CLASS DESCRIPTIONS & UNIFORM CODES
Dance Basics 3/4 is for three and four year olds and it is
1 hour in length.  The class begins with the fundamentals
of ballet taught with creative movement in a structured
disciplined environment.  Proper ballet terminology is
emphasized from a young age.  At the half hour mark the
students then change to tap shoes.  This in turn helps the
young student develop good musicality, timing and
rhythm.  The teacher decides which discipline will be
performed in the recital at the end of the year.
Dance Basics 5/6 is for five and six year olds and it
is 1 hour in length.  The class begins with the
movement in a structured disciplined atmosphere.  
At the half hour mark students change to tap shoes
again continuing with more difficult exercises, steps
and terminology. The teacher decides which
discipline will be performed in the recital at the end
of the year.
Ballet A is for 7 year olds. The class is 1 hour in length consisting of
a 1/2 hour barre and 1/2 hour center.  Building on the skills learned in
Dance Basics students are given more difficult steps and terminology
both at the barre and center.
Ballet B is for 8 year olds.  The class is 1 hour in length.  The
emphasis is on continued technique and terminology building upon
the previous Ballet A studies.  Students learn the positions of the
body and continue to build on the technique from Ballet A.
Ballet 1 is for 10 years of age and older.  Class is 1.5
hours in length.  Students should now know all the
positions of the body and all the basic exercises at the
barre.  Students are asked to have a good understanding
of what each exercise accomplishes and what the
dancer gains from each exercise.  Some exercises are
preparatory for pointe work.  Pointe is introduced in this
level.  Student should take at least 2 classes per week.
Ballet 2 is for 12 years of age and older.  Class is 1.5
hours in length.   After students demonstrate a solid
feeling for pointe both at the barre and center with
proper posture and stretched legs they then can be
considered for Ballet 2. Students at this level are
required to take 3 classes per week.
Ballet 3 is for 12 years of age and older.  Class is 2
hours in length emphasizing more difficult steps and
pointe work across the floor for the student.  
Ballet 4 is for pre-professional students 14 years of
age and older.  Class is 2 hours in length.  Pointe is
an integral part of class.  Overall performance above
and beyond just executing proper technique is now
required.
Ballet 5 is for pre-professional students and
professionals who exhibit extremely accomplished
technique.  Class is 2  hours in length.  Pointe is an
integral part of class.  The emphasis is on difficult
technique and combinations and routines to develop the
mind and retention skills.
Pas de deux Class is for ballet levels 3, 4, 5 by
invitation only.  It is a full hour of pointe, working
with men to develop partnering skills needed for a
professional career.  Students may not participate if
they have not taken the previous hour class for
warm-up.
Jazz A is for 7 year old beginners.  Class
is 1 hour in length consisting of a
warm-up and then simple steps across
the floor.
Jazz 1 is for 10 years of age and older.  Class is 1
hour in length.  Students learn strength exercises and
then short combinations across the floor.  Turns are
emphasized.
Jazz 2 is for 12 years of age and older. Class is 1
hour in length. Students learn more difficult
exercises and now leaps are added to the emphasis
of turns.  Combinations are now longer.
Jazz 3 is for 12 years of age and older.  Class is 1
hour in length.  Students now develop a stronger
sense of self and the use of their arms.  Combinations
are longer and much more difficult to remember and
execute.  Warm-up is limited as students must be
warmed-up from a previous class.
Jazz 4 is for pre-professional students 14 of age and
older.  Class is 1 hour in length.  Combinations are
difficult requiring strong technique.  Warm-up is
limited as dancers must be warmed-up from a
previous class.
Jazz 5 is for pre-professional students and
professionals who exhibit extremely accomplished
technique.  Class is 1 hour in length.  The emphasis is
on retention skills of difficult technique.  Warm-up is
limited as dancers must be warmed-up from a
previous class.
Tap 1 is for 7 years of age and older and new students never exposed to tap
at any age. Class is 1 hour in length.  Terminology, technique and quality of
sounds are
Tap emphasizes.  Students who have had Dance Basics and
retain training may possibly skip this level.
Tap 2 is for 8 years of age and older.  The class is 1 hour in length.  The
emphasis is on more difficult technique than Tap 1 and more speed in the
execution of steps.  Students get basic combinations and routines.
Tap 3 is for 9 years of age and older.  The class is 1 hour in length.  
Students typically have had two to three years of previous tap.  Students
learn difficult routines and develop their performance abilities on top of their
technical achievement.
Modern is for ballet levels 2 through professional.  
Students who do not have a solid foundation in ballet
technique will learn bad habits resulting in a negative
and or confusing experience.  Modern helps the
advanced dancer to learn breathing and a core
strength which ultimately helps the dancer explore
other movement, which would normally be breaking
ballet rules, in a conscientious manner. To the young
inexperienced student this can be very confusing.  
Students must be warmed up from a previous class.
ETHNIC AND TAP DANCE PROGRAM
Tap 4 is for 10 years of age and older.  The class is 1 hour in length.  
Students typically have had four to five years previous training and they
exhibit a mature attitude in class and performance.  Shoes with heels are
required for women at this level.
Tap 5 is for the extremely accomplished tap student and or professional.  
This student will feel quite comfortable and accomplished in any master
class any where.  Again heels are required for women.
Hip Hop 2 is for levels Jazz or Ballet 1 and 2. Class is
1 hour in length.   Students must have a basic
understanding of their body and dance movement in
general to excel in Hip Hop 2.  Combinations are
longer and attempt much more difficult moves than
Hip Hop 1.  Without previous training students may
develop bad habits that are hard to correct.  Students
must be warmed up from a previous class.
