Raising the Barre offers the finest instruction for ages 2 through adults. From beginners to advanced, pre-professional to professional levels, in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, musical theatre, lyrical, modern, and hip hop, and now step/stomp.

Each class is choreographed to Christian or inspirational music. Whether simply wanting to spend time with friends, achieve a dance-oriented goal or pursue a career in the world of dance, Raising the Barre can assist your child with these goals.

COMBINATION CLASSES
These classes are a fun and energetic way for children to learn to move with music. They are designed for ages 2-5 and include Ballet and Tap, and give student the introduction they will need for their dance education.

BALLET
Ballet is the background and basis for all dance and should be studied first or along with other forms of dance. Participation as a student is an exciting artistic experience. The result of proper ballet training is a beautiful, strong and healthy body, which includes the development of good posture, grace and poise. The self-discipline learned in Ballet class can help your child to succeed in all undertakings. A qualified and well-trained faculty and individual attention to each student's technical or physical needs assures your child the maximum opportunity for progress. All the pre-school level Ballet is given in combination with Tap.

CONTEMPORARY BALLET
Contemporary dance is the name given to a group of 20th century concert dance forms. It is a collection of systems and methods developed from Modern and Postmodern dance. Thus contemporary dance is not a specific dance technique. Contemporary dance takes on many forms including dance fusion, emergent dance and revisionism.
Our Contemporary Ballet class combines the idea of contemporary dance with the technical training of classical ballet.

POINTE
Students will not go on pointe until the teacher feels that their feet, ankles and legs are strong enough to support their weight. Their ability to keep their bodies properly placed and aligned is also a must. Then students will only advance upon approval of the instructor and director.

LYRICAL
A combination of Ballet, Jazz, and Modern dance set to Lyrics. This art form of dance uses the body as a means of communication through the movement. We will explore how the body moves in space with time and energy, as well as how these elements relate to the spirit, nature, joy and freedom, given to us by god, in each dancer. 

JAZZ
Jazz is a technique class which develops rhythm, strength and coordination. It draws on all the forms of the dance technique blending them in clean, rhythmic, un-wasted movement. Age 6 is the minimum age for Jazz. Before that age, Ballet and Tap form a good background for the eventual study of Jazz. It is recommended that Ballet be studied preceding or along with Jazz.

TAP
A Class designed to enhance the coordination of the ankles and feet by striking the floor in a rhythmical fashion. Tap is enjoyable, good for children and creates self-discipline as well as self-confidence. Tap is started in our pre-school combination classes and continues through our adult classes. 

HIP HOP
Hip Hop is improvised and recombined in a myriad of rhythms and styles so that Hip Hop reinvents itself continually. This high energy class is fun for all! It develops strength, endurance and rhythm. Learn the funky and hip-hop choreography. Though the exact origin of Hip Hop involves a variety of footwork patterns, spinning and gymnastic type moves, be assured that the moves are non-secular. Raising the Barre uses Christian Hip Hop music or Hip Hop instrumental.

MUSICAL THEATER  (COMMING SOON.....)
Musical theater is a form of theater combining music, songs, spoken dialogue, and dance. The emotional content of the piece - humor, pathos, love, anger - as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement, and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole. Since the early 20th century, musical theater stage works have generally been called, simply, "musicals."

COMPANY CLASSES
Our dance company revolves around a simple concept: performing our best for an audience of One...Christ! We try to instill in our dancers that the fun and thrill of performing with a Christ centered purpose is more important than winning awards & personal pride. We want them to dance and enjoy every minute of the gifts God has given them, while sharing His Love through movement.

To be selected for the performing company, dancers must be between the ages of 6-18 and love to be on stage and perform in front of people. They display confidence, showmanship, work well with others, can learn choreography quickly and of course have dance experience in any of the following forms - Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theater, and more. Placement is by instructor invitation ONLY. These dancers perform at various events throughout Fall/Spring Seasons and attend various conventions. Rehearsals and performances are MANDATORY.

Being on a company requires dedication and sportsmanship. Not only do the dancers train during the week together, they also build strong friendships that last far beyond their years at the studio. The dancers are required to take Ballet, Tap, Jazz and other technique classes to support their other forms of dance. They learn and perfect routines for their performance season during these times and some additional rehearsals as well.