Zion Center for Worship and the Arts
About Our Dance Classes
What is a Worship Dance Class?
A Worship Dance Class is a dance class that combines technical dance training (ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, interpretive, international, folk, and others) with a biblical foundation and understanding of dance as an expression of praise, worship, witness, and communication. The classes incorporate floor warm-ups, barre exercises, across the floor, and center work at the beginning of class - followed by the application of our skills to choreographies, praise and worship dances, worship sequences, improvisation, and prophetic movement. Worship and Dance Vocabulary are taught and all levels are given the opportunity to choreograph and/or offer their creative expressions of worship to the Lord.
All is offered in an environment set apart unto the Lord. It is a dance class, but it is a dance class with a purpose - to train skilled and biblical worshipers who minister to God and to others in His Name through the art form of dance. Classes are offered for Ages 4 through Adult.
New students are always welcome into classes at the beginning of each semester. Placement of students in a class is based upon age, experience and at the discretion of the Director.
“Vessels of Joy”
CLASS 1
Ages 4 - 7 years old
Monday 4:00p - 5:30p
Our youngest dancers, the Vessels of Joy, begin learning the foundations of dance movement and worship expression through warm ups, beginning ballet technique, creative movement, and age/level appropriate choreographies. With short breaks as needed, Class 1 enjoys and greatly benefits from this one and a half hour class taught by a diverse but unified group of teachers offering a variety of styles. The Vessels of Joy truly bring JOY to the classroom and to our hearts! They fully participate in our Christmas and End of the Year Worship Dance Offerings.
“Vessels of Faith, Praise, and Valor”
CLASS 2/3
Ages 8 - 12 years old
Monday 4:00 - 5:30p
The Vessels of Faith, Praise, and Valor (Class 2/3) continue to be taught the foundations of dance movement and worship expression through warm ups, ballet/modern/lyrical techniques, creative/spontaneous movement and age/level appropriate choreographies. Students at this level will initiate and integrate their growing skills with greater understanding of worshiping with all their heart, soul, mind and strength through the venue of dance. Receiving an increased level of technical training, students are taught choreographed dances appropriate for their age and maturity, and are provided the opportunity to join the Resurrection Dance Ministry in outreach opportunities. This class is filled with many different styles of dance and even dances choreographed by the students themselves. For those interested, students in Class 2/3 are invited to participate in an additional Ballet Technique class and a Core Conditioning class during the week at no additional charge. "The Vessels of Valor" is the title designated for our boys and young men who are part of Classes 1, 2, and 3. Specifically designed dance and flag training for boys and young men is included within their class time.
“Vessels of Hope”
CLASS 4
Ages: 13 - 18 (Middle School/High School)
Tuesday 3:00p - 6:00p
Vessels of Hope students are late middle school and high school aged youth, many of whom have been with the dance ministry since Class Level 1 and are a tremendous help and encouragement to newer students. This three-hour class includes dedicated time for technical training, learning a vast variety of choreographed dances and ministry repertoire, devotions, dance education, class choreography, and ministry training. Vessels of Hope students are also encouraged to take extra Ballet Technique and Core Conditioning classes offered by the ministry at no additional charge. These amazing youth are not only a dance class, but also a ministry group which ministers in outreaches to the community and sometimes even internationally.
“Vessels of Honor”
CLASS 5
Ages: College and Young Adult
Tuesday 3:00p - 6:00p
The Vessels of Honor class is comprised of college students and young adults. Although technically the most advanced of the Worship Dance Classes, as in all of the Worship Dance Classes the varied technical levels within a particular class are considered in choreographic assignments and technical expectations. Within the three hour weekly class on Tuesday and two bi-monthly classes on Friday, increased emphasis is placed upon professional dance training appropriate for this age group; learning choreographies from many dance styles, devotions, and ministry training. This class also creates, develops, and presents their own choreographies. The Vessels of Honor minister in local, regional, and national outreach events and are given the opportunity to participate in Dance Ministry Missions Trips to Israel (and wherever else the Lord leads us!) Several of the Vessels of Honor students serve as Teachers and Choreographers for the ministry.
Adult Evening Classes
(All Adult Evening Classes are scheduled to resume February 1st.)
Core Conditioning
every Monday 6:00p - 7:10p
Adult Beginner Ballet
1st/3rd Mondays 7:15p - 8:15p
Adult Worship Dance
2nd/4th Monday 7:15p - 8:30p
Adult classes are offered weekly on Monday evenings and include Core Conditioning class each week, followed by Adult Ballet twice a month and Worship Dance Class twice a month.
Ballet Classes
(Ballet Classes are scheduled to resume on February 1st. The Tuesday Intermediate/Advanced Ballet Technique class is currently being held from 3:00p - 4:15p.)
Ballet Technique
Ages 6 - 11 years Friday 3:45p - 4:30p
Ages 12 and older Friday - Time: TBA
In this class, the Foundations of Classical Ballet Technique are delivered in a formal class setting.
Classes focus on developing coordination, strength, and flexibility while instilling appropriate posture mechanics. Demi-pointe work, petit allegro, pirouettes, and grand allegro will be studied. This class meets once a week. This class is an excellent complementary addition to the Worship Dance Class, and also as an individual class for other students desiring to learn ballet. Students attending this class are also encouraged to take the Adult Ballet Class on the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings of the month and the Core Conditioning class held each Monday evening. Ballet attire is required for the Ballet Classes.
Intermediate/Advanced Ballet Technique
Tuesdays 3:00p - 4:15p
A class for students who are confident with classical ballet technique and the capacity to keep up in a fast-paced environment. This level will increase in speed and complexity: double rotations are desired, beats are added to jumps, continued development of port de bras and musicality. Placement in this class is for those taking more than one class per week. The suggested curriculum for the Intermediate/Advanced Ballet student is to also take the Core Conditioning class held each Monday evening and either the Adult Ballet Class on alternate Monday evenings or the Friday Ballet Technique Class held each week. (Of course, the student may take all of these classes for the greatest benefit.)
Pre-Pointe/Pointe Ballet Technique
2nd and 4th Mondays
7:15p - 8:15p
This class is for ballet students desiring to train for Ballet Pointe work and for those already en pointe. Students should have three to four years of previous weekly ballet classes; however, each student will be individually assessed to determine if they are ready for this class.
The Perfect Pointe System will be utilized to assess each student's readiness for Pointe work. The Pre-Pointe class will follow four stages of work:
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mobility of feet and ankles
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strength of the inner-foot muscles
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turnout control
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core strength
Pre-Requisites: The student must be enrolled in two (2) additional Ballet Classes each week OR a combination of Student Ballet, Core Conditioning, and Adult Ballet classes approved by the Teacher and Director.
Please note that students participating in this class must receive prior approval from the Director before beginning this class. If you are interested, please contact us for an Introductory Letter from the Teacher and complete information.
Adult Beginner Ballet Class
1st and 3rd Mondays
7:15p - 8:15p
This level is a “basic foundation” class for those adults entering or re-entering the world of ballet. There is a strong emphasis on floor barre work, basic barre work, and center practice. “Fit” elements will be incorporated into this class! Elementary Ballet, Intermediate Level Ballet, and Pre-Pointe students are all welcome to attend to work on technique.
