Primary Level: Walking – Age 5
Class Selections by age for dancers who are walking – age 5. Movement and concepts will be age appropriate, even for students of this age who have previous experience. Our curriculum builds on the basics and proper technique at the youngest ages. Variety each year in songs, dance combinations and recital routines keeps it fun while we focus on repetition of movement and skills which is key to progression. Our youngest students are introduced to French terminology, basic ballet, movement/place concepts, tap, jazz and hip hop dance starting at Discover Dance 1. Discover Dance Mix classes allow the dancers to learn core dance disciplines (ballet/tap/jazz/hip hop) within a 45 min class.
Discover With Me! (walking – Age 3 with Adult) – Explore the joy of movement with your little one and discover the many benefits of early childhood dance classes. We will dance, sing and play in both one-on-one activities and group activities. Through circle songs, open exploration and gross motor development exercises, children will blossom with each passing class as they grow with their caregiver during this precious time together.
Discover TOTS (Ages 2-3) – Watch your child’s independence and confidence soar, as our Discover TOTS explore and discover the benefits of a more structured dance class. Following directions, waiting for our turn and collectively problem solving will encourage emotional and social development. Live singing, musical play and sensory props will have these little ones moving and grooving with their friends and eager to return to class each week.
Discover Dance 1 (Ages 3-4) – Discover the magic of imaginative play with live singing, structured explorations and skill development. Our DiscoverDance 1 classes offer an outlet for creative expression, physical growth and social interaction. Children will explore the essence of movement that will lead to the discovery of multiple styles of dance.
Discover Dance 2 (Ages 4-5) – As a continuation of our DiscoverDance 1 classes, our DiscoverDance 2 dancers continue the exploration of concepts with more emphasis on physical growth, flexibility and coordination. Short choreographic combinations assist in memory development as structured explorations continue to encourage more advanced problem solving and social interaction with their dance friends.
Level 1: Beginner Dancers Ages 5+
Beginner dancers ages 5+ and/or who have completed all primary level classes at LOVV. Level 1 curriculum begins with a focus on proper posture, body alignment and simple coordination while introducing technique for beginner dancers.
Ballet – Age appropriate basic studies of classical ballet starting at the ballet barre. Positions (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) Proper technique in plies, tendus, degajes. Jumps in 1st and 2nd, eschappe, burre, chasse, chaine turns, ¼ and ½ pirouettes introduced.
Tumbling – TBD
Jazz/Tap – Mix discipline classes offered at Level 1. Basic technique in jazz introduced: jazz walks/runs, battements, chaine turns, grande jetes, progressions across the floor and pirouette prep technique. Tap: All single and double sound repetitions (more advanced/faster than Discover Dance levels) including: shuffles, flaps, combination of sounds (ex. flap heel, shuffle ball change), buffalos, running flaps, cramp roll, 3 and 4 count riff walks. Single time step introduced.
Level 2: Low Intermediate Dancers Ages 7+
Low Intermediate dancers ages 7+ and/or who have completed Level 1 at LOVV. Curriculum advances into maintaining proper posture, body alignment and confidently dancing with simple coordination and age/maturity appropriate technique goals.
Ballet – Level 1 + Positions (5th introduced) Proper technique in rond de jambe, develop at 45 degrees, Single pirouettes and petite allegro in the centre. Building strength to maintain proper turnout and use of core strength for all movement.
Tap – Level 1+ Double/Triple time steps, Double buffalos, drawbacks, broadway/shirley temple, back essence, bombershay, alternating cramp rolls, maxie ford, double paradiddles and paradiddle combinations. Wings and pull backs and irish introduced.
Jazz/Tap – Level 1+ Knowledge of/working towards proper body alignment, core stability for control, lengthened lines, strong arm placement (jazz lines 2nd and 4th). Single/Double Pirouettes, Battments above 90 degrees, leaps (right/left and center jetes), leg extensions (devant/a la second/pitch/tilt), double chaine turns with preps from 2nd and 4th, more complex progressions and leg hold turns introduced.
Tumbling – TBD
Level 3: Intermediate Dancers Ages 9+
Intermediate dancers ages 9+ and/or who have completed Level 2 at LOVV. Curriculum focuses on requiring proper posture, body alignment and more complex coordination while refining technique.
Ballet – Level 1, 2+ Students are able to maintain strong posture and turnout with one hand at the barre. Epaulement coordination of movement with head and arms. Exercises are executed at a slow pace in a methodical manner. Single and Double Pirouettes, Petite allegro jumps with beats are introduced. Adagio with develop in centre. Extensions are maintained at 90 degrees.
Tap – Level 1, 2+ maxie ford turn, 5 and 7 count riff walks. Pull backs/grab offs, wings and double irish required.
Lyrical/Jazz – Level 1, 2+ Working towards full height battments, extensions and leaps (right/left/center). Float leaps, chaine jete introduced. Double Pirouettes required.
Tumbling – TBD
Level 4: High Intermediate/Advanced Dancers Ages 11+
High Intermediate/Advanced dancers ages 11+ and/or who have completed Level 3 at LOVV. Curriculum challenges students to take individual responsibility for proper posture, body alignment and advanced/mature coordination, knowledge of and executing technique with precision and artistry.
Ballet – Level 1, 2, 3+ More complex coordination, maintaining proper technique with strong posture, turnout, correct placement, central line of balance, dynamic eye-line and comprehension of musicality in centre work. Triple Pirouettes and Fouttes introduced. Extensions required above 90 degrees. Some students at this level will be approved for work en pointe.
Tap – Level 1, 2, 3+ more complex combinations with clarity of sounds, traveling time step, toe stands, scuffle. Super shuffle, shiggidy bop, switching/separated/staggered and alternating wings introduced.
Lyrical/Jazz – Level 1, 2, 3+ Full height battments, extensions and leaps (right/left/center), Right/Left/Center Splits and triple pirouettes required. Fouettes/a la second turns, capezios and turning discs introduced.
Tumbling – TBD
Level 5: Advanced Dancers Ages 14+
Advanced dancers ages 14+ and/or who have completed Level 4 at LOVV. Curriculum works at an advanced level of body awareness, quality of movement, setting new standards with artistry while maintaining proper posture, body alignment and defined technique.
Ballet – Advanced technique. Triple/Quad pirouettes and fouettes required. Extensions are maintained at full height. More complex Grande Allegro jumps are introduced. Partnering is introduced. All students at level 5 have been approved for work en pointe.
Tap – Levels 1, 2, 3, 4+ Knowledge and clean clarity of sounds for all advanced combinations of sounds and complex choreography.
Lyrical/Jazz – 1, 2, 3, 4+ Triple/Quad Pirouettes and solid fouette/a la second turn sets required. Capezio and turning discs at full height.
Tumbling – TBD