Greater Lansing Academy of Dance
Official School of the Greater Lansing Ballet Co.
Greater Lansing Academy of Dance strives to bring professional dance instruction to Mid-Michigan. We believe in nurturing a complete dancer, supporting them through each step of life and dance. A strong foundation in ballet, through the Vaganova method, allows the dancer to take leaps and bounds in other dance idioms including Modern, Tap and Jazz. Faculty provides a disciplined classroom where students can become artists. We hope to share with you a passion for the arts that will last a lifetime.
A little about the Classes and Techniques...
Classical Ballet is the foundation of GLAD’s dance training program, and serves as the base from which we sculpt students into well rounded and disciplined dancers. Starting from a young age, dancers begin to learn the fundamentals in a structured environment that introduces them to movement vocabulary they’ll need for the rest of their dance lives. As dancers progress through a Russian ballet syllabus with an emphasis in the Vaganova method, they are challenged to grow, not only as technicians, but as artists and as people. In the higher levels, dedicated students train at a pre-professional level to facilitate a future career in the dance world. We also have an active and energized adult ballet program, helping to extend the ballet experience into the later years of one’s dance life. We strive for all our dance students to have a passion and appreciation for the art of ballet.
Modern and Contemporary dance techniques are essential additions to a versatile dancer’s training, and GLAD classes provide a diverse experience for dancers starting after they have achieved a grasp of ballet fundamentals. Approached with a technique-emphasized syllabus, students learn the elements and emphasis of many different styles, from the classics of Graham and Horton to the contemporary improvisations of Gaga and release techniques. Students are encouraged to explore the sensation of movement and are given the tools to better articulate themselves as dance artists in a safe and encouraging environment.
Jazz and Musical Theatre technique classes look to broaden a dancer's genre range. Students learn fundamental concepts and are exposed multiple Jazz techniques and styles, from Broadway (musical theatre) to Commercial (jazz fusion). Jazz dance uses complex rhythms and syncopated movements and enhances precision and performance.
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Tap is a great way for dancers to improve coordination, dexterity, and musicality. Dancers explore rhythm creation and utilizing tap syllabus fundamentals.
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Hip Hop classes offer training in a wide range of American street dance techniques, including hip hop, popping, locking, breakdancing, house, and more. Fundamentals of groove, rhythm, and isolations are the top priority.
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