Acting

From comedy to tragedy, this class focuses on character study and development, improvisation, physical pantomime and stage projection. Acting skills are taught to build confidence and comfort in front of an audience. Two plays are produced each year allowing students to also be involved in a variety of character studies and themes.

Ballet

Originating from royal French court dances of the 1700s, Ballet evolved into the quintessential classic form of dance in which most dance forms are technique based. Ballet is meant to give an ephemeral fluid quality to the dancer. This became emphasized as Pointe shoes were introduced in the 1800s to give the audience an illusion of a floating dancer on stage. Meant to demonstrate the beauty of the human form, Ballet technique was formed to fit perfect alignment of the body and five positions of legs, arms, torso and head as well as proper leaps, turns jumps and footwork.

Breakdance

In its early form, breakdancing was divided into three distinct forms: Breaking, dancing, and popping. Breakdance is commonly associated with, but distinct from, popping which is one element of the funk styles that evolved independently in California during the 1970s, however elements of popping or poppin itself may have existed as a style or subculture of dance as early as the 1920’s when it, or the general sub culture of dance associated with Afro-Americans was known as Boogaloo. Other styles of dance associated with the funk styles include locking, tutting, krumping, boogaloo and liquid dancing. These styles are sometimes more “contortionistic” than “athletic,” although they are often incorporated by breakdancers who wish to widen their expressive range.

Choir

Heartbeat offers a youth choir program for students age eight to twelve, and a teen choir company. From world music to Broadway tunes, from soul to rock, the students learn a comprehensive selection of songs, while learning proper vocal technique, breathing and other tools to enhance vocal range and clarity. Both the youth and teen choirs perform in Heartbeat’s annual musical theater productions and other venues throughout the year.

Summer 2023 Adult Choir Workshop

Combination

These classes are primarily for students three to twelve years of age. The very young have a blend of Ballet and Tap dance plus creative motor-skills development. The next level introduces Jazz dance along with Ballet and Tap. The importance of exposure and training in a variety of dance disciplines is important at Heartbeat because we strongly believe it creates a better and more versatile dancer. Studying multi-disciplines is synergistic to the young dancer because the skills learned in each discipline only help the student excel in others.

 

Dancer Development & Conditioning

Dancer development and conditioning is a class designed to help students elevate their technique skills and build strength using exercises inspired by the Godfrey method. The Godfrey method is a proven and leading training method for dancers around the world. In this class, we will focus on active stretching, strengthening, and building technique to sharpen skills such as turns, jumps, and kicks. This class is open to all levels of dancers, ages 11-adult. Please bring a theraband, yoga mat, and tennis ball with you to this class.

About the instructor, Grace Fredell
Grace Fredell is a professional Modern dancer, dance teacher, and gymnastics coach. She has been dancing professionally and teaching since 2013. She has been training since the age of three at Heartbeat Studios and attended high school at St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists where she got the chance to learn from some of the top artists in Minnesota. Since then, she has performed at numerous Fringe Festivals with award-winning Vox Medusa Dance Company, and continues to work as a professional dancer/teacher in Minnesota and abroad, most recently in Barcelona, Spain.

8-Week Session: Fridays from July 7-August 25 / 5:00-5:45pm
Tuition for entire session: $126
Class location: Heartbeat Performing Arts Center, 7661 145th Street West, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Questions? 952-432-7833 / debhtbt@frontiernet.net or kristinheartbeatpac@gmail.com
What to wear? Tank top or leotard, and leggings. Dancewear such as leotard, dance shorts, flesh-tone tights are also appropriate.

Registration Deadline: Friday, June 30

Return this form to Heartbeat by mail, email, drop off, or simply give us a call to register over the phone. Or add to your online registration.

Flamenco

Flamenco dance is a highly-expressive and passionate Spanish dance form. Flamenco is dance characterized by hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm and body movements. In addition to rhythmic footwork and hand clapping, flamenco dancers often use fans, shawls, canes, hats or castanet’s to tell the story within each dance.

