Ridgefield School of Dance, LLC

Our advanced dancers in the classical ballet program may audition for, or be invited to join, the school’s Pre-Professional division. Pre-Professional Company members take technique class five days a week plus pointe as well as variations and repertory classes. An optional partnering class is also offered to our Pre-Professional division dancers.

Placements from Ballet 5 through Ballet 7 & our Preprofessional divisions are by invitation of the artistic director and faculty, as are placements in pointe classes. Students must demonstrate strong ankle, core and upper body strength before being admitted to the pointe program. This is only with permission of the faculty.

At around the age of 8, students in Ballet 3 begin taking technique classes twice a week and Ballet 4 takes class three times each week - classes are focused on technique, with performance choreography and rehearsals held on the weekends. The additional classwork enhances and accelerates their ballet training.

Ballet I and Ballet 2 dancers meet once a week, and learn basic positions and movements that serve as the foundation for their dance experience. They learn ballet technique, terminology and etiquette associated with classical ballet. Dancers are introduced to barre work, and movement patterns across the floor while learning choreography for Winter and Spring performances.

Combining the elements of both creative movement and ballet, our pre-ballet classes introduce children to the joys of dance. Through play and imagination, children improve on motor skills, musicality and learning to work in a group. These classes build the foundation of a child's love for dance through play and storytelling.

Tap is a fun, fun, fun class especially with our own (former) Rockette Stevi Van Meter. Tap I is for all beginners so there is a broad age-range. Tap is tap and you need experience and all of the basic moves to join Tap II. Tap for Teens aka Tap III is a class for intermediate to advanced level tappers with musicality, style and stage presence.

Theatre Dance classes are a great way to find joy in dancing. A fabulous way to work on rhythm and make friends while exercising your body, brain and your smile. These classes are a perfect entry into the dance world.

Contemporary Dance is informed by and associated with many dance techniques including classical ballet, modern and jazz. Contemporary incorporates the controlled legwork of ballet, with the freedom of the torso of modern and the improvisation, fall and recovery of jazz. The composition work in the class deals with the implications of movement design on the body within the stage space, learning how to build a movement phrase, using words with movements and other expressions.

To dance jazz properly, technique training is emphasized to reveal a well-defined body-line and control, enabling each dancer to be expressive in a variety of ways. Our jazz classes are designed to establish a strong technical jazz foundation while incorporating elements of street jazz, contemporary, Broadway and ballet in order to create strong multi-disciplined performers. Training involves a strong focus on the proper placement of anatomy and understanding of each dancer’s facility.

Our advanced dancers in the classical ballet program may audition for, or be invited to join, the school’s Pre-Professional division. Pre-Professional Company members take technique class five days a week plus pointe as well as variations and repertory classes. An optional partnering class is also offered to our Pre-Professional division dancers. Advanced students are taught original Balanchine, Bolshoi and Royal Ballet variations, pas-de-deux and solos to give them a learned repertoire of their own. A contemporary component is part of our dance training and is included in the ballet technique schedule. Having a deep understanding of how to move the body outside of the scope of traditional ballet not only contributes to a well- rounded and stronger dancer, but will also help to open up opportunities for acceptance and scholarships in various summer programs, college dance programs, and trainee programs in professional companies.

Placements from Ballet 5 through Ballet 7 & our Preprofessional divisions are by invitation of the artistic director and faculty, as are placements in pointe classes. Students must demonstrate strong ankle, core and upper body strength before being admitted to the pointe program. This is only with permission of the faculty. The intermediate and advanced level classes are more intensive and students take, depending on level, three to five classical ballet technique classes a week, plus pointe classes. Technique is the major focus of the school and, as it becomes more secondary in nature, dancers are able to emote, express, present, refine and become more confident in their movement. Dancers' confidence is rewarded with deepening pleasure as dance becomes an integral part of their lives.

At around the age of 8, students in Ballet 3 begin taking technique classes twice a week and Ballet 4 takes class three times each week - classes are focused on technique, with performance choreography and rehearsals held on the weekends. The additional classwork enhances and accelerates their ballet training. Classes incorporate barre and center floor work. Working on technique is an important part of the curriculum as the dancers transition into a more intensive and structured level. To complement their training, dancers are encouraged to take classes in other disciplines including jazz, modern and lyrical.

Combining the elements of both creative movement and ballet, our pre-ballet classes introduce children to the joys of dance. Through play and imagination, children improve on motor skills, musicality and learning to work in a group. These classes build the foundation of a child's love for dance through play and storytelling. The emphasis is on enhancing young dancers' innate joy in moving, and the confidence and self-esteem they gain from dancing. Designed as a first dance experience, children move as part of a group in a non-competitive atmosphere.

