Types of Dance at KTB

Ketchikan Theatre Ballet offers instruction in creative movement, ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap from basic introductory to advanced levels: Students are placed into a level based on experience; however, age is a contributing factor due to what movement is age-appropriate for developing young bodies. Parents and students should recognize that a student’s progression and advancement into the next level does not coincide with school grade level advancement. As students progress into more advanced levels, one could expect to attend weekly classes more frequently and remain in a level for 2 or more years. This is especially true for our upper age division students taking more than one dance discipline.

Early Childhood Dance

Our Early Childhood Curriculum will incorporate Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Method of Dance’s First Steps for basic ballet and creative movement with Brain-Compatible’s eight fundamental movement patterns, based on the teachings of Anne Green Gilbert, though not exclusively. Our youngest dance students begin in Creative and Pre-Ballet classes that have been created to develop coordination and kinetic awareness, as well as musicality and a love of the arts in our youngest dancers. These classes are separated according to age, not just ability. Classes are designed to stimulate the body and mind of the student as they explore movement and develop their motor skills. It is the perfect place for our littles to begin. Studies have shown that early dance education has been proven to enhance academic learning skills and strengthen the physical body as well as promote both mental and emotional health.

Ballet

Our Ballet Curriculum will incorporate Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Method of Dance, though not exclusively. By teaching a syllabus-based method of dance, students will not only learn technique on an incremental basis, but also theory as they progress from one level to the next. Placement, flexibility, strength, coordination, and stamina all must combine to advance technique. Students will be provided a level-appropriate glossary of terminology and will be required to memorize and understand vocabulary, both physically and verbally (i.e. demonstrating a verbal command of a step). Ballet terminology is French, making this ballet education a dual education in language. Pronunciation keys will be provided, and students will practice verbalizing all terms.

Jazz

Deeply rooted in ballet technique, this contemporary style of dance is ever-changing along with popular culture. A jazz class will include a warm-up with isolations, pliés, tendus, stretching, strengthening, and more. Class will then progress to a series of jazz pirouettes, battements, jumps, tricks, and more. Students will study a variety of styles within the genre of jazz - one week students may be learning contemporary/lyrical styles and the next they may be more focused on the influences of Bob Fosse, as well as jazz dance's African roots. There is a rich and extensive history of jazz dance, but one factor has always remained - it is meant to be FUN!

Tap

Tap students are musicians as well as dancers because they are creating rhythm and musical sounds with their feet. Class will typically begin with basic steps (shuffles, flaps, triples, etc.) to warm and loosen the ankles. Exercises across the floor will challenge the student’s ability to combine learned steps as well as their ability to execute complex rhythms. The rich history of tap brings choreographic styles varying from the classic Broadway show tappers to the pounding styles of the hoofers.

Pointe

Pointe classes are for dancers with previous ballet training, who have been invited by an instructor or the Executive Director to participate. Dancers will work on classical ballet technique in their pointe shoes. Class will focus primarily on barre, center, and across the floor combinations.