JAZZ
Jazz dancing is a powerful, fast-moving style filled with isolations and theatrics. With origins based in social dancing to Jazz, Blues, and Big Band music, this dynamic dance style has evolved over the years to what we practice today with influences from Fosse and Theatre Jazz. Difficult to describe but exhilerating to perform, Jazz uses a heavy rhythm with sharp motions to highlight musical accents with the use of the body. Dancers in this style develop cardio, core strength, and flexibility by training kicks, turns, and jumps. Style is a major part of Jazz dance, with rolling hips and shifting torso, creating an entertaining and exciting experience for dancers and spectators alike!
TAKE A CLASS
We have 2 different weekly classes for Jazz right now, based on interest.
*PLEASE NOTE*
Sometimes class levels are combined (ie. Beginner/Novice, Novice/Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced) due to schedule constraints or low enrollment. Please use the level descriptions below to see which level feels the best for you to start and we’ll help you with the rest!
| BEGINNER JAZZ (0-1 Years Experience) |
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| Designed for Absolute Beginners to dance – NO EXPERIENCE required! |
| Students receive a strong foundation of posture, core strength, general technique, terminology, and style |
| Students are given lots of support in the form of Class Demonstrators, slow review of exercises, and lots of repetition Students are give small opportunities to start developing the skill of quick memorization on very simple exercises All exercises will be amply reviewed each class – there is no expectation of memorizing classwork week-to-week |
| *Jazz Dance is a fairly athletic style of dance, so moderate levels of fitness, strength, and flexibility are recommended at this level |
| *Modifications will be provided for Beginner Dancers still developing these abilities, with the expectation that certain levels of fitness, strength & flexibility are required in order to progress |
| NOVICE JAZZ (1-3 Years Experience) |
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| Designed for Beginning Dancers who have some experience but still require instruction on basic technique & elements and need more support arranging steps into combinations |
| Students reinforce all the basics learned in Beginner Jazz, while learning more difficult steps & complicated combinations to progress in technique & memory skills |
| Students are given fair amount of support in the form of Class Demonstrators, review of exercises, and lots of repetition Students are expected to start developing the skill of memorization in order to perform some exercises without demonstration (“off-book”) All exercises are carefully reviewed each class – there is no expectation of memorizing classwork week-to-week |
| *Advised for dancers with some experience who are returning after a very long break |
| *A moderate level of fitness, strength, and flexibility is required for safe practice at this level |
| INTERMEDIATE JAZZ (3-5 Years Experience) |
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| Designed for more Experienced Dancers who have a good understanding of the basic technique and movements and are able to put together combinations independently |
| Students receive a mix of in-depth instruction & fast-paced exercises to strengthen technique and develop in fitness, flexibility, and artistry |
| Students are given less support in the form of Class Demonstrators, review of exercises, and repetition Students are expected to have the skill of quick memorization in order to perform most exercises without demonstration (“off-book”) All exercises will be quickly reviewed each class – there is no expectation of memorizing classwork week-to-week, but students should develop familiarity with exercises over the Term |
| *Advised for dancers who practised intensively when they were younger and have come back from a break |
| *A moderate level of fitness, strength, and flexibility is required for safe practice at this level |
| ADVANCED JAZZ (3-5 Years Experience) |
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| Designed for very Experienced Dancers who have mastered the basics, have a good understanding of complex steps, and are able to put together complicated combinations with ease |
| Students receive a mix of in-depth instruction & fast-paced exercises to strengthen technique and develop in fitness, flexibility, and artistry |
| Students are given no support in the form of Class Demonstrator, but will receive a review of exercises each class and adequate repetition needed for progress Students are expected to have the skill of quick memorization in order to perform all exercises without demonstration (“off-book”) with minimal teaching All exercises will be quickly reviewed each class – there is no expectation of memorizing classwork week-to-week, but students should develop familiarity with exercises over the Term |
| *Advised for continuing dancers, or those who practised intensively with a minimal break |
| *A high level of fitness & strength is required for safe practice at this level – dancers are welcome to modify movements & exercises as needed to accommodate their own needs and are expected to do so independently with limited guidance from a teacher |
| *A moderate level of flexibility is encouraged at this level, though focus is on fitness & strength for adult classes |
| OTHER JAZZ OPTIONS |
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| For fitness conditioning & flexibility training, check out Bunions & Balance or Body Break |
| Dive deeper into the world of intensive dance training with our Dance Mastery Program |
| Create your very own choreographical piece with our Path to Performance Program |
| Customize your experience with our Private Lessons! |
PREPARE FOR CLASS
The Basics
- No large hanging jewelry
- No chewing gum
- Avoid strong fragrances
- No food or drink in the studio, other than water (in the lounge is fine)
- Bring a water bottle!
First Time?
Don’t go out and buy anything yet! All styles of dance can very easily be done in comfortable work-out clothes and socks or bare feet. Once you’ve decided you want to commit to the class, you can purchase the relevant dancewear (see below).
Where to Buy
Dance Street is the only dancewear distributor in Saskatoon, but they have two locations – one east side, and one downtown. We strongly recommend you visit the eastside location, off of 8th Street, as they have the best selection. Check out their website for more details. If you’re unsure about what to buy, they will help you! Just show them the lists laid out below, and they will get you exactly what you need.
*Dance Alive Studios is slowly building our own store of dance attire that is size-inclusive, accessible, and comfortable (some products available online, some in-studio). Feel free to contact us with specific requests to see what we have in store, and visit our DAS Store for products we’re currently selling.
*REGARDING GENDER*
Attire in the dance world, specifically Ballet, can be inherently gendered. The attire listed for each style is given in terms of “feminine” and “masculine” suggestions when appropriate. Students are welcome to choose whatever combination of attire they feel comfortable in.
HAIR
Preferably up and out of the face, especially for quick turns and head whips, but loose hair can feel fun in these styles (as long as it doesn’t interfere with safety)
CLOTHES
Something comfortable and easy to move in, preferably tight-fitting (leggings & a tank top are common)
SHOES
Dancer’s preference; Options include Jazz shoes (canvas or leather), half-sole shoes, Foot Undeez, Ballet slippers, socks, or bare feet (our floor is quite grippy, barefoot dancing can make turns difficult)
DAS recommends Full Beige Jazz shoes (leather or canvas) for Performance Teams, though Black may sometimes be requested. Specific performance details wll be discussed as a group.