Lyrical has the blending elements of ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. It is characterized by its expressive and emotional qualities, with movements that interpret the lyrics and mood of the accompanying music. Lyrical dance often emphasizes fluidity, grace, and storytelling through movement. In lyrical dance, dancers strive to convey the meaning and emotions of the music through their movements, often incorporating techniques such as flowing extensions, seamless transitions, and expressive gestures.
Tap dancing produces rhythmic patterns by striking the floor with tap shoes, creating a distinctive sound that accompanies the music. The metal plates on the shoes allow dancers to create a wide range of sounds, from soft and subtle to loud and dynamic, by varying the pressure, speed, and placement of their footwork. Dancers often incorporate intricate footwork, syncopated rhythms, and improvisational flourishes into their performances.
Jazz is a style of dance that leans on ballet technique and choreography based on strong sharp movements accompanied with jumps and turn combinations. While jazz dance is often associated with freedom of expression and improvisation, it also incorporates technical elements such as turns, jumps, kicks, and leaps.
Contemporary stems from the Modern dance style while incorporating isolations and technical lines of the body. It is characterized by its versatility, fluidity, and expressiveness, often incorporating elements from various dance styles, including ballet, modern dance, jazz, and even street dance forms. Contemporary dance emphasizes creativity, individuality, and self-expression, allowing dancers to explore and interpret movement uniquely.
Hip Hop encompasses a wide range of street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of the hip-hop culture. Hip-hop dance styles include breaking, locking, popping, and various freestyle movements characterized by rhythmic patterns, dynamic body isolations, and intricate footwork.
Ballet technique classes are designed to learn a specific set of movements, positions, and principles that form the foundation of classical ballet. Ballet technique encompasses a precise vocabulary of steps and gestures designed to create the illusion of effortless grace, strength, and fluidity. Ballet technique training incorporates stretching, barre work, and center work.
Instructor
Miss Hannah's journey at Dance Connection is quite impressive! Starting as a student for a decade, she mastered a wide range of dance styles including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. Her dedication and skill were evident as she not only participated but excelled in competitions with the HDC Competition Team, earning multiple top awards and three National Championships. Transitioning from student to teacher at Dance Connection in 2021, Hannah brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for the studio. Her enthusiasm for teaching is evident in her excitement to work with all the students, nurturing their growth as dancers. Her connection with the studio, from fellow team members to the students themselves, underscores her commitment to fostering a supportive and thriving dance community.
Guest Instructor
Keeley Conroy is a talented dancer, choreographer, and dance educator based in Columbus, Ohio. She began her dance journey at the age of nine at Dance Connection and later honed her skills at Ohio University, where she earned a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography in 2022, followed by a Master’s in Arts Administration focusing on community dance practices in 2023. During her time at Ohio University, Keeley was an active member of the Ohio University Dance Team for four years and trained with renowned artists like Zelma Badu-Younge, Travis Gatling, and Nathan Andary. Her choreographic works, including "Amity," "Tarantism," and "Waffles on Sunday," have been featured in various university concerts. For the past two years, she has served as Assistant Director and Competition Team Coach for the OUDT and works as a staff member and adjudicator at Starpower National Talent Competition. Currently, Keeley teaches and choreographs a wide range of dance styles—such as tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, pom, ballet, hip-hop, and musical theatre—across the country.
Office Manager
Shelli's journey with Hilliard Dance Connection is truly heartwarming and inspiring! Her story is a testament to the deep impact that dance can have on an individual and their family. From being a proud dance mom cheering on her daughter Ava through 15 years of competitive dance, watching performances by her son Luke, to joining the adult class herself and tapping alongside her mom, “Grammy,” Shelli’s commitment to dance reflects a genuine passion and love for the art form. It’s wonderful to see how dance has become a family affair, with her daughter Ava continuing the legacy by teaching dance in Chicago and her husband Brett as a Dancing Dad. This connection shows how the lessons and experiences gained at Dance Connection extend beyond the studio and influence their lives in meaningful ways. Shelli’s enthusiasm for dance, her appreciation for the vibrant world of music and fashion, and her pride in being part of the Dance Connection staff highlight the enriching and fulfilling nature of the dance community and her important role in supporting the dancer families. Her story beautifully captures the essence of how investing in dance can lead to lifelong joy, confidence, and treasured memories
Guest Instructor/Choreographer
Madi's career in dance began at Hilliard Dance Connection, where she honed her skills in various styles, including Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Jazz. As a dedicated member of the competition team, she earned high scores and national awards, showcasing her talent and hard work. Madi further advanced her training at the CLI Conservatory, learning from renowned artists and choreographers. With experience in commercial dance and live performances, she has continued to share her passion by teaching master classes and choreographing routines at Hilliard Dance Connection.
