Classes

EMPAS offers a vast range of subjects including;

Ballet, Tap, Modern, Theatre Craft, Freestyle/Commercial, Contemporary/Lyrical, Singing, Musical Theatre, Acrobatic Arts & Limber!

Please note: Classes must be enrolled on in advance. Please get in touch here!
Below is a brief description of the classes we provide here at EMPAS:

Pre-School Creative Movement Classes (from 3 years)

Creative Movement ClassesFrom the age of 3 we have our “ Pre-School Creative Movement class” which introduces young children to dance and movement in a fun and friendly environment and encourages natural coordination, there is clear progression route from this class to the other dance classes taught at EMPAS.

Ballet – Prep-Advanced 2 (IDTA) (from 4 years)

Ballet is a classical art form requiring grace and precision.

Ballet fundamentals are essential to mastering lines and body placement in different genres of dance.

Ballet is the root of all dance forms.

Tap – Prep-Advanced 2 (IDTA) (from 4 years)

Tap dancing is an exciting form of stylised dance in which dancers wear special shoes equipped with metal taps.

Tap dancers use their feet like drums to create rhythmic patterns and timely beats.

This style of dance is about detail, precision and articulation of a dancer’s balls and heels of their feet.

Modern – Prep-Advanced 2 (IDTA) (from 6 years)

Modern/Contemporary is combined as a subject with the IDTA. It is a stylish form of dance that incorporates energetic, dynamic and intricate movements, it often uses bold, dramatic body movements, including body isolations and contractions.

This subject involves the use of many dance steps that are unusual and often interpret a dancer’s emotions and mood. The dancer in this case typically performs on bare feet. It is not only the choreography that speaks about the emotions to be conveyed. The lighting, costumes and props are used with great creativity to arrange interesting and unusual dance sequences.  We tend to introduce this subject at a later age due to the maturity level needed. There are some elements in our classes from an early age but it is not taken as a separate subject until pupils have reached Primary level.

Theatre Craft – Prep-Advanced 2 (IDTA) (from 4 years)

This most exciting dance form encompasses the wide spectrum of productions that are Musical Theatre. Shows like Grease, My Fair Lady, Bombay Dreams, The Lion King etc all diverse styles but all embraced by the Theatre Craft Title.

A dance which is form for theatrical performance which prepares the body physically through exercise and stimulating artistic ability through dance movement, improvisation and interpretation of music. The use of hand props, make up and much more – it provides all the ‘must have’ qualities for today’s amateur and professional dancer.

Freestyle/Commercial (IDTA) (from 5 years)

Elena Davidson 2017 - Image Credit: Joe Laws PhotographyIn these classes we dance to all the latest pop music learning the trendiest commercial styles including some street and Hip Hop.

Street dance is a combination of dance moves combined with loads of attitude. Hip-Hop includes various moves such as breaking, popping, locking and krumping. Improvisation and personal interpretation are essential to this style of dancing and music choices can be vast. We offer medal test examinations with the IDTA for these classes.

Contemporary/Lyrical (from 6 years)

Contemporary dance is characterised by its versatility and can be danced to almost any style of music, or united with other dance forms to create new styles of movement. Contemporary seeks to work with the natural alignment of the body and is therefore safe and accessible for beginners. The ease of movement promoted by this form of dance technique allows experienced dancers to push new boundaries of body movement.

 

Musical Theatre (IDTA) (from 5 years)

We offer weekly Musical Theatre classes which combine the following techniques in a fun and lively envioronment:

  • Drama/Acting
  • Singing/Vocals
  • Dance
  • Speech

Different stages of examinations are offered through the IDTA and the children will work towards these in their weekly classes.

Singing and vocal technique lessons are available as a private lesson.

 

Acrobatic Arts & Limber (from 5 years)

Our Acrobatic Arts class focus’ on acrobatic dance moves & balance, where the focus is on strength, poise and flexibility. The aim is to incorporate these moves into dance routines. All dancers need to prepare their body for dance with limbering and stretching exercises. In our limber class we focus on limbering and stretching all parts of the body combined with strengthening exercises, pupils learn how to stretch and limber safely so they can then also work independently preparing their bodies for dance.

A well limbered body is a delight for any teacher/choreographer as well ensuring the dancer’s body is fully prepared and conditioned. Limber classes are important to compliment an already established dancers skills and can be used as a supplement to other dance based classes within EMPAS.

 

Class Lengths

Most Pre-School Classes are 30-45 minutes. As pupils progress the classes are split down in to subjects starting with 30 minutes in each subject then moving on to 45mins or an hour in each subject.

Private lessons are offered as a 30, 45 minute or an hour slot.