Zero dance experience is expected and welcomed for this level. If you have never danced or you feel like you have two left feet, this level is for you! In this level, you will learn the basic and foundational steps of the style. Class will be taught at a slow enough pace to allow dancers an opportunity to grasp movements and concepts. There will be a clear breakdown and instruction of movement. Learning fundamentals will be the focus of class, as opposed to learning choreography. However, some choreography may be taught at this level.  If so, it will be with minimal complexity and slower tempos. We typically only offer this level of class within a multi-week series, as opposed to in a drop-in, single class format.  

Minimal dance experience (less than a year of training) is welcomed for this level. However, dancers with zero experience are welcome, but may find the choreography portion of class to be a bit challenging - but that is ok! If you haven’t danced in a few years and want to step back into it and build confidence, this level may be a good fit for you. In this level, you will learn the basic and foundational steps of the style as they fit into the framework of the choreography taught in class. This class will focus on learning choreography, as opposed to Pure Beginner which will be focused on learning the introductory steps of each style. Class will be taught at a slow enough pace to allow dancers an opportunity to grasp movements and concepts. There will be a clear breakdown and instruction of movement. Choreography will be around 30 seconds in length, with minimal complexity (if any at all) and slower tempos. Choreography will most likely feature lots of repetitive movement. 

In this level, you will learn and review the basic and foundational steps of the style before adding them to a brief choreography combination. We welcome dancers of any experience level to these classes, including those with zero dance experience. Class will be taught at a slow to moderate pace to allow dancers an opportunity to grasp material. There will be a clear breakdown and instruction of movement. Choreography which will be around 30 seconds in length, with minimal complexity and a range of tempos. Choreography will most likely feature lots of repetitive movement. We typically label classes in this level that are unique styles not offered weekly.

Some dance experience is recommended for this level. If you have at least 1 to 3 years of dance experience, or you have many years of experience but have not danced for a long time, this level could be a good fit for you. Additionally, if you are newer to dance and have tried the beginner classes but they feel too easy, yet the intermediate classes feel too challenging, this level is for you. If you haven’t danced in a few years and want to step back into it and build confidence, this level may be a good fit for you.Class will have a focus on choreography, however you may review the basic and foundational steps of the style within the framework of the combination taught in class. You will most likely not learn how to execute basic and foundational steps within this level. Choreography will be taught at a slower to moderate pace with a clear breakdown and instruction, and you may see minimal technical elements (such as leaps and turns) and floorwork. Choreography will be around 30-50 seconds in length, with low to moderate complexity and slow to moderate tempos. Movements within the choreography will most likely repeat. 

Significant dance experience (ie, many years of training) is recommended for this level. If you have danced most of your life and want to continue challenging yourself while having fun, this class is for you. Dancers in this level have a deep understanding of the basic elements of the style and are competent at learning and retaining moderate to quick choreography taught at a moderate pace. Class will have a focus on choreography and you will not review the basic and foundational steps of the style in this level. In certain styles, you will most likely see technical elements (such as leaps and turns) and floorwork. Choreography will be between 30-60 seconds in length, with moderate complexity and moderate to fast tempos. Choreography will likely not repeat movements frequently. You will see a variety of different between instructors in this level. There will be modifications for movements if needed.

Significant dance experience (ie, many years of rigorous training) and high degree of competence in retaining choreography and executing technical elements is recommended. If you have danced for many years and want to continue challenging yourself and training at a higher level, this class is for you. If you learn and retain choreography quickly and have a strong knowledge and ability to execute various technical elements, this class could be a good fit for you. In this level, class will have a focus on choreography. Class will be taught at a fast pace with a clear breakdown and instruction, but without detailed breakdown of individual movements. You will most likely see technical elements (such as leaps and turns) and floorwork in the choreography. Choreography will be between 45 seconds to a minute in length, with moderate to high level of complexity and moderate to fast tempos. Choreography will likely not repeat movements frequently.

