Lyrical Dance & Contemporary Dance Classes

Lyrical Dance and Contemporary-styled dance include a variety of techniques from ballet and jazz. The lyrics of a song are used to tell a story through movement. This style encourages dancers to dig deep and become in tune with their emotions.

What is Lyrical Dance?

This fusion of Contemporary and Lyrical Dance challenges dancers to use motion to interpret music and express emotion through dance; we call it creative improvisation. Choreography is often powerful and poised all at the same time. Fluid movements and connections immerse a dancer in this modern style of dance.

Our studio looks for coordination and emotional focus as the root of these dance classes. Ballet and Jazz must be taken as a pre-requisite or in conjunction with a Lyrical and Contemporary class.

During a recital, audience members are more often than not moved to tears and filled with the same emotions the dancers are trying to convey. Lyrical dance is beautiful to watch and an experience you won’t soon forget.

This class is for young dancers interested in exploring lyrical dance. Dancers will learn new stretches to prepare them for class, including isolations and contractions. Learning how to move and control your body is important for growing lyrical dancers. Dancers will be introduced to different turn variations and kicks. This class also practices improv. Improvisation is done to encourage dancers to hear the music and adjust their dancing to match the lyrics and tell the story.

This class continues to push dancers to use their emotions in their performance. Dancers will continue to learn different turns, leaps, and kick variations.

Lyrical Dance student, 2nd grade, Catherine's Dance Studio, Parkville, MO
Lyrical Dance Student, Catherine's Dance Studio, Parkville, MO
Lyrical Dance student 2, Catherine's Dance Studio, Parkville, MO

Lyrical and Contemporary Attire

  • Leotard, dance shorts, sports bra, dance top, dance skirt, dance pants

  • Tights are not required

  • Free Form Shoes

  • Hair in a low bun

“The grace and poise that a student learns in Ballet are transferred to other dances and to a girl’s life out of the studio as well. When I see a girl walking, I can tell she is a dancer. Her shoulders are back, she holds her head high, and she has that extra poise that comes from being a Ballet dancer. She carries herself differently, she is stronger and she knows it. She is a Dancer and that helps define who she is and where she thinks she belongs in the world. What parents give their girls and what she gives to herself in the dance studio makes a difference in her life.” – Catherine Stephenson