KDT COMPANIES
AT KDT, we have more than one option for dancers looking to start or add on to their dance careers.
Jazz Company
The KDT Jazz Company Senior, Junior and Mini teams are a multi-level competitive jazz team division. This group competes throughout the year in many different dance styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre & Lyrical. Experienced Graded Level dancers audition each year for their placement into the company. This group is also actively involved in fundraising and has team building socials on weekends when they are not performing. Directors, Jennifer Holbert and Kelsey Mueller are excited to be in charge of such a talented group.
Ballet Jete'
Ballet Jete’ Company is designed for ballet dancers who want to be trained to perform on a professional level, and KDT’s Ballet Mistress, Milena Leben, serves as Artistic Director. Her goal is to promote arts education and to prepare her students who desire to go on to become professional dancers, or to continue on in their study of dance at the university level. Those in the company spend countless hours in the dance studio training in ballet technique and choreography. These elite dancers will receive more performing opportunities throughout the year including being featured in KDT’s annual performances of The Nutcracker and “Enchanted Evening.” They also participate in many other community performances at the Jewish Community Center, Dance Houston festivals, NASA functions, and have competed at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Prerequisite: enrollment in level 4 or higher in the Vaganova Graded Ballet Program and auditions required
Spirit in Motion
This dance ensemble is composed of dancers that demonstrate excellence in various styles of dance technique as well as visible display of artistry within their dancing. This group is designed to strengthen a dancer's passion for movement and to utilize dance as an expression of faith to glorify God and spread His love through performance. They participate in various performances throughout the year including Dance Revolution, Competitions, Community performances and Project Dance. Students are accepted through audition only open to graded 3 and up. This group is led by Director Kyra Davis.
Rhythm and Moves
This group provides the opportunity for dancers to further their passion and abilities in Tap and/or Hip Hop. Dancers will have the opportunity to perform at various venues in the area as well as attend workshops and a competition in the Spring. Dancers must either be in KDT's graded division or invited to audition for this performing group by Brandi Garza.
KDT PERFORMING GROUPS
KDT’s Performing Groups are for younger students who want more performance opportunities. These groups participate in many community performances, holiday shows, and some attend competition as well as performing at Recital.
Divas (ages 3-10)
A jazz performing group that is made up of three levels split according to age and ability. This performing group is by invitation only and students must be enrolled in a core dance technique class. "Divas" learn jazz technique as well as fun energetic choreography to perform at various events throughout the year. .
Funky Feet
A performing tap group for Level CD ½. CD 2 & CD 2/3 taught by Erica Carmona. This group performs throughout the year for community events as well as KDT and Dance Tree Recitals. By Invitation or class audition only. (pre-requisite: enrolled in a current tap class).
Rockin' Tappers
A performing tap group for Level CD 3, Int. 1, Int. 2, SAC 1, SAC 2 and Graded 1 taught by Jeremy Carmona. This group performs throughout the year for community events as well as KDT and Dance Tree Recitals. By Invitation or class audition only. (pre-requisite: enrolled in a current tap class).
SHINING STARS CLASS
Kennedy Dance Theatre has opened up its studio for a Special Needs Program as a way to reach out to the community. The classes offered are for students with Down Syndrome, Autism and other developmental disabilities. Teachers and student assistants involved volunteer their time each week so the classes can be offered free of charge. This program has been featured on both FOX News and ABC 13 News as a great way for Special Needs children to get involved in an extracurricular activity while improving motor skills, confidence, and socialization. The Special Needs classes are directed by Jennifer Holbert. These classes are for ages 6 and up and include technique and performance in Tap, Hip Hop, Gymnastics, & Musical Theatre with a dress code-Girls – Black Leotard, Pink Tights, Black Tap Shoes, Pink Leather Ballet Shoes and Boys in White KDT T-shirt, Black Shorts, Black Tap Shoes, Black Leather Ballet Shoes. The Special Needs classes perform at KDT’s annual Recital held each year.
AERIAL SILKS
"Silks" is a specialty fabric students use to climb, wrap, twist, bend and drop from in a variety of positions and movements. Fabrics can spin, swing or remain static depending on how students manipulate the silks. Class sizes remain small and are for ages 8 through Adult.
FLAMENCO
Flamenco dance (baile) is a highly-expressive, Spanish dance form. The flamenco is a solo dance characterized by hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm and body movements. With roots in Indian, Arabic, Spanish cultures, flamenco dance is known for its sweeping arm movements and rhythmic feet stomping. Flamenco dancers spend a great deal of time practicing and perfecting the often difficult dance. *Private Lessons are available upon request.
BALLROOM AND SALSA
Basic Ballroom Dance Session I is an introduction to the foxtrot, waltz, and swing. Besides learning the basic steps in each dance, students will learn techniques for partnership, proper leg action, and how to listen to the music and identify the various rhythms. This class is open to all, even those with two left feet!
Basic Ballroom Dance Session II features the basics in foxtrot, rumba, cha-cha, and meringue. As in Session I, students will learn techniques for good partnership, proper, and how to listen for the beat. Latin hip action will be introduced.
Session I and Session II are interchangeable. A student may enter either one first. At the end of these sessions you will be able to go out dancing using the basics in six dances and have lots of fun!
Salsa class features Rumba, Meringue, and Mambo. As well as learning the basic steps in each of these dances, techniques for good partnership and proper leg action will be presented. Emphasis will be on Latin hip action and listening for Latin beat!
There is no required dress code, but if possible please wear leather soled shoes that are not backless (no flip flops or running shoes).
