Dance & Fitness Classes (Kids/Teens/Adults)
The classes described below all operate on the Class-Card system.
Through the use of a Class-Card, you can participate in any or all of the BCS dance and fitness classes listed below. This provides the flexibility to customize your dance or fitness schedule. Buy your Class-Card when you come in for your first class, or by calling 512.476.9051, etx. 126. START TODAY!
Kid's Classes in the BCS
Teen/Adult Dance Classes in the BCS
Teen/Adult Fitness Classes in the BCS
Want to see the fall/spring schedule of classes? Click here.
TEEN/ADULT DANCE CLASSES
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.
- Elementary ballet continues the progression and involves more center work.
- The intermediate ballet class has a more complete vocabulary with an emphasis on developing strength and movement quality.
- The advanced ballet class is recommended for those with a full understanding of classical ballet technique.
Classes are taught by Ballet Austin's acclaimed faculty, including select company dancers.
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MODERN
Modern dance is an expressive and highly individualized dance form. 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. Classes are taught by Toni Bravo, Dane Burch, Cheryl
Chaddick, and Cheryl Copeland.
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 HIP HOP
Hip hop at the BCS focuses on choreography and isolations, all to up-beat pop and hip hop music. This class is almost a contemp-hop style, incorporating both East and West Coast styles, creating 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 using the music of today’s hottest contemporary artists. It’s current and fun, and you’ll want to be here for every class!
JAZZ FUNK
Step up and groove to your favorite hip/hop & pop artists! The class starts off with a strength and style building warm up, moving into a different dance combination each week. Expect a variety of fresh styles alternating between smooth, lyrical routines and sharp, hard-hitting choreography. Always a friendly, positive energy. Come in, be inspired, get an awesome workout, and learn some cool moves!
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INTER/ADVANCED HULA
Taught by Pei-San Brown, 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. A strong basis in hula basics is required to attend this class. Learn variations on the basics and more complex choreography, including implement hulas.
-master hula technique
-master variations on the basic hula steps
-master Hapa-Haole and Hawaiian hulas
-master hula implements
-learn about Hawaiian culture and history as it relates to hula
-gain optional performance experience
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 and Continuing Hula.
Pa’u skirts strongly recommended. Barefoot.
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JAZZ
 Jazz dance is taught by
Danny Herman,
Rocker Verastique,
Boo Ruiz
and
Dane Burch. Broadway veterans,
Danny and Rocker's Broadway Jazz 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.
Dane
and Boo each offer a Contemporary Jazz class that infuses classic jazz fundamentals with elements of modern and contemporary movement. This class is high powered and dynamic and emphasizes body awareness, technique, fun choreography and improv.
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MUSICAL THEATRE
-
MUSICAL THEATRE TRIPLE THREAT
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 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.
Twice a year performance workshops are offered in the BCS as Course Offerings. 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.
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TEEN/ADULT FITNESS CLASSES
BALLET FIT
Ballet Fit incorporates a variety of ballet-inspired movements to improve flexibility and balance, and also strengthen, lengthen and tone muscles. Greg Easley, who first introduced the Ballet Fit format into the Butler Community School's roster of classes, utilized his extensive background in classical ballet to design a class that would focus on fitness and fun. By integrating classical 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. Taught by Elise Pekarek and Emily Cloyd.
BALLET FIT BASIC
People of all ages and physical conditions benefit from exercise and physical activity. Utilizing principals set forth by the National Institute on Aging, Ballet Fit Basic is specifically designed to engage seniors at a wide range of fitness levels. The class is also ideal for adults of any age who have not been involved in regular exercise or for those with chronic conditions or who may be recovering from injury. Ballet Fit Basic incorporates stretching and simple positions of ballet as a form of low intensity/low impact exercise. The class will improve flexibility, balance, and strength, using fun music from decades past. Adaptations within the class offer participants the ability to take the class while standing or seated in a chair. Get fit and stay fit while connecting with new friends in a fun and upbeat environment. Taught by Brittany Harpole Certified Pilates Instructor.
 BROADWAY FIT
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!
BROADWAY FIT 101
Stretch, tone, get your heart rate up, and burn calories...all to a Broadway beat! This class starts with a great warm-up and then adds simple Broadway jazz choreography to add the cardio element. A fun workout for Broadway Fit beginners!
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 ARMS & ABS
Everyone wants shapely, toned arms and firm abs. This class spends 45 minutes focusing only on arms and abs. Exercises designed to tighten up the core muscles will be integrated along with strength moves to tone the arms and shoulders. Taught by Brittany Harpole, Certified Pilates Instructor.
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BELOW THE BELT
Wanna shrink the spread? Banish the bulge? Stave off the saddlebags? Then you better work. In this 45 minute fast-paced hard-hitting class Boo will take on the dreaded nether regions and whip your booty into shape...Literally. With focus on hips, thighs, glutes, and calves you'll be sliding into those skinny jeans before you can say "Shape Ups". No special sneakers necessary because we've got the right equipment and music to keep you motivated and having fun while you burn those buns. So skip the line at the lunch counter and come join Boo for a power lunch that will stay with you for the rest of the day!
Taught by Boo Ruiz, Certified Pilates Instructor.
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BODY STRETCH
Body Stretch is a muscle balancing class which will make all your other exercises easier to do. Most people think of stretching as a warm-up exercise, or for cooling down after exercise. But stretching on a regular basis is a complete workout in itself, and important for maintaining flexibility, balance, and relaxation. Stretching your body aids in reducing stress, improving posture, and enhancing the range of motion of all body parts. Stretch out your whole body using the ballet barre, Thera-bands®, and mats. All ages and ability levels.
Taught by Brittany Harpole, Certified Pilates Instructor.
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FELDENKRAIS®
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.
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YOGA
- VINYASA FLOW
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.
- VINYASA HAPPY HOUR
Get ready for the weekend with this playful Vinyasa Yoga class! Let go of your week as you use your breath to transform your body and mind through thoughtful sequences of asanas. This class is suitable for all levels. Taught by Zakiyyah Kareem, Certified Yoga Instructor.
For true beginners, Yoga Fundamentals is offered as a 6-week Course Offering. We also have a Yoga Course Offering that focusses on prenatal health and wellness. Click here for more information about Yoga Course Offerings.
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ZUMBA®
 Zumba®, or Latin fitness, is playful and energetic, and combines high energy and motivating music with easy-to-follow moves to create a workout that is "fun and easy to do." Anyone can participate! Zumba® participants achieve long-term benefits while having a blast in this 45-minute, calorie-burning, body-energizing class. Add some international zest into your fitness workout. Offered several days a week...including Sundays. Come one time and you will be hooked!
Taught by Tina-Michelle Pittsley.
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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
Click Here to purchase a fall/spring Class-Card
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