Significant dance experience (ie, many years of rigorous training) and high degree of competence in retaining choreography and executing technical elements is recommended. If you have danced for many years and want to continue challenging yourself and training at a higher level, this class is for you. If you learn and retain choreography quickly and have a strong knowledge and ability to execute various technical elements, this class could be a good fit for you. In this level, class will have a focus on choreography. Class will be taught at a fast pace with a clear breakdown and instruction, but without detailed breakdown of individual movements. You will most likely see technical elements (such as leaps and turns) and floorwork in the choreography. Choreography will be between 45 seconds to a minute in length, with moderate to high level of complexity and moderate to fast tempos. Choreography will likely not repeat movements.

Although there are various styles and methods within ballet, when we typically think of ballet, Classical ballet often comes to mind.  This style is characterized by graceful, flowing movements; turned out feet; positions with long lines; balance; symmetry; and an almost ethereal quality. Ballet will challenge your physical strength, control and stamina.  In a Powerhouse ballet class you will start with a barre section, then move to center for center-work. You will potentially also do adagio, petite allegro, and some combinations across the floor. At Powerhouse, even our ballet classes are relaxed and no pressure!  Our Instructors are encouraging and gentle, so you will not feel the pressure or rigidity that is often be associated with ballet.

• Recommended attire and footwear: You can feel free to wear traditional ballet class clothing like leotard and tights, however, you are welcome to wear anything you’d like. Leggings or sweatpants are also acceptable. For footwear, we recommend ballet slippers, or dancing in bare feet or socks if you don’t have slippers.

Contemporary dance is at its core expressive, often symbolic, and highly intertwined with the music. Choreography may be focused on either expressing the lyrics of the music or geared toward the musicality of the instruments.  It is a broad style that encompasses a fusion of other styles, however it is most often known for being fluid and sometimes appearing abstract.  You may find technical elements (ie, jumps and turns) and floorwork, especially in the intermediate and advanced levels.  However, the technical elements in contemporary may be done in a more experimental fashion (for example, either more fluid than sharp, or different in shape than you would see in a jazz or ballet class). Additionally, you will often see a contrast of dynamics within one piece of choreography (slow vs. fast, sharp vs. smooth, high vs. low). Finally, this style will allow you to explore your own movement and express yourself with a little less precision or specificity than some other styles. 

• Recommended footwear: half soles/foot-undies, socks, bare feet, ballet slippers, jazz shoes

Dancehall is a popular music and dance style, and all-around way of life for Jamaicans. This musical style developed from the roots of reggae music in the 1980’s and started in dance halls, which are basically nightclubs and parties. It is a high energy style, with a significant focus on the hips and booty, but not excluding other body movements. There are many dancehall songs which incorporate lyrics of dance movements that you can perform together with a group.

• Recommended footwear: sneakers or bare feet

This is a sultry, confidence-boosting class that may feature elements of jazz and hip hop, while allowing you to dance in heels. Depending on the instructor and level, choreography may include floorwork, so we recommend bringing kneepads or wearing pants/leggings.

• Recommended footwear: We recommend heels that are secure around your ankle, preferably ones with laces that you can tighten for added stability. If you are just starting to dance in heels, we recommend a medium thickness heel, and a lower height (approximately 2”). As you gain comfort and experience, feel free to bust out the stilettos. We do not recommend sandals, wedges, or strappy heels. Check out a full list of recommended shoes on our Blog page.

Hip Hop Dance is a style of movement created by African-American and Latino cultures. Some key elements include bouncing, grooving and rocking. These elements are executed to Hip Hop music. Hip Hop emerged out of the Bronx, New York, also known as “The Birth Place”, and has been the building block for many of the ideas and trends we see today, both in and out of dance. While often referred to as one dance style, Hip Hop dance is actually just one component of Hip Hop culture, extending into the Elements of DJ’ing, Emceeing, Graffiti, Breaking (b-boys and b-girls), and Knowledge.

• Most hip hop classes at Powerhouse are choreography-focused and contain a variety of specific hip hop styles within one class. If we are offering a specific style of class within the hip hop genre (for example Popping), we would label it as such.