AT KDT, we have more than one option for dancers looking to start or add on to their dance careers.
Jazz Company
The KDT Jazz Company Senior, Junior and Mini teams are a multi-level competitive jazz team division. This group competes throughout the year in many different dance styles including Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre & Lyrical. Experienced Graded Level dancers audition each year for their placement into the company. This group is also actively involved in fundraising and has team building socials on weekends when they are not performing. Directors, Jennifer Holbert and Kelsey Mueller are excited to be in charge of such a talented group.
Ballet Jete'
Ballet Jete’ Company is designed for ballet dancers who want to be trained to perform on a professional level, and KDT’s Ballet Mistress, Milena Leben, serves as Artistic Director. Her goal is to promote arts education and to prepare her students who desire to go on to become professional dancers, or to continue on in their study of dance at the university level. Those in the company spend countless hours in the dance studio training in ballet technique and choreography. These elite dancers will receive more performing opportunities throughout the year including being featured in KDT’s annual performances of The Nutcracker and “Enchanted Evening.” They also participate in many other community performances at the Jewish Community Center, Dance Houston festivals, NASA functions, and have competed at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Prerequisite: enrollment in level 4 or higher in the Vaganova Graded Ballet Program and auditions required
Spirit in Motion
This dance ensemble is composed of dancers that demonstrate excellence in various styles of dance technique as well as visible display of artistry within their dancing. This group is designed to strengthen a dancer's passion for movement and to utilize dance as an expression of faith to glorify God and spread His love through performance. They participate in various performances throughout the year including Dance Revolution, Competitions, Community performances and Project Dance. Students are accepted through audition only open to graded 3 and up. This group is led by Director Kyra Davis.
Rhythm and Moves
This group provides the opportunity for dancers to further their passion and abilities in Tap and/or Hip Hop. Dancers will have the opportunity to perform at various venues in the area as well as attend workshops and a competition in the Spring. Dancers must either be in KDT's graded division or invited to audition for this performing group by Brandi Garza.
KDT PERFORMING GROUPS
KDT’s Performing Groups are for younger students who want more performance opportunities. These groups participate in many community performances, holiday shows, and some attend competition as well as performing at Recital.
Divas (ages 3-10)
A jazz performing group that is made up of three levels split according to age and ability. This performing group is by invitation only and students must be enrolled in a core dance technique class. "Divas" learn jazz technique as well as fun energetic choreography to perform at various events throughout the year. .
Funky Feet
A performing tap group for Level CD ½. CD 2 & CD 2/3 taught by Erica Carmona. This group performs throughout the year for community events as well as KDT and Dance Tree Recitals. By Invitation or class audition only. (pre-requisite: enrolled in a current tap class).
Rockin' Tappers
A performing tap group for Level CD 3, Int. 1, Int. 2, SAC 1, SAC 2 and Graded 1 taught by Jeremy Carmona. This group performs throughout the year for community events as well as KDT and Dance Tree Recitals. By Invitation or class audition only. (pre-requisite: enrolled in a current tap class).
SHINING STARS CLASS
Kennedy Dance Theatre has opened up its studio for a Special Needs Program as a way to reach out to the community. The classes offered are for students with Down Syndrome, Autism and other developmental disabilities. Teachers and student assistants involved volunteer their time each week so the classes can be offered free of charge. This program has been featured on both FOX News and ABC 13 News as a great way for Special Needs children to get involved in an extracurricular activity while improving motor skills, confidence, and socialization. The Special Needs classes are directed by Jennifer Holbert. These classes are for ages 6 and up and include technique and performance in Tap, Hip Hop, Gymnastics, & Musical Theatre with a dress code-Girls – Black Leotard, Pink Tights, Black Tap Shoes, Pink Leather Ballet Shoes and Boys in White KDT T-shirt, Black Shorts, Black Tap Shoes, Black Leather Ballet Shoes. The Special Needs classes perform at KDT’s annual Recital held each year.
AERIAL SILKS
"Silks" is a specialty fabric students use to climb, wrap, twist, bend and drop from in a variety of positions and movements. Fabrics can spin, swing or remain static depending on how students manipulate the silks. Class sizes remain small and are for ages 8 through Adult.
FLAMENCO
Flamenco dance (baile) is a highly-expressive, Spanish dance form. The flamenco is a solo dance characterized by hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm and body movements. With roots in Indian, Arabic, Spanish cultures, flamenco dance is known for its sweeping arm movements and rhythmic feet stomping. Flamenco dancers spend a great deal of time practicing and perfecting the often difficult dance. *Private Lessons are available upon request.
BALLROOM AND SALSA
Basic Ballroom Dance Session I is an introduction to the foxtrot, waltz, and swing. Besides learning the basic steps in each dance, students will learn techniques for partnership, proper leg action, and how to listen to the music and identify the various rhythms. This class is open to all, even those with two left feet!
Basic Ballroom Dance Session II features the basics in foxtrot, rumba, cha-cha, and meringue. As in Session I, students will learn techniques for good partnership, proper, and how to listen for the beat. Latin hip action will be introduced.
Session I and Session II are interchangeable. A student may enter either one first. At the end of these sessions you will be able to go out dancing using the basics in six dances and have lots of fun!
Salsa class features Rumba, Meringue, and Mambo. As well as learning the basic steps in each of these dances, techniques for good partnership and proper leg action will be presented. Emphasis will be on Latin hip action and listening for Latin beat!
There is no required dress code, but if possible please wear leather soled shoes that are not backless (no flip flops or running shoes).