HSA Dance Department Course Descriptions

Dance Courses for Children and Teens

African Dance
A high energy blend of movement derived from African Dance, Salsa, and Merengue for parents and children to enjoy together. Both parents and children perform in the spring recital.

• African Dance for Parents & Children IB
• African Dance for Parents & Children IIB

Ballet
Beginning with a simplified approach to the classical structure of barre exercises, center work, adagio, allegro and grand allegro, students will gradually progress to more complex combinations of these elements.

• Ballet I
• Ballet IA
• Ballet IB
• Ballet II
• Ballet IIA
• Ballet III

Children's Dance Ensemble (CDE)
CDE was designed to provide students (ages 7–12) who display early talent and strong interest in dance the opportunity to study intensively, work on an ongoing repertory and perform on a more frequent basis. Auditions are held annually and all current members of the ensemble re-audition each year.

Dance
Designed to encourage and develop the natural inclination of each child to move and create, these beginning classes serve as an introduction to both Ballet and Modern.

• Dance I
• Dance IA

Hip Hop
Want to be a music video star? Learn the latest dances and stay fit in this fun, high energy hip-hop dance class! The class will incorporate street dance styles, stretching and body strengthening techniques, great music, and exciting hip-hop choreography. Learn about style and how to have confidence with freestyle dance techniques. Anyone can do it!

• Hip Hop I
• Hip Hop II
• Hip Hop III

Jazz
These classes are designed to introduce the dancer to the fundamentals of this stylized popular dance form.

• Jazz I
• Jazz IB
• Jazz IIB

Modern
Modern dance technique provides the student with a vast primary contemporary movement vocabulary.

• Modern I
• Modern IA
• Modern II (Admission by teacher recommendation)
• Modern II (Admission by audition only)
• Modern III

Renaissance II
Renaissance II is HSA’s College Prep dance company. It offers students the chance to study dance intensively in a professional atmosphere. The company performs and tours on a regular basis.

Tap
These tap classes will investigate seven basic “taps” and a variety of steps including the shuffle, shim-sham, gallops, brandy twist, corkscrew and simple time step.

• Tap I
• Tap IA
• Tap IB
• Tap II
• Tap III/Ensemble

Boys' Tap
These tap classes were created specifically for boys. Each student must be registered in another HSA class to be considered for scholarships, which will be determined by instructor audition during first day of class.

• Boys’ Tap
• Boys’ Tap Advanced

Traditional West African Dance
This class will focus on the traditional West African dances of Senegal and Guinea and is offered to students ages 7 and older.

• West African I
• West African IA
• West African II

Adult Dance Courses

Pilates
Developed in the 1920’s by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates Method is an exercise system focused on flexibility and strength, allowing the body to attain symmetry. Pilates is a series of controlled movements engaging both mind and body and promoting spinal flexibility. The more flexible the spine, the more youthful the body remains. Minimum enrollment required.

Salsa & Merengue
Have fun and learn the basics of Salsa and Merengue! Course covers the basic steps, combinations and partnering techniques for beginners and advanced beginners.

Tap for Adults
This course incorporates technique, warm-up, combinations, rhythm, terminology and history, culminating in individual and group choreography ready for performance. Beginner to advanced students are welcome. Minimum enrollment required.

College Prep Program

For information on the College Prep Dance Program,
please visit our College Prep webpage: Click Here.

For information on available financial aid, visit our Financial Aid Page

The Harlem School of the Arts is funded, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, The Carnegie Corporation, The After-School Corporation, Altman Foundation, Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, United Jewish Appeal and other corporate, foundation and individual partners. HSA is a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.