Beginners

Ranging in age from 4 to 6 years, Beginners are Zorya’s littlest dancers. Goals for this class include counting to eight with the music, moving to the music and understanding the basic ideas of dancing. This fun class learns to count steps, have fun and work together as a group while increasing motor skills and rhythmic awareness. Beginners also focus on learning the first few fundamental steps of Ukrainian dance such as Vykhylasnyk (Toe/heel in 6th), Oberty (step/step turns), Pidsichka (coffee grinders) and Husachok (duck walks). This class will learn 1 to 2 dances for the year-end concert.

Juniors

The dancers of Zorya’s Junior class are between the ages of 7 and 8. This class concentrates on improving upon basic Ukrainian steps learned in Beginners, building them into combinations and more intricate patterns and formations, all while introducing storylines to choreography and acting on stage. Male and female technique are developed through solo work, and the concept of foot turnout is introduced. Students learn steps such as Vivinock (1 2 3), Tynok, Merezkha (1 2 out), Povzunets and Yastrub (preparation jumps). Juniors learn 2 dances for the year-end concert.

Intermediates

The dancers of Zorya’s Intermediate class are between the ages of 9 to 11. Goals for this class include further development of technique in all aspects of Ukrainian dance (i.e solo work, partnering, group work, formations and character). This level is also introduced to flies, lifts and increasingly structured practices. Intermediates are exposed to Ukrainian regional choreography, such as Hutsul and Bukovyian dances, and develop rhythmic eesta foot work (Tupannia) associated with the aforementioned regions. New steps for Intermediates include Holubtsi (cabrioles) and the Oberty (spin), Pryppadania, and Viviovichka (backstep). This class learns 2 to 3 dances for the year-end concert.

Pre-Seniors

Zorya’s Pre-Senior dancers are between the ages of 12 and 13. This class focuses on preparing dancers for the Senior Ensemble (self-learning, high degree of structure to practice and continued instruction on regional steps). Steps learned in this class are increasingly varied with less repetition over fewer counts and are accompanied by more complex and changing musical timings. Pre-Seniors learn such steps such as Obertas with various arm positioning, Vykhylasnyk oberty (increased speed and number of spins), Shchupak (pikes), Kiltse (backbreakers), Roztiazhka V Povitri (the famous split jumps), Kozas and Beduyinske (Arabians). Pre-Seniors complete 2 to 3 dances for the year-end concert.

Girls Technique

This class is intended for female students from ages 7 to 13. Girls Technique focuses on furthering development of grace, posture and poise, solo work (especially spins) and character. Special attention is given to developing ballet technique (over and above ballet centre work and barre routines practiced in regular classes). This class performs 1 dance for year-end concert.

Boys Technique

This class is intended for male students from ages 7 to 13. Boys Technique focuses on furthering development of strength, presence, solo work, and character. Special attention is given to developing ballet technique (over and above ballet centre work and barre routines practiced in regular classes). This class performs 1 dance for year-end concert.

Adults

This is a slower-paced class intended for fun and fitness. These dancers are typically adults, retirees and former Senior Ensemble dancers who still love to perform. This class focuses on learning basic Ukrainian steps, technique at an intermediate level and maintaining or improving body movements. The Adult class performs 2 dances at the year-end concert.