CLASS SPOTLIGHT

28 HORIZONS NOVEMBER 2020

YOKOTA DANCE COMPANY JAZZ CLASSES

Put on your jazz shoes and get jazzy with Yokota Dance Company (YDC). Classes start with a thorough, full-body stretch to get the muscles limber and ready. Students then practice a variety of jazz movements. Although jazz is rooted in African folk dance, this fluid and artistic form of art has since incorporated characteristics from other cultures. The dance movements performed in modern-day jazz exemplify its incorporation of ballet, as students perform pirouettes (spins) and jetés (leaps) with pointed toes. Unlike ballet however, jazz emotes a less stringent and more carefree style without losing its character and elegance. In YDC’s jazz classes, the electric pop songs played in class epitomize jazz’s acceptance of modernity. Towards the end of class, students combine some of their practiced skills to create a string of dramatic yet fluid movements.

The classes are challenging, expressive and fun, but for lead teacher, Christine Minard, YDC is about more than just dance. She makes a point to really get to know her students and build a relationship with each and every one of them.

YDC offers jazz classes for a variety of age groups. See page 31 for the full class schedule.