All of our classes prepare our performers for what they will be utilizing in shows. Often a performer will stay in the same level class for multiple years.
MUSICAL THEATRE JAZZ
Jazz 1
Instructor: Maddie Jantzen, 8+ years old
Jazz 1 is an introductory class that explores the exciting and energetic world of jazz dance. This class is perfect for beginners who want to learn the foundational elements of jazz technique, including isolations, turns, leaps, and stylish movements. Students will learn a variety of jazz styles, such as Broadway jazz, contemporary jazz, and lyrical jazz, while focusing on developing coordination, strength, and musicality. Jazz 1 will incorporate fun and upbeat choreography that allows students to express themselves through movement while also improving their flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. Join us for Jazz 1 and get ready to groove and shine on the dance floor!
Jazz 2
Instructor: Maddie Jantzen, 9+/10+ years old
Jazz 2 is an intermediate level dance class that focuses on building upon the foundations of jazz technique learned in Jazz 1. In this class, students will further develop their jazz dance skills through a combination of warm-up exercises, across-the-floor progressions, and choreography. Emphasis will be placed on strength, flexibility, musicality, and performance quality. Students will learn a variety of jazz styles ranging from classic Broadway to contemporary jazz. This class is perfect for dancers looking to expand their dance vocabulary and improve their overall technique and artistry in jazz dance.
Jazz 3
Instructor: Dana Tescher, 11+ years old
Jazz 3 is an advanced intermediate level dance class designed for experienced dancers looking to further refine their jazz technique and artistry. This class encompasses a challenging yet rewarding curriculum that combines intricate footwork, dynamic movements, and musicality. Students will engage in a rigorous warm-up to enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance, followed by complex across-the-floor progressions to sharpen technical skills. Choreography in Jazz 3 will push dancers to explore a wide range of styles, from traditional jazz to contemporary fusion. Emphasis will be placed on performance quality, precision, and emotional expression in each movement. Jazz 3 is ideal for dedicated dancers aiming to elevate their dance proficiency to a professional level.
Jazz 4
Instructor: Rachelle Johnston, 13+ year olds
Jazz 4 is an advanced level dance class. In this class, you will delve deeper into intricate footwork, complex rhythms, isolations, and dynamic choreography that challenge both your technical abilities and artistic interpretation. Emphasis will be placed on developing your individual style, musicality, and performance quality. Our advanced instructor will guide you through a series of challenging combinations and exercises that will push you to new heights in your dance abilities.
BALLET FOR THE MUSICAL THEATER PERFORMER
Ballet 1 for Musical Theater
Instructor: Susan Daugherty, 10+ years old
Ballet 1 has been created especially for musical theater performers. Ballet is the foundation for any dance work on stage. It makes all your dancing better! You will learn specific proven exercises unique to ballet that refine coordination, posture, and musicality. This class will focus on developing strength, flexibility, and coordination through a series of barre exercises, center work, and across-the-floor combinations. This class can be taken for several years. Exercises and combinations will vary to keep the course exciting and challenging.
Ballet 2/3 for Musical Theater
Instructor: Susan Daugherty,12+ years old
Ballet 2/3 is an intermediate to advanced level class designed for students with prior ballet experience. This class will build upon the foundation laid in Ballet 1, focusing on honing technique, increasing flexibility, and mastering more complex combinations. In Ballet 2/3, students will deepen their understanding of ballet vocabulary and learn more challenging steps and sequences both at the barre and in the center. Emphasis will be placed on refining artistry, musicality, and performance quality while continuing to strengthen core muscles and ballet-specific skills. This class is perfect for students looking to push themselves further and take their ballet technique to the next level.
TAP DANCE
Tap 1
Instructor: Katherine Craig, 8+ year olds
Tap 1 is perfect for beginners and those looking to establish a strong foundation, this class focuses on learning basic tap steps, developing rhythm, and building coordination. Our experienced instructor will guide you through each step with clear and easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring that you feel confident and have fun in the process. Get ready to make some noise, connect with the music, and experience the pure joy of tap dancing in a welcoming and supportive environment. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and a pair of tap shoes, if you have them, and get ready to tap!
