ADULT PROGRAM
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
MODERN
INTRO SERIES:
This 6-week series is offered nearly continuously throughout the year. Perfect for first-time dancers who want to learn in a small, safe, and supported atmosphere, the series dives into the fundamentals of modern dance technique. Class will cover the basic structure of a dance class, modern dance vocabulary, key concepts, and how to pick up sequences and memorize choreography. Class will include warm up, center work, floor work, traveling across the floor and phrase work. With time to ask questions and explore movement ideas in depth, this series is great for brand new dancers, beginning level dancers who want to revisit the fundamentals, and dancers with experience in other styles looking to start training in modern. The goal of the series is to prepare dancers to transition into attending ongoing adult drop-in modern classes. Find the next series here!
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BEGINNING LEVELS:
BEGINNING I: For those dancers with less than a year of modern training, these classes dive deep into the fundamentals of modern dance vocabulary including weight-shifts, floor-work, balance, and taking up space. Beginning classes also work on understanding the dance class format, how to see and learn material, counting, and basic dance class etiquette.
BEGINNING II: For dancers with at least a year of modern training, Beginning II classes continue building a dancer’s vocabulary with more exercises and class material offered within a 90 minute class. Students also start exploring rhythm, transitions, level changes, and direction changes.
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INTERMEDIATE:
For dancers with at least 3 years of modern training, Intermediate classes intensify focus on technique, alignment, and phrasework. Students coming into an Intermediate level class will have worked several years learning dance vocabulary, building skills to see and learn movement at a quick pace, and can apply corrections from a teacher. Intermediate students can confidently reverse material and work in class without the need to follow the teacher to know the exercises and combination.
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INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED:
Our mixed level Intermediate/Advanced classes work with the students attending each class to specifically gauge the needs of the group in terms of pace of the class, corrections to explore, and the amount of material covered within 90 minutes. Teachers will frequently give options for combinations to suit both intermediate and advanced level students.
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ADVANCED:
Fast-moving and choreography focused, advanced classes require the ability to learn choreography quickly and a high level of spatial awareness of other students while dancing. Dancers must have strong technique, sound alignment, and maturity to hear and apply all corrections given by a teacher to the whole group.
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MODERN FOR OLDER & RETURNING DANCERS:
Designed for older movers and for those who are returning to dance after a hiatus, this mixed level class will build agility, flexibility, grace and ease through modern dance. Includes a warmup of simple modern dance movements aimed to focus the mind and free the joints, followed by short modern dance sequences that enables attendees from beginners to professionals to dance and build strength to movement that feels safe for their bodies and enjoyable to do.
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BALLET
Ballet at Shawl-Anderson is taught in a joyful, fun manner for adults of all ages, abilities, and body types. Many classes are taught to live piano accompaniment.
INTRO TO BALLET:
These classes are designed for those brand-new to ballet and those wishing to return to a slow-paced class that takes the time to explain. Ballet vocabulary as well as class format/progression and ballet-specific etiquette are the key class components.
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BEGINNING LEVELS:
Beginning levels assume familiarity with the basic ballet steps, class format, and etiquette. ​Each level (I, II, and III) builds more vocabulary and ideas around alignment and technique. The speed of learning material and the pace of the class progresses gradually as you move from Beginning I to Beginning II and Beginning III.
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INTERMEDIATE:
For dancers with at least 3 years of ballet training, Intermediate classes really focus on technique, alignment, and fluidity of movement. Students coming into Intermediate classes will have worked several years learning dance vocabulary, building skills to see and can learn movement at a quick pace, and apply corrections from a teacher. Intermediate students can confidently reverse material and work in class without the need to follow the teacher to know the exercises and combination.
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INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED:
Int./Adv. classes assume at least 5 years of substantial ballet training. Students should be able to grasp all ballet steps and vocabulary explored in class without explanation. Students in Int./Adv. can move quickly and soundly with strong technique and alignment. These mixed level classes work with the students attending each class to specifically gauge the needs of the group in terms of pace of the class, corrections to explore, and the amount of material covered within 90 minutes. Teachers will frequently give options for combinations to suit both intermediate and advanced level students.
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JAZZ
BEGINNING LEVELS:
Beginning I/II Jazz explores the fundamentals of jazz technique with vocabulary, warm ups, traveling movement across the space, and short combinations.
INTERMEDIATE:
For dancers with at least 3 years of jazz training, Intermediate classes really focus on technique, alignment, and phrasework. Students coming into an Intermediate level class will have worked several years learning jazz dance vocabulary, building skills to see and learn movement at a quick pace, and can apply corrections from a teacher. Intermediate students can confidently reverse material and work in class without the need to follow the teacher to know the exercises and combination.
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BAY AREA HIP-HOP
Bay Area Hip Hop, as known as “Turfin”, is a style created collectively by many cities of the Bay including Oakland, San Francisco, Vallejo, and Richmond. Turfin is an acronym for: Taking Up Room on the Floor. In this class, I’ll be teaching Bay Area culture through dance with various moves like the Smeeze, the Bird/GetLow, the Brookfield, and other Bay Area party dances. I will also be covering sub styles of turfin such as gliding, tutting, animation, and more!
This class is designed for adults of all dance backgrounds and skill levels. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced dancer, you'll have the opportunity to explore and learn the fundamentals of Bay Area Hip Hop.
CONDITIONING
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Conditioning classes are open to dancers and non-dancers alike to explore strengthening work, stretching, alignment, and easeful movement.
PILATES
Pilates classes at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center are taught by dancers with extensive careers in the field as well as years of training in Pilates and backgrounds in physical therapy and somatic practices.
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YOGA
SADC’s yoga classes are fusion classes that incorporate the many modalities our teachers bring to their practices, incorporating yoga, dance, and somatic work.
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AFRO DANCE WORKOUT
Afro Dance Workout is a high energy cardio dance class that features Afro beats, Afro-Brazilian and Congolese dance styles as well as other dances of the African diaspora. The class format is easy to follow choreographies with traditional and contemporary techniques of the dances.
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SALIMPOUR BELLY DANCE
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With its structured language, emphasis on alignment and muscular awareness, and worldwide community of dancers, the Suhaila Salimpour Format revolutionized belly dance technique, training, and performance. Dancers of all levels and backgrounds will benefit from the Format’s structure and technique. In this beginning level class, students will learn essential hip work, isolations, and foot patterns.
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REGGAETÓN
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Reggaetón dance blends hip-hop, dancehall, and salsa influences to create an urban style that is cool, sensual, and tons of fun! This class is designed to help students build all the skills necessary to feel confident in this dance form. Each class begins with a slow-build warmup that breaks down vocabulary and rhythmic patterns which are later integrated into a choreographed routine. Each routine is repeated for two weeks so that students have the opportunity to not only learn each routine, but practice, refine, and elevate their dancing.