Class Types
Kindi Jazz
Kindi Jazz classes are for three to five year olds who are keen to dance. No prior experience necessary – except perhaps with The Wiggles, Hi-5 or Angelina Ballerina! In these 45 minute classes, we start learning the basics of jazz dance, as well as more general attributes such as co-operation and confidence. Our Kindi Jazz classes are always the hit of the annual concert.
General Jazz Classes
These one hour classes cater for school age students from kindergarten through the secondary school years. Students are grouped along with others of similar age, and progress through the levels each year, adding to their repertoire of jazz dance steps and styles. Classes consist of warm-up, progressions, leaps, stretching and various routines, as well as preparation for our major end-of-year events, trophy class and the annual concert.
Performance Troupes
These classes are for those students up to twelve years of age, in Levels II and above, who wish to do a second weekly class. Age-based troupes compete in eisteddfods, dance at community events and do extra performances in our concerts. In class we work on furthering general jazz technique, as well as such specialist areas as stretching, leaps, turns and modern dance.
Unlike many schools, these troupes are not selective, so anyone who is prepared to commit to an extra lesson each week is most welcome to be part of the troupe. Despite our ‘non-audition’ policy, our troupes consistently win prizes in the eisteddfods in which they compete. Please note that students wishing to take part in the 12/u troupe must be doing a minimum of 2 other classes a week.
In addition to the main troupes we have a 2010 17/u Troupe, restricted to 2009 Senior classes (no exceptions will be made).
Photo by winkipopmedia.com.au
Boys class
Of course boys are welcome in all our classes but this all boys jazz/funk class is taught by our senior teacher Paul Bennett and is a real ‘boys club’. The class is designed to get more boys dancing in an environment where they feel comfortable and can have fun. We had a huge number of boys enrol in our hiphop classes, and we thought it would be great to give them an incentive to take on another class and perhaps invite along their friends who are a bit more hesitant about walking into a dance class! This class is open to boys in school years 1- 6.
Hip Hop
The hip hop style has become increasingly popular with both boys and girls, allowing free flowing and funky movement to all the latest music. Hip-hop dance is an African American style of dance that is commonly seen in music videos today such as Usher and movies such as ‘You Got Served’. Each class will work on developing the hip hop style as well as various hip hop routines throughout the year.
Mini Hip Hop: Level I to Level III
Junior Hip Hop: Level IV and Level V
Intermediate Hip Hop: Level VI and Level VII
Pre-Senior Hiphop: Level VIII and Level IX
Senior Hiphop: Level X and above
Classical Technique
These classes work to strengthen basic ballet technique for Jazz Dancers. The students are encouraged to improve their quality of line, posture, turnout, strength and flexibility. These classes are recommended for any dancer wishing to take their dancing more seriously or for those who want to give their technique a kick start.
Junior Classical: Level II to Level VI
Senior Classical: Level VII and above
Contemporary
The Contemporary classes at the Jazz Factory are intended as a second weekly class to develop our students appreciation of different dance genres. We notice great improvement technically and artistically in the students who particpate in these classes.
Junior Contemporary: Level II to Level V
Intermediate Contemporary: Level VI to Level VIII
Senior Contemporary: Upper level and above
Adults Intro to Dance
This class gives all the mums and dads a chance to let your hair down and get in touch with the dancer within. It aims to increase fitness, and improve coordination, strength and flexibility through simple dance exercises and routines, in a fun environment where everyone is there to have loads of fun!
Invite Only Classes and Pre-Requisite Classes
Several classes at the Jazz Factory are strictly ‘invite only’. Our teachers make careful decisions when selecting students for these classes, whereby they take into account the well-being of each student. We ask that parents refrain from requesting positions in these classes and respect that they are ‘invite only’. Our ‘invite only’ classes include; senior jazz classes, ATOD exams, solos and trios. Our assistant teacher program is also invite only.
Senior Jazz
Some students, rather than taking the path into the upper ‘levels’ of jazz, instead take the path through our Pre-Senior and Senior classes. This path, strictly invite-only, is reserved for students doing at least two classes per week. It is intended for those who are serious about their dancing. Classes move at a fast pace and are far more technically-based than the upper level jazz classes. Students may only move into the Pre-Senior/Senior stream with an official invite from the school’s Artistic Director.
ATOD Examination Classes
These classes prepare students for ATOD (Australian Teachers of Dancing) examinations in jazz dance. In addition to furthering technique and broadening dance vocabulary, by doing the ATOD exams, students qualify to participate in workshops, State Competitions and State and Australasian Championships, all of which are run by the ATOD. Jazz Factory teachers select certain students, whom they feel would benefit from the examination experience, to participate in these classes.
Eisteddfod Classes and Coachings
There are certain times set aside in the timetable for coaching for students for preparation for things such as: solo eisteddfod dances, trio/quartet eisteddfod groups, extra exam preparation, teacher’s exam preparation and such. These classes are arranged with the Studio’s principal, as required.