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
fundamentals of ballet are taught through creative
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 B.
Ballet 1 is for 10 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  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 and older.  Class is 1 2 hours in
length.  Emphasizing more difficult steps and pointe
work across the floor for the student.  Class is 2 hours
in length.
Ballet 4 is for 14 and older per-professional students.  
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. Class is 2
hours in length.
Ballet 5 is for per-professional  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 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 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 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 from a previous
class.
Jazz 4 is for 14 and older per-professional students.  
Class is 1 hour performance.  Combinations are
difficult requiring strong technique.  Warm-up is
limited and only 1 hour in length and for students
who are already warmed-up from a previous class.
Jazz 5 is for per-professional students and
professionals who exhibit extremely accomplished
technique.  Class is 1 hour in length.  The emphasis is
on difficult technique retention skills.  Warm-up is
limited as dancers must be warmed-up from a
previous class.
Tap 1 is for 7 and older and new students never exposed to tap at any age.   
Terminology, technique and quality of sounds are emphasized. The class is 1
 hour in length.  Terminology, technique and quality of sounds are
emphasized.  Students who have had Dance Basics and retain training may
possibly skip this level.
Tap 2 is for 8 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 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 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 2, 3, 4, 5. 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 that
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.
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.  Students continue to develop
memory skills and drill steps which have not become ingrained or
terminology which continues to elude the student as 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 do not want to take class with younger students.  
Pointe is an option only if 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 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 levels Jazz or Ballet A, B, C and 1.
Class is 1 hour in length.   Students are introduced
to the basic movements of Hip Hop and isolations
through short combinations.  
Children's Division (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.
a
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 2.  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, Tap, eight levels of
ballet and jazz, 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.
Per-professional Division (Ballet 3, 4, 5, 6) Focusing on professionally oriented students, the per-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 through 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.
Per-professional Division (Ballet 5 - Ballet 6) Focusing on professionally oriented students, the per-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 per-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 per-professional  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 A/B/C/1              (Ages 7,8,9,10) 1 or 2 classes per week is recommended.

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 who are more
than ten minutes late for class prior to Pas de deux class will not be allowed to
participate but may take pointe with Ballet 2 at the same time.  Students must take
Ballet class prior to pas de deux to participate in pas de deux class.

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

Jazz 3, 4, 5 should be warmed-up from a previous class to take this class.
                               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
totally different.  Scottish Country is much more relaxed and more like
square dancing.