Caruthers Creative Center Dance Studio

Begginner to Intermediate Acrobatics

Instructor Donna Johnson assisted by Ed Johnson

This one hour course teaches the basic and intermediate level skills necessary to become a great tumbler.  Students learn the building blocks of tumbling to prepare for advanced acrobatics and aerials.  The course emphasizes stretching technique, limbering and strengthening to promote lean muscle development, which is crucial for tumbling.  Competitions are optional for those students who become advanced enough to compete in at least 1 competition per dance year regionally and national if student qualifies at regional level.

Above India Sorrells demonstrating front limber

• Warm-up:  stretching including limbering exercises in straddle, right and left leg split, butterfly position and hurdle to mention a few
• Mat exercises:  students will be taught the following stunts and a record will be kept of their accomplishments:
• Front Roll
• Back Roll
• Back Extension Roll
• Nip Up (Squat)
• Head Spring (Squat)
• Cartwheel (left and right)
• Running Cartwheel
• Backbend Spiderwalk (forward and backward)
• Backbend inside outs (left and right)
• Round-off
• Running Round-off
• Standing Backbend
• Headstand
• Handstand
• Front Split (left and right)
• Side Split (straddle)
• Front limber

If above things are mastered, a select number of students may be eligible to work on the following:

• Front Walkover
• Front Arabian Limber
• Front Handspring
• One hand cartwheel
• Double hand cartwheel
• Front Chest Roll

Moriel, Michael, and Caleb before Recital 2009 Acrobatic Showcase

Intermediate to Advance Acrobatics and Aerials

Instructor Donna Johnson assisted by Sheritha Hyler, Aaron Wedgeworth, and Ed Johnson

This one hour course teaches the advance intermediate and advance level skills necessary to become a great acrobat.  Students polish up the technique of tumbling and prepare for more advanced acrobatics and aerials.  The course emphasizes stretching technique, limbering and strengthening to promote lean muscle development, which is crucial for tumbling and aerials.  Students will take acrobatics to the next level (literally) while mastering tricks with no hands.  It is expected at this level that all students would participate in local acrobatic competitions and national competitions if the student qualifies at regionals.  Workshops may be held periodically and will be announced through the dance year.

Above Asha Berry demonstrating hand stand 

Warm-up and Mat exercises are similar to those expected in the beginner class, however, more emphasis is placed on performing stunts with more assertiveness and technique is stressed.  The following stunts will be mastered:

• Cartwheel (left and right)
• Running Cartwheel
• Backbend Spiderwalk (forward and backward)
• Backbend inside outs (left and right)
• Round-off
• Running Round-off
• Standing Backbend
• Headstand
• Handstand
• Front Split (left and right)
• Side Split (straddle)
• Front limber
• Front Walkover
• Front Arabian Limber
• Front Handspring
• One hand cartwheel
• Double hand cartwheel
• Front Chest Roll

The student that masters the majority of these stunts will be introduced to:

• Aerial cartwheel
• Back handspring
• Aerial round-off "Branny"
• Two person stunts and lifts
• Introduction to balance beam technique and beginner stunts