Name: Drop in Dance 4-8-24
Uploaded: 2024-04-08T19:30:01.862Z
Duration: 4 min 42 s
Description: Our drop in dance classes are for any age and any stage of dance. We work on basic and fundamental movements anyone can do. In this combo we work on inward knee bends/bevels, grapevines, level changes and leans, and cross-out arm movements. In our drop in dance classes, you are sure to get a good workout, or just have fun dancing to the music.

Our drop in dance classes are for any age and any stage of dance. We work on basic and fundamental movements anyone can do. In this combo we work on inward knee bends/bevels, grapevines, level changes and leans, and cross-out arm movements. In our drop in dance classes,  you are sure to get a good workout, or just have fun dancing to the music. 

Dance

WELCOME DANCERS! (and face painters too: more painting info at end of dance info)

Meet your dance instructor. I have my bachelors degree from Chapman University in Theatre & Dance. My training includes Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Folk Dance, Dance History, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre, Improv, and Kinesiology, among other dance-related subjects. 

I teach my lessons just like many of you take lessons, when and wherever I can. I have taught in my living room, and local parks, I teach from conference rooms when I have to travel, or frommy backyard. One of the benefits of online classes is that it allows you the flexibility to do the things you love no matter where you are. I also teach from the perspective that I'm the same as you. I'm a busy mom juggling 4 kids and 2 jobs. Sound familiar? Making time in our day to chase our passions or just to fit in a fun workout is a way of working on our discipline and creating good dance habits that will supplement any additional in-person lessons you may be taking. 

I  grew up in a small town in Southern Illinois. Lessons were few and far between so I would copy dancing off of movies and videos in order to perform at local dances or for other community events. As a youth, I took country line dancing classes. Always drawn to anything involving dance and movement, I auditioned and performed with a Disney Showcase Troupe. By high school, I was choreographing for the Show Choir, as well as performing in theatrical productions, including the musical “The Wizard of Oz”. 

Before graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Theatre & Dance from Chapman University in Orange, California, I continued my study of various dance styles & techniques such as: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Ballroom, Dunham Technique, yoga/stretch, Dance Business & History. From 1996-2001 I performed a variety of dancing and singing roles in showcases and events such as “American Celebration” and “The Story of Rock n’ Roll”. While studying at Chapman, I accepted a position as historian, and eventually, vice president of the performing arts society (PASC). 

When I wasn’t onstage, I could be found backstage working lights, sound, costuming,  or stage management. I searched out other educational opportunities at Cypress College and the Taggart International School where I studied West African dance and Russian Ballet Technique. After performing a liturgical dance performance for my graduation ceremony, I toured the United States and a portion of Canada, researching dance around the world. This eventually led me to Jacmel, Haiti, where I studied cultural and social dances of the local people. After that I took up Bellydance and studied folk dancing in Chicago, Illinois. 

Since 2001, I have taught classes for all ages from infants to adults. I have also studied child development and have a special love for bringing an adoration of the arts to the youngest artists in our communities. It is imperative that all my  teachings highlight body positivity and the belief that everyone can dance. A life-long learner and dance aficionado, I continue my dance studies in Ballroom, Baroque Dance, and Scottish Country Dance. My influences include Isadora Duncan, Katherine Dunham, Misty Copeland, & Sean Greene. 

and Hello Artists: we are also learning the basics of face painting for fun, parties and festivals. Face & body painting can add flair to your dancing as well, creating more depth to your costuming and stage presence. Or just learn it because its fun!

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these dance/Art lessons is in no way intended as a substitute for receiving medical advice. The purpose of these dance/Art lessons is to provide information and education. The instructor shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information, suggestions or exercises given and/or performed in these dance lessons. The instructor is not a medicinal authority and is not qualified to diagnose or prescribe any therapy. Please consult your physician.

Drop in Dance 4-8-24

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Improv Acting

Acrobatics

Hula Hoop

Stretching

Dance Choreography

Jazz Dancing

Choreography

Burlesque

Gymnastics

Dance Fitness

Swing Dance

Fitness

Modern Dance

Flexibility Training

Belly Dancing

Irish Dance

Tap Dance

Theatrical Dance

Tumbling

Ballet

Ballroom Dance

Contemporary Dance

Strength and Conditioning

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

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STUDENT SERVICES AWARD

BACHELORS DEGREE

personalized instruction for each students individual needs. Independent contracted dance instruction and workshop classes for individuals, groups, schools, and studios.

Dance Instructor

Independent Dance Contractor

Private online dance instruction and live classes including: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern/Contemporary, Folk Fusion, Stretching, Dance Fitness, Floor Barre, Floor Work, Heels/Burlesque, Isolations, Improvisation, and more.

Online Dance Facilitator

ENGLISH

SPANISH

FRENCH

SIGN LANGUAGE

Come take a body positive, fun, and eclectic dance class. Every shape and size welcome. Classes are tailored specifically for each student's individual wants and needs. This is a beginning or intermediate level class so no experience needed. Just come and dance it out. Do you have a specific style or technique you'd like to learn? Do you have a favorite song you'd like to learn a dance to? Lets Dance.

Chrystie is a wonderful teacher.  She can break steps down and help build muscle memory.  She is fun. She is an enthusiastic instructor and choreographer.  She is alway on time and ready to go. I enjoy every lesson and my own practice sessions.  I recommend her all of the time!

Chrystie is so positive and fun. She is very knowledgable and patient.  We are pretty uncoordinated but she is so encouraging and we are having a blast.  My 9 year old wanted to take tap with me but we couldn't find any place that would allow kids and adults together plus I travel a lot for work so I needed flexibility in the timing of classes.  I'm really thankful that there is the ability to take classes like this and on our schedule.  We are having so much fun with Chrystie that we have been talking about expanding to other types of dance.  She is a wonderful teacher!

