The Philip Chosky Performing Arts Program

The JCC School of Dance offers a curriculum that provides participants from pre-school through adults with unique, creative experiences that emphasize fun and learning. We encourage creative exploration in a non-competitive atmosphere that fosters self-confidence, self-esteem and independence.

Our classes are offered at developmentally appropriate levels and are taught with sensitivity to each student's abilities. Our goal is to encourage creativity and a love of dance based on a solid technical foundation. JCC School of Dance participants present an end-of-the year recital to showcase what they have learned throughout the year.

JCC Dance Styles

The JCC offers classes that explore a variety of dance styles. Classes for school-age children and teens are organized by all levels. Students advance based on their ability to perform given steps. Adult dance classes are appropriate for first-time as well as previous dancers unless a level is specified.

Preschool Dance
For our tiniest dancers, in Creative Movement we use imaginative play and musical activities to build strength, flexibility and body awareness, as well as gross motor skills, coordination and posture. A blend of basic dance movement and the use of props and stories make this a fun and rewarding experience. In Pre-Ballet and Tap, beginning ballet skills and terminology are taught with an emphasis on coordination and musicality. Props and dramatic play help to bring out a dancer’s creative expression.

Ballet
Our teaching method is based on the Vaganova, Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dance syllabi. These classes consist of barre and center floor exercises.

Tap
Is the ultimate in rhythm training. Rhythm, musicality and sound clarity skills are introduced; each level builds on the previous one. Dancers learn a vocabulary of tap steps that will be used to develop fun and interesting choreography.

Jazz
Dance incorporates modern dance, dance styles from Broadway musicals and Hollywood movies, and street, folk and popular dance. Students must be at least 7 years old.

Contemporary
This genre of concert dance is a blend of lyrical, modern and postmodern dance, including elements of classical ballet.

Hip Hop
Dance includes a wide range of styles such as breaking, locking and popping that it is often freestyle (improvisational).

Israeili Folk Dancing
Has both fixed and repeating sets of steps that go with a specific piece of music. The formation of the dance might be a circle, or perhaps couples, or trios or short lines. Dance movements can be quite varied, with roots in the Romanian horo, or perhaps from the Klezmer music and dancing of Eastern European Jews.