Our students have a blast being upside down and learning new skills!
Register here for Twirl’s acrobatics classes!
COVID-19 UPDATE AND ACROBATICS CLASSES: Like all Twirl 2021-22 dance classes, Twirl acrobatic classes will have both a virtual and in-person option until the CDC changes COVID protocols. For in-person classes, all Twirl acrobatic mats will be sanitized with Microban once daily on days with one acro class and twice daily on days with multiple acro classes. Microban is a spray that kills bacteria and viruses on contact for 24 hours. Acro students will have their own six-foot mat area for warmups and stationary skills, and will also do progressions down the Microban treated mats and share common Microban treated wedge mats as well. This means that acrobats will be in physical contact with common mat areas sanitized with Microban. Instructors will be spotting students when necessary, but spotting will be kept to a minimum (FYI: Most acrobatics teaching experts would argue that students progress more quickly with less spotting!). All students, including students who are taking acrobatics virtually from home, will work on a progression of skills according to the Acro Dance Teachers Association syllabus. A mat is not needed for in-home virtual acrobatic classes, but a space large enough to do a cartwheel is recommended. A blank wall or door is also a bonus, but not necessary, for practicing handstands during virtual home-based acrobatics classes. For frequently asked questions about Twirl’s 2020-21 season policies and protocols please click here.
What is the difference between Acrobatics and Gymnastics?
- Acrobatics only focuses on skills that happen on the floor. There are no bars, balance beam, vault or other apparatus.
- All acro and gymnastics students have a dominant leg or side that is most comfortable to them. Because acrobatic skills are meant to be practical to dance choreography, students work on skills leading with both their right and left leg. This creates versatile acrobats/dancers who are to be able to adapt to different needs and expectations in choreography. Gymnasts only work their dominant side!
- While we train our students on mats, the ultimate goal is to be able to perform acro skills on a stage without a mat. Very rarely do you see a dancer performing an acrobatic trick on a mat on a Broadway stage! This means that the approach to teaching acro skills is from the point of view that skills may be performed on a hard stage. Gymnastics training is anchored in the fact that skills will always be executed on a mat, sprung floor, or other soft surface.
- Acrobatics is an athletic art form, while gymnastics is a sport that includes artistry.
2021-22 ACROBATICS CLASS TIMES
(Classes run from September 9, 2021 to June 8, 2022. Enrollment will remain open through January 2022.)
Wednesdays 4:30-5:20pm Acrobatics I (ages 5-7)
Wednesdays 7:30-8:30pm Acrobatics I (ages 8+)
Thursdays 4:30-5:20pm Acrobatics I (ages 6+)
Thursdays 6:30-7:20pm Acrobatics II* (ages 6+)
Thursdays 7:30-8:30pm Acrobatics I (ages 8+)
Saturdays 11:05am-12:00pm Acrobatics I (ages 6+)
Saturdays 11:00am-12:00pm Acrobatics III** (ages 7+)
*A bridge kickover is a prerequisite for Acrobatics II. Please click here for clarification on this skill.
** A solid and consistent back walkover and a bridge recover (standing up from bridge) are prerequisites for Acrobatics III. Please click here for clarification on these skills.
ACROBATICS DRESS CODE
- Girls- Black dancewear (leotards with black, tan, or pink CONVERTIBLE or FOOTLESS tights or dance shorts; jazz pants; leggings; and tank tops) with bare feet.
- Boys- Black dancewear (T-shirts, tank tops, athletic shorts, jazz pants, or sweat pants) with bare feet.
