Proper dance attire is required for all classes. Street clothes and Street shoes are not allowed in class or on the dance floor. Hip Hop Classes need clean shoes. Hair should be pulled back and away from dancers’ face for ALL dance classes.
For your convenience, ballet slippers can be purchased at TDC.
Hair must be in a tight, clean bun for each class (no hair on the neck or face).
Leotard: any colored
Tights: Theatrical Pink color (tpk)
Slippers: Pink canvas with split sole, Capezio Hanami – no silky ones from Big Box stores
Leotard: Black (any)
Tights: Theatrical Pink color (tpk)
Slippers: Pink canvas with split sole, Capezio Hanami – no silky ones from Big Box stores
Leotard: Company – order through TDC $21/$25
Tights: Theatrical Pink color (tpk)
Slippers: Pink canvas with split sole, Capezio Hanami. No silky ones from Big Box stores
Anything they can move and stretch in (no jeans)
Leotard: Black (any)
Shoes: Jazz Gore Boots (specific color will be specified later)
Leggings or Spandex Shorts
Tights: Only buy if it’s on your costume list (specific color will be specified later)
Company tank top and spandex shorts – Order through TDC
Shoes: Jazz Gore Boots (specific color will be specified later)
Tights: Only buy if it’s on your costume list (specific color will be specified later)
Leotard: Black (any style)
Dance Pants or hot shorts
Form fitting, modest, dance attire, Dance Pants or hot shorts
This class actively develops motor skills, imagination and creativity skills and an awareness of musical concepts while building self-confidence and trust when when working with other children. The class is fun and simplistic with a lot of dancing games and other activities that get the dancers excited to move.
Ballet: Level 1′s main purpose is to strengthen and develop certain muscles of the body which prepare the dancer for level two where they will begin formal classical ballet training. The objective is to utilize an assortment of fun activities and dancing games to heighten an awareness of classical ballet concepts, motor skills and strength. A continued focus is placed on musicality and developing imagination and creativity skills.
Modern: This class builds upon pre-level concepts as teachers place greater emphasis on body awareness (pointing toes, lengthening through spine, lifting in the center, etc.). Teachers constantly draw attention to these details as dancers create and execute movement in a fun, engaging way—through movement games and activities. Dancers begin to develop more control as they perform locomotor steps, travel throughout the space, and continue to explore and develop their own movement. Proper class behavior and respect toward themselves, their peers, and their teacher is taught.
Ballet: This year of study introduces the students to the formal ballet class. The students transition from the freedom of the previous years’ classes into a more disciplined study of classical ballet. The transition is made slowly throughout the year to ease the students into executing exercises that are just as fun, but with a little more structure. More emphasis is placed on proper alignment, line and classical shape of the port de bras than in previous years.
Modern: Dancers at this level continue to develop body awareness and recognize that their movement can communicate meaning. They will build strength, flexibility, articulation, strengthen alignment, and coordination. Dancers will begin to execute more complex locomotor patterns, develop knowledge in phrasing and rhythm, and begin to dance more fluidly. Dancers have opportunities throughout class to create and explore their own movement, emphasizing articulation of the spine. Proper class etiquette is expected.
Ballet: This year of study begins with a review of the previous years’ material. Progress is measured in this year by the improvement achieved in the execution of the steps, not merely by how many steps have been added to the vocabulary. Throughout the year, the students will begin to execute the exercises in increased number, stressing the development of strength in the legs and feet, and the coordination of the upper and lower body.
Modern: Strength, flexibility, coordination, agility, balance, and overall kinesthetic awareness increase at this level. Locomotor movements become more refined and coordinated, and dancers are aware of alignment as they execute movement. Dancers begin to develop smoother transitions, explore dynamic movement, and recover from off-center movement. Teachers emphasize articulation of the spine, core strength, and moving from the center to the ends of the body. More complex rhythmical patterns are utilized. Dancers have opportunities to explore and create their own movement.
Jazz: This level will be introduced to a formal jazz class structure. Basic jazz technical skills and simple strength and flexibility exercises will be broken down and taught slowly. Simple dance routines in different jazz styles, such as street jazz and lyrical jazz, will be taught in center to introduce dancers to learning style and choreography.
Ballet: Level 4 is a cultivation of levels 2 and 3. This level is for elementary age and teens who would like to begin classical ballet training and begin preparations for company audition placement.
