ABOUT US
Laveen Dance is a non-competitive studio focused on the growth and development of each individual student. Our goal is to give students a foundation in proper technique, an opportunity to perform, to grow their confidence, to encourage their social/emotional development, and to have fun! We consider all of our students and their families as part of our community.
Laveen Dance, Laveen Karate, and Laveen Yoga are part of Laveen Fitness, LLC. We Love Laveen!
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CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
BALLET
Ballet is a classical dance which teaches students grace, precision and fluidity with an emphasis on athleticism. This structure of the class comes with discipline, strength and flexibility. Ballet dance is not an easy form of dance to master, but requires much perseverance and repetition. This class will consist of barre work, centre exercises, across the floor and working towards a routine performed at the end of the semester.
COMBO (BALLET/CREATIVE DANCE)
Children in this class will be introduced to the dance classroom environment. Concepts taught will include stretching, balancing, weight transfer, locomotor and non-locomotor movement patterns. This class will focus on quality and creative imagination. Students will also begin the concepts of counting, opposites and musicality. Beginning ballet concepts will be introduced into this combo class. 15 minutes will focus on ballet fundamentals and 15 minutes will focus on creative dance.
COMBO (BALLET/TAP)
Children in this class will be introduced to the dance classroom environment. Concepts taught will include stretching, balancing, weight transfer, locomotor and non-locomotor movement patterns. Students will begin the concepts of counting, opposites and musicality. Beginning ballet concepts will be introduced into this combo class. Tap skills will focus on basic movement patterns. 20 minutes will focus on ballet fundamentals and 20 minutes will focus on tap. Ballet and tap shoes are required.
CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary dance is a form of dance that is focused on self expression and a free form of movement. Choreographers use emotions and moods to design their steps and focus on contrast of gravity and suspension. Contemporary classes consist of barre work, centre and seated exercises, traveling through space, jumps, turns and combinations.
CREATIVE DANCE
Creative dance is a form of dance that provides for personal expression. Concepts taught will include stretching, balancing, weight transfer, locomotor and non-locomotor movement patterns. This class will focus on quality and creative imagination. Students will also focus on the concepts of counting, opposites and musicality.
HIP HOP
Hip Hop is an international cultural movement compromised of four elements : MCing, DJing, Graffiti, and Breaking. As Hip Hop continues to evolve there are multiple styles of dance within the culture; yet it started with breaking, popping, and locking. This class will consist of learning and exploring the foundational movement of grooves, hip hop styles, and new school styles. Students will drill and explore movement across the floor, while also having the opportunity to learn combos that will develop into a choreographed routine.
JAZZ
Jazz can be fast paced, smooth, energetic or graceful. Jazz technique influences other dance techniques including modern and ballet. Jazz dancers greatly benefit from a foundation built on ballet and core strengthening. A jazz class will consist of centre warm up and stretching, across the floor and a center combination building up to a full routine.
TAP
Tap classes will develop rhythm, style and sound. Tap skills will consist of a center warm up, across the floor skills and center combinations. Tap shoes are required.
TUMBLING
Tumbling class focuses on proper technique and safety starting with the basics. Students will learn at their own pace to build confidence and strengthen their skills before moving on with more difficulty. And of course, we have fun!
DANCE INSTRUCTORS
MELISSA MCADAMS
Dance Director, Ballet, Creative Dance, Jazz
Melissa grew up in Tempe and is a proud native of Arizona. She started dancing when she was five years old in various genres such as tap, jazz, ballet, modern, and gymnastics. She grew up dancing in studios and competed at the state and national level. She then continued at the McClintock High School Dance Company for all four years. She studied at Arizona State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education. While at ASU, she danced for the ASU Dance Team for Football and Basketball games. The Dance Team had the privilege to compete nationally.
Melissa was the coach for the McClintock Dance Team and took her dance team to perform at the Disneyland Mainstreet Parade. After graduating from ASU, Melissa went on to be a dance teacher at Higley High School. She then was the dance director at Estrella Foothills High school and the Varsity Dance Team Coach. Her dance team competed at state and national competitions. She graduated from the University of Phoenix with her Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum and Instruction.
Melissa has been married to her husband, James for 15 wonderful years. She has four children; Norah (age 12), Connor (age 10), Declan (age 5), and Scarlett (age 2). Their family enjoys camping, scouting, and traveling. She’s looking forward to this new experience and hopes to make a great difference to the dancers of Laveen.
