Young Dancers Program
Move With Me!
Ages 18 months – 3 years
Move with me! is a program designed especially for wobbly walkers up to age 3 who are not yet ready to be on their own in one of our preschool programs. This one hour, once a week class, designed by an early childhood education specialist, introduces students (along with their parent or caregiver) to movement key to healthy neurological development. Students and parents should both dress comfortably and prepare to have a great time!
Creative Movement
Ages 3 & 4
Boisterous boys & whirling girls will get all their wiggles out in this energetic 45-minute class designed for those daring young dancers ready to go it alone for the first time. Our Creative Movement class is a movement experience enhanced by familiar classical music – Classes introduce rhythms, basic steps, and dance terminology. The high-energy class environment focuses on creativity and self-expression with structured progression in movement and group interaction. It is a joyful prelude to more formal ballet and contemporary training. We will require a parent to be present if the student is still in diapers.
Pre-Ballet Levels 1, 2, & 3
Ages 4-7
Pre-Ballet classes offer young dancers a variety of creative movement experiences and introduce students to the art of ballet at an age-appropriate pace. Children learn basic ballet positions, vocabulary, and studio etiquette while focusing on improving coordination and musicality. Students may also wish to take a Dance Explorer class for an exciting introduction to tap, hip hop, modern, jazz, flamenco, lyrical, acting, improvisation, and singing presented on a rotating schedule throughout the school year. Children at this level are placed primarily by age rather than dance experience or ability. Children must meet each class age requirement by September 1st.
- Pre-Ballet 1 – 45-minute class
- Pre-Ballet 2 & 3 – 1-hour class
Note: Dancers aged 6+ and enrolled in Pre-Ballet 3 are eligible to audition for our Youth Ensemble.
Find Your Style
Ages 5-7
This one-hour class is perfect for the young dancer looking for variety in their dance experiences! Students will explore a wide variety of genres, including tap rhythms, jazz, modern, ballet, and hip hop elements over the course of each semester.
Ballet Academy Program
From ages 7-10, new students entering The Ballet Academy Program are generally placed into an age-appropriate Level – ages 7/8 in Ballet 1, ages 8/9 in Ballet 2, and ages 9/10 in Ballet 3. All other classes (or if an experienced dancer wishes to challenge an age-level placement) require an evaluation by one of our Instructors.
Students enrolled in The Ballet Academy often take two or more ballet classes per week. Those in Level 4 may be invited to add a pre-pointe class, and those in Levels 5 and up will advance to pointe, variations and partnering classes. Traditional ballet pedagogy is the foundation of our curriculum, but students are encouraged to include other dance forms such as Modern, Jazz, and Lyrical in their education. All classes are conducted in a professional manner, by exceptional teachers who instill discipline, safe work habits, and a respect and passion for all disciplines of dance.
Please Note: Students should expect to stay at a Ballet Level for approximately two years, especially if time off is taken over the Summer. Advancement to the next level is only upon recommendation of the current Instructor.
Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Musical Theater, & Hip Hop Classes
Modern
Modern dance explores basic movement concepts such as over/under curve, contraction/release of the torso and articulation of the spine. It also emphasizes the use of the floor for centering, grounding oneself in movement, and focuses on the breath (inhale/exhale), which brings quality to one’s movement. Teachers incorporate an eclectic blend of contemporary and post-modern movement into their classes. Modern classes are strongly suggested for Ballet students and included at a significant discount in some Ballet Bundles.
Jazz
Jazz dance, like jazz music, relies strongly on rhythm. A major element in musical theater and motion pictures, jazz dance is energetic with dancers using different parts of their bodies such as the shoulder, pelvis and head in isolated movements. All jazz students are strongly encouraged to be enrolled in a ballet class. Students will learn a variety of styles from Broadway to contemporary.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance is a fluid dance style that blends ballet and jazz dance. A contemporary dancer uses movement to express strong emotions such as love, joy and anger, and usually perform to music with lyrics…the lyrics of the chosen song serve as inspiration for movements and expressions. Music may consist of many genres including pop, rock and hip hop. Movements in contemporary dance are characterized by fluidity and grace, with the dancer flowing seamlessly from one move to another, holding finishing steps as long as possible. Leaps are exceptionally high and soaring, and turns are graceful and continuous.
Tap
Classes focus on the fundamentals of rhythm tap, including solid technique, classic and contemporary tap repertory and improvisation skills.
Musical Theater
Description coming soon.
Hip Hop
Hip-hop has evolved from many dance trends, such as breakin’, poppin’, lockin’, the moonwalk…the list goes on and on. Take hip-hop and dip into the realm of freestyle and develop your own urban style under the guidance of our experienced and fun instructors!
Our Adult Open Division offers a wide range of classes to meet the needs of dancers ranging from the complete novice to the busy college student or the returning professional. Classes are taught by excellent faculty, assuring a fulfilling end to your day as you immerse yourself in the art of dance. Ages 16+ or instructor permission.
Adult Dance Classes
Beginning Ballet
This class will explore ballet fundamentals.
Intermediate Ballet
Dancers should have at least 2+ years of ballet training with knowledge of basic barre and center exercises including adagio, turns, petite and grande allegro.
Advanced Ballet & Advanced Pointe
Dancers should have at least 7+ years of serious ballet training with knowledge of complex barre and center exercises. Ladies should have at least 3 years of pointe experience. Admission is with permission of the Instructor
Wednesday & Saturday morning Advanced classes offer a drop-in rate with a Class Card purchase, for those who attend intermittently. Class Cards do not expire.
Advanced Modern
This class is open to those with significant experience in modern dance and only with the permission of the Instructor.
