WHAT WE OFFER
Turning Pointe Dance Academy, conveniently located to Route 100, I-95 and I-295 in Hanover, MD, offers a wide variety of dance classes during the academic school year and the summer months for all ages and skill levels. Instruction begins at age 2. Tracks of study offer pathways for recreational, pre-profession,
post-professional, and adult students. Teacher training offers professionals the ability to become certified in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet.
Tuition & Discounts
The 2023/2024 session runs from September to June.
Tuition is due at the beginning of each month.
$30.00 annual registration fee
30 minute class $36.00/mo
45 minute class $54.00/mo
60 minute class $72.00/mo
75 minute class $86.40/mo
90 minute class $108.00/mo
Discounts:
3 hours of classes/week: 5%
4-6 hours of classes/ week: 7%
6 hours of classes/week: 10%
Unlimited Classes: $450.00/ month
Full year tuition paid in September: 5%
Military Discount: 10%
Cecchetti Method
The Cecchetti ballet syllabus is based on classroom patterns that Cecchetti developed for the advanced students and professional dancers of his day, many of whom (such as Vaslav Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova) were challenged by his work to improve their already considerable technique. Cecchetti's exercises were preserved by others late in his life, written down under his supervision. Childrens' syllabi were later developed by various organizations, featuring codified patterns intended to guide a dancer's development from the first ballet class all the way through to the professional level.
Learn more about the method at www.cecchetti.org
for young dancers
Dance With Me
2 year olds
DANCE WITH ME
A mommy and me class for two year olds to explore how they move, strengthen their coordination, and work their muscles and minds. A parent (or grandparent or nanny) is invited to join class at the beginning of the year to assist/dance along with their developing dancer. As the year progresses dancers transition to being independent in class with out the participation from a parent.
Creative Movement
3-5 year olds
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
This is a fun introduction to ballet for 3-5 year olds incorporating basic terminology with the positions of the feet, hands and body. Classroom teachers use music, movements, dancers' imaginations and stories from the famous ballets to introduce little ones to the magic of the art form.
Combo Classes
4-7 year olds
COMBO CLASSES
Combo classes are suitable for dancers ages 4-7. Class is structured into 30 minutes of ballet and 30 minutes of another style of dance. We offer ballet/tap, ballet/jazz and ballet/lyrical combo classes. Learn more about lyrical here.
for dancers ages 6 and up
Intro to Ballet/Beginning Ballet
This is an introduction to the fundamentals of the Cecchetti Ballet Method for young dancers. This class is recommended for dancers interested in studying ballet and/or the Cecchetti Method.
Lyrical
Lyrical dance is a modern dance form which fuses modern dance, jazz, and ballet. Lyrical dance is often referred to as contemporary dance. It requires excellent technique to perform, as the moves are often difficult and precise. Moreover, the dancer must be well aware of facial expressions, essentially acting, to properly perform a lyrical dance piece.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor. This dance genre is often done in bare feet. Contemporary dance can be performed to many different styles of music.
Modern
Classes primarily use the technique of modern pioneers Lester Horton and Jose Limon to introduce and later reinforce modern concepts including spinal articulation, isolation, breath patterning, flat back, contraction, spiral, descent/ascent, etc. Prior dance experience in an arts magnet or studio setting necessary for advanced levels. Students participating in the modern program at Turning Pointe must also enroll in Ballet. Please note: Modern classes are available for dancers ages 7 and up.
Stretch, Turns and Leaps
Workshop style class to improve upon proper stretching and strengthening practices, turning technique, and the mechanics of leaps.
Jazz
Jazz dancing is a form of dance that showcases a dancer's individual style and originality. This type of dancing is energetic and fun, consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns. To excel in jazz, dancers benefit greatly from a strong background in ballet, as it encourages grace and balance.
Tap
Tap is performed wearing shoes fitted with metal taps. It is characterized by rhythmical tapping of the toes and heels. This class participates in annual recital. Students begin learning basic vocabulary include taps, shuffles, slaps, shim sham and more. As the dancer progresses new, more intricate and faster combinations are introduced. Tap shoes required.
Hip Hop
Hip hop is a dance style, usually danced to music that evolved from the hip hop culture. Dancers are introduced to various hip hop dance movements in up beat, fun class with popular music.
Character
In Russian it is literally translated as “folk stage dance.” Character dance is derived from folk dances around the world and cultivated by the rich nuances unique to each national style. It is a staple of ballets throughout history: often character dances are used to establish the setting of where a ballet takes place and refer to where visitors come from.
Level Placement
The following levels apply to each dance genre. Students must be proficient in their current level before advancing, which typically takes two years.
Level 1- Beginner
This level is suitable for students with 0-1 years of experience in the genre. Students will learn the critical technical foundations of the genre to set the up for success.
Level 2- Low Intermediate
Students begin this level with 1-2 years of prior experience in the genre. Mastery of critical foundations from Level 1 is expected. Students will build upon the foundations learned in Level 1 to develop proper technique and artistry.
Level 3- Intermediate
Students begin this level with 2-3 years of prior experience. The class introduces students to more complex combination of steps and more challenging choreography. This is a faster paced class than Levels 1 and 2. A solid foundation in the genre, equivalent to mastery of Levels 1 and 2, is essential.
Level 4- Advanced
This class is suitable for mature students with 4 or more years of experience in the genre. This is a fast moving class with an emphasis on personal style, artistry and the use of proper technique. Students learn the subtleties of the genre and are expected to pick up concepts, details, and choreography quickly.
Class Attire Requirements
Deodorant is highly recommended for dancers ages 9 and over. Hair should be neatly secured away from the face for all classes. For ballet, modern, lyrical, character and contemporary, hair should be in a bun or a similarly secure hair style.
Creative Movement/ Dance With Me/ Ballet Classes: Solid leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes or white t-shirt, black leggings, black ballet shoes.
Combo Classes: Solid leotard, pink convertible, foot-less or footed tights and appropriate shoes (pink ballet slipper, black tap shoes and skin-toned jazz shoes). Students do not have to wear black tap shoes or skin-toned jazz shoes for class but will need that for the recital.
Character: Until instructor requests a specific leotard and character skirt- black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes. Students should bring heels if they have them.
Tap: Dance top/ leotard and fitted dance shorts/ leggings and black tap shoes (for recital but can wear any color to class).
Jazz/ Musical Theater: Dance top/ leotard and fitted dance shorts/ leggings and black tap shoes and skin-toned jazz shoes (for recital but can wear any color to class) or heels if appropriate.
Contemporary/Lyrical: Dance top/leotard and fitted dance shorts/ leggings and bare feet.
Modern: Leotard and tights/leggings. Bare feet. No shorts.
Hip Hop: Street clothes students can move in and running shoes that are not worn outside.
Stretch, Turns & Leaps: Dance top/ leotard and fitted dance shorts/ leggings and turners.