I love Chrystie, she’s a great teacher. I love talking to her and personality she makes me laugh we have a good time in class.

Chrystie is awesome!  She really loves and knows dance.  She has a positive and fun attitude!

We had a great time with Chrystie! We will definitely refer people to her.  She did a great job for us!

Chrystie is great!!!! I was really worried about this dance but she is making the lessons so much fun.  Even my husband had a great time (I was not expecting that!).  We are practicing and having a great time.  I will definitely tell others about Chrystie.  Can't wait for our next class! She is amazing!!!!!

Chrystie was very nice and helpful for my first lesson on learning how to do a headstand. We’re also working on getting a wider straddle position and she gave me effective stretches to do to achieve this. I would recommend Chrystie to anyone wanting to learn dance, gymnastics, or wanting to get flexible!

Chrystie is a fantastic instructor. My daughter loved her session and we are looking forward to more lessons.

My 16 yo took classes in acrobatic dance. She loved it! Thanks so much! We stopped taking them because of scheduling. My daughter was too busy to continue classes, but we’d recommend Chrystie to everyone else.

Chrystie is a kind, patient, and fun teacher! My 7.5 year old loves learning basic gymnastics online with her! Highly recommend.

I’m an adult student and have always had a dream to learn how to dance. I wanted to start with the basics “step-by-step”. Ms. Chrystie does exactly this, she breaks down everything to the bare bones to help me build my skills and confidence. She’s very patient, is able to give great explanations on how to do new moves, and is able to answer any question you may have in details. I love how much she loves her job and was super happy she spent longer lesson time with me because we were having so much fun! I can’t wait to continue lessons with her.

Chrystie is an amazing ballet teacher and very nice and accommodating. My daughter loves her lessons and is learning so much.

Chrystie is fabulous!  She can not only demonstrate and perform the dance moves and practice exercises, she understands how to explain the movements, break them down, and actually TEACH them.  Many people who are dancers do not understand how to teach.  Plus, she is really, really, kind and empathetic!!!  I'm very grateful to have found her!

She was great she gave me a lot of things to practice and was very respectful of time. She’s also got one of those personalities that just makes you smile. Can’t wait for my next lesson I know I’ll learn a lot.

Learn the 1st 2 sections of the Revenge of the Shim Sham tap dance. We are learning about tap dance step variations. We take our Shim Sham steps and change them up just a bit to add some more variety and challenge to our dancing. By learning new rhythm patterns we improve our tap dance technique. Keep dancing!

Revenge of the Shim Sham part 1&2 variations

Intermediate Hula Hoop combo 6-8-24

In this video we combine some of our basic ballet progressions to create a dance combination you can practice. We start in first position demi plie, Stretch. Relive up onto the demi points. We then take a tendu on each side, transitioning to a degage devant (front) and derriere (back).  If you are interested in learning ballet technique you can sign up for classes on my profile page. Hope to see you in class soon. Keep dancing, Dancers!

Ballet combo 6-8-24

A riff is  a multiple sound tap dancing step that combines steps, typically a forward brush with a heel scuff. Often the  movements are done so close together that they almost make one sound. In this video we learn the 3, 4, and 5 count riffs. 



Tap Dance Riffs (3,4,&5)

We are cleaning up some of our intermediate dances in this video.  In this combination we work on double hip drops, torso 8s, lock turns, omi's, camels, undulations, and traveling steps. 

Belly Dance Mesytara 5-7-24

In this video we work on alternation between upper and lower body moments. We also incorporate the use of our arms and how we can tie in reactions to the various steps and dance moves. This combo will focus on check and hip slides, asymmetrical and even rhythmic counts. We work on sways and full body undulations. Hope you see you all in class this week. Remember to just put music on and dance. Even if just for a little bit. The more you dance, the better you get. Keep dancing. 

Belly Dance combo 4.11.24

In this video we work on a few different tricks and moves we can do with a smaller hoop size. We start off by working on our isolations, learning which hand grips and guides and which ghosts and slides. We work on folds and hinges, as well as, positions that involve vertical and horizontal hoop positions. We are learning how to take the hoop around the upper body and mid section as an off-body movement. Try some of these moves out for yourself. Have fun Keep flowing. 

Small Hula Hoop beginner combo 4.11.24

In this video we are working on a dance combination that allows us to practice timing and rhythm and pacing. We work on toe heels for our single counts. Then we move into a crawl step (toe toe heels heel) double time. For triplet steps we practice our slurps counting and-a-one and-a-two, and a three, and a four. And finally we work on our super fast quadruple steps taking a cramp roll, two shuffle toe heels and finish with a stomp counting one-e-and-a, two-e-and-a, three-e-and-a-Four!  So much fun as we work on clean and crisp sounds. Don't worry if you mess up, just do it again. keep dancing and I'll see you in tap class. 

Tap Dance Pace: single, double, triple, quad. 4.9.24

Take a peek into our Balance for Dance class. In this video we discuss the distribution of weight for balancing on 2 feet or one foot, as well as different drills for strengthening the legs and core to facilitate balance while you dance. Check out a live class or sign up for private lessons. Have fun and Keep Dancing. 

Balance for Dance 4.8.24

Lets explore some dance steps with our smaller hoops. You can start learning hand and body hula hoop dancing with small hoops as well 

Small Hula Hoop 4-8-24

In this video we practice our hip sits, step-points, shoulder rolls, ball changes, pas de bouree steps with arms, fan kicks, hip pushes, pivot half turns, and jazz squares. You can practice these moves in order. Change or adapt the pacing to the music you want to use. You can even change the order of the steps and/or improvise. 

Chrystie S