NSA Dance Department
"Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people." -ALVIN AILEY
Dance and music are inseparably connected and dance offers a unique opportunity for physical and artistic expression. The Dance Department at Newark School of the Arts emphasizes proper body alignment, healthy physical development and a total integration of music and dance. Newark School of the Arts recommends that ALL music students study dance at some point in their education as dance can enhance the physical connection that is so important to instrumentalists and singers. We train students at all levels and experience.
Dance Dress Code
Tiny Steps (ages 3-4): Pink Leotard / Flesh Tone Tights /Ballet Slippers
Tiny Steps (ages 5-7): Powder Blue Leotard / Flesh Tone Tights /Ballet Slippers
Young Movers: Lilac Leotard / Flesh Tone Tights /Ballet Slippers
Saturday Dance Class Location
Please note that on Saturdays, SOME dance classes will be held at Link Community Charter School. Located at 23 Pennsylvania Ave, Newark, NJ 07114. You may review your invoice for each class locations.
African Dance and Drumming
Saturday - 930am to 1030am (8yr - 19yr)
Afro-Caribbean Dance (intergenerational)
Tuesday - 430pm to 530pm (10yr -13yr)
Tuesday - 5:30pm to 6:30pm (13yr - 19yr)
This high energy class explores traditional African dances. The start of a class builds on traditional African dance techniques, followed by practice across the floor, and culminating in a final phrase. this class is occasionally accompanied by live music on traditional instruments such as the djembe and the djun-djun.
Biodanza for Children and Families (Parents are welcome to the class) (reduced)
Wednesday - 4pm to 5pm (4yr - 7yr)
Biodanza for children is a system of human integration through music and movement that promotes the participant’s vitality for healthy living. The classes consist of a sequence of 10 to 12 dance/movement exercises that can strengthen the identity of children (self-esteem) and encourage their enjoyment of life. It's an opportunity to strengthen bonding between parent-child, and for parents it’s an exploration of their inner child. Participants will find playful dances to stimulate natural and spontaneous movement using a wide variety of music genres and styles (jazz, samba, latin, classical, pop), based on a particular theme.
Breakdancing
Monday - 4:10pm to 5:10pm (6yr - 12yr)
Wednesday - 4:10pm to 5:10pm (12yr - 19yr)
Contemporary Dance
Saturday - 1pm to 2pm (13yr and up)
Contemporary is a style of dancing in bare feet that is not as restricted as classical ballet. Positions of the feet are often parallel as well as turned out; movements use the space in a more varied way in that dance movements are executed both standing, in the air, and on the floor.
Hiphop Dance
Saturday - 11am to 12pm (8yr and up)
In this class, students will learn structure choreography while focusing on the elements of musicality and performance. The students will learn fun energetic routines that consist of street, funk, hip hop but not limited to Afro Beats and Soca.
Hiphop for Tiktok
Wednesday - 5:30pm to 6:30pm (8yr to 12yr)
Wednesday - 6:30pm to 7:30pm (12yr and up)
“Hip Hop for Tik Tok” is a class designed to help students learn simple choreography to perform “viral” social media dances, as those featured on TikTok and YouTube. Students will learn routines to be performed alone or with friends.
Jazz
Tuesday - 5pm to 6pm (6yr to 11yr)
Jazz is closely related to Modern dance technique, but is often more theatrical in its style and approach.
Jersey Club I
Thursday - 5pm to 6pm (7yr to 13yr)
Jersey Club II
Thursday - 6pm to 7pm (13yr and up)
Tap
Saturday - 3pm to 4pm (8yr and up) (Beginner)
Saturday - 4pm to 5pm (8yr and up) (Intermediate)
Tap is traditional Rhythm Tap. Students learn percussive rhythms as if their feet were a percussion instrument. As they progress from one level to the next, the rhythmic patterns and footwork become more difficult - great for developing listening skills!
Tiny Steps (reduced price)
Saturday - 9am to 10am (3yr to 5yr)
This class is designed to introduce basic ballet to young movers through creative movement. Sing-along-songs will be used for improvisation & dance. Students will be able to self-express through stretching, jumping and creating shapes.
Saturday - 10am to 11am (5yr to 7yr)
This age group will learn the fundamentals of ballet. Students will be introduced to ballet vocabulary, body & feet placement, and class etiquette.
