Move Your Way – A Guide to Dance Styles at Sol
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At Sol, we offer a wide variety of dance genres—each with its own flavour, history, and rhythm. While any class can be explored on its own (especially within our Sunbeam Series), many styles beautifully complement one another. Below, you’ll find an overview of each genre we offer, along with suggested class pairings to elevate your dancer’s training and experience.
Ballet -RAD
What it is: A classical ballet program with structured levels, technical examinations, and internationally recognized standards.
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Why it's awesome: RAD ballet inspires discipline and dedication while giving dancers a deep sense of accomplishment and pride in their growth.
Pairs well with: A competitive, multidisciplinary program. RAD Ballet is often required for our Celestial Track dancers.
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Why it works: Builds discipline, posture, grace, and foundational technique essential for nearly all other styles.
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Acro
What it is: A fusion of dance and gymnastic-style movements, focusing on flexibility, strength, and control.
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Why it's awesome: Acro pushes dancers to discover what their bodies are truly capable of—building strength and trust in movement.
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Pairs well with: Ballet and jazz.
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Why it works: Ballet provides the technique for control, while jazz enhances transitions and performance.
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Ballet - Open/Rec
What it is: A less formal, non-exam-based ballet class focused on technique, artistry, and movement quality.
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Why it's awesome: Dancers can experience the joy of ballet in a supportive and expressive space, perfect for cultivating creativity.
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Pairs well with: Everything! Especially jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and acro.
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Why it works: As the technical root of most modern dance forms, ballet training elevates overall control, lines, and strength.
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Jazz
What it is: A dynamic, upbeat style that blends technique, rhythm, and expressive performance.
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Why it's awesome: Jazz empowers dancers to move with boldness, energy, and emotion—all while having a ton of fun.
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Pairs well with: Ballet, tap, acro, lyrical, musical theatre, and hip hop.
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Why it works: Jazz training boosts energy, musicality, and power—making it a versatile partner to many styles.
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Lyrical
What it is: A fusion of ballet and jazz technique set to emotive, expressive music.
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Why it's awesome: Lyrical dance is a powerful emotional outlet that helps dancers connect deeply with music and storytelling.
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Pairs well with: Ballet and jazz.​
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Why it works: Lyrical requires the strength and clarity of ballet with the expressive drive of jazz.
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Hip Hop
What it is: A high-energy, street-style dance form emphasizing grooves, freestyle, and performance.
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Why it's awesome: Hip hop celebrates individuality and confidence—encouraging dancers to bring their true selves to the floor.
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Pairs well with: Jazz and breakdance.
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Why it's awesome: Hip hop blends well with the power and stamina of jazz and the tricks and individuality of breakdance.
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Tap
What it is: A rhythmic dance style focused on footwork and creating percussive sounds with metal-soled shoes.
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Why it's awesome: There’s something magical about making music with your feet—tap gives dancers a voice all their own.
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Pairs well with: Jazz, ballet, and musical theatre.
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Why it's awesome: Tap sharpens rhythm, musicality, and timing—all essential skills across the stage.
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Contemporary
What it is: A modern dance style that pushes boundaries with emotion, improvisation, and movement exploration.
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Why it's awesome: Contemporary gives dancers room to explore, question, and create their own movement language.
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Pairs well with: Ballet, lyrical and modern.
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Why it works: Contemporary dancers benefit from strong technical grounding while exploring artistry and freedom.
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Musical Theatre
What it is: A performance-based class combining dance, acting, and storytelling.
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Why it's awesome: It allows dancers to step into characters, tell powerful stories, and light up the stage with personality.
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Pairs well with: Jazz and tap.
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Why it's awesome: Broadway-style routines come to life with jazz’s sharpness and tap’s rhythm.
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