This yearlong class is designed for middle and high school students who are new to hip hop or looking to strengthen their foundation in the style. Whether students are stepping into their first dance class or returning to develop their skills further, this class provides a high-energy, encouraging environment to build technique, confidence, and personal style.

Dancers will focus on core hip hop vocabulary including groove, isolations, footwork, and musicality, while also exploring improvisation and choreography. With an emphasis on rhythm, self-expression, and clean execution, students will grow in both freestyle and performance settings. Each week balances technical drills, creative challenges, and short choreographic phrases that help dancers connect movement to music.

The course is structured in three progressive units:
Unit 1: Hip Hop Fundamentals & Technique
Unit 2: Musicality, Freestyle, & Choreography Development
Unit 3: Performance Confidence & Style Exploration

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. Strengthen understanding of core hip hop elements: groove, isolations, footwork, and transitions
2. Practice short choreographed phrases with clarity, timing, and expressive movement
3. Develop musical sensitivity and dynamic control in both set and improvised movement
4. Build confidence in freestyle and explore individual style within ensemble work
5. Apply movement with intentionality and collaborate effectively in a group setting
6. Rehearse and perform an age-appropriate routine with energy and presence during informal observation events

Instructional Tone: Supportive, energetic, and skills-driven — balancing discipline with creative self-expression
Activities: Hip hop drills, phrase-based choreography, across-the-floor footwork, guided freestyle, musicality games
Skills Focus: Groove, isolation, rhythm accuracy, freestyle confidence, musical dynamics, teamwork, choreographic memory
Performance Readiness: Prepared to perform a short, clean group routine with stage presence and style during informal parent showcases

Aligned National Core Arts Standards (Dance):
Creating:
DA:Cr1.1 — Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work (freestyle, creative exploration)
DA:Cr2.1 — Organize and develop artistic ideas and work (short choreographed phrases)
Performing:
DA:Pr5.1 — Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation (clarity, timing, expression)
DA:Pr6.1 — Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work (musical sensitivity, presence)
Responding:
DA:Re7.1 — Perceive and analyze artistic work (group collaboration and timing)
DA:Re8.1 — Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work (intentional movement)
Connecting:
DA:Cn10.1 — Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art (individual style, collaboration)