Great dance classes can be a joy and bad ones can be a misery. Choosing the right dance level is a start to a experiencing a great one!
When looking at a studio timetable you’ll see offerings such as ‘Beginner’, ‘Intermediate’, ‘Advanced’, which in and of itself are usually as described.
BEGINNER – No previous training at all necessary.
BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE – A handful of classes, prior sessions or a few months of experience or maybe a little bit more. The level indicates that you have understood the fundamentals and are able to execute them.
INTERMEDIATE – Familiar with both rhythms and patterns as well as the technique that comes with the genre. The level will both try to improve on the execution of fairly basic material, but also provide slightly more challenging material.
INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED – This level is for experienced dancers. Students showing up at this level are confident, technically knowledgeable and fairly fluent in the rhythmical language around the dance form. The material in this level will be challenging from all aspects: rhythmically, technically and tempo wise.
ADVANCED – Usually requires an audition, competitive process. Preparations for professional performances or work.
Those descriptions are pretty clear but what if you see classes described as ‘Level A, B, C’ or ‘Level 1, 2, 3’ or ‘Pre-‘, ‘Novice’, ‘Primary’ or even adding the words ‘Plus’, ‘Lite’ or ‘Ex (for Extreme)’ to the class name?
How do you choose?
As obvious as it sounds, ask and then observe the class through a trial to get a good idea of what level is best for you.
Don’t assume that if you danced to a certain level many years ago, that you can automatically start dancing again at that level. It is far more preferable that you start by taking classes that are for absolute beginners or are at least a couple of levels down from where you used to be, in order for your body to reacquaint itself with the dance.
You can always progress quicker if you wish, once you’ve got your rhythm back and if you find that you progress quickly, speak to the teacher about moving to a different level. This also goes for being a higher level that you find is more of a challenge than you are ready for at the time.
Levels are all about learning so if you are happy at a particular level then there is no shame in continuing in that class for as long as you’d like. The beauty of levels of dance at a studio is that they grow with you. A beginner class for juniors will be different than with seniors than with 18+ or Adults.
Elan Dance Arts (EDA) offers dancers a new level of dance training through programs that are not offered anywhere else in the city. Starting from ages 2.5 to adults whether it’s for certified examinations or simply for health, fun and recreation, we’re the studio for you! EDA is the only ADAPT certified studio in the SouthWestern Ontario area. We specialize in educating students using the distinguished Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) syllabus created by Brian Foley, one of Canada’s most renowned dance teachers, directors and choreographers. ADAPT offers yearly examinations in the dance disciplines of Tap and Jazz. The syllabus teaches a strong solid technical foundation, along with artistic expression preparing students to enter the dance profession. At EDA we strongly believe that Dance as an art form is one of the most beautiful and exciting experiences one can have in life. We are highly devoted and dedicated to the process of the development and popularization of dance activities among people of all ages. We are also fully committed to providing our students with the highest level of education.
We aim to:
To provide classes for recreational students of all ages that are both challenging and enjoyable with the end being an overall improvement of coordination, flexibility, posture, confidence, and musicality.
To offer the best quality of training by following an appropriate syllabus that produces results and hiring qualified instructors to generate those results.
To offer the opportunity for students to take important examinations in order to progress to a professional level as either a dancer or a teacher
Most importantly to strongly encourage every single one of our students to become the best that they can be within our learning institution!!
Interested in learning more?
Contact us:)
Élan Dance Arts
2466 Main St, Box 114, London, ON N6P 1A9
Tel.: 519.652.3433
Email: office@elandancearts.ca