This class is targeted to 14-17yr old dancers with a minimum of 5-10 years of ballet technique experience. In an intermediate ballet technique class, dancers build upon the fundamental skills acquired in beginner classes, focusing on refining technique, increasing strength and flexibility, and developing artistry.
An advanced jazz technique class offers experienced dancers between the ages of 14 and 18 the opportunity to further develop their skills, deepen their artistry, and explore the diverse and dynamic world of jazz dance
Beginner Hip Hop class for the ages 6-9years old. Dancers learn basic hip-hop moves such as popping, locking, and breaking, as well as foundational steps like the two-step, body rolls, and slides
Dancers between the ages of 10 and 13 years old learn basic hip-hop moves such as popping, locking, and breaking, as well as foundational steps like the two-step, body rolls, and slides
Hip class for 11-14 years old with a minimum of 2years experience. Dancers learn basic hip hop moves such as popping, locking, and breaking, as well as foundational steps like the two-step, body rolls, and slides
Students will learn the basics of acro skills and techniques. Intermediate-level acro movements may include more challenging variations of handstands, walkovers, aerials, and tumbling passes.
Students will learn intermediate pointe through barre work and center work. Minimum of 5 years of Ballet Technique training is a prerequisite. Registration for this class must be pre-approved.
This class is targeted to 14-17yr old dancers with a minimum of 2-3 years of ballet technique experience. In an intermediate ballet technique class, dancers build upon the fundamental skills acquired in beginner classes.
Fundamentals of Modern dancing for intermediate to advanced dancers ranging from the ages of 14 to 17 years old.
A beginner ballet/tap combo class provides students with a solid foundation in both dance styles while fostering a love for movement and creativity.
A beginner ballet/tap combo class for 5-7 year old dancers that provides students with a solid foundation in both dance styles while fostering a love for movement and creativity.
In an intermediate ballet, jazz, and tap combo class, for 8-10 year old dancers in which students experience a diverse and dynamic dance education that blends the techniques and styles of three distinct disciplines.
In a beginner lyrical, jazz, and tap combo class, for 13-15 year old dancers which students experience a diverse and dynamic dance education that blends the techniques and styles of three distinct disciplines.
In an intermediate lyrical, jazz, and tap combo class, for 15-17 year old dancers students experience a diverse and dynamic dance education that blends the techniques and styles of three distinct disciplines.
A beginner ballet/tap combo class for 5-7 year old dancers that provides students with a solid foundation in both dance styles while fostering a love for movement and creativity.
In an intermediate ballet, jazz, and tap combo class, for 8-10 year old dancers in which students experience a diverse and dynamic dance education that blends the techniques and styles of three distinct disciplines.
In a beginner lyrical, jazz, and tap combo class, for 12-14 year old dancers which students experience a diverse and dynamic dance education that blends the techniques and styles of three distinct disciplines.
This class is targeted to 8-10yr old dancers with a minimum of 0-2years of ballet technique experience. In a beginner ballet technique class, dancers build upon the fundamental skills acquired in beginner classes.
A beginner ballet/tap combo class for 5-7 year old dancers that provides students with a solid foundation in both dance styles while fostering a love for movement and creativity.
A beginner ballet/tap combo class for 3-4 year old dancers that provides students with a solid foundation in both dance styles while fostering a love for movement and creativity.
This advanced hip-hop dance class for 15-17-year-old dancers focuses on refining techniques, enhancing creativity, and preparing students for performance in this dance style.
This advanced jazz/tap/contemporary combo dance class for 14-15 year old dancers integrates elements from Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary dance styles, designed to build on students' existing skills and deepen their understanding of these diverse techniques.
This advanced jazz/tap/contemporary combo dance class for 16-18 year old dancers integrates elements from Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary dance styles, designed to build on students' existing skills and deepen their understanding of these diverse techniques.
This class is targeted to 8-10yr old dancers with little to no years of ballet technique experience. In a beginner ballet technique class, dancers will learn the foundational skills of classical ballet.
Join the HDC Competition Team at the Showstopper East Coast Nationals for an exhilarating week of high-energy dance routines, passionate performances, and fierce competition.
The HDC Competition Team will be competing at the Starpower Regional competition in Columbus, Ohio.
Experience the energy and talent of our HDC Competition Team at the Showstopper Regional, where performers from around the region come together to showcase their skills!
HDC Competition Team will be competing at the StarQuest Dance Competition at the Columbus Convention Center March 15th through March 17th.