{"id":253,"date":"2014-03-31T15:30:27","date_gmt":"2014-03-31T19:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/?page_id=253"},"modified":"2026-08-26T08:40:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T12:40:35","slug":"specialized-dance-classes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/what-we-offer\/dance\/specialized-dance-classes\/","title":{"rendered":"Specialized Dance Classes"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Specialized Dance Program welcomes everyone \u2014 BU affiliates and the general public \u2014 to register. Explore current and previous offerings below!<\/span><\/p>\n

NEW! Guest Artist Series
\n<\/strong>Learn from the artists shaping Boston’s dance scene<\/p>\n

The Guest Artist Series, hosted by FitRec Dance, brings the BU community into the studio with recognized dance teachers and artists from across the Boston area. Each session offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from inspiring local talent, experience new styles and perspectives, and connect with the wider dance community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each event features a 75-minute dance class led by a guest artist, followed by a short break and an engaging Q&A moderated by FitRec\u2019s Manager of Dance Programs. Come ready to move, learn, ask questions, and get to know the people behind the work.<\/span><\/p>\n

One class. One conversation. New inspiration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fall 2026 Lineup<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hip Hop w\/ Isiah \u201cZay\u201d Beasley, Open Level
\n<\/span>Saturday, October 17, 10 am\u201312 pm<\/p>\n

NBA Pro-Style Pom with Pat Planet, Open Level
\n<\/span>Saturday, November 14, 10 am\u201312 pm<\/span><\/p>\n

Register now<\/a><\/p>\n

Aerial Choreography, Intermediate*<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Prerequisite: Students must have a minimum of one year of aerial training, as well as a selection of recent aerial skills they are comfortable building on.<\/p>\n

This class is an opportunity to create your own work on Silks or Lyra. Class structure will include warm-up, exercises to develop one\u2019s choreographic toolkit, and a combination of choreographic investigations and practices. All class participants will choreograph either a solo or a group piece in collaboration with others in the class, with guidance and mentorship from the instructor, followed by feedback sessions from the group.<\/p>\n

*Please note that this is a performance-based class. Students will have the opportunity to perform at the end-of-semester show. Participation in the performance is optional.<\/i>
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Aerial Silks Skills, Beginner\/Open Level<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

No prior experience is needed.<\/p>\n

Learn to climb, swing, drop, flip, spin, and perform using two vertical lengths of very strong, Aerial Silk material suspended from the ceiling. Work to improve your grip strength, coordination, and flexibility and develop stronger shoulders and abdominals while performing climbs, inversions, holds, and rotations on the silks. Wear comfortable, tight-fitting clothing (tights or leggings, no wide-bottom pants) and make sure that your stomach, the backs of the knees, and armpits are covered. All levels are welcome, and some level of core and leg strength is beneficial.
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Aerial Silks Skills, Intermediate<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Prerequisite: At least one full year of silks and the ability to invert from a climb.<\/p>\n

For aerialists already proficient with silks – work on further developing skills from aerial silks skills classes. Students should be comfortable inverting in the air (both straddle inversions and knee hooks) and have experience confidently doing a few different kinds of drops. Students should have at least one full year of aerial experience. This will be a faster-paced class in terms of skill progression and complexity.
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Aerial Choreo<\/h6>
Prerequisite: At least one semester of Aerial Silks Skills or Aerial Silks Intermediate.<\/p>\n

This class is an opportunity to create your own work on Silks or Lyra. Class structure will include warm up, exercises to develop one\u2019s choreographic toolkit, and a combination of choreographic investigations and practices. All class participants will choreograph either a solo or a group piece in collaboration with others in the class with guidance and mentorship from the instructor, followed by feedback sessions from the group. There will be a performance opportunity at the end of each semester.<\/p>\n

*Please note that this is a performance-based class. Students will have the opportunity to perform at the end of the semester show. Participation in the performance is optional.
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Ballet, Beginner<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

This class is designed for first time students of ballet or for students returning after several years without practice. The majority of course work is physical and experiential in nature and takes place during class time. The students are guided in movement exercises accompanied by live and recorded music. Students begin with exercises at the ballet barre designed to teach basic ballet technique and to build student\u2019s strength, flexibility, control and alignment. As each class develops, the movement progresses to center practice and then to larger phrases across the floor. Each class will have live piano accompaniment.
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Ballet, Advanced Beginner<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