CLASS RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Flamenco with its origins in Spain, is for students who have had little or no
tap and have the desire to learn a beautiful ethnic style of dance. Flamenco is
concise and strict with attention to every detail.  Flamenco also incorporates
the use of castanets.
Guitar and Bass is for ages 7 and older.  Emphasis is on theory and
composition for the purpose of writing music and performing diverse
genres.  Students volunteer to perform twice a year in a recital.
Voice is for ages 7 and older.  Emphasis is on basic vocal technique and
exposure to various types of composition.  Students volunteer to perform
twice a year in a recital.
Piano is for ages 5 and older.  Emphasis is on classical, jazz and Broadway
styles.  Lessons include music theory and history.  Students volunteer to
perform twice a  year in a recital.
PRIVATE MUSIC CLASSES
Jazz B is for 8 year olds.  Class is 1
hour in length consisting of a strength
warm-up and short combinations across
the floor.
Ballet C is for 9 years of age and older.  The class is 1 hour in
length. The emphasis is on continued technique and terminology
building upon the previous Ballet B studies.  Students continue to
develop memory skills and drill steps which have not become
ingrained or terminology which continues to elude the student at this
age.
Jazz C is for 9 years of age and older.  
Class is 1 hour in length consisting of a
strength warm-up and short
combinations across the floor building
on the training form level B.
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello)  is for ages 7 and older.  Emphasis is on
theory and composition for the purpose of writing music and performing
diverse genres.  Students volunteer to perform twice a year in a recital.
Adult Ballet is for ballet levels beg. - advanced.  See
levels C, 1, 2 and 3.  It is a full hour class working on
technique.  Especially suited for the adult or older teen
who does not want to take class with younger
students.  Pointe is an option only if a student has had
enough proper training and the director feels the
student can approach pointe properly.
Acting (TV/Screen, Stage) is for students who are ages 7 years of age and
older.  This class is for students who desire to study both for the stage and
screen. Students learn trust exercises, scene study, how to do cold
readings, how to slate and actual screen experience seeing themselves and
being evaluated on overall technique through the camera and then on screen.
Musical Theatre Camps of San Antonio is for students who desire to
study the triple threat of musical theatre.  No previous experience is needed.
 This camp offers a complete week of performing arts experience including
dance, acting singing and stage craft.  Offered four times in the summer, it
combines fun and knowledge of the performing art skills necessary to be in
a professional production.  Campers can do one, two, three or all four
camps.  Each camp is one week long and every age group learns a different
Broadway Review wrapping up with two performances at the end of the
week.
Hip Hop 1  is for those students in Jazz
or Ballet A, B, and C. Class is 1 hour in
length.   Students are introduced to the
basic movements of Hip Hop and
isolations through short combinations.  
(Dance Basics 3/4, 5/6 - Level A, B, C) emphasizes creative expressive response to music and the development
of strength, poise and group interaction skills.  Special attention is given to the physical, emotional and mental
developmental needs of our youngest students.  In young children the muscles and bones are delicate and must
not be over-stressed during their formative years.  Our faculty,  under the expert guidance of director Mr.
Conway carefully watches for proper, he
althy alignment in the legs, lower back and stomach.  A graduated,
progressive approach to muscle effort insures the proper development of young bodies.  The levels in this
division gradually introduce students to the balletic syllabus and prepares them to enter the Intermediate Division.  
In the Children's Division students build the foundation that is crucial to further development and a lifelong love
and appreciation of dance, movement and the arts.
Intermediate Division (Levels 1, 2) Ages 10 - Up   The primary focus of this division is on developing technique,
musicality, proper placement, strength and poise.  Pointe work is introduced in Ballet 1.  Students in the
Intermediate Division have the opportunity to broaden their dance skills by exploring various dance styles in
addition to ballet. SASPA offers
Flamenco, Folklorico, Highland, Hip Hop, Modern, five levels of Tap, eight
levels of
ballet and jazz, and partnering as a complete curriculum of dance styles.  Because dance is a
performing art, students in Ballet 3 and above may also participate in weekly workshops to develop performance
skills and experience.  The students learn to understand how steps taught in ballet class relate to choreography.  
Dance taught in workshops are performed in outreach performances year-round.
Pre-professional Division (Ballet 3, 4, 5, 6) Focusing on professionally-oriented students, the pre-professional
division emphasizes commitment, artistic integrity, performance quality and technical excellence.  The
curriculum in this division is designed to nurture and develop dancers for a professional career in dance.  The
intensive curriculum requires a high level of motivation.  Students receive thorough training in classical ballet
technique and repertoire,  Pointe variations, pas de deux, Flamenco, character dance, jazz dance, modern, hip
hop and body dynamics.  Dance related academic classes include anatomy, injury prevention, nutrition, dance
history and the study of great ballets and dancers.
Pre-professional Division (Ballet 5 - Ballet 6) Focusing on professionally oriented students, the pre-professional
division emphasizes commitment, artistic integrity, performance quality and technical excellence.  The curriculum in
this division is designed to nurture and develop dancers for a professional career in dance.  The intensive
curriculum requires a high level of motivation.  Students may receive training in classical ballet technique and
repertoire,  pointe, variations, pas de deux (partnering), Flamenco, Folklorico, character dance, jazz dance, modern,
 hip hop and body dynamics.  Dance related academic classes include anatomy, injury prevention, nutrition, dance
history and the study of great ballets and dancers.

