5678 Dance Studio - Info Guide 2020

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Tap:
Tap is an exciting style of dance in which a dancer, wearing
special shoes fitted with metal taps on the heel and toe, sounds
out audible beats by rhythmically striking the floor or any other
hard surface. Tap dance is often characterized by syncopation
and improvisation and dancers use their feet like drums to create
rhythmic patterns and timely beats. Dancers practice a series of
basic steps, adding more difficult combinations as they become
more proficient. The goal in tap dancing is to produce clear,
clean sounds, with various levels of tone achieved by dancers
keeping their body weight slightly forward, allowing most of
the dancing to be done on the balls of the feet. The knees and
ankles are relaxed at all times.
Horton:
Dancer/choreographer Lester Horton developed a dance
technique; The Horton Technique based on Native American
dances, anatomical studies and other movement influences.
Horton is a major codified modern dance technique that
emphasizes a whole body, anatomical approach to dance
that includes flexibility, strength, coordination, body and
spatial awareness to enable unrestricted, dramatic freedom
of expression reputed to fortify, stretch, and strengthen the
human body.
Horton uses flat backs and lateral stretches, tilt lines and lunges,
all movements that could be found in a jazz warm-up. Horton was
interested in clearly defined shapes, as well as how a dancer can
move through these shapes with energy and use of space. Horton
technique also incorporates lyrical, circular movements focusing
on stretching in opposite directions. The primary focus of many
beginner-level Horton studies is creating length in the spine and
hamstrings. There is also an emphasis throughout all levels on
developing musicality and performance qualities. As students’
progress, exercises become longer and more complex.
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