EMA > Classes > Choosing a Class

Classes - Choosing a Class

If you are not sure which class will be best for you or your child here are a few pointers about each discipline.

Tap

Tap is a very popular choice with all age groups and is a specialist area of EMA. Tap promotes co-ordination and aids development of rhythmical ability. Younger students enjoy their ability to dance and make a noise at the same time and as they progress they learn self-discipline to channel their abilities. More advanced students find great satisfaction in exploring technically complex rythyms and steps. Mature students find tap is a great way to stay fit in a fun and friendly environment.

Ballet

Ballet training is the basis of good all-round dance technique. Ballet gives confidence and poise for life, not just for dancing. It teaches self-discipline and pride in appearance and aids concentration and posture. Ballet is an excellent introduction to dance for young children. Basic dance movements and skills are introduced through creative activities and imaginative scenarios. The natural enthusiasm of very young children for movement and music is nurtured and gradually a more formally structured class enviroment envolves.

Modern

The Modern Jazz dance syllabus provides classical training for exam-based work. This dynamic discipline is a fun and rewarding way to develop dance technique. Style and accuracy are required when presenting modern work and classes improve strength, flexibility, posture, balance and control.

Jazz

Jazz dance is a less formal discipline, which provides an opportunity to develop teamwork alongside personal achievement. It is a great way to keep fit if you have stamina and a sense of fun. Young and old alike enjoy 'strutting their stuff' to the latest chart hits. Styles range from Jazz and Freestyle exam work to Pop routines and funky Street Jazz dances.

Creative Dance

Develop your creativity by exploring movement, patterns and lines. Experiment with choreography and work with props such as scarves and ribbons. This is your chance to express yourself and to collaborate with others on dance projects.

Drama

Confident presentation skills are as valuable in day to day life as they are on the stage. EMA Drama classes can improve your communication, presentation, memory and co-operation skills. Games and improvisational scenarios build self-confidence and group trust. Students read aloud from plays, poetry and prose texts and develop their ability both to learn by heart and to read by sight. Dramatic scenes are analysed to increase understanding of meaning, development of both plot and characters and the use of theatrical devices. Improvisation and character building exercises help to add depth to scene studies. Whether you want to make an impression on stage or at your next job interview EMA Drama classes can help you suceed.

Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre students work on dramatic excerpts, songs and dance routines from musical theatre shows. They prepare work as a production team and learn multiple skills and rehearsal techniques. Enthusiasm and adaptability are essential.

Music & Movement

This class is a gentle introduction to performing arts for little ones and prepares children for the more structured dance or drama disciplines. Boys find this class especially fun. Children are encouraged to explore movement, to use musical instruments and to stretch their imagination through stories and adventures. The various activities stimulate learning and yet your child will think that they are only playing and having fun!

Festival Classes

Individual or group routines for competitions and other performances are practised in Festival classes. Commitment and hard work are essential to achieve the required standard for open competition. Routines must be practised at home each week to ensure progress can be made in class. Dances will only be choreographed for you in a genre for which you also attend the technique class (i.e. if you only come to a ballet class you can only have a ballet dance) as the focus of the class is on the presentation of routines rather than learning technique. Festival classes are not subject to any discount or included in scholarships or other prizes and must be paid for in full by all. Competitors should also budget for small entry fees and often very expensive costumes.