Modern: This level is designed for teens who are at a beginning level. The concepts are similar to those taught in level 2 and 3, but in a more sophisticated way appropriate to the age of the class. Emphasis is on developing technique, correcting alignment issues, strength, flexibility, developing kinesthetic awareness, and exploring and creating their own movement. Dancers learn to communicate ideas and feelings through improvisation and their own short compositions.
Jazz: This level is for teens who would like to begin formal jazz training. This level will be introduced to a formal jazz class structure. Basic jazz technical skills and simple strength and flexibility exercises will be broken down and taught slowly. Simple dance routines in various jazz styles, such as street jazz and lyrical jazz, will be taught in center to introduce dancers to learning style and choreography.
Ballet: Added to the formal work of previous years is the knowledge of a corps de ballet. Dancing as a group is solidified through peripheral awareness. The ballerina will be taught how to dance within a group in a way that creates the illusion of one body on the stage. A higher expectation to perform with grace and poise is required when moving from one position to the next. Flexibility and strength continue to increase preparing dancers for higher extensions and longer more extensive steps and combinations. This level is by audition only.
Modern: This level is by audition, and introduces the dancer to what it means to be on a company—commitment, dedication, responsibility to self and teammates, resilience, and a strong work ethic. Dancers have greater body awareness, and should be able to hear a correction and apply it in their own bodies. Dancers continue to build strength, flexibility, and greater endurance. Emphasis is placed on executing fluid transitions, moving from core to distal, grounding, and articulation of the spine. Dancers continue to build skill in timing/rhythm. Students develop a greater sense of performance quality. Dancers have opportunities to explore and create their own movement through improvisation and short compositional activities. A higher level of maturity is expected at this level.
Jazz: Basic jazz technical skills will be reviewed and practiced. Strength and flexibility will be a focus for this level. Combination routines in center will be taught to increase ability to learn choreography and will include different styles of jazz such as street jazz, lyrical jazz and musical theater jazz. Performance technique will also be a focus for this level. This level is by audition only.
Ballet: Proper placement and a considerable amount of technical strength on demi-pointe is required before studying pointe work. At this level the ballerina should be seriously committed to the study of classical ballet. Pre-pointe exercises are practiced in and outside of the classroom. This level is by audition only.
Modern: This audition-based level heightens the skills and concepts from Prep Company. Dancers become more fluid, and are able to execute more challenging and complex movement phrases with connectivity and smooth transitions. Focus continues to be on alignment, grounding, head/tail connection and moving from core to the periphery, articulation of the spine, and moving with a full range of motion as dancers develop greater strength and flexibility. Dancers have a good sense of rhythm, continue to build performance skills, and have opportunities to create and explore their own movement through improvisation and short compositional activities.
Jazz: Basic jazz technical skills and strength and flexibility exercises will continue to be reviewed and practiced. Certain new skills along with improvisation exercises and combination jazz movement will be introduced. Dancers will learn weight change, pivot turns and other combination exercises. Different jazz styles, such as street jazz, lyrical jazz and musical theater jazz, will be practiced. Performance technique will continue to be a focus for this level. This level is by audition only.
Ballet: The preparatory level for pointe work. Proper placement and a considerable amount of technical strength on demi-pointe is required before studying pointe work. At this level the ballerina should be seriously committed to the study of classical ballet. Pre-pointe exercises are practiced in and outside of the classroom. This level is by audition only.
Modern: Company 3 incorporates more dynamic movement (off-center movement &being able to recover with control and while maintaining proper alignment). Dancers demonstrate increased strength, control, and refinement as they pay greater attention to detail and are able to grasp the nuances in the movement. Dancers continue to build skill in the elements of dance, in performance, and have opportunities to create their own movement though improvisation and composition.
Jazz: Basic jazz technical skills and strength and flexibility exercises will continue to be reviewed and practiced. Technical refinement will be emphasized as well as dynamic movement. Certain new skills along with improvisation exercises and combination jazz movement will be introduced. Dancers will learn weight change, pivot turns and other combination exercises. Different jazz styles, such as street jazz, lyrical jazz and musical theater jazz, will be practiced. Performance technique will continue to be a focus for this level. This level is by audition only.
