Jazz
At JA Performing Arts, Clacton, our Modern and Jazz dance classes are structured to focus on the technique and strength needed to execute Jazz dance with flair and confidence.
We encourage students to show who THEY are as a performer, whilst developing Musicality and Performance skills. Whether it is lyrical jazz or an up-tempo Musical theatre piece, our Jazz lessons will improve technique, strength and flexibility. All of these attributes are needed to become an all-around dancer.
We offer ISTD Modern dance classes and Jazz technique classes. These classes complement each other and improve the student’s skill set.
Modern and Jazz dance allows the dancer to be expressive and musical whilst working on the underlining technique needed to become an accomplished dancer.
Jazz Technique
Our Jazz Technique classes focusses on the fundamentals of Jazz Dance. We focus on strength, flexibility and technique that underpin many styles, such as Modern, Hip Hop and Tap. We encourage students to take Jazz Tech as a subject as the knowledge they gain is vital to progress in the graded Modern work. From learning how to turn technically, to performing lyrics jazz, Jazz tech really does help every young dancer achieve their goals. Our Jazz Tech classes are from 8 years upwards (Jazz Tech can only be taken with Jazz).
3 – 4 years
We focus on learning how to move and understand our bodies. We base our sessions loosely on the ISTD lower grades when the students first join, which are fun and vibrant way of learning!
Once the fundamentals have been learned, we then move onto exploring choreography and performing. These classes are fantastic for children who would like a little more confidence or children who have lots of energy to put into a hobby!
4 – 7 years
This age group will have learned the fundamentals in their previous classes. They will now move onto a more structured ISTD class, looking at exercises that incorporate performance skills and technique, still in an exciting setting, but in a little more of a mature way.
Students are always taught choreography, from the latest pop music to soundtracks from their favourite movies. In both Modern and Jazz tech, we love seeing the Students experience different types of performing and using their own creativity.
8 – 13 years
Students will now have a good foundation to start to implement their technique in classes. We are continuously encouraging each student, so these classes are perfect for students that are experienced and also students that are new to the JA family.
These classes are aimed at refining movement and learning lots of new, engaging techniques. They will start to experience technical exercises, working both as a group and- when they feel confident enough- some work performed one at a time.
In Jazz tech, we look at leaps, turns and performance qualities.
14 + years
With this age group, we are looking at refining and improving. We will look at the graded ISTD work, alongside the practical Jazz technique. A favourite amongst this age group is Lyrical dance. This gives the student an outlet and to express themselves through movement. We continue to work their Jazz tech lass alongside the graded syllabus work, these complement each other and cross over in classes.
We will always look at contrasting styles of Modern and Jazz dance, making sure our team educates the students not just on the movement, but the history and processes too.
If your child has not danced before, we are always recapping and explaining every new exercise or movement, so will always ensure, no matter how diverse the abilities, everyone is at the same level. We are a holistic team that truly believes every student matters, there is no “too old” to start Dancing!
We also hold classes in Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre, Drama, Hip Hop/Street, Adult Tap and Adult Ballet.
Any questions you may have, we are here to help! Just pop us a message and we will help with any questions you may have.