Clark Academy offers a wide variety of professional instruction in the performing arts.  Ballet, Tap and Jazz are the main curriculum, with additional classes in Modern, Acro, African and Hip Hop, to help develop the well-rounded dancer.  Theatre and voice classes are also offered to embellish the total performer.  Clark Academy does not discriminate against race, color, national origin, disability or marital status.

BALLET...The mother of all dance forms has a formal structure to both its classes and performances.  Ballet greatly stresses strength, balance and control and is one of the hardest disciplines for young children.   Classes move at a slow pace and often include repetition of single movement(s).

Because of class structure and required muscle development, we do not recommend this for children under the age of seven.  However, all of our pre-school tap classes include basic introduction to Ballet as part of the class.

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JAZZ... is a highly vigorous, freestyle form of dance, which stresses the use of rhythm and flexibility of the body.  Our studio strives to educate our dancers in all forms of jazz, from the Classical and Musical Theatre Dance of the 40's and 50's, to the Funk and Street Dance styles of today.

Because of required muscle development, we do not recommend this form of dance for students under the age of seven.  All pre-school and tap classes offer similar basic movements, which will later translate into various jazz styles when the student is ready.

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TAP... Tap is the original form of American dance, and a tapper must be a dancer and a musician.  Tap is an audible form of dance, in which sounds and tone qualities are created by the feet and it relies heavily on rhythm.  Tap is highly recommended for the pre-school student, as the tap sounds add another dimension to dance making it fun, and by offering instant rewards...

Tap dance is also one of the best forms of exercise for the adult.  It is fun and energetic, but is not as strenuous as other dance forms. 

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ACROBATICS... is the most athletic of all the dance forms.  It stresses the extreme flexibility of the dancer and requires a great deal of upper body strength.  Skills range from the basic "bridge" to basic tumbling skills, but at all times remains unique and distinct from gymnastics.

Because Acro requires a great deal of strength, we do not recommend these classes for students under the age of seven.  Our pre-school classes do include some work on flexibility and balance, as well as a basic introduction to this dance form.

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DIAPER DANCE/IS-ADORABLES/KIDDIE KONCEPTS... This class is designed to stimulate the imagination through movement and music. Basic steps will be introduced to develop rhythm and coordination. The child will be encouraged to move creatively to music. Socialization is a major factor in the initial introductory stages. Emphasis is put on each child's personal needs for development. Ages 1 thru 6 

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HIP HOP... Better known as "Street Dance", is a combination of movements developed in the urban areas of America. Hip Hop bases it's styles  on geographic and environmental experiences, and has become one of the most popular forms of street dance that has crossed over to the mainstream of American dance and around the globe. Video-dance is also a popular term referencing Hip Hop.

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 STRETCH & STRENGTH... is a technique only class designed to improve and compliment the abilities of the dancer.  It works to lengthen the muscles of the body to their fullest extent, which creates a greater level of flexibility.  Stretch and Strength classes incorporates strengthening techniques design to build muscles and increases body control.

While the Stretch and Strength class is for ages seven and higher, because of its slow moving pace and lack of dance "steps", it is generally taken by a small group of dancers.

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MODERN... A contemporary free-flowing form of dance developing creativity of movement and strong interpretation of music through established Modern Techniques. Created in the 1920’s in the hopes of finding further expression and new ways to move the body, it is primarily danced in bare feet and integrates the torso with ballet vocabulary. These classes do not require previous ballet experience and are available for students twelve years of age to the advanced/professional level.

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