Dance and Dance Fitness Classes (Children/Teens/Adults)

BUTLER COMMUNITY SCHOOL CALENDAR

For all class and registration information, please contact:

Vicki Parsons , Schools Director of Administration.

Phone - 512.476.9051 ext. 126
E-mail - vicki.parsons@balletaustin.org
Fax - 512.472.3073

2007/2008 Class Schedules and Tuition

2008 Summer Class Schedules and Tuition

BALLET
Ballet Austin's Butler Community School offers ballet classes for absolute beginners to advanced dancers in an exciting, professional environment. Community School ballet classes are designed to enhance each student's experience with 4 different levels to meet a variety of needs.

The beginning ballet class introduces basic ballet vocabulary and steps in a progression from barre to center work that builds an understanding of rudimentary ballet technique. Once the basics are mastered, a one or two year process, the student can move into the elementary class which involves more center work. The intermediate class has a fairly complete vocabulary with the emphasis on developing technical strength and movement quality that continues into the advanced class.

Classes are taught by Ballet Austin's acclaimed faculty, who are available to assess a student's level in class and make appropriate level recommendations.

BALLET FIT

Ballet Fit classes combine the muscle sculpting and abdominal control gained in a regular ballet class with the fun and cardio workout of an aerobics class.  Work, sweat, improve your health, but most importantly meet people and have fun!

CONTEMPORARY/MODERN
Modern dance, or contemporary dance, is a vital dance form that is increasingly incorporated into ballet choreography. The body is fully integrated in modern dance often utilizing internal rhythms and movement concepts such as “fall and recovery” and “contract and release”. With technique less restrictive than classical ballet, modern is the perfect jumping off point for self-expression.

Thaddeus Davis, modern instructor, has been a frequent guest teacher and choreographer at Ballet Austin and will be in residence again next fall with his company, Wideman/Davis Dance.

Cheryl Chaddick, taught modern dance in San Francisco from 1983 until moving to Austin late last year. In the Bay Area she was on the faculties of the University of California, Berkeley; San Francisco School of Theater and Arts; Alonzo King's Pre-Professional Summer Program; and Summer Lee Rhatigan's San Francisco Conservatory of Dance.

Maria Antonieta Bravo also teaches modern at Ballet Austin. Ms. Bravo is originally from Mexico City and holds a Master's Degree in Theatre History and Criticism, with a minor in Dance Pedagogy. She began teaching for Ballet Austin in 1990.

JAZZ
Jazz dance is taught by Danny Herman, Rocker Verastique, Boo Ruiz and Suzanne Taylor. Broadway veterans, Mr. Herman and Mr. Verastique's class starts with a warm-up that stretches and tones the body. This class develops proper body alignment, flexibility, balance and strength. Exercises follow that isolate the different parts of the body and develop increasingly complex coordination of the arms, head and legs. Longer combinations that emphasize expressiveness in lyrical and dynamic Broadway styles are given in the center and across the floor. Ms. Taylor and Ms. Ruiz each offer a west coast jazz class that is a technically based, high powered and dynamic with an emphasis on a variety of styles including contemporary and lyrical.

MUSICAL THEATRE TRIPLE THREAT

This class allows Mr. Herman , Mr. Verastique and music director, Billy Wolfe to work with aspiring musical theatre performers on all aspects of audition and performance skills for the stage.

BROADWAY FIT

Broadway Fit is also taught by Danny Herman and Rocker Verastique.  The focus of this class is to have fun and burn calories... all to a Broadway beat!  All the elements of Mr. Herman and Mr. Verastique's jazz class are here, but packed into a fast-paced, hour-long class!

THEATRE DANCE

Also taught by Danny Herman and Rocker Verastique, this class starts with a warm-up that stretches and tones the body. Proper body alignment, flexibility, balance and strength are emphasized in this Broadway style class. Center combinations will contain repertoire from Broadway shows, past and present,

HIP HOP

Mr. Herman  and Mr. Verastique's hip hop class is a contemporary, fun and energetic combination of street dance, funk and jazz. Ms. Ruiz's hip hop class will focus on choreography, floor work and "tricks" utilizing up-beat pop and hip hop music. Ms. Ruiz pulls from both her east coast and west coast training to create a third coast style of movement.

