Class descriptions are below.

click “schedule & FEES” above to view our current classes.

BABY DANCE, Me & My BABY - Groove along with your little one in this fun series including stretching and dance movement geared toward developing rhythm, coordination, strength, flexibility and musicality. This class is a wonderful bonding and fitness opportunity for little ones and their loved one to enjoy.  It uses elements of  ballet and tap infused with creative movement to build motor skills, listening skills, social skills and the ability to move through space to music.  This class is for children ages 2.5 to 5 years old along with an adult.  Whether it be with mom, dad, grandma or another relative or close family friend, everyone is welcome to experience this class with their special little person. Dancers who are able to focus independently are welcome to participate without an adult. 

Ballet - Ballet is a highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary. It is best known in the form of classical ballet, notable for its techniques, such as pointe work and turn out of the legs, its graceful, flowing and precise movements. *cecchetti - The  Cecchetti method of ballet  was created by Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) and is a strict training system within the confines of classical ballet technique that seeks to develop the essential characteristics of dance in its students through a rigid training regime. The method traditionally has seven grades with examinations up to diploma level. Students learn a set curriculum of exercises as well as ballet theory in English in French for each grade level before taking a formal exam before a panel of adjudicators from the Cechhetti Council of America. If a student receives a passing score from the exam, he/she may advance to the next level. LaShelle’s currently offers Cecchetti Grades I, II, III and IV.

MODERN - Modern dance rejects the limitations of classical ballet and favors movements derived from the expression of their inner feelings. During the 1900's, European dancers began rebelling against the rigid rules of classical ballet. Turning against the structured techniques, costumes and shoes of ballet, these dancers favored a more relaxed, free style of dancing working in more parallel and angular shapes with bare feet.  Another characteristic of modern dance in opposition to ballet is the deliberate use of gravity, using the body weight to enhance movement. Modern dancers use dancing to express their innermost emotions and to try to convey them to the audience.

tap - A great way to experience rhythm, this style of American theatrical dance using precise patterns of foot movement and audible foot tapping. Students will work on rhythm, timing, dynamics and mastery of tap technique while also strengthening coordination, balance and weight placement skills. It is derived from the rhythmic foot stamping of African dances and the traditional clog dance of northern England. Versions such as "buck-and-wing" (danced vigorously in wooden-soled shoes) and "soft-shoe" (shoes) developed as separate techniques; by 1925 they had merged, and metal taps were attached to shoe heels and toes to produce a more pronounced sound.

Jazz - For those who desire a technical dance experience that is different from ballet, a jazz is great!  Jazz dance involves high energy, technical movement fused with improvisation, isolations, syncopation and more.  Throughout its history, jazz dance has developed in parallel to popular music. This pattern of development has resulted in a few elements of movement key to the dance style, the most important being that jazz is they physical embodiment of the popular music of a given time. 

hip hop - Hip hop is one of the most popular classes at Lashelle’s. This mainly focuses on street dance styles, primarily danced to hip hop music. By its widest definition, it can include breaking, popping, locking house dance and more. Students also develop their rhythm, musicality, precision, coordination, improvisation skills and personal style.  *B-BOYS - This class is a great way for boys that are into hip hop to take their skills to the next level!    B-boying or breaking, also called breakdancing, is a style of hip hop street dance that originated among Black and Puerto Rican youths in New York City during the early 1970s. While diverse in the amount of variation available in the dance, b-boying consists of four kinds of movement: toprock, downrock, power moves, and freezes.  There is a lot to learn in this high-energy class that will definitely give students a reason to get down on the dance floor!

ACRO - Acro incorporates tumbling and gymnastic movement without the apparatus.  It is an especially challenging dance style for dancers as it requires them to be trained in both dance and acrobatic skills (i.e. cartwheels, walkovers, hand-springs, aerials etc.) Acro dancers must be in excellent physical condition as well, because acro is a physically demanding activity. A defining characteristic of acro is the smooth, graceful transitions between dance and acrobatic movements. For example, a gymnastics floor exercise is not considered to be acro because it has little or no dance movement compared to its acrobatic content, and also because it lacks smooth transitions between dance and gymnastic movements.

YOGA - This class is will be a Hatha yoga class which focuses on breath and posture.  It will be a calming experience that is therapeutic for the mind and body, with awareness of proper alignment.  This combined focus on mindfulness, breathing and physical movements brings health benefits with regular participation. Participants can experience better sleep, increased energy levels and muscle tone, relief from muscle pain and stiffness, improved circulation and overall better general health. Also, the breathing aspect of yoga can benefit heart rate and blood pressure.  Everyone in attendance should bring a personal yoga mat and two yoga blocks.