Classes & Schedule

Ballet and Creative Dance class for 3 & 4 years olds. “Doll Baby” is a nickname given to this group because they are just too cute! They will learn the basics of ballet and increase strength, stamina, flexibility, and coordination. Classes are tailored to their young age by teaching the very beginnings in ballet technique, along with fun and creative ways of exploring movement through creative dance. Creative dance is very important to incorporate at this young age as dancers learn through play and imagination.  They will also learn to stand in a line, wait their turn, follow and react to the teacher's movements and verbal instructions, and get to experience the joy and accomplishment of learning and performing. There will be 3 Doll Baby Ballet and Creative Dance classes offered throughout the week. Dancers can take one of them.  Doll Baby Dancers have the option to take ballet alone or with Acro. Ballet classes will perform in The Nutcracker and May Recital. 

Ballet and Creative Dance for 5 & 6 year olds. “Tiny Toes” is a nickname given to this group as their little, tiny toes dance around the room. Classes will be more advanced than Doll Baby classes but are structured the same. Dancers learn the basics of ballet, increase strength, stamina, flexibility, and coordination. Classes are tailored to their young age by teaching the beginnings in ballet technique, along with fun and creative ways of exploring movement through creative dance. This is important to incorporate as young dancers learn through play and imagination. Dancers will also learn to stand in a line, wait their turn, follow and react to the teacher's movements and verbal instructions, and get to experience the joy and accomplishment of performing. There will be 3 Tiny Toes Ballet classes offered throughout the week. Dancers can take one of them and have the option to take ballet alone or with Tap and/or Acro dance. Ballet classes will perform in The Nutcracker and May Recital.

Ballet dates back to the 15th century and is the foundation of dance technique. In ballet class, dancers will learn a mixture of ballet technique and methods commonly used throughout the United States. Steps and level of difficulty will be tailored to each group with corresponding technique, choreography, and goals. Starting class at the barre and progressing through center and across the floor ballet combinations. Dancers will increase strength, stamina, flexibility, coordination, dedication, artistry, and grace. Contemporary Ballet is also integrated into our older ballet classes. All ballet classes perform in The Nutcracker and the May Recital. 

Requirements

 Starting at level A, Ballet and Jazz are required to take together. Taking these two classes together will greatly benefit dancers in being well-rounded, establishing a strong foundation in both Ballet and Jazz technique, gain the ability to excel in different dance styles, and enhance overall learning and growth in both dance styles. 

Level A

Ballet and Jazz are taken together. All other classes can be taken alone or in addition to Ballet and Jazz. These classes are expected to be very big. They will be split into two groups by age. Level A age 7 (age 7 on Sept. 1, 2026), and Level A age 8 and up. All other level A classes remain ages 7 and up. 

Level B 

Ballet and Jazz are taken together. Lyrical is introduced in Jazz classes at this level and is a Jazz/Lyrical combo class. All other level B dance classes can be taken alone or in addition to Ballet and Jazz. 

Level C

 Ballet and Jazz are taken together. Level C ballet meets twice a week- technique class and pre/beginning pointe class. Level C is a 3 class a week commitment minimum. Level C Lyrical is its own class and is an optional addition to Ballet and Jazz. All other classes can be taken alone or in addition to Ballet and Jazz.

Level D 

At our most advanced level, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Stretch/Strength are all required to take together. Dancers are also required to have their right and left splits. Level D meets 2x a week for Ballet Technique class and 1x a week for Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, and Stretch/Strength.  Level D is a 6 class a week commitment minimum. All other classes can be taken alone or in addition to Ballet/Jazz/Lyrical/S&S. 

 Jazz is a very fun, upbeat, and stylistic form of dance. Music is to clean pop or Broadway style music. Jazz dance takes ballet technique and adds a different style and flare to it. Jazz terms and step names will be learned and mastered as dancers learn class combinations and choreography for performances. Dancers will increase strength, stamina, flexibility, coordination, dedication, confidence, artistry, and style. All Jazz classes will be performing in the Christmas Showcase performance and the May Recital. Ballet and Jazz are required to take together. Please see the "Requirements" section under A, B, C, and D Ballet for more info. 

 Hip hop dance is influenced by a wide range of styles and street dancing that has evolved into a very fun and popular form of dance today. Music is clean hip hop, pop, or rap depending on choreography. Classes and choreography will be structured for two different combo age groups: A/B and C/D. Dancers can take Hip hop alone or with other classes of their level. Hip Hop will perform in the Christmas Showcase performance and May Recital.       

 This class is offered to dancers ages 8 and up. Ballet Folklorico is traditional Mexican folk dance. This style is danced to traditional Mariachi music. Folk dance expresses the life, traditions, and spirit of a culture through its movement, style, costumes, and music. Traditional Ballet Folklorico skirts will be used in both class and performances for female dancers.  Male dancers have their own traditional dance steps and costume in Ballet Folklorico as well. Dancers can take this class alone or with other classes of their level. Folklorico will perform in the Christmas Showcase performance and May Recital. 

 Pre and Beginning Pointe

This class will focus on ballet steps and muscle strength training to prepare a dancer to go en pointe or train them as they are first learning to dance in their pointe shoes. Some dancers will be taking this class in their ballet flat shoes (regular ballet shoes), and other dancers will be taking it in pointe shoes. Dancers need at least one year of taking pre-pointe in their ballet flat shoes before they are considered for going en pointe. The safe and correct time for a dancer to go en pointe is 12-13 years old, depending on their strength, technique, and years of training. Dancers taking class in pointe shoes will be trained on how to correctly and safely dance in pointe shoes. Focus will be on proper placement and muscle development to support dancing en pointe. Caring/maintenance for shoes and feet to prevent injury will be taught, along with how to sew pointe shoe ribbons and elastics. When dancers are ready, they perform en pointe- usually at the end of their first year in pointe shoes. Pointe dancers ready to perform en pointe, perform their ballet dances en pointe. Pre-pointe dancers or dancers not ready to perform en pointe yet perform ballet dances in their ballet flat shoes.   