Ballet: This level is for those who are strong enough to begin pointe work. Appropriate strength is deemed sufficient by the instructor and ballet director. Pointe concepts and exercises are taught slowly and facing the barre. Later, as stability and strength improve, similar exercises are executed in center. This level is by audition only.
Modern: This audition-based level is for dancers who have developed greater skill in technique and performance, and who also demonstrate a deeper level of maturity and commitment to class. Teachers focus on developing strength, creating more complex movement patterns that challenge dancers’ balance and ability to recover from off-center positions, and articulation of the spine. Dancers continue to hone their skills in time/rhythm, performance, and technique. Dancers have opportunities to create and explore their own movement through improvisation and short compositional activities.
Jazz: Basic jazz technical skills will continue to be reviewed and practiced. Certain new skills will be introduced and strength and flexibility exercises will continue to be practiced. Combination jazz movement and combination routines in center will get harder. Different jazz styles, such as street jazz, lyrical jazz and musical theater jazz, will be practiced. The contemporary jazz style will be introduced at this level and improvisation and performance exercises will continue to be a focus for this level. This level is by audition only.
Ballet: At this level the ballerina can tolerate longer periods of pointe work. Center work is strengthened and the more difficult steps of pointe work are studied. It’s the first year to perform on pointe. This level is by audition only.
Modern: This audition-based level is for dancers who have developed the technical, performance, and rhythmical skills as well as demonstrate the work ethic, maturity, and proper etiquette necessary for an upper-level company. Movement patterns are much more intricate. Emphasis is placed on developing greater strength, flexibility, endurance, and dancing with a full range of motion. Dancers know what it means to dance “beyond their own kinesphere”. Dancers become more grounded, develop greater connectivity, and develop more expressivity as performance skills are heightened. Students have opportunities to create their own movement through improvisation and short compositional activities.
Jazz: Basic jazz technical skills will continue to be reviewed and practiced and more advanced technical skills will be introduced. Combination jazz movement routines in center will start to get to a more advanced level. Different jazz styles, such as street jazz, lyrical jazz, contemporary jazz and musical theater jazz, will be practiced. Improvisation and performance exercises will be a focus for this level. This level is by audition only.
Ballet: The precursor of Performing Dance Company. The ballerina is taught how to use her technique as a medium for artistic expression. The ultimate goal of pointe work is to make it seem effortless. Variations from classical repertoire are studied. This level is by audition only.
Modern: This audition-based level is for dancers that are beginning to dance with the technical and performance skills necessary to make dancing appear effortless. Dancers learn to execute complex and intricate patterns with expression. Students continue to build strength, endurance, agility, and flexibility as they learn to dance more efficiently. Dancers have the opportunity to learn solo/duet parts in an understudy role as they prepare for Performing Dance Company. Dancers continue to have opportunities to create their own movement through improvisation and short compositional activities.
Jazz: More advanced technical skills will be introduced and basic skills and strength and flexibility exercises will be reviewed and practiced. Combination jazz movement and combination routines in center will continue to get to a more advanced level. Different jazz styles such as street jazz, lyrical jazz, contemporary jazz and musical theater jazz will be practiced. Advanced improvisation and performance exercises will be taught to prepare dancers for the most advanced level. This level is by audition only.
Ballet: The top company. This level is held at a high technical standard. The ballerina uses her technique as a medium for artistic expression. Pointe work seems effortless as the action of the foot is so controlled the descent and ascent barely seem noticeable. The ballerina can execute allegro movements with sharpness and attack and adagio movements with softness and fluidity. This level is by audition only.
Modern: This audition-based company is the top level company. Students have reached a technical level that enables them to dance efficiently and with apparent ease. Teachers continue to strengthen and challenge dancers through complex movement patterns, emphasizing grounding, articulation of the spine, core connection, rhythm, and expressivity. Dancers have opportunities to perform solo/duet parts, and are expected to adapt to the various nuances and styles of different choreographers. Performance quality and attention to detail is emphasized. Teachers focus on preparing these dancers for college and pre-professional experiences.
Jazz: Advanced jazz technique and strength and flexibility exercises will be taught and practiced. Advanced combinations of different jazz styles such as street jazz, lyrical jazz, contemporary jazz and musical theater jazz will be studied and mastered. Individual artistry, improvisation and performance will be focused on and mastered. This level is by audition only.