Tap dancers should wear a black leotard, fitted jazz shorts and/or tights. Black, lace-up, soft/split sole tap shoes are required. Boys should wear shorts and a T-shirt.

Jazz/Lyrical/Contemporary/Musical Theatre dancers should have hair in a high pony tail. No jewelry is allowed in class. No T-shirts or loose tops.

Ballet 7/PreProfessional Division 1 dancers' hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Ballet bun is required. LEATHER BALLET SLIPPERS (split sole) are required for this level and up.

Ballet 6/PreProfessional Division 2 dancers' hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Ballet bun is required. LEATHER BALLET SLIPPERS (split sole) are required for this level and up.

Ballet 5 dancers' hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Ballet bun is required. LEATHER BALLET SLIPPERS (split sole) are required for this level and up.

Ballet 4 dancers' hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Ballet bun is required. LEATHER BALLET SLIPPERS (split sole) are required for this level and up.

Ballet 3 dancers' hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Ballet bun is required. Dancers may participate in class if they arrive within 15 minutes of the start of class and with permission of the instructor. Dancers arriving later than 15 minutes may be asked to observe class.

Ballet 2 through the PreProfessional Division dancers' hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Ballet bun is required. Parents may observe classes the last week of each month.

Ballet 1 dancers' hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Short hair should be held back in a headband and barrettes. Hair up and off the face in a bun or a tidy pony tail.

PreBallet dancers' hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Short hair should be held back in a headband and barrettes. Hair up and off the face in a bun or a tidy pony tail.

NIA combines dance, martial arts, mindfulness, and tones your body while transforming your mind. A mind, body, spirit class NIA can be either a movement meditation or an exuberant class of joyful dance. Dancers work at their own level of comfort and experience. NIA is a wonderful way to add dance into your life and is a drop in class.

Each day begins with a daily technique class that will concentrate on fine-tuning and developing form and expression. Attention to raising the bar on pirouettes and petit allegro enhancement is part of the curriculum. A modern component will add to core strength and a new look at body awareness.

Immerse yourself in the grace and elegance of classical dance while nurturing your body and spirit. Rebecca Tschan carefully designs her classes to accommodate beginning intermediate level dancers as well as more seasoned dancers. Under her guidance, you will discover the joy of flowing movements, the thrill of mastering intricate footwork, and the satisfaction of achieving newfound flexibility. Whether you're discovering ballet or revisiting a lifelong passion, our adult ballet class at The Ridgefield School of Dance promises to inspire, invigorate, and empower you on your dance journey.

Immerse yourself in the grace and elegance of classical dance while nurturing your body and spirit. Rebecca Tschan carefully designs her classes to accommodate beginning intermediate level dancers as well as more seasoned dancers. Under her guidance, you will discover the joy of flowing movements, the thrill of mastering intricate footwork, and the satisfaction of achieving newfound flexibility. Whether you're discovering ballet or revisiting a lifelong passion, our adult ballet class at The Ridgefield School of Dance promises to inspire, invigorate, and empower you on your dance journey.

Specially designed for our youngest dancers, ages 5 - 6. Dancers combine imagination and creative play with props, stories and music while having fun, making friends and learning beginning ballet technique and etiquette.

Specially designed for our youngest dancers, ages 3 - 4. Dancers combine imagination and creative play with props, stories and music while having fun, making friends and learning beginning ballet technique and etiquette.

Tap into your inner Rockette! Taught by former Rockette Stevi Van Meter, our adult tap class is too much fun to miss! Regardless of your level, Stevi will help you get one step closer to the Radio City Music Hall stage. Tap is not only fun but great for building bone density. Classes are offered as 6 class sessions.

New this Fall, adults have the opportunity to experience a Jazz/Lyrical class on Thursday evenings. This workshop is offered in 6 week sessions and dancers will learn technique and choreography. You will experience a fun and invigorating class that channels your rising Broadway star.

Wednesday Workshop & Summer Saturdays

With a goal of learning to fly by improving grand allegro, this workshop will also focus on flexibility and core conditioning, alternating ballet technique with modern dance training to improve strength and enhance movement quality.

Dancers (ages 7+) become part of the creative process! Explore musicality and rhythm while improving in classical ballet, learning a variety of dance techniques and developing their own choreography. This workshop is designed for dancers to explore movement and how timing and precision can affect their technique and presentation.

Young Dancers & Intensive Summer Programs