Class Descriptions

Whether you're age four or age forty, Broadway bound or just in it for the fun, Miller Marley has a class for you. Start at any age, for any reason. Be assured that you will receive the quality training and attention you deserve.

Check out our Schedule at a Glance
Choose from over ONE HUNDRED class offerings
to find the one that's right for you.

In order to educate students in the most efficient and beneficial manner, our classes are designed in a system of graded levels that build cumulatively to more advanced levels of learning. Children can relate to the process of moving from one grade level to the next just as they would in traditional school. Grouping students according to ages and skill levels allows us to tailor the material and our teaching methods to meet the needs of every student. To ensure the integrity of each class and the proper improvement of each individual, all classes follow a curriculum and are structured within a given format.

Preschool / Kindergarten Combo Classes

Our Preschool / Kindergarten Combo classes provide a delightful introduction to dance for our youngest students. Each 45-minute session includes 20 minutes of Tap and 20 minutes of pre-ballet, creative movement and pre-jazz, taught on a rotating basis.

Preschool 2 is a continuation of Preschool 1.

Instructors:
Jill Hochman: Preschool 1 & 2
Beth Johnston, Ann McCroskey: Kindergarten Combo

Combo 1 and Combo 2 Classes

Our Combo Classes are the next level of training following the Kindergarten Combo.

With longer attention spans and a general understanding of the fundamentals, children continue their training with material that is more challenging. Each 45-minute session includes 20 minutes of Tap and 20 minutes of pre-ballet, creative movement and pre-jazz, taught on a rotating basis. Specialty song and dance routines complement the program and reinforce performance skills. Combo 2 is a continuation of Combo 1.

Instructors:
Ann McCroskey: Combo 1
Beth Johnston: Combo 2

Ballet Classes

Classical Ballet is offered in a progressive program from pre-ballet through advanced. Ballet training provides the foundation for all other forms of dance and a solid technical preparation from which dancers can transfer their skills into any other form of dance.

It is our hope that as a result of their efforts, ballet students will gain poise, confidence and an appreciation for one of the most challenging and yet, most beautiful forms of dance. Our ballet classes emphasize:

• A "physical awareness" of the proper technique, body alignment and muscular control necessary to execute the movements of classical ballet.
• The acquisition of ballet terminology, an understanding of ballet barre work and the development of turnout.
• The exploration of combinations, variations and traveling patterns done centre floor.
• A reverence and respect for the art of classical ballet with attention to the appropriate classroom discipline and etiquette necessary to the student's artistic development.

It is one thing to have the ability to dance. It is yet another thing to have the ability to communicate your art to another person. Our four ballet instructors have been selected for their demonstrated success not only as dancers, but also as gifted educators.

Instructors:
Christopher Barksdale, Laura Branson, Hilary Brown, Erin Robertson
Guest Instructors: Lisa Dillinger, Megan Shoare

Ballet and Jazz Partnering Classes

• The correct technique by which the male must physically support and lift his partner.
• The development of muscular strength and control with attention to the safe execution of all movements as they pertain to all inherent factors in the partnering relationship.

Instructors:
Christopher Barksdale: Ballet Partnering
Beth Johnston: Jazz Partnering

Jazz Classes

Our Jazz classes train beginner through advanced students with regard to the same guiding principles. Proper technique, artistry and the acquisition of the appropriate skills are emphasized at each level. Students discover the all-encompassing nature of jazz dancing and its close relationship to other forms of dance. All jazz classes include:

• A preliminary warm-up that consists of stretching and strengthening exercises.
• Progressions or traveling combinations done across the floor.
• Combinations to review previously learned material and to practice newly acquired skills.
• Original dances that feature traditional jazz movements combined with elements of ballet, lyrical, hip-hop and theatrical style dancing, complemented by a variety of music from pop to Broadway.

Instructors:
Beth Johnston, Ann McCroskey, Brian McGinness, Annie Paglusch, Tara Wells

Broadway Jazz Classes

• A preliminary warm-up and stretching for increased flexibility.
• Combinations that reinforce the technical and artistic components of Broadway Jazz.
• A study of the works of renowned choreographers to create an appreciation of the American art form of jazz dancing.
• Simulated Broadway dance auditions to provide valuable insight for those who aspire to dance professionally.
• Theatrical style dances complemented by music from the award-winning scores that comprise the rich heritage of American Musical Theater.