Selected students from the pre-professional division perform with the Alamo City Dance Company in all major
productions.  Each season, ACDC Director Mr. Conway chooses a select number of advanced students to study as
apprentices with the professional company.
Ballet 6 is for pre-professional students  and
professionals who exhibit extremely accomplished
technique.  Class is 2  hours in length.  Pointe is an
integral part of class.  The emphasis is on difficult
technique and combinations and routines to develop
the mind and retention skills.
Boys' Division (Boys A - Boys 5) We are proud to present our program just for boys aged 7-18.  The arts, dance
and especially ballet, have often been regarded by boys in the United States to be a girls only endeavor.  However,
once a boy has experienced a ballet class he learns that dance is definitely not for "sissies" and learns the elegance
and gentlemanly deportment that are part of the classical arts.  The boy's class(es) are geared toward a male
dancer's technique and abilities, requiring focus, strength, stamina, discipline and effort.  Boys develop the
physicality necessary to move with grace and strength in equal measure.  Motor skills improve, enhancing all
physical activities.  Self discipline and respect for others is stressed, and a love and respect for the art of dance
begins to develop.  In a boys-only class, young men delight in an atmosphere where they can interact with each
other in a challenging and disciplined setting, without feeling self-conscious.  Whether or not the male student
pursues dance as a career, the mental, physical and social skills he acquires in the ballet class will benefit him
throughout his life.  He will also have the knowledge and experience to appreciate the value of the arts in today's
world.
Dance Basics 3/4, 5/6    1 class per week for 3, 4, 5, and 6 year olds.

