A Wide Range of Dance Styles for Everyone
Ballet School Hannele Suomalainen | Tampere & Ylöjärvi
While our hearts beat for ballet, we also offer a variety of other dance styles that can be pursued either as a hobby or with professional aspirations. Our school follows the national Basic Education in the Arts
curriculum and also organizes a special training program for Ballet.
Children’s Dance
Groups: Ages 3–4, Ages 4–6, and Ages 5–6
Children take their first steps into the world of dance through fun movements and with the support of encouraging teachers. Through music and playful dance exercises, they learn to control their body, movements, and how to express themselves through dance.
Attire for the classes includes a pink dance dress, ballet tights, and ballet slippers for girls. Boys wear shorts and a t-shirt.
Classical Ballet
Groups: From beginner to advanced levels, as well as adult ballet (beginner and intermediate)
Classical ballet captivates with its beauty and technical challenge. The classes aim for graceful and light movement with the classical style, technique, and musicality of ballet as the foundation.
Students wear ballet practice leotards, tights, and ballet shoes; more advanced levels also use pointe shoes. Beginners wear a white leotard with short sleeves, ballet tights, and ballet shoes. Boys wear long tights/shorts and a t-shirt.
We also offer a special training program for Ballet and adult Ballet classes.
Jazz Dance, Jazz Fusion
Groups: Basic level (11+) Basic/Intermediate (11+), Intermediate (13+), Intermediate (14+), Advanced (16+)
Jazz dance emerged in the early 1900s from African-American cultural dance traditions. It blends elements from hip-hop, show, afro, and contemporary dance. Jazz dance is known for its rhythm, energy, and expressiveness. Classes focus on accented movement and teach a variety of jazz techniques, including the Matt Mattox and Luigi methods. This style is full of swing and power!
Classes are danced in jazz shoes.
Contemporary Dance
Groups: Beginners (8+),
Basic and Intermediate (12+), Intermediate (15+)
Groups: Beginners (8+),
Basic and Intermediate (12+), Intermediate (15+)
Contemporary dance features great variation in use of strength and movement range. Floor work and breath are important components. The goal is a dancer capable of versatile and creative movement.
Classes are danced barefoot.
Show Dance / Show Jazz
Groups: Beginner (Ages 7–10), Beginners/Basic level (Ages 8–12), Basic level (Ages 11–14)
Show dance combines many styles—from jazz and lyrical to musical theatre! Expect energetic combinations, jumps, and pirouettes. Each class reflects the unique personality of the teacher. In advanced levels, technique focuses on jazz. Students may wear any comfortable dance clothes.
Classes are danced barefoot.
Character Dance
Groups: Taught periodically
Character Dance represents the national character and style of different cultures, adapted for stage performance. Instruction is based on Russian and Hungarian character dance methods. Character dance is taught periodically in ballet classes.
Classes are danced in character shoes.
Lyrical Jazz
Groups: Intermediate (14+)
Lyrical jazz blends ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles. The classes especially develop a dancer’s expression through choreography and emotionally charged music. The focus is on across-the-floor exercises and learning choreography.
Classes are danced in jazz shoes, socks, or barefoot.
Hip Hop
Groups: Open level (14+)
Hip hop is a popular street dance style that originated in 1970s New York. Its movement vocabulary includes body bounce, groove, and foundational moves. Classes explore isolations, floorwork, freestyle, and hip hop culture. The vibe is energetic and always fun!
Classes are danced in light-soled sneakers or dance trainers.
Tap dance Groups: There is no tap classes at the moment.
Steppitunneilla harjoitellaan rytmiikkaa ja stepin eri tanssitekniikoita ja kehitetään musikaalisuutta ja rytmitajua. Stepissä tutustutaan rytmi- ja musikaalisteppiin.
Tunneilla tanssitaan steppikengissä, tai esim. karakteerikengissä. Ilmaiselle kokeilukerralle voi tulla tanssilenkkareilla.
Street Commercial
Groups: Beginner/Basic level (Ages 8–11), Basic level (Ages 12–14)
Street commercial classes introduce various street dance styles such as hip hop, house, breakdance, old school, and new style. These classes often mix styles, drawing influence from many street dance traditions. Students deepen their skills through technique and freestyle exercises as well as choreography. The joy of dance and a positive atmosphere are at the heart of this class.
Classes are danced in light-soled sneakers or dance trainers.
What is Children’s Dance?
Children’s dance introduces young learners to expressive dance in a holistic way, based on their individual starting points. The aim is to spark an early interest in dance and offer joyful and enriching experiences. The hobby builds a strong foundation for learning multiple dance styles and is a great fit for every child.
Children learn to collaborate and respect one another in a caring, structured environment. Through playful exercises, they develop skills such as body awareness, control of movement, spatial perception, rhythm, and musicality. Social skills grow through listening, following rules, and working with a partner.
Children also get used to performing naturally in a group. All students have the opportunity to perform in the ballet school’s winter and spring showcases.
What Happens in Class?
Through playful movement and dance games, children build physical skills such as foot extensions, stretching, and creating shapes with the body. They also learn basic movement skills and foundational dance steps like galloping, polka, and jumping.
Classes include creative tasks where children come up with their own ways to move and create dances. Music supports musicality and expression, and various props are used as learning aids. The choreographies rehearsed in class are presented in the winter and spring showcases.
What to Wear to the First Class?
For the first class, children can wear comfortable athletic clothes and soft gym or indoor shoes. Pink children’s dance dresses are available for girls to purchase at the school during the first lessons. Ballet shoes for girls and boys, and ballet tights for girls, can be bought from a ballet store. Boys wear shorts or leggings and a t-shirt.