Instructor:
Ann McCroskey

Hip Hop Classes

Hip-Hop awakened the world to a style of dancing so unique that it is recognized by our culture as one of the most popular forms of dance. Also known as party dancing or street dancing, Hip-Hop is derivative of virtually every style of dance and has been influenced not only by American culture but also by cultures worldwide. Hip-Hop classes teach:

• Hip-Hop terminology along with proper technique for executing the movements.
• Age-appropriate routines from beginner to advanced that integrate Hip-Hop moves with funk and jazz technique.
• Popular music that has been screened in advance for acceptable lyrics and content.

Instructor:
Tara Wells

Leaps and Turns Classes

Once the student has entered Jazz Level 3, he/she is eligible to focus more on the technique involved in executing leaps, jumps and turns. Leaps and Turns classes focus on:

• Developing proper technique for the safe execution of the turns, jumps and leaps used in all forms of dance.
• Integrating skills into progressions that challenge students across the floor and in combinations.

Instructor:
Ann McCroskey

Lyrical Jazz Classes

Lyrical Jazz is offered for Jazz 5 level and up students who have demonstrated an advanced level of technical mastery. Lyrical Jazz integrates jazz, ballet and modern dance techniques while focusing on self-expression and the interpretation of contemporary music.

Instructor:
Tara Wells

Tap Classes

Miller Marley is recognized in Kansas City and nationwide as a leading center for tap instruction. Shirley Marley's one-of-a-kind curriculum has landed former students on stage alongside tap legends that include Robert Reed, Savion Glover, Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr. From preschool to advanced levels, training focuses on the concept of ear training, a process that reinforces an aural memory of the sounds that make up the steps. Through repetition, the mind integrates both the aural and visual components of the steps to pave the way for the powerful mind-to-feet connection. Sound difficult? Our talented instructors make learning to tap so effortless that in a few short weeks you'll be Shuffling Off to Buffalo with the best of them. Our tap classes include:

• A preliminary warm-up that emphasizes technique and combinations to practice acquired skills.
• The reinforcement of concerted listening skills helpful to the assimilation and execution of tap combinations.
• Shirley Marley's signature tap routines that have been learned and loved by thousands of her students.

Each tap instructor is a former student of Shirley Marley and fully trained in the Marley method.

Instructors:
Jill Hochman, Shirley Marley

Pilates Classes

Pilates Mat class - Pilates is a technique of exercising and strengthening from the inside out. This class is designed for all levels. It combines the principles of flow and precision to work every part of your core. It partners well with every form of dance with its focus on alignment and unique form of strength training.

Pilates classes include:
- a quick warm up incorporating breath and muscle awareness
- a series of progressing exercises to address all muscle groups as well as spinal alignment.

Instructor:
Hilary Brown

Adult Theatre Jazz

Whether one is a beginner or in need of a refresher course, Miller Marley offers different levels of training that enable incoming students to start at the beginning or at the point where they left off. Our adult students receive training from expert instructors who are highly skilled in working with both trained and untrained individuals. Each class meets once a week for one hour.

Adult Theatre Jazz includes:

• A preliminary warm-up that consists of stretching and strengthening exercises.
• Progressions or traveling combinations done across the floor.
• Combinations to review previously learned material and to practice newly acquired skills.
• Original dances that feature traditional jazz movements combined with elements of ballet, lyrical, hip-hop and theatrical style dancing, complemented by a variety of music from pop to Broadway.

Instructor:
Ann McCroskey

Adult Theatre Tap

Whether one is a beginner or in need of a refresher course, Miller Marley offers different levels of training that enable incoming students to start at the beginning or at the point where they left off. Our adult students receive training from expert instructors who are highly skilled in working with both trained and untrained individuals. Each class meets once a week for one hour.

Adult Theatre Tap includes:

• A preliminary warm-up that focuses on technique and acquisition of basic skills.
• A cumulative approach that builds each week on previously learned skills and prepares the students for more challenging material.
• Original dances based on Broadway style tap dancing that emphasize performance skills and overall dance technique.

Musical Theatre