Our School Age Dance program is for students Kindergarten through the 12th grade.  The following classes are available:
 

  Ballet:                                                       

Grades K-12
In Kindergarten, students begin the study of classical ballet through a graded syllabus that incorporates the Cecchetti, Vaganova, Royal Academy, and Balanchine methods. Students begin learning the basics of the ballet barre and centre work. As the students progress, there are further expansions of basic barre techniques and increasingly difficult centre work.

Pre-Pointe and Pointe:
When a student is strong enough, they may begin the art of pointe work; which is the performance of ballet while wearing pointe shoes. Since students must be at least 10 years old and have proper ankle, center, and back strength; a professional evaluation is necessary before pre-pointe classes can be considered.

 Tap:                                                        
Grades K-12
As students study tap, they will become familiar with the 9 basic steps (brush, hop, step, jump, dig, toe, heel, shuffle, and flap) along with various combinations of those steps. At Sonshine Academy we use a graded syllabus, which is strongly influenced by the techniques of the Al Gilbert method. As the level of the dancer increases, the difficulty of steps and rhythm also increases. Tap technique incorporates timing, balance, endurance, and rhythm.
 

Jazz:                                                                                                                                            

Grades 1-12
Sonshine Academy teaches the traditional method of jazz. Concentration is placed on extending a traditional background in dance and incorporating lyrical and modern styles. Because the jazz technique requires a sound knowledge of dance technique, jazz is offered to students who are 1st grade and older as long as they are also enrolled in a Ballet class.
 

Lyrical:
Grades 3-12
Lyrical classes are offered to intermediate and advanced level students who are also enrolled in a ballet and jazz class. This program combines elements of ballet and jazz technique with creative emotional expression. Lyrical dance is a beautiful form of artistic expression that is usually performed with the intent of interpreting the lyrics or mood of the music.
 

Hip Hop Jazz:
Grades 3-12
Hip Hop Jazz is offered to children who have an interest in more contemporary dance styles made popular by the music video industry. Hip-Hop Jazz is less technical in nature and does not require the student to be enrolled in a ballet class. This makes it an excellent choice for older beginning level dancers with little or no classical training. Students will learn balance, strength, coordination, stage presence, and basic elements of "funk" and "urban" styles of dance.
 

Modern:
Modern is a style of dance that, while based on ballet technique, is not confined to traditional ballet form or expression. In this class students will learn and experiment with interpretation, spatial awareness, rhythm, intention of movement, and awareness of body. This class is only open to upper level, advanced (black, platinum or college) company students.