DANCE

  Level 1 Dance is an introduction to theatre dance using ballet, tap and jazz. This once-a-week class allows children to explore the different styles and discover what they like. While we teach each style in each class, the direction the class takes is student-driven. If we have a class that really grooves with the tap, for example, we will spend more time on the tap while still teaching the other styles. At the end of each term the students perform in the Ruhala Center Showcase which gives them an opportunity to be on stage and perform their craft. This class leads to Level 2 classes in dance where we focus on one style exclusively in separate tap, jazz, and ballet classes. 

Fun energized athletic style of dance to pop and hip hop music. This jazz class is designed to engage the students in hard work, fun, concentrated and disciplined movement and lively expression from emotional honesty. We do not compete in dance competitions; we believe it goes against the art of dance itself.

In Jazz II we build on the fundamentals of Level 1 Dance and learn more advance technique and more complex choreography. The class moves at a faster pace and the expectations are higher for discipline and execution.

Bust a move with the signature style of Artistic Director and Broadway veteran Mark Ruhala! Learn about how to integrate emotional truth into your dancing. This class will challenge the dancer at intermediate and advanced levels from where they are, but new teen and adult dancers are always welcome, and can learn much from Mark and the more advanced students.

 Tap is a uniquely American dance that can be done to all kinds of music and styles and we mix ’em up a lot to keep it creative.  Learn flaps, shuffles, cramp rolls, time steps, etc. while dancing steps. Learn to improvise and make up your own rhythms. Have a blast making so much sound!

Classes in Ballet and Jazz offered for BOYS ONLY in an atmosphere of encouragement, athletics, and self-confidence. For Boys only! This class will create a safe space for boys to experience dance, expression, and performing. Much of the work will relate to sports and will help young athletes develop their agility and coordination. 

Ballet I is fun and is a wonderful way to learn it right the first time! Ballet has to be taught carefully so as to insure proper alignment of the bones so no injuries occur. Artistic Director Mark Ruhala is expert at teaching the young ballet. The true ballet rigors are more than these bodies can handle so he prepares them with pre-ballet and lots of fun yoga poses and moves to align the young bodies. This is a great way to start dancing for the young ballerina!

Now begins the real ballet class that starts at the barre and moves to the center. Proper use of the legs is stressed and taught so the dancer knows how to do it right from the beginning so no relearning will take place later. Simple, clean, elegant barre exercises based in the Russian tradition will give dancers a strong foundation to carry their studies on with. Pirouettes, Jumps, leaps, and adagio slow movements are taught and emotional connections are made. Dancers learn to execute basic ballet in an expressive way that lights up the stage! Come begin your classical journey with us!

Bring your best formal personality and feel the flow of the most beautiful dancing. Classical dance requires high expectations of discipline and dedication for those wishing to study ballet at this level. Each class includes full barre, center, and/or choreography. The emphasis is on advanced technique such as beats, multiple pirouettes, greater turn-out, higher extension, and longer variations. Contemporary music is used in tandem with classical music in order to connect this classical form to present culture. The joy is in the hard work and focus – fun stuff when there is desire.

  Modern Dance at Ruhala is a strong technique class. It is based in Horton technique but fuses other techniques as well including Mr. Ruhala's own unique approach to dance and performance. Class begins with a thorough warm-up and moves to center floor to work across-the-floor and choreography. Movement is mostly angular and grounded, working barefoot and mostly in parallel. Come push your body in a creative way while engaging artistically with emotional honesty.