Classes

Ballet is the foundation for all dance styles. At DFJ it is required to be enrolled in a ballet class to enroll in lyrical, jazz, contemporary or modern. Tap and Hip Hop do not have the ballet requirement.

Ballet is an artistic dance form performed to music using precise and highly formalized set steps and gestures. Classical ballet, which originated in Renaissance Italy and established its present form during the 19th century, is characterized by light, graceful, fluid movements and eventually the use of pointe shoes.

Pointe training is offered to dancers that have completed our pre-pointe program and have been invited by the teacher.  Pointe training is not for everyone, but everyone can benefit from, and enjoy ballet on flat shoes too!

Jazz dancing is a form of dance that showcases a dancer’s individual style and originality. Every jazz dancer interprets and executes moves and steps in their own way. This type of dancing is energetic and fun, consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background in ballet as it encourages grace and balance.

Lyrical dance is a dance style that blends ballet and jazz dance. Lyrical is generally smoother and a bit faster than ballet, but not quite as fast as jazz. A lyrical dancer uses movement to express strong emotions such as love, joy, and anger.

Lyrical dancers usually perform to music with lyrics…the lyrics of the chosen song serve as inspiration for movements and expressions. Music used for lyrical is typically emotionally charged and expressive.

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements.

Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor. This dance genre is often done in bare feet. Contemporary dance can be performed to many different styles of music.

Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles primarily breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States. At DFJ, students will explore and learn about each style of hip hop as they go through each level.

A free, expressive style of dancing started in the early 20th century as a reaction to classical ballet. At Dance For Joy, dancers will explore the use of contractions, flat backs, and  swing and release techniques. They will learn about some of the pioneer modern dancers and the styles and techniques they created.

Choreography class is where students get to explore movement and learn how to create a dance.  Students are given the opportunity to explore different formations, transitions and lifts.  They work together with the guidance of a teacher to create beautiful works of art with their bodies and are given a chance to perform their work in our student choreography showcase and our end of year show in May.

Acrobatics is a style of dance that combines traditional dance techniques as well as athletic acrobatic elements. Its unique choreography seamlessly blends artistic dance movement and tricks together. Acro is a challenging dance style and takes a lot of strength and persistence to excel. This style is becoming very popular in the competitive dance world as well as the professional.

Musical Theatre is a theatrical dance style that includes dance technique and acting to songs from broadways and musicals. These dance numbers usually consist of a story being told or a character being formed.

Your little one will love learning ballet from highly trained and qualified teachers in dance and early childhood education.  We utilize props and creative movement while instilling the discipline of ballet.  They will learn basic terminology such as plie and tendu, and learn that they are speaking french; did you know that plie means to bend and tendu means to stretch?!

We introduce ballet training in a way that is fun and safe for everyone.  The use of props and a class that flows, helps to grab each dancers attention for the full 45/60 minutes. Your little one will love flying across the floor in butterfly wings while learning what a chasse is, and executing a “fairy” pique very quietly as to not wake up the fairies with their toes! This is just a fraction of the fun we have in store for each ballet class! 

Please email us today for more info or any questions you might have at danceforjoyNJ@gmail.com! Trial classes can be arranged year-round, free of charge, and registration is on-going through out the school year.  We look forward to sharing the gift of dance with your little ones! 

This class is an introduction to tap for our tiniest dancers. Students will learn basic rhythms utilizing props such as scarves, instruments and batons. Basic tap steps will be taught.