Ballet 1 should be taking 2 classes per week minimum and is required to take 2
classes per week if on pointe.  This is the level SASPA introduces pointe work.

Ballet 2 should be taking 3 classes per week minimum and is required to take
3classes per week if on pointe.

Ballet 3 should be taking 4 classes per week minimum and is required to take 4
classes per week if on pointe.

Ballet 4 should be taking 5 classes per week minimum and is required to take 5
classes per week if on pointe.

Ballet 5/6 should be taking 6 classes per week minimum and is required to take 6
classes per week if on pointe.

Pointe students who do not meet these requirements shall have to change their
enrollment to a lower level.  Below average attendance will also change a student to a
lower level.

Pas de deux class is by invitation only for levels 3, 4, 5.  Students must take Ballet
class prior to pas de deux to participate in the class.  Students who are more than ten
minutes late for Ballet class prior to Pas de deux class will not be allowed to
participate but may take pointe with Ballet 2 at the same time.  

Jazz Level A/B/1/2        1 or 2 classes per week is recommended.

Jazz Level 3/4/5            2 classes per week is recommended.

Tap 1, 2, 3, 4, 5             1 class per week is recommended.

Modern should be warmed-up from a previous class to take this class.

Hip Hop 1,2                   1 class per week is recommended.
Hip Hop 3 should be warmed-up from a previous class to take this class.
                2 classes per week is recommended.

Highland                       1 class per week is recommended
Flamenco                      1 class per week is recommended.
Folklorico                     1 class per week is recommended.
Acting                          1 class per week is recommended.
Sasparillas                    Students must meet requirements.
Coming Attractions      Students must meet requirements.
SASPA Dance Co.         Students must meet requirements.
ACDC                           Dancer must meet requirements.
Percussion (Drums)  is for ages 7 and older.  Emphasis is on developing
hand / eye coordination to create proper rhythms to enable the student to
eventually pursue  the genres of music desired. Students volunteer to
perform twice a year in a recital but it is not required.
Folklorico heavily influenced by Flamenco has its origins in Mexico.  This
beautiful ethnic style of dance often represents the state in which it comes
from.  The style of dress, the shoes performed in and the use of the legs
and arms vary from state to state often telling a story or the dances origin.
Scottish Highland Dancing is a technically challenging ethnic style of dance
originating from
Scotland.  It is for students seven and older who desire to
learn the authentic style of dance performed by the clans of Scotland usually
performed to the bagpipes.  Heavily influenced by ballet from across the
English channel it also shares similarities with Irish step dance at times.  This
style of dance is not to be confused with Scottish Country dancing which is
square dancing.
Hip Hop 3 is for levels Jazz or Ballet 3, 4, 5.  Class is
1 hour in length.  Students have an understanding of
their body and dance movement.  Combinations are
longer and attempt much more difficult moves than
Hip Hop 2.  Without previous training students may
develop bad habits that are hard to correct.  Students
must be warmed up from a previous class.
CHILDREN'S DIVISION
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION