DANCE
With so many different styles to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming to pick the best option/s for your child. Below we have brief descriptions of the styles of dance we have on offer. We also offer Privates, Troupes, and Seniors (50+) classes in various styles.
READY SET DANCE
READY SET DANCE is an Australian made program and is the brainchild of four of the biggest dance schools in New South Wales. They discovered their passion for classes for the youngest students when many of them became mothers, and thought between them to make a brand new program suitable for the children of today. What they came up with became one of the most successful dance business ventures in recent years.
This one hour combo class includes jazz, tap, hip hop and singing, and all the music is written by music producers who worked on other popular kids tv shows such as ‘Play School’ and ‘Giggle and Hoot’. Designed to be appealing to both Boys and Girls, the program focuses on creating fun, memorable and fast-paced exercises for kids, whilst subtly teaching students about musicality, rhythm, spatial awareness and interpersonal skills, as well as keeping children active and healthy.
READY SET BALLET
A companion program to READY SET DANCE, READY SET BALLET is a half hour ballet class designed to teach the classic moves of this style in a fun, exciting way to young students. This class has the same focus and formula as READY SET DANCE.
The music has been created by music producers who wok on childrens’ shows such as ‘Play School’ and ‘Giggle and Hoot’, and has key instructions for children that employ their imagination and bodily awareness to learn the movement. The exercises have been designed in such a way as to make children feel as if they are playing as opposed to doing exercise, and children all over Australia and New Zealand enjoy this program.
Ready Set Ballet can be taken in combination with Ready Set Dance, or as a separate class.
BALLET
Ballet has long been referred to as one of the most elegant and classic styles of dance. Whilst certainly being strictly rule-based and enforcing etiquette, the style by no means should be treated as if it is superior to any other style.
Ballet is the base for strong, technical dancers, and a solid foundation in this dance style and its rules teaches a dancer body awareness and placement, as all the technique this style teaches apply across almost all dance styles. Ballet builds a strong core strength, flexibility and artistry, and develops an understanding between a dancer and their body that is unique to ballet.
Respect and etiquette are important in the dance studio, and ballet’s rules explain this in the clearest way. When a teacher gives you correction, they are helping you to fix a problem that you may not see. It takes many years of intense training to develop the ability to correct one’s own dancing, and it takes a special kind of dancer to be able to correctly pass on knowledge to the next generation.
JAZZ
Jazz is a highly popular dance form and requires strength, technique and high energy. In todays dance world Jazz dancing is present in many differing forms. Broadway jazz, commercial jazz, and traditional jazz are all components of the umbrella term that ‘Jazz’ covers. All have their own intricacies and quirks that are individual to each style, and each offer a vast array of lesson that can be learned, and dance opportunities that are available.
Each term students at Complete will learn something new in class, and will amass a range of technique and performance abilities that will help them across multiple styles of dance. Without the focus on exams for this style, students have the opportunity to put all their effort into improving their skills, and have more time to enjoy the vast array of styles and dances that are taught in our Jazz classes.
TAP
Tap is hugely popular worldwide, and here in Australia, particularly here in the Hunter region, tap has undergone its own journey with the Tap Dogs. Traditionally a very classic dance style, tap dance now various in use and style almost as much as jazz, from slow tap and classic tap, to broadway tap and fast tap. New moves and sounds are constantly being created in this genre, and students love to learn huge number of different moves they can do.
At Complete students learn the Glenn Wood Tap Syllabus in which our principal is highly qualified in, as well as having been trained by two of the Tap Dogs. Updated and reimagined regularly, The Glenn Wood syllabi is founded on solid technique, whilst being fluid, relaxed and enjoyable, and is a dynamic tap dance syllabus that is fun for students to learn.
CONTEMPORARY / LYRICAL
Pioneered by key choreographers such as as Isadora Duncan, Twyla Tharp, Martha Graham, William Forsythe, and Akram Khan, contemporary dance has evolved from its humble beginnings as a simple extensions and breaking of the rules in Ballet. Often misunderstood to be one particular style or other, contemporary can offer a dancer the chance to improve their performance skills and use a variety of techniques to enhance their versatility as a dancer.
Throughout the year, students will learn a variety of contemporary techniques created by different choreographers, as well as our teachers’ own individual dance styles. Exercises can include all forms of movement, as well as a knowledge of the history of contemporary dance. This variety of learning opportunities means no two contemporary classes are the same, and classes are constantly engaging and enjoyable for students.
HIP HOP
Having it’s origin in cultural music styles, Hip Hop has become an increasingly popular style of dance for students to enjoy. With it’s strong pop beat and identifiable lyrics, this genre allows students to get down and groove and become as “cool” as they can. It’s popularity has also increased as it is seen used more and more by back-up performers for hip hop and pop music artists of the day.
Hip Hop is almost the complete opposite of the Classical Ballet style, with students needing to get down low to the ground to execute the moves, and isolate and pop’n’lock on every other beat. That said, some fabulous Hip Hop dancers started with classical training and managed to “fake it till they make it”, including our own Miss Mady.
POM
Pom is a high energy, fast-paced form of dance movement, with influence from both traditional Dance, and traditional Cheerleading. Pom provides an intense experience and leaves spectators with lasting impression.
A Pom routine contains important characteristics such as strong pom technique (clean, precise and sharp motions), synchronization, visual effects and may incorporate Pom Skills (i.e. pom passes, jump sequences, leaps/turns, kick lines, etc.).
Pom will have an opportunity to compete in Newcastle competitions towards the end of 2021. This is not compulsory and will be decided on throughout the year with the development of the teams.
POINTE
Being en pointe is a goal for many young dancers, and is a peak achievement in ballet. Known for being incredibly hard, and often harsh on a dancers feet, pointe should never be taken lightly. It takes many years to develop the strength, fluidity and expression demonstrated by professional dancers, and having a strong technical foundation is key to reaching these heights whilst also preventing injury.
Our Pointe classes are dedicated to building up dancers’ strength, flexibility, core stability, and proprioception (body awareness), before going up onto pointe, and then maintaining this strength whilst en pointe. Through intense training and regular pointe ability tests, our teachers ensure that students are not only prepared in the body for pointe work, but also in the mind, to be able to learn this skill in a comfortable and safe way.