Dance on the DL | Darien CT

Dance Studio

REGISTER HERE! Kids Classes

Dance on the DL offers Hip Hop & Breakdancing classes for students ages 4 and up.

REGISTER HERE!

2022/23 SCHEDULE

Classes start at the PreK level.  The minimum age for class enrollment is 4 years old.

GB = Coed Class / G = Girls Only

*Breakdancing Level 2 and 3  classes as well as Level 2 Hip Hop classes are by invitation only. No open registration. Level 2 in-class evaluations will take place the first 3 weeks of the semester. Selected students will have the opportunity to move into Level 2 if they so choose.  Students must be 9 years of age to be considered for Level 2.

The minimum age for Breakdancing classes is 6 years old. 
  • Breakdancing Level 1 for students who have less than two semesters or new students.
  • Breakdancing Level 2 is ONLY open to students who have completed two full semesters of Breaking Level 1. (Some special case by case exceptions.)
    • Learning Requirements: Level 2 students must have an understanding and cognitive capability to distinguish and execute key footwork, toprock, and freeze foundations in the dance.
  • Breakdancing Level 3 is ONLY open to students who have been in a total of at least four semesters of Breakdancing. (Some special case by case exceptions.)
    • Learning Requirements: Level 3 students must have a strong background of foundational steps with the capability of flowing and combining the foundation at an advanced level.

To learn more about the 2400 Crew and when auditions for the 2022/23 season are taking place, please head here.

Please review DL Studio guidelines, rules, expectations and Crew Member Pledge here. 

Kids Hip Hop & Breakdancing Classes

SEMESTER DATES:  Please view our semester calendar here.

Fall/Winter: Monday, September 12th - Friday, January 20th (17 classes)

Spring/Summer: Monday, January 30th - Friday, June 16th (17 classes)

TUITION:

Full Year: $1,175*

Semester: $640*

*Price includes class tuition, a $25 non-refundable registration fee and $20 t-shirt fee.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To receive the full year tuition discount, you must pay in full at the start of the Fall/Winter semester. The full year tuition will NOT be applied to Fall/Winter semester purchases that re-register for the Spring/Summer semester. 

PERFORMANCE FEE: $90 (Includes costume*, video and photography**)

*The performance fee does not include sneakers.  We ask all students to purchase a black high top pair of Converse for the showcase.

**Video and photography costs are charged once/family.

DISCOUNTS:

Multi-sibling Discount: 5%

Single Student Multi-class Discount: 10%

Refunds & Credits

A request for refund one month or earlier prior to class start will receive a full refund, less registration fee. A request for refund 29 days to two weeks prior to class start will receive 50% refund, less registration fee.  A request for refund two weeks to two days prior to class start will receive a 25% refund less registration fee. There are NO REFUNDS OF TUITION for any cancellation requests made two days or less prior to class start and once classes are in session.

In the case of a medical emergency, condition or injury that would prevent a student from continuing his or her classes, Dance on the DL reserves the right to treat any tuition reimbursement on a case by case basis.

DL Studio does not provide refunds for any instance related to opposition of studio COVID-19 safety protocols.

THE 5 ELEMENTS OF HIP HOP

Hip Hop is more than just music and a style of dance, it's a culture. In addition to teaching students the fundamentals of Hip Hop dance, Dance on the DL helps educate students about Hip Hop culture through review and conversation around the 5 Elements of Hip Hop; MC'ing, B-boying/girling (or Breakdancing), Graffiti, DJ'ing and Knowledge of the Movement.

The 5 Elements of Hip Hop

MC'ing: More commonly referred to as rappers, MC's are sharp-tongued and fast-talking. They are THE storytellers of hip hop culture and music.

 

 

B-boy/Girl (Commonly referred to now as Breakdancing.): In early hip hop parties, DJ's created what are termed "break beats." DJ's would find the breaks in music such as drum loops and pieced them together to create irresistible beats and rhythms.

B-boys or Break boys and girls came to be known because of the way they would move to these break beats in the music, experimenting with different styles and types of movements.

Graffiti: Some say "If MC'ing is what hip hop sounds like, then graffiti is what hip hop looks like." It is loud.  It is expressive.  It is bright. It tells a story, and it most definitely makes a statement. DL Studio has several pieces of graffiti art up in our studio from some of our favorite street artists including Banksy, Frank Morrison and Mr. Brainwash.

DJ'ing: Imagine walking into a club without a DJ or not hearing a mix that has been so expertly crafted that you have no choice, but to nod your head and start moving and grooving.

DJ Kool Herc (Clive Campbell) is credited for the creation of Hip Hop music.  In 1973, Herc hosted a "Back to School" party in Bronx, NY.  It is here where he developed and perfected his skills of creating break beats and giving all those who attended and generations to come a reason to hit the dance floor.

 

Knowledge: Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Run DMC.  They didn't just create catchy songs, their lyrics tell a story and give anyone who will listen an understanding of what life is like growing up in the inner cities of America. You hear about life, death, triumph, tragedy, joy and pain.  And if we listen closely, there are many lessons to be learned.

 

 

 
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