Jazz Classes - Winter/Spring 2022
Jazz I Wednesdays 4:15-5:15 pm | Studio 3
Instructor: Melinda Wilson
Introduction to Jazz. Jazz is a fun style of dance that welcomes all young learners. Jazz 1 introduces the basic technique and vocabulary. Basic introductory movement begins with alignment, with an emphasis on style while celebrating individual performance quality, giving students confidence and individuality. Students will develop greater balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, and confidence.
Jazz II Wednesdays 6:30-7:45 pm | Studio 3
Instructor: Melinda Wilson
If you are aspiring to be a dancer, Jazz is a solid technique that is important to the growth of the future artist. Jazz II is open to beginning/intermediate levels that build upon the dancer’s skills and develops the show qualities of the performer as well as the strength and clarity of the style. Class includes practical stretches, a center section, technique based across the floor exercises and new choreography each week.
Contemporary/Jazz III Wednesdays 5:15-7:45 pm | Studio 3 (Advanced: Ages 13 and up)
Instructor: Melinda Wilson
Contemporary jazz encourages intermediate to advanced dancers to find their own expression through releasing, musicality, and connecting their emotions to dance movements. Unique Contemporary choreography with elements from Jazz and Lyrical encourage vulnerability by focusing on intention and including elements of technique. This class is suitable for dancers with experience in picking up choreography, or anyone who is up for a challenge.
Jazz/Contemporary Adult/Teen Class Tuesdays 6:00-7:15pm | Studio 4
(Beginners/Intermediate: Ages 13 and up, + Adults)
Instructor: Wilfredo Rivera
Wilfredo Rivera's (Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater's Award winning Artistic Director) class structure includes center & barre warm-up, across the floor & stylized center combinations & cool down. Tailored with the adult (& older teen) dancer in mind, beyond the physical benefits, the class centers on a joyful and uplifting experience. We welcome folks with or without previous experience and all types of movement abilities.
* The Warm-Up infuses flow & movement in artistically choreographed sequences that activate core strength, balance, proper alignment & technique (jazz, ballet & modern) while improving flexibility and coordination. * Across the Floor combinations allows participants to cover space, build on sequences and foster class community. * The Style/Genre section of class uses engaging & fun dance combinations to inspire anyone from first-time dancers to life long dance lovers. * Wilfredo draws from his extensive background as director, choreographer (from concert stage to musical theater) and educator to infuse his genre combinations with various styles throughout the session. From Latin derived combos to Swing, R&B, Rock, Soul, 70's, 80's, Hip-Hop inspired movement & even Disco! Just to name a few.
Jazz dance at HPSD
At Hyde Park School of Dance, our jazz classes are accompanied by age-appropriate contemporary music and feature a low center of gravity, a high level of energy, and self-expressive movement.
Warm-up exercises develop the habit of correct placement, and strengthen each muscle group to improve balance. Across the floor work and choreography draw on diverse influences, mixing dance styles including modern, contemporary, street, and lyrical.
Check out the jazz classes available this session!
What is Jazz dance?
Jazz dance originated in the US in the late 1800s and early 1900s, evolving alongside and in response to ragtime, and, naturally, jazz music. This early jazz dance could be seen in dance halls and on the vaudeville stage in young America's growing urban hubs.
By the time the swing movement was taking off in the twenties, jazz dance was an integral part of the American dance landscape. American musical theatre was also in an important phase of its evolution at this time, and the dance in new American productions tended to be of the style we now call jazz dance.
This expressive form of dance was born organically from the social history of the people of America. It is an eclectic reflection of ethnic heritage, historical influences, and cultural evolution, and has, since its inception, been continually influenced by popular music and social dance trends.
Source:
Jump into Jazz: The Basics and Beyond for Jazz Dance Students, Fifth Edition (Minda Goodman Kraines, Ester Pryor)
Uniform for Jazz
