Middles (8-12) - Summer Dance Camps

(Ages 7-9) Do you have a dragon/ unicorn/ pegasus loving kid? This dance camp will be full of fun magical songs! Magical Creatures camp will incorporate jazz and hip–hop basics for a super FUN camp. On the last camp day, dancers will get to demonstrate some of their moves for family and friends and dress up in their favorite dragon, unicorn, rainbow or pegasus attire!

Dress requirement: athletic clothing, ballet or jazz shoes recommended, but socks are ok too.

Come and dance like you’re defying gravity! Or at least have a lot of fun dancing to the soundtrack from the new movie musical, Wicked. Dancers will learn musical theater jazz style moves in across the floor combinations and some choreography to show to parents/caregivers on the last day of camp.

Dress requirement: athletic clothing, ballet or jazz shoes recommended, but socks are ok too.

This camp is a great way for dancers to learn fun new leaps and turns and to hone their skills. Katie brings her experience as a Hudson High School Raidaire dancer to help dancers find their balance and power. Dancers can take this camp both weeks offered, or just one week.

Dress requirement: athletic clothing, turners or jazz shoes.

Adaptive Dance is designed for children with special needs. The class will provide students with the opportunity to express and learn in a creative, nurturing, and friendly environment. The goal of this class is to introduce students to the creative and expressive elements of dance while allowing self–expression and inspire learning. The class will be interactive and involve fun activities such as circle time, stretching, sing–alongs, and creative movement. Students will develop independence, balance, self–confidence, and a love for music and movement. Parents and caregivers are welcome to take part in the class. If your dancer requires one–on–one assistance, please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate.

Dress requirement: comfortable clothing, no dance shoes required

Ballet technique is foundational training for many forms of dance. Ballet classes at the Phipps focus on developing a dancer’s understanding of correct alignment, proper use of turn out, coordination of the upper body, musicality, and strength. Classes are structured around classical training, emphasizing work at the barre and culminating with combinations and variations in center. Ballet vocabulary is built throughout each level and increases in difficulty. 

Dress Requirement: leotard (black only for levels 3, 4, 5), pink tights, pink ballet slippers

Ballet Pointe

Ballet level 3 has the option of taking an additional class for pointe work. Pointe technique builds on regular ballet technique and requires more advanced strength and technique to execute. Ballet technique class is required before pointe work to ensure dancers’ muscles are warm and trained to perform en pointe. 

Dress Requirement: Black leotard, pink tights, and properly fitted pointe shoes

Hip hop dance is high–energy, diverse, urban, complex, and always evolving. It is a modern art form with roots in ancient African dance styles. Students will explore elements of popping, locking, breaking, and freestyle movements that are heavy on dynamic changes and rhythms. Classes will feature a warmup, across–the–floor combinations and choreography to current pop and hip–hop music artists.

Dress requirement: Athletic clothing, clean tennis shoes

Jazz dance classes at the Phipps will explore style, energy, and variety in both classical and contemporary jazz styles. Jazz dance is technical, dynamic, and heavy on musicality. Jazz training will develop strength, correct alignment, flexibility, rhythm, and expression in dancers. Classes will begin with a warmup then work on skills and combinations in center and across–the–floor to upbeat music.

Dress requirement: leotards or athletic clothing, jazz shoes or turners

Lyrical dance is an extension of ballet technique that focuses on communicating through movement to modern music. Students will focus on developing ballet technique and storytelling through choreography that is graceful, bold, and uses emotion.

Dress requirement: leotard, tights, or athletic clothing; turners or ballet shoes.

Tap begins with warm–up exercises that increase control, coordination, and rhythm; followed by across the floor exercises that teach dynamics, phrasing, and musicality; concluding with extended rhythmic phrases and improvisation exercises. The goal is to develop tap dancers that are equally strong musicians, dancers, and performers. 

Dress requirement: athletic clothing, tap shoes.