Classes & Schedule - Season 8 Coming Soon!

 Ballet and creative dance class for 3 and 4 years olds. “Doll Baby” is a nickname we have given this group of dancers because they are just too cute! They will learn the basics of ballet and creative dance in each class and will increase strength, stamina, flexibility, and coordination. These 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. We feel creative dance is very important to incorporate at this young age as dancers learn through play and imagination.  Not only will they learn dance steps, but they will learn to stand in a line, wait their turn, and follow and react to the teacher's movements and verbal instructions.  Dancers will also 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 Doll Baby Acro Dance. 

 Ballet and Creative Dance Class for 5 and 6 year olds.  “Tiny Toes” is a nickname we have given this group of dancers as their “Tiny Toes” learn new things in dance class. These classes will be more advanced than Doll Baby classes due to age, but classes are structured the same. Dancers will learn the basics of ballet and creative dance in each class and will increase strength, stamina, flexibility, and coordination. These 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. We feel creative dance is very important to incorporate at this young age as dancers learn through play and imagination.  Not only will they learn dance steps, but they will learn to stand in a line, wait their turn, and follow and react to the teacher's movements and verbal instructions.  Dancers will also get to experience the joy and accomplishment of learning and performing.   There will be 3 Tiny Toes Ballet and Creative Dance classes offered throughout the week. Dancers can take one of them. Tiny Toes dancers have the option to take ballet alone or with Tiny Toes Pom and/or Tiny Toes Tap class.  

Ballet dates back to the 15th century and is the foundation of all dance. 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. Requirements: Jazz or Jazz/Lyrical is required to take with ballet levels B, C, and D. Level A is not required to take jazz with ballet.  Level A can take ballet alone or with any other Level A class. Level C takes Pre-Pointe with Ballet. Level D meets 2x a week for ballet and once a week for Pointe. Pointe is also integrated into Level D Ballet technique classes. Any additional classes are optional. Update for season 8: Level A Ballet is expected to be a very big class. This class will be split into two classes by age: Level A Ballet age 7 (age 7 on Sept. 1, 2025), and Level A Ballet age 8 and up. All other Level A classes remain ages 7 and up.      

 Jazz is a very fun, upbeat, and stylistic form of dance. Music is to clean pop music. Jazz dance takes ballet technique and adds a different style and flare to it. Starting in Level B, lyrical dance is also incorporated. In these classes, dancers will learn 3 different styles of dance: Jazz, lyrical, and contemporary dance. Lyrical and contemporary dance is slower, more expressive, and a beautiful mix of jazz and ballet. From taking these classes, dancers will increase strength, stamina, grace, coordination, flexibility, style, and artistry. Requirements: Ballet is required to take with Jazz/Lyrical class in Levels B, C, and D (including pre-pointe/pointe for levels C/D). Any additional classes are optional. Level A is not required to take Jazz with Ballet. Level A Jazz can be taken alone or with any other Level A class.  

 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 to CLEAN hip hop, pop, or rap depending on the choreography. Classes and choreography will be structured for this multi-age class to accommodate for all levels. Dancers can take Hip hop alone or with other classes of their level.  Update for season 8: Hip Hop will be one big class for ages 8 and up!     

 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.    

 Pom dance is a fun, high energy mix of cheer and jazz dance. The style is mainly jazz dance while holding poms in hands. Big schools and universities have talented pom squads that perform at half-time during basketball and football games. Requirements: Tiny Toes and Levels A and B can take this class alone or with any other class of their level. The more advanced levels, C and D, are required to also take Level C or D Ballet and Jazz, as Jazz is the foundation of Pom dance. Any additional classes are optional.   

 Pointe class for experienced ballet dancers learning and performing in pointe shoes. Dancers must have teachers' approval to enroll. 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. Dancers learn how to sew and take care of their pointe shoes and perform en pointe. They will also learn how to care for their feet, arches, and toes that comes with being a pointe dancer. Dancers in pointe class are held to our highest expectations and are dedicated and committed. Requirements: All Pointe dancers are required to take Level D Ballet 2x a week and Level D Jazz/Lyrical. Any additional classes are optional.       

 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. 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. Requirements: Level C Ballet and Jazz/Lyrical are required to take with this class. Any additional classes are optional.    

 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 Levels B, C, and D, but not required. Dance team members are required to take this class.    

  For dancers that want more performing opportunities and experiences in dance outside of classes and recitals. Must qualify through audition to join. After auditions, dancers are put into teams by age and ability. Dancers compete in dance competition(s), attend a dance convention, perform at local community events, perform dances in our recitals, and audition for lead roles in EPDA’s “The Nutcracker” ballet. In addition to their group dances, they can work towards performing solos, duets, and trios at competitions. Team dancers are held to our highest expectation in their dedication and commitment. Requirements: to audition, dancers must have taken Ballet and Jazz in levels B, C, or D. Team dancers take Ballet, Jazz, Stretch/Strength in their levels, team rehearsals 2x a week, and commit to all the standards expected for being on teams. Any additional classes 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. 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 when ready. Imaginary fun, play, and games are also incorporated into our youngest Acro Dance classes. Our teacher holds a certification in elementary aged acro dance through Acrobatic Arts. Acro Dance can be taken alone or with any other class of the dancer's level.  

 We are thrilled to be offering tap classes! Tap dance has a rich history that originated through folk dance. It is now its own popular dance genre today. Dancers use their shoes to create sounds and beats with the music. Tap can be taken alone or with any other class of the dancer’s level. 

Private lessons are available upon request.

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