Perfect for beginning teens or those looking to solidify their jazz technique, this class introduces foundational vocabulary while pushing students toward greater control, strength, and performance quality. 

Dancers will explore core jazz vocabulary and technique, including isolations, jazz walks, turns, leaps, and stylistic variations. As they progress, students will also be introduced to musicality, expressive movement, and basic choreographic interpretation. The class emphasizes personal growth, body awareness, and ensemble collaboration, while encouraging students to bring their own creativity and personality to the dance floor.

The course is structured in three progressive units:
Unit 1: Jazz Technique and Movement Mechanics
Unit 2: Style, Musicality, and Artistic Expression
Unit 3: Performance Presence and Personal Voice in Dance

Students will have two special opportunities to share their progress with family during our informal “Family Night: Inside the Studio” events, held at the end of each semester (December and May). These evenings are designed to let families step into the studio and see firsthand what their student has been learning and experiencing each week, and to provide a celebratory atmosphere for students to showcase their growth and skills.

Class Objectives:

1. Build foundational jazz technique with proper alignment, control, and strength
2. Demonstrate key movement skills such as isolations, turns, leaps, and kicks with increasing confidence
3. Interpret music and rhythm through dynamic movement and stylization
4. Apply basic jazz vocabulary to across-the-floor work and center combinations
5. Explore different jazz styles (e.g., classic, Broadway, lyrical) and understand their characteristics
6. Express emotion and character through movement with authenticity
7. Collaborate effectively with classmates to perform in unison and develop spatial awareness
8. Reflect on personal progress and apply feedback to improve performance quality
9. Share a short choreographed routine confidently during two informal studio presentations

Instructional Tone: Supportive, empowering, and technique-focused—with encouragement to take creative risks and grow as an artist
Activities: Warm-ups, technical drills, across-the-floor progressions, expressive combinations, improvisation prompts
Skills Focus: Jazz vocabulary, flexibility, musicality, spatial awareness, expressive performance
Performance Readiness: Students perform a choreographed group combination during informal "Inside The Studio" events, emphasizing growth and ensemble connection over perfection

Aligned National Core Arts Standards (Dance):
Creating:
DA:Cr1.1 — Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work (exploration of jazz styles, expressive movement)
DA:Cr2.1 — Organize and develop artistic ideas and work (across-the-floor and center work, choreography learning)
DA:Cr3.1 — Refine and complete artistic work (applying feedback and reflecting on progress)
Performing:
DA:Pr5.1 — Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation (alignment, control, dynamic stylization)
DA:Pr6.1 — Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work (emotion, character, musical interpretation)
Responding:
DA:Re7.1 — Perceive and analyze artistic work (unison work, spatial awareness, peer collaboration)
DA:Re8.1 — Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work (authentic expression)
DA:Re9.1 — Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work (self-reflection and feedback incorporation)
Connecting:
DA:Cn10.1 — Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art (style characteristics and emotional expression)
DA:Cn11.1 — Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding (jazz style diversity)