This course is for students who have had some ballet training or who are returning to ballet. Students will learn the ballet stance along with combinations at the barre and in the center that focus on developing alignment, strength, endurance, flexibility, control, coordination, and musicality. Students will be introduced to muscular and skeletal alignment and how these work together to achieve bending and straightening of the legs, turn-out, fifth position, and carriage of the arms. The structure of each class, with a forty-five minute barre and a forty-five minute center, will give the student a full body work-out that will include pli\u00e9s, tendus, d\u00e9gag\u00e9s, jet\u00e9s, rond de jambe a terre, relev\u00e9s, fondues, grand battements, adagios, waltzes, pirouettes, petit, medium, and grand allegro work that will incorporate large leaps and introduction to tours. The center phrases of movement will focus on the athleticism of ballet along with development of fluidity by use of port de bras and a sense of musicality. References to the history of ballet will be an ongoing part of the class. Each class will have live piano accompaniment.
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Ballroom (Latin), Beginner<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Get ready to bring rhythm and flair to the dance floor in this beginner-friendly Ballroom Latin class. Each week you’ll explore a new Latin style\u2014such as cha-cha, samba, and rumba\u2014learning basic steps, timing, hip action, and partner connection. The class emphasizes musicality, rhythm, and simple patterns that build confidence for social dancing and performance. No partner or prior experience needed\u2014come ready to move, have fun, and discover the expressive energy of Latin ballroom.
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Heels, Intermediate\/Advanced*<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Prerequisite: Previous dance experience required.<\/p>\n

Heels is designed to boost self-esteem and confidence through a fun, exciting, sassy, and sexy hip hop and jazz fusion dance class. You’ll improve your technique in hip hop, jazz, and choreography.<\/p>\n

All genders welcome! Please bring both sneakers and\/or heels. Heels are not required.
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\n
Hoop and Trapeze, Beginner\/Open Level<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

No prior experience is needed.<\/p>\n

New to aerial dance? Learn the foundations for good technique on lyra\/aerial hoop and trapeze. Gain strength, coordination, balance and flexibility while building new skills on each apparatus. Class begins with a thorough warmup before moving to basic moves and sequencing on each apparatus. We place emphasis on technique and strength in each move to create confidence and grace in the air. Wear comfortable, tight-fitting clothing (tights or leggings, no wide-bottom pants) and make sure that your stomach, the backs of the knees, and armpits are covered.
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Musical Theater, Advanced Beginner*<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Dancers will explore musical theatre classics, primarily focused through jazz technique. Classes will begin with a cardio\/strength based warm up set to a Broadway playlist. We will then work through progressive jazz sequences across the floor to build our vernacular repertoire. While jazz or musical theatre experience is helpful, it is not necessary.<\/p>\n

Please wear comfortable, form-fitting clothing. Avoid jeans and baggy sweatpants. Joggers, shorts, leggings, jazz pants, tee shirts, tank tops, crop tops, and sports bras are all great choices! Dancers may choose to wear jazz shoes\/sneakers, socks, half soles or bare feet. For the performance, we will likely wear black shoes.<\/p>\n

*Please note that this is a performance-based class. Students will have the opportunity to perform at the end of the semester show. Participation in the performance is optional.<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Levels<\/h3>\n
Beginner<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

For students new to the style or with little\/no formal training. Focus is on fundamental steps, basic technique, musicality, and safe alignment. Pace is slow with lots of demonstration, repetition, and simple combinations. Great for newcomers and those returning after a long break.
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\n
Advanced Beginner<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

For students who know core steps and rhythms and are ready to expand vocabulary. Builds on fundamentals with longer combinations, basic transitions, and introduced stylistic details.
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Intermediate<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

For students with solid technical foundations and some experience across class\/rehearsal settings. Classes develop more complex combinations, variations in tempo and dynamics, refined technique, and musical interpretation.
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Advanced<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

For students with strong technique and performance skills. Focuses on intricate choreography, challenging rhythms, advanced partnering\/variations (where applicable), and artistic refinement.
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Open Level<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Inclusive class designed to challenge all levels by offering adaptable progressions and modifications. Teachers present variations so beginners can build safely while experienced dancers explore advanced options. Ideal for mixed-experience groups or anyone wanting a flexible, dynamic class.
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*Optional Performance Opportunity<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Classes marked with an asterisk are performance-based and include an opportunity to perform at ChoreoLab on Sunday, December 6, 2026. Participation in the performance is optional.<\/p>\n

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The Specialized Dance Program welcomes everyone \u2014 BU affiliates and the general public \u2014 to register. Explore current and previous offerings below! NEW! Guest Artist Series Learn from the artists shaping Boston’s dance scene The Guest Artist Series, hosted by FitRec Dance, brings the BU community into the studio with recognized dance teachers and artists […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4055,"featured_media":0,"parent":174,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/253"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4055"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=253"}],"version-history":[{"count":59,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/253\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33262,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/253\/revisions\/33262"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/fitrec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}