• Recommended footwear: Sneakers

This performance style of dance focuses on high-energy movement, clean lines and technical skills learned in ballet. Jazz dance pairs animated expressions with sharp, yet fluid motions. You may expect to see turns and leaps in traditional jazz dance.

• Recommended footwear: Character heels, jazz shoes, sneakers, or bare feet.

These styles can be similar and the terms are often used interchangeably. They tend to combine both jazz and street styles such as hip hop, and tend to be danced to pop music. You may find the choreography to contain somewhat less jazz technique than traditional jazz classes, with more emphasis put on style and swag than precision and sharpness. On the other hand, these styles may be a bit more precise, clear and straightforward than hip hop, with less focus on grooving and bouncing. When you think of music videos and awards show performances, you might often think of these styles. Check out this great explanation of the origins of these styles from CLI!

• Recommended footwear: Sneakers, jazz shoes or bare feet.

In our Latin Styles classes, you will learn the basics of the specific style (listed below) and then incorporate it into a short choreography combination that you can perform solo! No partner needed for these classes. However, sometimes we do offer partnering classes. Those will be specified as such.

• Bachata is a playful latin dance typically danced in a club setting. It is all about the hips! This sensual style has hip motion, turns and side to side footwork. 

• Salsa This fun and energetic dance is the most popular of the latin dances because it is easy to learn and is fantastic for all dancing abilities. This style has Afro-Caribbean roots with a lot of rhythm and hip action. 

Get the chance to learn from current and former professional cheerleaders in Powerhouse's Pro Dance Team Style Class. These routines are about :30-:45 seconds in length, featuring technical elements that range from kicks, leaps, turns, and floorwork (with modifications often provided). With every hair whip and snap, Pro Style class will make you feel like you're dancing in a Halftime Show! This class is designed for the dancer who loves a stylized and fun routine and maybe aspire to dance for a collegiate or professional dance team.

• Recommended footwear: Sneakers, jazz shoes.

Break out those poms! Powerhouse's Sideline Style class is for your inner cheerleader to come to life! You will begin with a warm-up and spend a few minutes breaking down traditional Pom motions and form. You will then learn a combo that ranges from 4 to 8 eight counts, sometimes featuring a formation change and/or a repeat that will mimic the feeling of being on the sidelines for a t-shirt toss! Sideline Style routines do not have technical elements in them, just lots of energy and hard-hitting movements. This class is designed for the dancer who wants an introduction to this style or a dancer who would love to dance on a collegiate or professional dance team. (Poms are encouraged, but optional!)

• Recommended footwear: Sneakers

Tap dance is a style known for the sound the dancer creates with their tap shoes while dancing. The dancer’s body truly becomes the instrument while they merge with and become the tangible expression of the intricate rhythms of the music. It is danced to various styles of music, however, in our Theater Tap class, choreography will be done to show tunes and danced in a more theatrical style that you would be likely to see on the stage of a musical production. This style is more than 100 years old, originating from the merging of West African dances and the clog dances and Jigs of Irish, Scottish and English immigrants.

• Recommended footwear: Tap shoes. If you are new to the level, you may wear sneakers.

This class looks at classical and modern musical theater jazz technique and stylistic influences of the Broadway musical. It emphasizes storytelling through movement, sharp lines, musicality, and performance quality.

• Recommended footwear: You can wear character heels, jazz shoes, sneakers, or bare feet.

Twerking is a dance style featuring thrusting hip movements in a squat, done at various speeds. Some people view this style as provocative and inappropriate, however, twerking can also be seen as a unique way to move your body and a way to embrace and appreciate all your assets! In this class we will learn basic to intermediate twerk movements as well as an energetic upbeat dance combo to put your new skills to work! As a bonus, this class will be a great workout for your core, quads, hamstrings and lower back. Expect to have FUN, get out of your comfort zone, decompress, let go of stressing about technique and show yourself (and everyone) what you're working with!

• Recommended footwear: sneakers or bare feet