Essential Guide to Jazz Dance Classes For Your Kids

Do you know it is very important to have your kids involved in dance? Yes, it is. This is because dance has a lot of benefits for the child, which you can learn from the many people who have been doing this for years.

The benefit of this type of exercise for children is that it will make them more coordinated and more flexible. If your child enjoys dancing, then this means that they have a great sense of rhythm. This will make them able to move around the room easily and cause no problems. If your child is not used to dancing, then they can also become an excellent dancer by practicing a lot of moves at home with the right music.

Jazz dance classes for kids can be great fun, not to mention a great form of exercise for your kids where they can also learn a new form of dance. Jazz is a style of dancing that combines distinct movements and rhythms with an individual’s own personality.

Contemporary jazz dance classes for kids

If you are looking for a great way to get your kids involved in dance, jazz dance classes for kids can be a great way to get them started. There are several different types of jazz, so there’s a good chance your child will find a type that they like and become interested in learning more about it. Jazz is very diverse, with several styles of dance, so there’s bound to be something your child will like. The most popular forms of jazz include the following.

Types of jazz dance classes for beginners

1. Contemporary jazz

Contemporary jazz is one of the most popular forms of jazz dance classes for kids. Contemporary jazz dance is a style of dance that combines elements of jazz and modern dance to create a unique and dynamic form of expression. It is known for its fluid movements, intricate footwork, and graceful lines. The style is highly improvisational, allowing dancers to express their individuality and creativity through their movements.

Contemporary jazz dance is performed to a variety of musical genres including jazz, blues, funk, and hip-hop. The choreography is often characterized by its use of sharp, angular movements, intricate footwork, and fluid gestures. It also incorporates elements of modern dance, such as fluid contractions and releases, to create a seamless and organic flow of movement.

This style of dance is performed on stages around the world and is a popular form of expression for many contemporary dancers. It is a physically demanding dance style that requires strength, flexibility, and technique. However, it also allows for emotional expression and can be a powerful form of storytelling.

Contemporary jazz dance is constantly evolving, incorporating new movements and styles to keep up with the changing times. It is a style of dance that is accessible to all levels of dancers, from beginners to professionals, and is enjoyed by audiences around the world. Whether you are a dancer or a spectator, contemporary jazz dance is a captivating and exciting form of dance that will leave you inspired and in awe.

2. Tap dance

Tap dancing incorporates jazz style footwork and character with tap style rhythm. Tap dance is a type of dance that is characterized by rhythmic tapping sounds created by the dancer’s shoes striking the floor. It is a high-energy, upbeat style of dance that involves intricate footwork, precise timing, and a syncopated beat.

Over the years, tap dance has evolved and absorbed influences from jazz, swing, and musical theater, becoming a staple of entertainment.

Tap dance is performed in a variety of styles, including classical, rhythm, and swing. Each style requires different techniques and rhythms, and dancers use their feet to create complex patterns and sounds. The shoes worn by tap dancers feature metal plates on the toes and heels, which create the distinctive tapping sounds.

Tap dance is a highly athletic and physically demanding form of dance, requiring strength, endurance, and coordination. It is also a highly expressive art form, allowing dancers to express themselves through their movements, music, and rhythm. Tap dance is often performed on stage as part of musical theater productions, concerts, and dance competitions.

3. Ballroom dance

Also known as Latin dance, ballroom dancers move to Latin music and follow basic steps such as the waltz or foxtrot. Latin dance is a genre of dance that originated from Latin American countries such as Brazil, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. This style of dance is known for its fiery and energetic movements, with a focus on rhythm and beats that can get anyone up on their feet. Latin dance encompasses a wide range of dances including Salsa, Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha, Bachata, and Merengue, among others.

The dance style is characterized by its upbeat tempo, sensual movements, and a strong emphasis on partner connection and communication. Latin dance is an excellent form of physical activity that promotes coordination, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, as well as improving posture and balance. This style of dance is perfect for those looking to improve their dance skills, as well as for anyone seeking a fun and engaging way to get in shape.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned dancer, Latin dance is a genre that is accessible to everyone. With its upbeat music, joyful atmosphere, and high-energy movements, Latin Dance is an excellent form of dance that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.

How jazz dance classes work

Most classes are divided into 2 categories: general and specialized. The general classes teach the basics of the dances, while the specialized classes focus on specific elements of the dances (e.g., footwork). Usually, there are separate teachers for each group.

What we want to do is to give you a basic idea about jazz dance classes so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to enroll your kid in one.

Jazz dance classes for kids

Jazz dance classes have become very popular in recent years, mainly because they are more fun than classical ballet or tap dancing, which requires more discipline from children. However, many parents feel intimidated by jazz dance classes because they seem too difficult. Many children can start their first class in jazz dance and make progress. But, the key is to find a teacher who is well-suited for your child’s level of skill and interest.

Choosing a jazz dance teacher

1. Good references

When searching for a jazz dance teacher, make sure that they have plenty of experience teaching beginners. If you’re not sure whether they have experience teaching beginners, you can ask them this question: “Have you ever taught kids your age before?”

If they answer yes, then ask them this question: “How many kids do you usually teach at once?”

The best teachers will answer these questions and tell you exactly how many kids are in their class. They will also be able to give you examples of what their classes are like so that you can decide if the classes sound interesting enough for your child to want to take part in them.

Beginners need to be taught the basics of jazz dance so that they can build up their confidence and learn proper footwork and movement. The more comfortable children are in their classes, the more progress they will make.

2. Good energy

Look for a teacher who has good energy. If the teacher seems boring or stiff, it may be hard for your child to stay interested in their class. A good teacher will make sure that all students are having fun while learning jazz dance and will make sure that everyone’s movements are correct.

3. Good instructions

You want a teacher who knows how to explain things in simple terms so that your child can understand what they are doing. Make sure that they can explain basic techniques such as the turns, splits, turns and pivots.

They should also know how to explain different styles of dancing, such as swing or rockabilly, so that you know what steps your child should learn in their class.

4. A good variety of classes

Look for a teacher who offers different classes throughout the week. This way, your child can choose the classes that they want to take and won’t feel pressured to take the same class every week.

5. A good schedule

Make sure that you find a teacher who has a good schedule for their classes. For example, some teachers only offer 1 class per week or 2 classes per week. This can be hard for beginners because it is hard to make progress if they are only taking one class per week. A teacher with 2 classes per week should be able to teach your child additional steps regularly and will help them make progress in their dancing skills.

Start learning dance in Singapore with Jody Marshall Dance Company

At Jody Marshall Dance Company, we firmly believe in creating a nurturing and supportive environment for each and every student. When it comes to dance and ballet in Singapore, having a conducive environment is a crucial building block of your child’s development. As a professional dance school in Singapore, our dance teachers at Jody Marshall Dance Company are committed to offering high standards of ballet dance and other forms of dance training to budding young dancers in Singapore.

Enrolling your child into a dance class at Jody Marshall Dance Company not only allows them to learn from our highly experienced teachers, but also allows them to gain more exposure in their chosen dance style. Your kids will be under the guidance of teachers who are international choreographers in the dance scene. Your child will get the chance to travel internationally for competitions or performance opportunities as well.

Jody Marshall Dance Company offers the opportunity to let your child build up their portfolio with accredited examinations through our DSA programme. Here at Jody Marshall Dance Company, our teachers will guide you through every step of the way through the DSA process. Over the years, we have built up a great record of students who have successfully enrolled into the secondary school of their choice through the DSA programme.