Styles offered at SSPA

Tiny Tots

This class is for students who are aged 18 months to 3.5 years. Our Tiny Tots class focuses on developing rhythm, musicality, co-ordination and basic skills in styles such as Jazz and Ballet. They learn various basic travelling combinations such as forward gallops, side gallops and skipping. They also learn phrases of choreography to different pieces of music each week.  The class is very upbeat, busy and energetic which the little ones seem to really enjoy.

Ballet (RAD Syllabus)

Classical ballet from the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Pre Primary (4 to 6 years)
  • Primary (7 to 8 years)
  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

Contemporary

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance styles including jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floor work, using gravity to pull them down to the floor.

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

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 style movements, fancy footwork, elevated steps and various combinations of fast tempo turns.

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Pre Primary (4 to 6 years)
  • Primary (7 to 8 years)
  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

Tap

Tap dance is a type of dance characterised by using the sounds of metal taps affixed to the heel and toe of shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion, coupled with both characteristic and interpretative body movements.

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Pre Primary (4 to 6 years)
  • Primary (7 to 8 years)
  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, love, anger – are communicated through words, music and movement.

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Primary (7 to 8 years)
  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

Hip Hop

Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles and is a very popular style of dance. It includes a wide range of styles primarily breaking, locking, and popping!

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

Acro

Acro is a style of dance that combines dance technique with precision acrobatic elements. It is defined by its athletic character, its unique choreography, which blends dance and acrobatics. The class includes in cartwheels, flips, one handed cartwheels, aerials.

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Pre Primary (4 to 6 years)
  • Primary (7 to 8 years)
  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)

Progressing Ballet Technique is body-conditioning and strengthening program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon.  It is a serious of exercises using a fitness ball, Thera band and stability ball to help the students understand and improve their core stability, weight placement and alignment.  Each exercise in the PBT program has been developed by Marie Walton-Mahon along with a team of physiotherapists.

Equipment for this class will be provided by SSPA and includes the following:

  • Yoga Mat
  • Exercise Ball (Also known as a ‘Swiss Ball’ or ‘Fit Ball’)
  • Fusion Ball (Also known as a Soft Stability Ball or Pilates Soft Ball
  • Resistance Band (Also known as a TheraBand)

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

Ballet Examination Classes (Royal Academy of Dance)

SSPA offers Ballet Examination classes following the syllabus of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).

The benefits of sitting Ballet examinations are:

  • Having a goal to work towards
  • Attaining a higher standard of technique, musicality and performance
  • Receiving recognition from the world’s largest ballet examining body
  • Receiving a report, certificate, and medal in recognition of achievement
  • Gaining confidence and increasing enjoyment in dance
  • Allowing students, the opportunity to reach their full potential

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Primary (7 to 8 years)
  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

Pre-Pointe/Pointe

Pre-pointe classes are often offered to students who are not yet on pointe to further develop and strengthen the muscles necessary before progressing to pointe. They stress correct alignment and correct classical ballet technique. Pre-pointe classes also allows the teacher to assess readiness and watch for technical problems that can be corrected before dancers are placed in pointe shoes.

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

Classical Extension Program (CEP)

The Classical Extension Program (CEP) is designed for aspiring students who have a keen interest in classical ballet. The program is ideal for those students who are passionate about ballet and want to increase their training and further develop the skills required for vocational dance. The class would involve working on the technique of different methods of classical ballet as well as learning different variations to study and develop.

The benefits of this program are:

  • increased strength
  • accelerated technique
  • increased knowledge and understanding

Offered to the following age groups:

  • Junior (9 to 11 years)
  • Intermediate (12 to 14 years)
  • Senior (15 years +)

*Please note, the Classical Extension Program (CEP) is offered to only those students who are currently enrolled in our RAD ballet exam classes

Competitive Solos and Elite Troupe Classes

Competitive Solos and participation in our Elite Troupes are invitation only.

Please refer to our Soloist Information Pack and Elite Troupe Information Pack for futher information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.