STOWE DANCE ACADEMY is a one of a kind school that has earned the reputation as one of the best dance studios in Vermont. The studio is
highly regarded by the local dance community and educators.
SDA has been training dancers for 19 years. Not only does the studio provide the dancers with a professional faculty, but also a structured
and organized curriculum, beautiful studios with a friendly and healthy environment, and numerous performance opportunities.
Stowe Dance Academy is the home of the TRIP Dance Company, (a non-profit youth organization). SDA also works together with the
Albany Berkshire Ballet to put on the annual Flynn Production of The Nutcracker. Stowe Dance Academy culminates it’s year with a full
length ballet production as well as a recital.
It is SDA’s philosophy and committment to educate all students, consistent with their abilities and goals. This education will contribute to
a sense of personal worth, independence, emotional maturity, and self-confidence. However, SDA’s full scale dance program gives young
dancers the opportunity to succeed in a professional ballet company or in a well-respected dance college. Modern, jazz, and tap students are
coached and trained in the same manner with a strong emphasis on continuing ballet technique, since ballet is the most important training
background for success in all forms of dance.
Classes
Motion to Music & Dance/Movement: Imaginative, fun musical activities to build strength, flexibility & body awareness. Floor work,
some ballet vocabulary & large movements across the floor.
Pre-Ballet: Introduction to ballet basics. Floor activities to help develop strength & flexibility, center work with basic ballet steps, body
directions & large movements across the floor.
Ballet: Students will be placed in proper grade level according to age, physical development, & prior dance training. Pointe will be introduced
to female dancers at the appropriate time and age.
Jazz: Enrollment in ballet is highly recommended. Class begins with warm-up to increase flexibility, strength & coordination. Continues
with progressions & leaps across the floor & concludes with learning a combination that builds weekly.
Tap: Begins with a center warm-up followed with progressions across the floor, incorporating various combinations of tap steps & rhythmic
patterns. Various musical styles are introduced.
Hip Hop: Includes latest moves, plus foundation & technique required to execute more complicated & exciting hip hop moves.
Lyrical Dance: Vocabulary expanded by using off-balance movements & transition steps through floor connection. Enhanced stage presence
with musicality, partnering & improvisation.
Modern/Contemporary: Classical contemporary dance techniques. Students will have a chance to experiment with new movement
outside the realm of ballet.
Pre Professional Level: By Invitation Only Stowe Dance Academy’s Pre Professional Program is offered to students who show promise,
dedication, intelligence and self-expression in their dancing. This program is the most advanced program offered at SDA which guides
talented students toward becoming young artists. We ask that our dancers focus upon the core styles of ballet and modern. The program
includes six hours of weekly Ballet Technique Classes and one weekly Modern Class. It also includes an optional Yoga class which is highly
recommended for relaxation, flexibility, and strength. We also recommend participation in Pointe (if the dancer has a ballet focus in mind).
Participation in additional elective classes are also recommended. This program will build a foundation that is necessary and could support
a professional dance career. Students are encouraged to realize their potential through their own eyes, planning, setting goals and being
confident about their future success as professionals in the performing community. Daily lessons in technique create an environment that
promotes attention to detail from both students in the Pre Professional program and their teachers.
We strongly encourage dancers to achieve success in both their academic and performing careers, as well as a strong sense of social, personal
and professional skills. We wish for our Pre Professional students to establish a foundation here at SDA, as well as in their dance future.
DANCE ATTIRE
MOTION TO MUSIC, DANCE & MOVEMENT, PRE BALLET
Girls: any color leotard, pink ballet tights, pink ballet slippers,
hair in ponytail.
Boys: white t-shirt, black tights or sweatpants, black ballet shoes.
BALLET
Girls:
Beg. 1 pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Beg. 2 light blue leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Beg. 3 lavender leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Beg. 4 black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Beg. 5 black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Int. 2 royal leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Int. 3 hunter leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Adv. 1 navy leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Adv. 2 burgundy leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Boys: white t-shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes.
PRE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
Girls: any color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun.
Boys: white t-shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes.
JAZZ/TAP
Girls: solid colored leotard, black jazz pants, black jazz shoes or tap
shoes, hair in ponytail.
Boys: white t-shirt, black jazz/sweatpants, black jazz or tap shoes.
HIP HOP
Anything goes, indoor sneakers.
