Our primary focus is to provide quality dance education and coaching in three main genres of dance: CLASSICAL BALLET, MODERN THEATRE and JAZZ. We also offer a wide range of other dances such as Tap, Contemporary and Hip Hop.
We accept young children from the age of 3 years old, to pre-professionals and adults.
At Elevate, we train the many different dance techniques and styles; with our main base and focus using the internationally recognised examination board such as:
- Ballet (RAD: Royal Academy of Dance, United Kingdom)
- Modern Theatre and Jazz (ISTD: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, United Kingdom)
FOUNDATIONS (LEVEL I, II & III)
Our Foundation in Dance 1, 2 and 3 courses enhance physical development and stimulate creativity in young children, using movement exploration and combined dance techniques from our three main focus: ballet, modern and jazz as the fundamental skills.
The courses are created in a way that allows young children to learn, while at the same time enjoy dance through imagery, music, story-telling and the use of various props.
Young children will learn to have a better sense of self-esteem, body and space awareness and the ability to communicate effectively with others.
Suitable for boys and girls age 3 to 6.
The Syllabi:
- Foundation I & II (age 3-4) – Enhance body coordination, spatial and movement exploration, develop musicality, and encourage self-expression
- Foundation III (age 5-6) – Further enhance awareness of body parts, space and musicality. Students are taught the RAD Ballet Pre-Primary syllabus in conjunction with a specially curated modern & jazz syllabi.
- All Foundation classes:
- Duration: 45 mins
- Number of classes: 44 lessons per year/level
CLASSICAL BALLET
Our Classical Ballet courses help improves body posture, coordination and agility while at the same time develop discipline and resilience. Dancers aim to achieve expressive quality of movement as well as body toning and secure muscle development.
The traditional and formal style of ballet includes a well-structured, strict and meticulous technique like pointe work, turnout and high extensions. It also provides the basic foundation for many other kinds of dance.
Some famous Classical Ballets are The Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote and Swan Lake; where as Romantic Ballets are Giselle, La Sylphide and Coppélia.
Suitable for boys and girls age 6 and above.
The Syllabi:
- Beginner Levels (Primary, Grade 1-2 for age 6+) – Develop awareness of body parts, space, control, co-ordination, movement dynamics and perform expressively to depict a story
- Graded Levels (Grade 3-5 for age 9+) – Develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental ballet technique in a range of sequences, line and spatial awareness and perform with accurate musicality combined with expression and communication
- Higher Levels (Grade 6-8 for age 11+) – Develop secure posture and correct weight placement in more complex movements, line through the body, accurate alignment and space, controlled elevation and perform with sensitive personal responsiveness to the musical mood
- Vocational Levels (Intermediate Foundation – Advanced 2 for age 12+) – Develop high level of technical proficiency and breadth of vocabulary, en pointe for females and acute sensitivity to rhythmical melody structures, texture and use of dynamic expression
International Examination Board:
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), United Kingdom – The RAD was founded in 1920 with a single purpose: to raise the standards of dance teaching in the UK. 100 years later, excellence in dance teaching is still at the heart of everything they do. Today, the RAD is a world-leading dance, education and training organisation, with dance teachers and students in 85 countries, enriching the world’s arts and cultural communities. From 3 to 93 years old, the RAD believes in the transformative power of dance to enhance health and happiness.
MODERN THEATRE & JAZZ
Our Modern Theatre and Jazz courses focus on two main dance genres which are Modern and Jazz, while incorporating Lyrical, Contemporary and Musical Theatre dance. Students train with the ISTD Modern Theatre syllabus as the main framework while incorporating in-house jazz training system.
This course uses floor work, travelling steps, high kicks, elevated jumps, extended leaps, and strong turns which require strong technique, strength, flexibility, sense of musicality and various style.
Modern – is free form and a break-free from the strict classical ballet technique, with movements that origin from the core of the body, contract and release, oppositions, weight transference, spirals, floor work, fall and recovery such as body drop, deep controlled movements, breathing rhythm to emphasise movement’s momentum, tilt lateral lines and improvisation. Some techniques are the Graham technique, Humphrey-Weidman technique and Horton technique.
Jazz – is a highly energetic and showy dance style which combines rhythm, expression and technique. Jazz uses waves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns. Great versatility and strong performance skills on the face and body is crucial to interpret the various jazz styles such classical jazz, commercial jazz, theatre/ broadway jazz or jazz funk. Some examples are Bob Fosse’s work such as Chicago, Cabaret and Sweet Charity and today’s musical Fame, Wicked, Grease and Hairspray.
Suitable for boys and girls age 6 and above.
The Syllabi:
- Beginner Levels (Primary, Grade 1-2 for age 6+) – Develop natural movement such as walking, running, jumping and skipping to encourage imaginative and rapid response, sense of line, coordinated movements and ability to express a feeling
- Graded and Higher Levels (Grade 3-6 for age 9+) – Develop technical accuracy with correct body placement, versatile range of movement, all-round strengths and abilities, sense of self-expression and creative improvisation
- Vocational Levels (Intermediate Foundation – Advanced 2 for age 12+) – Develop virtuosity in performance, awareness of audiences and self-expression, comprehensive technique in the styles of modern, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre dance, as well as mature improvisation skills
International Examination Board:
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), United Kingdom – Established in 1904, the ISTD is a registered educational charity and membership association, and is one of the world’s leading dance examination boards with 12 faculties from ballet, modern, ballroom, dance sport and social dance. ISTD mission is to educate the public in the art of dancing in all its forms, to promote the knowledge of dance, to provide up-to-date techniques, and to maintain and improve teaching standards across the globe. The ISTD is always moving with the times to keep pace with the latest developments in dance. ISTD has more than 6000 members in over 59 countries throughout the world and conduct over 120,000 examinations and 20,000 hours Continuing Professional Development each year.
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary is a style of expressive dance and adopts free movement, by combining elements of classical ballet and modern dance in an abstract, break-free, non-strict techniques and interpretative presentation.
Using various and simultaneous actions, it conveys emotions to the audience through body movements and deep breath to present an incredible and fluid performance.
Contemporary dance offers dancers the opportunity to be physically and emotionally challenged as new work often practice and encourage experimentation.
Suitable for boys and girls age 11 and above.
HIP HOP
Hip Hop is a popular and high energy freestyle dance, loved by youngster alike. It has revolved tremendously in the years creating many different new styles and moves. Dancers generally dance to various music like the hottest R&B, Pop and Hip Hop while incorporating hip hop dance techniques such isolations, waves, body rolls and high-impact moves.
There are many styles in Hip Hop such as locking, popping and breaking. Hip Hop allow dancers to move according to the pace and feel of a piece of music.
Suitable for boys and girls age 11 and above.