Our master
teachers in dance strongly encourage ballet in their teaching techniques as
ballet is the basis for most forms of dance.
HHW has a partnership and collaborative work relationship with Joffery
Ballet and Las Pasos Dance Studio. Through
our joint efforts our students receive the most diverse and intense forms of
movement and dance instruction. They not
only learn the technique of each form of dance that is taught, but the history,
and culture of that dance. The dancing
is merged with vocal and theater to create a more fluid choreography and stage
blocking. The dance element in our
program also adds to team building and collaboration between the
disciplines. After thorough instruction,
students are encouraged to create and choreograph their own dance
routines. Our dance instructors teach
from beginner to advanced level to professional which includes:
Ballet - is
a form of theatrical dance characterized by graceful, balanced movements;
sometimes used with music, scenery, and a theatrical work to tell a story. HHW uses ballet as a foundation for all other
forms of dance movement taught by their instructors. It teaches discipline, formal technique,
develops core strength, flexibility, and stamina that carries over into the
other disciplines.
Modern - is a
style of theatrical dance that allows the students to use dance movements that
are derived from the expression of their inner feelings. This is contrary to ballet, but the ballet
techniques will assist with the definition of the modern movements and give the
students a basis to build on.
Jazz - is
various dances characterized by the use of improvisation and influenced by
rhythms and techniques of jazz music.
Tap - is used by a dancer who is considered a percussive musician, because of the sounds the
dancers make with the metal plated shoes.
Students who gain proficiency in this form of dance also tell stories
through the rhythms tapped out on the hard palette of the floor.
Latin - Encompasses dances from various parts of the Latin world, i.e. Caribbean,
Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Portugal, Guatemala, and others. Some of the dances may coincide with the
ballroom dances, but the group dances are also taught by our instructors to
develop teamwork and collaborative workmanship within a group setting.
African
- Focuses on dances from the continent of Africa.
These dances teach social patterns and values. The dances will be used to teach about the
history, proverbs, poetry, praise, and maturity through the folk, slave and
freedom dances taught by our instructors.
Ballroom
- is best known as a form of partner dancing.
Students will learn such dances as the Cha Cha, Tango, Waltz, Minuet,
Fox Trot, and others. This dance
originated in Germany and is currently enjoying resurgence in the United
States. As a social dance, Ballroom
dancing creates the genteelness of man and female partnering. They learn the etiquette of being polite,
trustworthiness, caring for your partner, and teamwork.