   Intermediate and Advanced Pointe

Pointe class for experienced ballet dancers learning and performing in pointe shoes. Dancers are approved to take pointe class when they are individually ready and need to have previously danced en pointe the year(s) before. Dancers will use what they have learned in ballet technique class to beautifully dance en pointe. Combinations are specifically tailored to strengthen pointe work and stability while safely and correctly dancing en pointe. They also learn how to care for their feet, arches, and toes that come with being a pointe dancer. Dancers in pointe class are held to our highest expectations and are dedicated and committed. Pointe dancers perform Nutcracker and May recital ballet dances en pointe, unless choreography/characters require different shoes. 

Requirements: Ballet technique is required to take with pointe classes along with other classes.  Please see the "Requirements" section under A, B, C, and D Ballet for more info. 

 Lyrical is a beautiful and expressive fusion of ballet and jazz. Dancers need a strong foundation in ballet and jazz when dancing lyrical. Teachers will also incorporate contemporary dance into these classes. Contemporary is a close cousin to lyrical, and the styles are intertwined depending on the music and movement choices by the teacher/choreographer. From taking these classes, dancers will increase strength, stamina, grace, coordination, flexibility, style, confidence, and artistry. Jazz and lyrical require the same foundation in dance technique but are still two completely different styles. Level B will focus on jazz with an introduction to lyrical as a Jazz/Lyrical combo class.  In the more advanced Levels C and D, Lyrical is a separate class from Jazz, so dancers have more opportunities to grow in these different styles. Dancers will perform in our Christmas Showcase performance and in the May Recital. 

Requirements

Dancers in Level C must be taking Ballet and Jazz to take Lyrical. Lyrical is an optional addition to Level C Ballet and Jazz. Level D Ballet and Jazz dancers are required to take Lyrical. Please see the "Requirements" section under A, B, C, and D Ballet for more info.  

 This class is offered to dancers in levels B, C, and/or D. It is very important for dancers to be strong and flexible. Stretch and Strength meets once a week and is a conditioning accessory to other classes. Dancers will practice and learn proper stretching techniques that should also be practiced at home; flexibility is something that is achieved individually. Pilates, Yoga, and other strengthening techniques specific for dancers will be practiced and taught. This class is highly recommended for all ballet and jazz dancers in Levels B, C, and D. Level D and Dance Company members are required to take this class. This class does not perform and does not have a costume fee.    

 For dancers that want more performing opportunities and experiences outside of classes and recitals. They are choosing to pursue dance as their number one extracurricular activity. Extra hours are put in by company dancers, resulting in more opportunities for performing and growth.  Must qualify through audition to join. After auditions, dancers are put into various dances and roles for The Nutcracker in the fall and for dance competitions in the Spring, separated by age and ability. Dancers compete at dance competition(s), attend a dance convention, attend choreography camps, perform at local community events, perform company dances in our recitals, audition for lead roles in EPDA’s “The Nutcracker” ballet, and have additional group parts in the Ballet. They also have social events and benefit from the bonds and comradery of being on a dance company. In addition to their group dances, they can work towards performing solos, duets, and trios at competitions and recitals. Company dancers are held to our highest expectations in their dedication and commitment.  

Requirements to Audition:  

Dancers must have taken Ballet, Jazz, and Lyrical in levels B, C, or D and be age 10-17 years old by Sept. 1, 2026. Auditions are held in May.

Requirements for Company Dancers: 

Company dancers take in their placed levels: Ballet, Jazz, Jazz/Lyrical (level B), Lyrical (Level C & D), Stretch/Strength, rehearsals, have their right and left splits, attend summer classes, and commit to all the standards expected for being on Company. Dancers attend choreography camp and all rehearsals during Nutcracker season, and attend group and, if competing a solo, duet, trio, also attend solo, duet, trio rehearsals during competition season. Any additional classes- Tap, Acro, Hip hop, and Folklorico are optional.  

 Acro Dance is a fun mix of tumbling and dance. Classes will include learning Acro skills, locomotive skills, balance skills, building strength, flexibility, and cooperation/social skills; all paired with the benefits from movements taught in dance classes. The genre of dance is Jazz, as it's upbeat style and foundation pairs well with Acro in both skills and performance choreography. In our young classes you will find skills such as, pike, skipping, marching, pre-cartwheel, pre-handstand and somersault. Older classes will cover the basics plus, bridge, cartwheel, round off, handstands, and building to front and back walk overs and ariels when ready. Imaginary fun, play, and games are also incorporated into our youngest Acro Dance classes. Our teacher holds a certification in acro dance from Acrobatic Arts. Acro Dance can be taken alone or with any other class of the dancer's level. There are two Tiny Toes Acro classes offered. They are both the same class, just offered at different times. Tiny Toes dancers can sign up for one of them as both are expected to fill up. Dancers will perform in the Christmas Showcase performance and in the May Recital.  

 Tap dance has a rich history that originated through folk dance. It is now its own popular dance genre today. Dancers learn many different tap steps and combinations by name and use their shoes to create sounds and beats to the music. Tap can be taken alone or with any other class of the dancer’s level. Dancers will perform in the Christmas Showcase performance and in the May Recital.   

Private lessons are available upon request.

A dancer must be an En Pointe Dance Academy student to schedule a private lesson.