Tap 2
Instructor: Katherine Craig, 8+ year olds
The prerequisite for Tap 2 is one year of Tap 1. We will work on strengthening the basic steps. Time steps will be introduced along with basic tap turns, drawbacks, and pullbacks. We will work on creating patterns and step combinations.
Tap 3
Instructor: Christine Martorana, 10+ year olds
The prerequisite for Tap 3 is Tap 2, or the equivalent. Moving beyond the fundamentals, tap skills should be clean and clear for this class. Additional time step variations will be added plus wings, sequencing, and more complex combinations.
Tap 4
Instructor: Christine Martorana, 11+ year olds
This class builds on the skills learned in Tap 3, focusing on more aggressive combinations and techniques as well as improvisational tap.
Tap 5
Instructor: Debbie Wilson, 13+ year olds
*Advanced Tap is by instructor invitation only.
Adult Tap Beginning
Instructor: Christine Martorana, Adults
Step into the rhythm and excitement of tap dancing with our beginner level adult tap class—a perfect blend of fun, exercise, and artistic expression! This class is tailored for adults who are new to tap dancing or looking to revisit the basics, focusing on fundamental steps, coordination, and musicality in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. No prior experience needed!
Adult Tap Intermediate
Instructor: Christine Martorana, Adults
Elevate your tap dancing skills to the next level with our intermediate level adult tap class, designed for experienced tappers looking to refine their technique and expand their repertoire! In this dynamic and engaging class, you’ll dive into intricate footwork, complex rhythms, and dynamic combinations that challenge and inspire.
Musical Theater Mini-ME
Instructor: Katherine Craig, Reese Throckmorton & Elliana Ray, 4-5 year olds
The youngest class ever offered through PAI with a bottom age of just 4 years old. The class will be a fun filled 45 minutes of theater basics to get them comfortable in the areas of song, dance, movement and expression.
Introduction to Musical Theater
Instructor: Alayna Fredianelli & Jack Gregory, 6-7 year olds
This class is specifically geared for those starting out in Musical Theater! We will cover basics in singing, dance, and acting, learn stage terminology, and create a foundation for becoming a well-balanced performer.
Acting 1
Instructor: Jack Gregory, 8+ years old
Advanced Acting techniques taught at a Beginner’s level. We will work on how to effectively communicate and successfully portray any character on stage. This class will also work on Improv as a tool for timing and confidence.
Acting 2
Instructor: Alayna Fredianelli, 9-12 year olds
Continuing from the Beginner class, we will work on how to break down a script, subtext, emotional states, relationships, objectives, and finding your character’s life on the page and ultimately on the stage, through exercises, Improv, and scenes.
Requirements: 2+ years of acting experience.
Acting 3
Instructor: Debbie Wilson, 11+ year olds
We will use everything from the level 1 and 2 curriculum to delve deeper into the Art of Acting. Requirements: 4+ years of acting experience.
Acting 4
Instructor: Debbie Wilson, 13+ year olds
*By Invitation Only
For those actors who have had significant experience performing.
Group Vocals
Instructor: Katelyn Minnie & Abigail Waymire
Unleash your vocal potential and harmonize with others in our dynamic group vocal class! Designed for singers of all levels, this class offers a supportive and collaborative environment where you can explore the power of your voice while learning essential vocal techniques and performance skills. Students will engage in vocal warm-ups, exercises to improve pitch and tone, and group singing activities to enhance musicality and confidence.
Musical Theater Mini-ME
Instructor: Katherine Craig, Reese Throckmorton & Elliana Ray, 4-5 year olds
The youngest class ever offered through PAI with a bottom age of just 4 years old. The class will be a fun filled 45 minutes of theater basics to get them comfortable in the areas of song, dance, movement and expression.
Introduction to Musical Theater
Instructor: Alayna Fredianelli & Jack Gregory, 6-7 year olds
This class is specifically geared for those starting out in Musical Theater! We will cover basics in singing, dance, and acting, learn stage terminology, and create a foundation for becoming a well-balanced performer.
