Descriptions & Levels
Our progressive dance program offers training in dance technique grounded in Ballet, Modern and Jazz dance, while including Tap, Hip Hop, Modern Fusion, Musical Theater, Progressing Ballet Technique and more. It is important as a dancer to have a well-rounded education in many different forms of dance. Our schedule and curriculum allow each and every student to learn and grow in many different genres of dance.
Ballet
a classical dance form demanding grace and precision and employing formalized steps and gestures set in intricate, flowing patterns to create expression through. Ballet helps develop strength, flexibility, musicality, and provides the foundation for the other forms of dance.
Modern
a compliment to ballet classes, it is a form of contemporary theatrical and concert dance employing a special technique for developing the use of the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas.
Jazz
a form of dance that showcases a dancer's individual style and originality. Jazz dancing is energetic and fun, consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps, and quick turns. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background in ballet, as it encourages grace and balance.
Pointe
Pointe technique is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet within pointe shoes.
Hip Hop
a high energy type of dance, originating from funk and street dance. The classes focus on different stylized techniques, rhythm, and isolations. Hip Hop class encourages dancers to engage in freestyle to help build style and confidence.
Tap
a type of dance characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion. The sound is made by shoes that have a metal "tap" on the heel and toe.
Musical Theater
a dance form that focuses on learning proper dance technique while exploring the various dance styles used in Broadway shows.
Modern Fusion
a dance form which fuses modern dance, jazz, and ballet. It requires excellent technique to perform, as the moves are often difficult and precise. It is performed to music with lyrics to inspire movements to express strong feelings and emotions the choreographer feels from the lyrics in the chosen song.
Progressing Ballet
Technique (PBT)
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance students' technique by focussing on training the muscle memory required in each exercise in all forms of dance.
Pre-Pointe
Pre-pointe classes help ballet students prepare for pointe work by strengthening muscles, improving balance, and developing proper technique. Students learn proper foot and ankle positioning, and develop a strong foundation for pointe work.
Pre- Dance Division
Ages 3 - 6
The Pre-Dance Division is an exciting introduction to the world of dance designed especially for the young beginner. The main goal of this program is to help the young student enjoy the process of learning dance by keeping it fun and encouraging.
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Pre-Ballet 1 – for students 3 to 4 years old
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Pre-Ballet 2 – for students 4 to 6 years old
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Fancy Feet – Ballet and Tap combination class for students 4 to 6 years old
Student Division - Junior
Ages 6 - 12
The Junior Division lays the groundwork for all future dance training. Lower level classes are taught slowly and carefully in order to emphasize proper posture and placement, while upper level student division classes work on the coordination of the full body in jumps, turns, and leaps. This division is divided into further sub-categories to ensure that each student is paced for optimal growth. These placements are based on the individual student's age, grade, skill level, and learning processes.
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Junior 1 – for students grades 1-2
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Junior 2 – for students grades 2-3
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Junior 3 – for students grades 3-4
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Junior 4 – for students grades 4-6
Student Division - Senior
Ages 10 - Adult
The Senior Division continues dance training for higher level dancers. Classes emphasize proper posture and placement and work on the coordination of the full body in jumps, turns, and leaps. This division is divided into further sub-categories to ensure that each student is paced for optimal growth. These placements are based on the individual student's age, grade, skill level, and learning processes.
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Senior 1-3 – for students grades 6-12
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Senior 1/2 - for students grades 5-7
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Senior 3/4 - for students grades 7-12
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Senior 5-7 – for students grades 8-12 by instructor approval only
Pre-Professional Division
Ages 10 - Adult
The Pre-Professional Division challenges the dedicated advanced level student both technically and artistically. This division requires each student to be enrolled in ballet at least 2 times per week, modern and jazz at MPA in the Pre-Professional level classes. Pre-Professional Level 7 dancers must be enrolled in 3 ballet classes per week. Pre-Pointe and Pointe classes are only available to dancers in the Pre-Professional Division. This division’s requirements are designed for dedicated dance students and will prepare these dancers for the potential next step in their training, either in a college program or in a professional setting.
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Pre-Professional 1 - placement by instructor recommendation only
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Pre-Professional 2 - placement by instructor recommendation only
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Pre-Professional 3 - placement by instructor recommendation only
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Pre-Professional 4 - placement by instructor recommendation only
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Pre-Professional 5 - placement by instructor recommendation only
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Pre-Professional 6 - placement by instructor recommendation only
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Pre-Professional 7 - placement by instructor recommendation only