High Country Conservatory of Dance »
Fort Collins/Loveland Dance Instruction

The Finest in Dance Instruction….

High Country Conservatory of Dance is proud to provide premier dance instruction to students of all ages and skill levels in Fort Collins & Loveland, CO. Formed in 1999, HCCD has brought together nationally accredited instructors & directors who have had years of experience in their respective dance regimes. The instructors at HCCD were specifically hired because they were the best, not only in their style, but also in their teaching abilities. It is true that although one can learn to dance well, that doesn’t necessarily mean that one can teach well. HCCD Instructors can do both. Each style of dance is taught by instructors who are specifically skilled in that art form. The classes combine strong technique (an item which is essential in a good dancer) with fun-filled classes.

Dance Levels Program…..

High Country Conservatory of Dance also offers premier level programs for many of its styles of dance. This program is designed to show a student’s progress and award his/her achievements. At HCCD, all dancers are individually focused on using the levels and evaluation programs that are specifically geared for each style of dance. These special programs allow our instructors and the directors to target the needs of each dancer – something extremely important at HCCD. Every two months students receive a copy of their current level showing the steps/techniques that are mastered, as well as what they are working on. In addition to this, they receive comments from their instructors on their accomplishments and future goals! This “one-on-one” approach prevents any student at HCCD from “falling through the cracks.” This also allows the parent the opportunity to know exactly where their child is in the levels program and how they are progressing.

Certified Dance Instructors….

The High Country Conservatory of Dance considers it vital to have highly qualified instructors who have developed their expertise through graduate dance degrees, national certification, or vast experience within their chosen field of dance. We are proud of this and feel it is vital to our students’ progression.

We offer…

• Local & National performing opportunities
• Nationally recognized competitive teams
• Recitals
• Award ceremonies
• Nationally recognized & certified directors & instructors
• Evaluation and Level Programs
• Classes specifically set-up according to a student’s level and age.
• Incentive Programs
• Modest Costumes

Ballet Dance Classes….

Vagonova Method:

The Vagonova method is the chosen ballet program at HCCD. This method was developed by Russia’s Agrippina Vagonova and has since been adopted as the ballet program for all the schools in Russia. Our Evaluation/Level Program is based on this method for a variety of reasons….

• This method is “tried and true.” It has turned out the world’s leading performers, some of which are the greatest dancers of all time.
• The Vagonova method was developed with the body of the dancer in mind. It makes sense physically.
• The Vagonova method is broken into levels. Each level contains the perfect building blocks to progress to the next level.

HCCD starts dancers into solid ballet classes at the age of seven. Until that time, they are placed in ‘Combo Classes” where their time is divided between percussive and non-percussive dance styles. This is a wonderful way to introduce dance to children. This makes the class exciting for the children, keeping their attention riveted during the constant changing pace. The classes are 45 minutes in length and meet once a week.

Modern Dance Classes….

HCCD’s modern program uses a combination of techniques developed by the pioneers of modern dance as well as today’s modern dance artists.

Some basic techniques are vital in order to progress in modern dancing. For this reason, HCCD requires that all beginners take an “Introductory Technique Class” which will prepare them for success in modern dance.

Tap & Clogging Dance Classes….

Our school does not start children into solid tap and clogging classes until they are between 6-7 years old. Tap and clogging require a great deal of coordination and can be a challenging style of dance. Until this time, children are placed in “Combo Classes” which focus on a variety of styles including the introduction of tap and clogging. This is a wonderful way to introduce dance to children. They split their time between percussive and non-percussive dance styles. This makes the class exciting for the children, keeping their attention riveted during the constant changing pace. The classes are 45 minutes in length and meet once a week.

Hip Hop Dance Classes….

Although we offer all levels of hip hop, we have a special program for our beginning students….

Hip Hop/Pre-Jazz Beginner Dance Classes:

Our beginner program allows students to take the two most popular forms of dance in one class. The Hip Hop/Pre-Jazz Beginner Classes teach fundamental jazz steps and combine the elements of hip hop moves and contemporary music. We have found that the combination of jazz and hip hop is ideal for beginners. Students learn the necessary elements of jazz which are crucial to success in hip hop, but also get to learn hip hop moves which require the coordination and balance learned from jazz. When students complete this class they will be ready to move into the next level!

Jazz Dance Classes….

Some basic techniques are vital in order to progress in jazz dancing. For this reason, HCCD requires that all beginners take an “Introductory Technique Class” which will prepare them for success in jazz dance. This “Introductory” class contains the building blocks needed for the serious jazz student to succeed. Once a student has mastered the techniques in their “Introductory” class they will move into a class that focuses solely on Jazz. The importance of strong technique is vital in dance. As Jan Erkert, a professor of dance at Columbia University explained, “For the dancer, technique is a harness that provides the necessary control to fly and spin, allowing the dancer to rebound in and out of the earth with unseen wings.” At HCCD we understand the importance of good technique and construct our classes accordingly.

Class Uniform…

All dancers are required to come to class wearing the “class uniform.” Different styles of dance will have different uniforms. Each uniform is designed specifically with the dance style in mind. We require uniforms for a variety of reasons.

• When everyone is wearing the same uniform it is easier for the teacher to tell what things are mastered and what things are not.
• The uniform allows the teacher to see the lines of the student and make corrections accordingly!
• The class uniform allows the ease necessary to perform the movements.
• Students who dress like dancers perform, act, and develop into dancers.