*By instructor approval only*
This fast-paced, high-energy class is designed for
dancers with prior experience who are ready to push their skills to the next level. Blending traditional hip hop foundations with more complex choreography, freestyle development, and performance artistry, this yearlong course challenges students to grow in both technical precision and expressive power.
Dancers will strengthen their understanding of hip hop styles including popping, locking, breaking, and freestyle, while deepening their musicality, stamina, and stage presence. Each week combines rigorous technique training with phrase-based choreography and creative exploration. Students will also collaborate in cyphers, contribute to choreography, and cultivate their unique voice as performers.
The course is structured in three progressive units:
Unit 1: Advanced Foundations & Technique Expansion
Unit 2: Musicality, Freestyle & Choreographic Composition
Unit 3: Performance Artistry & Style Refinement
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:
- Strengthen control, stamina, and precision in foundational and advanced hip hop techniques
- Master challenging choreography phrases with musicality, energy, and stylistic clarity
- Develop expressive freestyle skills rooted in cypher culture and musical responsiveness
- Explore multiple hip hop substyles including locking, popping, breaking, and lyrical fusion
- Apply storytelling, emotional expression, and intention in performance
- Collaborate within an ensemble to execute group formations and spatial awareness
- Rehearse and perform a complex group piece with polish and personality
Instructional Tone: Disciplined, motivating, and artistically empowering — with an emphasis on personal growth, excellence, and collaboration
Activities: Technique intensives, cypher circles, group choreography, musicality games, peer feedback, and creative challenges
Skills Focus: Advanced isolations, floor work, freestyle development, musical interpretation, stamina, and ensemble performance
Performance Readiness: Students will demonstrate growth and confidence through a polished group routine and optional freestyle moments at informal “Inside The Studio" events
Aligned National Core Arts Standards (Dance):
Creating:
DA:Cr1.1 — Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work (freestyle, storytelling, style exploration)
DA:Cr2.1 — Organize and develop artistic ideas and work (challenging choreography, rehearsal)
DA:Cr3.1 — Refine and complete artistic work (polish and performance readiness)
Performing:
DA:Pr5.1 — Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation (advanced technique, musicality)
DA:Pr6.1 — Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work (emotional expression, intention)
Responding:
DA:Re7.1 — Perceive and analyze artistic work (ensemble execution, spatial awareness)
DA:Re8.1 — Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work (expressive storytelling)
DA:Re9.1 — Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work (reflection and critique)
Connecting:
DA:Cn10.1 — Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art (hip hop substyles and culture)
DA:Cn11.1 — Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding (cypher culture, hip hop origins)