Hawaiian

Hawaiian/Polynesian Dance: Hula/Ori Tahiti
Dancers tell a story using their hands and body movements. Both styles of dances are Polynesian but each style is unique. Originating from Hawaii, Hula is the traditional lineage dance with fluid arm and hand motions, and voice and choreography that comes from an old place. Performed to chants or accompanied by ancient percussion instruments, it requires much training and dedication and is regarded as being a dance of spiritual connection. Modern Hula is Influenced by contemporary times but with old knowledge and is accompanied by modern instruments such as the ukulele, guitar, steel guitar, bass or piano. Originating from Tahiti, Ori Tahiti dance involves fast hip movements and fast drum beats for the story-telling.

Hip Hop

An art form as we know it today, originated in the South Bronx section of New York City around the mid 1970s. You can see Hip Hop in most MTV videos. It’s an aerobic and acrobatic style of dance that has basic technique of foot work and floor work that is accented by individual free style and perspective.

Jazz

This American dance form was developed along side the revolutionary musical form, thus they share the same name. In the early 1900’s, original Jazz movement was meant to be a visual representation of Jazz music. Influenced by the rhythmic punctuation and syncopation, Jazz technique is based in isolations of torso, shoulders, and hips with fast footwork. Highly styled, flashy and sleek, Jazz dance has evolved into the most common dance form found in Broadway productions today.

Leap and Turns

Fundamental, and vital to most dance forms, leaps and turns challenge the strength, grace, and technical expertise of a dancer. Whether sailing high in a grand jete’, or executing multiple pirouettes, leaps and turns are integral to most choreography, and exemplify the dancer’s skill.

Modern

Modern dance originated as rebellion against Ballet. In the late 1800’s, a ballerina named Isadora Duncan became internationally famous by performing her passionate free form solos while barefoot and costumed in loose flowing fabrics without a corset. This was a new form of dance thus it was named Modern. In the early 1900’s, choreographer Martha Graham shaped Modern technique by incorporating Ballet technique to give it structure and added her philosophy that Modern’s dynamic movement must passionately radiate from a center contraction. Modern has evolved into today’s highest art form of dance and consequently is the basis of most college dance programs.

Social Dance/Ballroom for Teens & Adults

Social Dance and Ballroom Dance are timeless, and rich with many partner dance styles to learn and enjoy. During Heartbeat’s summer session, the focus in the 8-week session will be the Waltz, Foxtrot, and Tango, plus Latin dances such as Salsa and Bachata. Social Dance and Ballroom Dance are great fun and excellent exercise. Do something special for yourself this summer. Join the excitement, get your body moving, and smile!

About the instructor, Daniel Rosas
Daniel has taught ballroom at a professional level for 8 years and has competed at a national level for 6 years. He was certified by the late Ron Montez within Dance Vision International Dancers Association. In addition to his social dance credits, Daniel is a vibrant and highly skilled break dancer and teacher based in Minnesota. Daniel has had the privilege to perform for the NBA, MLB, and Super Bowl as a special guest performer. Over the past 5 years, Daniel has traveled the world to perform, compete and/or teach. He is currently training extensively for his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics for break dance.

8-Week Session: Fridays from July 7-August 25 / 7:15-8:15pm
Tuition for entire session: $152 per person
Class location: Heartbeat Performing Arts Center, 7661 145th Street West, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Questions? 952-432-7833 / debhtbt@frontiernet.net or kristinheartbeatpac@gmail.com
What to wear? Comfortable clothing and smooth-bottom shoes.

Registration Deadline: Friday, June 30

Return this form to Heartbeat by mail, email, drop off, or simply give us a call to register over the phone. Or add to your online registration.

Tap

This original American art form, along with Jazz music, share a unique “marriage” in the performing arts.  Based on the influence of rhythms from many ethnic sources. Tap not only trains the student as a dancer, but as a musician/percussionist as well.   Heartbeat’s Tap instruction reinforces the musicianship of the dancers.  Correct technique and the freedom of improvisation are equally important at Heartbeat.  Tap students, even the very young, may find themselves using hand drums as part of their Tap dance training.  The intricacies of Jazz music and its relationship to Tap dance are also stressed.  The dancers soon find out that they are the music; the time keepers; the soul in what their soles can do!