Dance & Fitness Classes (Children/Teens/Adults)

The classes described below all operate on the class card system.
Through the use of a class card, one card can be used at any or all of the Community School dance, dance fitness and yoga classes. This provides the flexibility to customize your dance or fitness schedule. Pre-register by calling the Schools Office (512.476.9051, etx. 126) or simply sign up before your first class - either way, START TODAY!

Classes in the BCS

• Ballet
• Ballet Fit
• Broadway Fit
• Conditioning
• Contemporary/Modern
• Feldenkrais®
• Hip Hop
• Hula
• Jazz
• Musical Theatre
• Tap
• Yoga
• BCS Kid's Zone

Want to see the summer schedule of classes? Click here.

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.

BACK TO TOP

Ballet Fit is a fun workout that incorporates a variety of ballet-inspired movements to improve flexibility, balance, and also strengthen, lengthen and tone muscles. By integrating classic ballet movements with additional exercises such as crunches and push-ups, Ballet Fit will promote overall toning, help reduce weight, increase muscle strength and flexibility, improve coordination and posture and firm target areas. Great music to encourage and motivate you! This is a class for dancers and non-dancers alike. No previous ballet experience is required.

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

BACK TO TOP

CONDITIONING

A low impact, high intensity workout designed to help improve strength, flexibility, speed, and agility. Challenges your cardio endurance because you are constantly moving. Increasing body strength will heighten the rate at which your body uses energy. A positive, upbeat, motivational atmosphere allows the individual to work towards their potential while improving their overall fitness level.  Look better, feel better, and have fun doing it.

BACK TO TOP

CONTEMPORARY/MODERN - Offered for Teens & Adults
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.

Maria Antonieta Bravo teaches modern at Ballet Austin. Toni 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.

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.

Cheryl Copeland graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Cheryl's fresh, unique style and approach to dance has made her in demand and given her notoriety across the United States. Having studied and performed extensively in Florida, New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, her training and technical expertise is reflected in her classes and choreography.

BACK TO TOP

Feldenkrais®, or Awareness Through Movement®, concerns itself with the learning of movement. It explores the quality and effectiveness of new movements, and challenges the brain to relearn existing movement skills. In effect, it is reprogramming the brain to optimize movement on a neurological level. Unlike strengthening and stretching exercises, Feldenkrais® provides participants with necessary kinesthetic information so that they can become more aware of their own movements and learn to eliminate unnecessary strain and effort.

A Butler Community School Feldenkrais® student has this to say, “Imagine TAI CHI practiced lying quietly on a mat.” Participants leave a class with a feeling of more natural and organic movement, have a greater range of motion with less effort, and experience a sense of relaxation physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Participants can increase awareness and change their patterns of movement in just one hour. The result is that they are able to complete everyday tasks with more comfort, efficiency, and integrity.

While there are many alternative health care and exercise options, it is often difficult to find a certified Feldenkrais® practitioner. Lisa del Rosario, instructor at Ballet Austin’s Butler Community School, is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais PractitionerCM.

BACK TO TOP

Boo's hip hop class focuses on choreography, floor work, and "tricks" with up-beat pop and hip hop music.  Simple break dance moves, incorporating both East and West Coast styles, create a Third Coast style that anyone can learn and take from the class to the club. Come take a class and work on original choreography with Boo; basic break, pop & lock and freestyle moves using the music of today’s hottest artists: Sofia Fresh, Lil Wayne, NERD, Kanye West, T-Pain, T.I., Justin Timberlake, Dj Khaled, Common, etc.

BACK TO TOP

If you've already taken Beginner Hula Classes, this is the class for you! Beginner Hula is offered as a 6-week Course Offering (STARTING SUMMER, 2009). Click here for more information about Beginning Hula.

Pa’u skirts strongly recommended. Barefoot.

BACK TO TOP

JAZZ - Offered for Kids, Teens & Adults

Jazz dance is taught by Danny Herman, Rocker Verastique, Boo Ruiz and Suzanne Taylor. Broadway veterans, Danny and Rocker'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. Suzanne and Boo 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.

BACK TO TOP

• MUSICAL THEATRE TRIPLE THREAT - Offered for Kids, Teens & Adults                                     This class allows Danny, Rocker and music director, Billy Wolfe to work with aspiring musical theatre performers on all aspects of audition and performance skills for the stage. Classes offered for children, teens and adults.
• TAP - Offered for Kids, Teens & Adults                                                                                 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.

• THEATRE DANCE - Offered for Teens & Adults                                                                        Danny and Rocker start this class 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.

• MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS - Offered for Kids, Teens & Adults                                  Twice a year performance workshops are offered in the BCS as a Coarse Offering. Performance workshop participants have the opportunity to learn classic choreography from master instructors who have worked on Broadway in musicals such as A CHORUS LINE, FOSSE, CHICAGO and many, many more. Click here for more information about the next performance workshop to be offered.

BACK TO TOP

YOGA

• HATHA - Offered for Teens & Adults
  Hatha yoga incorporates physical postures (asana) and conscious breathing (pranayama) to help generate a sense of well-being for the participant. Hatha challenges the body and the mind. During a class, students bring their bodies into properly aligned postures with mindful breath and focus. Holding these postures encourages strength, increased flexibility, balance, and mental clarity.  All levels welcome. This class is taught by Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher and Ballet Austin Company member, Michelle Thompson.

• VINYASA FLOW - Offered for Teens & Adults               Vinyasa Flow is an evolving variation of the Hatha yoga tradition. The Vinyasa flow practice links sequences of Hatha yoga postures with very little rest between them.  These energizing Vinyasa sequences help students achieve greater strength, flexibility, balance, and focus. This class is a powerful tool for students who want to join movement and breath, develop internal awareness, and build endurance. All levels welcome. This class is taught by Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher and Ballet Austin Company member, Michelle Thompson.

BACK TO TOP

For all class information, please contact:

Vicki Parsons, Managing Director of Schools

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

OR

Eric Caruthers, Registrar

Phone - 512.476.9051 ext. 138
E-mail - eric.caruthers@balletaustin.org
Fax - 512.472.3073

PILATES PROGRAM

COURSE OFFERINGS

BUTLER COMMUNITY SCHOOL CALENDAR