Hip-Hop
Class Information and Policies

September 2008 - June 2009

Class Description:
     Hip-Hop is a fast paced style of dance loosely based on jazz dance. Hip-Hop dance is generally done to popular pop music, and is especially popular with pre-teen and teen-age students. An overall emphasis is placed on strength and coordination with additional emphasis on flexibility. Hip-Hop students wishing to continue on to higher levels of study, or to become a member of our performing and competition teams must take jazz and/or ballet in addition to their Hip-Hop class.

Age Requirements:
     We do not allow students younger than the age of six to take Hip-Hop. Developmentally, pre-school age children generally do not have the the strength, coordination, or rhythmic expectations required for Hip-Hop dance. Pre-schoolers are encouraged to take Creative Movement to prepare them for any style of dance they wish to pursue once they reach school age.

Commitment Level:
     Hip-Hop classes are offered for 45 minutes or one hour, one time per week. No other time commitment is expected from Hip-Hop students until the recital in June at which time there will be a dress rehearsal and performance. Hip-Hop students will be expected to buy appropriate dance attire for their weekly class and a recital costume in the spring.

Class Attire:
     Hip-Hop students are required to wear stretchy, comfortable, exercise-friendly clothing and hip-hop dance sneakers. Street shoes are not allowed in the studio and Hip-Hop students must have the appropriate dance sneakers and they must NOT be worn outside! It is suggested they wear dance attire but not required. For safety reasons, we will not allow students to participate if they arrive to class without proper attire.

Reasons for Attire Requirements:
     Hip-Hop is a fairly loose style of dance without the structure and specifics of more strict dance styles, such as ballet. For this reason, our attire requirements are more relaxed for Hip-Hop regarding clothing. However, Hip-Hop students MUST have dance sneakers to protect their feet from injury while jumping and turning, and to protect our floor from outside elements.

Reasons for Hair Requirements:
     It is very difficult and frustrating to learn proper body positioning and control if you cannot see or have to keep brushing hair out of your eyes. All dance students are required to have their hair pulled back away from the face and up off the neck. For safety reasons, we will not allow students to participate if they arrive to class without their hair secured.