Tampa Dancenter

Dance of the Phoenix program

Who can take our classes?

What are the benefits of dance?

What classes are offered?

What are the facilities like?

Who are the staff?

How do I get more information?

The Dance of the Phoenix program is an inclusive dance program designed to teach a variety of students, including those with disabilities.  Dance technique is taught in a fun, relaxed, and safe environment.  Traditional dance technique is learned along with fun and innovative methods.  Classes are adapted to the needs and abilities of each student.  We welcome students of all ages, genders, ability levels, and body types.

The Phoenix is a mythical, winged dragon-like creature that flies close to the sun.  It is said that the Phoenix existed when the world began thus it understands the secrets of creation.  The legend is that every 500 years, the Phoenix is burned to ashes.  However, it does not die.  Instead, it rises from the ashes to begin life anew.  The Phoenix represents our ability to overcome our challenges, and to live life with zest and joy.  Much like the incredible creature of mythology, our Dance of the Phoenix program is dedicated to rebirth and renewal.

Who can take our classes?

Everyone can dance in some way, shape, or form. Dance of the Phoenix courses are inclusive and enrollment is open to everyone.  We welcome people of all ages, genders, ability levels, and body types.

We welcome students with disabilites, including those in manual or power wheelchairs, students using crutches or orthotics, and students with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and autism.  Able-bodied participants are also welcome to join our courses.

Benefits of dance include:

• Fun
• Increased self-confidence and self-awareness
• Positive interpersonal interaction
• Improves muscle coordination, motor skills, and balance
• Enhances cognitive and brain development
• Decreases muscle tension and stress
• Increases discipline through challenging oneself to achieve

Classes offered:

Joy of movement: A special creative movement class for the young, and the young at heart.  Explores movement and rythm through fun dances, movements, rhythmic play, and creative exploration.

Ballet: A classical form of dance, focused on technique, grace, and precision.  This class provides students with a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of classical ballet technique, encourages students towards self discipline and physical control, and instills an appreciation of ballet as an art form.  Classical ballet involves working in a turned out position, stretching and pointing the feet, proper alignment, and strengthening the muscles of the legs and torso.  Ballet class is made up of three components: barrework, centre, and traveling across the floor.

Tap: A lively form of dance based on rhythm and phrasing.  THe dancer taps out rhythms and patterns with his/her heels and toes, making the performer not just a dancer, but also a percussive musician.  Tap dance was born in the United States during the 19th century, and today is popular all around the world.

Jazz/Hip-Hop: Jazz dance is an American form of dance, based on a smoothe, modern Broadway style of movement.  The most modern evolution of jazz dance is hip hop, which includes popular dance moves performed to hip-hop music.  This class is designed to introduce students to the basic skills of jazz dance, with an emphasis on general body techniques and development, rhythm awareness, rhythmic combinations of movement, and musicality.  Turns, kicks, and jumps will be combined with popular dance moves, in this high-energy class.

Facilities:

The Dance of the Phoenix program is located at Tampa Dancenter- a brand new studio with state-of-the art facilities.  Our studios are fully handicap accessible, and feature entrance ramps and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.

Staff:

Dance of the Phoenix courses are taught by Leslie Case.  Leslie has studied dance under the direction of Judy Skinner of Dance Alive National Ballet & Pofahl's Studio and Connie Youngman of Tampa Dancenter.She attended the Florida School of the Arts with a major in Musical Theatre/Dance.  Leslie specializes in teaching dance to children and adults wiht disabilities.  She is certified in the AIM method, which promotes brain and motor development through movement to music.  She is a current member of several performing groups, including the Rounderette's dance team and the Righteasly Outrageous Twirling Corp.  In addition to her performing and dance background, Leslie is a licensed psychologist and board certified behavior analyst.

For more information on our Dance of the Phoenix program, please contact Leslie at (727) 831-2231 or by e-mail at danceofthephoenix@yahoo.com.

You can visit our website at http://danceofthephoenix.tripod.com.