TAP

Utilizing his years of experience, Danny Herman constructs a Broadway style tap class that combines barre work, progressive rhythm sequences and simple choreography that expands and develops into more complex tap dance sequences.

HULA
Taught by Pei-San Brown and Vivian Kaw, Hula or Hawaiian dance is one of the most important cultural arts of Hawaii. Through movement, hula tells of the history, legends, and beauty of the islands. No prior dance experience is necessary for Introductory Hula! Get a great workout while learning all of the hula basics, including correct posture and technique, simple choreography, dancing with hula implements, and Hawaiian culture and history as it relates to hula. Each lesson builds upon the one that came before it. Hula is for anyone, especially those who have ever had an interest in hula and the Hawaiian culture.

FLAMENCO
Flamenco class focuses on various elements of technique such as basic posture, braceo (arms), Maneo (hand movements), taconeo (footwork) and compas (rhythms). Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of flamenco starting with Sevillanas, a famous dance that is performed typically in Seville, and the Tango Flamenco. Discover the rich history, the fiery movements and complex rhythms that make flamenco such an incredible dance form! Taught by Elisa Rodriguez who lived and danced in Seville, Spain for seven years.  More...

SUMMER FLAMENCO SESSIONS
These two 6-week sessions will allow you to have a reserved place in class and will take you through the complete process of learning a dance in more detail. Each class will build upon what is learned from the week before. Sessions will be offered at Beginning/Elementary and Intermediate levels. Enrollment is limited to 25 students per session and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register today!

CONDITIONING FOR DANCERS
Suzanne Taylor, known for her high-powered, dynamic jazz classes, teaches Conditioning for Dancers, a low impact workout designed to strengthen and bring balance to those muscles that a dancer uses most. Overall body strength with an emphasis on core muscles helps with injury prevention and also enables the dancer to become strong enough to meet his/her technical goals. Non-dancers who just want a fun workout are welcome. The class is best for 8th grade through adult students.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR CHILDREN

Children’s Modern, Children’s Tap and Children’s Jazz classes are specifically designed for children ages 8 through 12. Each class is taken individually, but grouped together on Saturdays to encourage participation in as many different styles as possible. Other classes offered for Teens and Adults are open to children who have a higher level of experience in the given style.

HATHA YOGA
Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world. It is the practice of linking physical postures (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) to develop mental clarity, strength, flexibility, and relaxation. Through the practice of Hatha yoga you will gain balance, strength, and a greater sense of well-being. More...

INTEGRATED VINYASA YOGA

VINYASA FLOW YOGA

Vinyasa flow class is designed for transformation and radiant health. This class is a powerful tool for students who want to develop internal awareness and link their body movements with breath. The class incorporates breathing exercises, moves through energizing vinyasa sequences, and will help students achieve greater strength, flexibility, balance, and mental clarity.  More...

FELDENKRAIS®
Would you like to move with less pain? Maintain your fitness goals? Reach for your personal best? In Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement ( ATM ) lessons, the teacher verbally guides you through a sequence of gentle movements intended to develop a greater awareness of how you move. After experiencing Awareness Through Movement lessons, people often express feelings of relaxation and ease. They may breathe more freely and find their thoughts have more clarity. The classes are taught by Guild Certified Feldenkrais® ATM Teacher, Lisa del Rosario, an instructor at Ballet Austin since 2004. She has been dancing most of her life and continues to do so locally and internationally. Lisa has used the Feldenkrais Method® of movement education in the last eight years to recover from injuries, for personal growth, and to improve her quality of life.  More...

PILATES PROGRAM
A refreshing mind-body workout, Pilates focuses on core stability and posture, aiming to lengthen and strengthen muscles.  More..

Movin' Easy is the official dance retailer of Ballet Austin.