach rhythm and sound coordination skills. Students develop listening skills to different forms of music and beats. Styles of tap covered consist of classical, Broadway, Irish, country, hip hop and street tap with some a capella.
Attire: Leotard or Tight Tank Top, Tights, Jazz Shorts or Jazz Pants, Black Tap Shoes (see special shoe requirements)
Tap 1— ages 5 and up, introduces the movement of feet and sound to the dancer adn an introduction to basic tap terminology. Tie tap shoes required
Tap 2— must have completed Tap 1 or be able to demonstrate the tap steps learned in Tap 1. Tie tap shoes required
Intermediate Tap 1— ages 7 and up. Must have completed Tap 2. We begin to introduce combinations of movements and begin to learn over all technique. Jazz style tap shoes required.
Intermediate Tap 2— ages 10 and up. Must have completed Intermediate Tap 1 and developed skills where tap turns and tricks are being introduced. Jazz style tap shoes required.
Advanced Tap— Must have at least 4 years of tap experience and have an accomplished understanding of the technique, rhythm, and timing of tap. Boot style tap shoe required.
Tap
Beginning tap classes teach basic steps and rhythms while more advanced classes begin to explore different rhythms and musical styles and put them into combinations.
Leotard or Tight Tank Top, Tights or Jazz Pants, Black Tap Shoes
Tap 1—
Tap 2—
Intermediate Tap 1—
Intermediate Tap 2—
Intermediate/Advanced Tap—
Advanced Tap—
Jazz
Our jazz classes are a combination of classical, hip hop and athletic-style jazz. They incorporate stretching, conditioning and technique, as well as weekly combinations to improve each dancer's own style. Jazz dance includes isolations, strengthening, turning, adn leaping. Basic understnading of Ballet technique is beneficial. Jazz class should be accompanied by Ballet Class for optimal learning.
Attire: Leotard or Tight Tank Top, Tights or Jazz Pants, see specific shoe requirements
Jazz 1— ages 4 and up, introduction to rhthm and basic body movements. Black jazz shoes required.
Jazz 2— must have completed Jazz 1 or demonstrate use of rhythm and basic body movements. Black jazz shoes required
Intermediate Jazz 1— ages 7 and up, at least 2 years experience. Needs to demonstrate increased flexibility and an overall knowledge of jazz technique.
Intermediate Jazz 2— must have completed intermediate jazz 1 or be able to demonstrate increased flexibility and an overal knowledge of jazz technique.
Advanced Jazz— ages 12 and up, Must have at least 4 years of jazz experience and be able to compile all flexibility, strength, and control into combinations.
AcroDance
In AcroDance, the student spends time working on stretching and strengthening muscles. It also focuses on tumbling routines and mat exercises. All of this is combined with upbeat dance moves and routines involving cartwheels, back walkovers, bridges and kick-overs. All tumbling is executed on mats and done safely with spotters. For optimal performance it is a great idea to combine AcroDance with another dance class such as Ballet or Jazz.
Attire: Leotard or Tight Tank Top, Convertible Tights or Jazz Pants, Bare Feet
Acro 1— ages 5 and up. We will work on cartwheels, somersaults, and coordination skills. Splits will also be introduced.
Acro 2— ages 6 and up. We will work on handstands, front walk overs, and limbers, and we will begin to introduce the techniques of more advanced tricks
Acro 3— ages 8 and up. We wil lbegin to work on more difficult tricks such as backhandsprings and aerials as well as introduce more advanced techniques.
Advanced Acro— Must be able to execute back handsprings with minimal assistnace and all the tricks learned in level 1-3. We will continue to work on the coordination skills necessary to complete more difficult tricks.
Conditioning/Technique
This class is meant to enhance your traditional clases. It focuses on how stretch and use of proper stretching techniques. Conditioning works on strength and endurance. Technique classes focus on how to execute classical ballet properly.
HipHop is a fast-paced class utilizing the latest street dance moves. It incorporates isolations as well as other jazz techniques into a more street approach.
Attire: Leotard, jazz pants or jazz shorts, black hip-hop shoes.
Hip Hop 1— ages 7 and up. This class will give an overview of the basics of hip hop.
Hip Hop 2— ages 10 and up. This class will begin to work and focus on styles and attitude along with the dance steps.
Adult Hip Hop - A great way to exercise. This class will provide a great aerobic workout while you learn all the latest steps and trends. See what all the kids are raving about! You'll have a great time and be re-energized each week.
Lyrical Lyrical is a combination of jazz and ballet. It is a very expressive form of dance meant to use your emotions and ability to tell a story through movement.
Intro to Lyrical - ages 6 and up. Must have at least 1 year of ballet training. This will be an introduction to lyrical technique.
Intermediate Lyrical— ages 10 and up. Must have a ballet background. We will begin to work on lyrical steps and begin to use expressions.
Advanced Lyrical— ages 13 and up. Must have a complete understanding of expression and freedom of movement that is essential to lyrical. We will focus more on advanced steps, tricks, and expressions.
Adult Dance Attire: jazz pants/capris, leotard is optional, tank top or athletic shirt, tap shoes
Adult Tap— a fun environment for adults to learn the basics of tap and tap technique.
Adult Jazz - an introduction to proper stretching techniques and basic jazz knowledge combined with a light aerobic workout using jazz movements
Adult Hip Hop - a great way to exercise. This class with provide a great aerobic workout while you learn all the latest steps and trends. See what all the kids are raving about! You'll have a great time and be re-energized each week.
Adult Ballet - a basic ballet technique class intended to learn basic ballet moves and terminology and provide a good workout. We will focus on strengthening and stretchin and we'll have a good time while we do it!
Ballroom Best with a partner, but are always more than welcome to join without.
Attire: comfortable clothes and character or ballroom shoes are preferred for women. For men- comfortable clothes and shoes that have a smooth bottom or ballroom shoes
Ballroom 1 - learn the basics of the Fox Trot, Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, West Cost Swing, the Merengue, the Mambo, and Tango.
Ballroom 2 - Must have ballroom dance experience or have completed Ballroom 1. We will expand and build on the techniques learned in Ballroom 1 and continue with the same dances.
Cheerleading
In Cheerleading, the student spends time working on stretching and strengthening muscles. It also focuses on tumbling routines and mat exercises. All of this is combined with upbeat dance moves and routines.
Attire: Leotard or Tight Tank Top, Convertible Tights or Jazz Pants, Cheer-appropriate shoes.
ages 8 and up. A form of dance using basic dance knowledge in Tap, Jazz, and Ballet incirporated into Broadway and theatrical Songs. Basic acting skills are introduced. Dance experience is not necessarily required. Now offered in both the Elmira Heights and the Watkins Glen Studio
Boys Class
Just for the guys! The Boys Class is a jazz class just for guys. Our jazz classes are a combination of classical, hip hop and athletic-style jazz. They incorporate stretching, conditioning and technique, as well as weekly combinations to improve each dancer's own style.
Attire: shorts, wind-pants, hip hop sneakers, t-shirt
Competition
A class that is once a week for those students who have auditioned and made the Dance Intensity team during the summer. This time is used to practice dances for competitions. We work on timing, precision, execution, etc. If interested in the competition team please contact Miss Deanna at DanceIntensitylsd@leslieschoolofdance.com.
Pointe
Ballroom 
Cheerleading