Arlington Dance Academy

Does your toddler love to move? We want you and your child to come dance and move with us! Join us for a whole lot of fun as we explore creative movement while meeting new friends. Classes will be 30 minutes, once a week. Parent participation is required . Ages 18 months – 3 years.

Core Strength is an exercise class designed to work on core strength and flexibility through stretching. This class will tone and strengthen all muscle groups.

Tap is a form of dance focusing on rhythms of the feet. Musicality, learning about basic music structure and rhythm are important components of this class.

Contemporary is a fusion of ballet, jazz and modern. This class focuses on combinations – students are advised to take this class along with a technique class (such as Ballet, Modern or Jazz). Dancers sign up for contemporary classes based on the ballet or jazz level they are currently taking. Contemporary (Levels 6+) – For students currently enrolled in a ballet or jazz level 6 or higher

Contemporary is a fusion of ballet, jazz and modern. This class focuses on combinations – students are advised to take this class along with a technique class (such as Ballet, Modern or Jazz). Dancers sign up for contemporary classes based on the ballet or jazz level they are currently taking. Contemporary (Levels 3-5) – For students currently enrolled in a ballet or jazz level 3-5

Modern is rooted in ballet but the movements are not as structured or codified. Modern is not as funky as Jazz or Hip Hop. Modern uses a greater range of body movements. It utilizes energy, breath, phrasing, fall and rebound, and contraction and release. Limon/Humphrey, Cunningham, Hawkins, and Release are among the techniques used in our modern classes. Improvisation is also integrated. Modern dance is wonderful for finding a dancer’s center placement and strength. Various forms of music are used. This class is offered to students age 7 and older .

Hip Hop is the style of dance often seen in music videos. While jazz dance is heavily incorporated, in hip hop pedestrian movements are stylized and included in combinations that are performed to upbeat music. Jazz experience is strongly recommended. This class is offered for students age 7 and older .

Jazz is a more funky form of dance. The body is used in many different ways and is not as restricted as in ballet. Jazz is danced to more popular contemporary music. This class is offered to students age 5 and older .

Once a dancer has been recommended and fit for pointe shoes, they move to Pointe Preparation 2. Here the dancer will learn how to break in their pointe shoes while getting comfortable moving and carrying their weight while dancing en pointe. The dancer will learn how to do basic ballet steps en pointe so they can safely enter a Pointe 1 dance class.

Pointe Preparation 1 students should purchase an elastic Thera-band resistance band strip prior to the first class. Please do not purchase a loop style band. We recommend the green Thera-band brand resistance strength. These can be purchased at athletic stores, Amazon, or at our front desk.

Pointe Preparation is a class designed specifically to target and strengthen the areas necessary for pointe work and to assess pointe shoe readiness. A student must reach a certain age and level before they are recommended to a pointe preparation class. Pointe readiness is determined by the instructors.

Pointe is an extended form of ballet. Pointe shoes are made from only paper, fabric, cardboard, and glue. Students en pointe are supporting their own body weight in their feet and ankles. We take safety seriously. A student must reach a certain age and technical level before they are ready for pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are required for pointe classes and must be approved by the instructor. Two ballet classes per week are required for all pointe and pointe preparation classes to help build and maintain strength in the legs, torso, feet and ankles. Pointe students must be enrolled in a pointe preparation class prior to registration in a pointe class and/or receive instructor approval to register.

Ballet and Tap is our higher level Pre-Ballet Program for students age 5 – 7 years old. This combination class keeps the fun going while encouraging the student to further develop their skills.

Pre-Ballet with Tap is a program designed for students ages 3 – 5 years old. Through the use of props and imagination, this program takes the basics of ballet technique and gives the children a fun and educational class. Large motor skills are highlighted as well as stimulating the brain’s coordination. The class includes tap. Rhythms and smaller motor skills are emphasized.

Ballet 8: Black leotard

Ballet 7: Lavender leotard

Ballet 5 and Ballet 6: Hunter green leotard

Ballet 3 and Ballet 4: Royal blue leotard

Ballet 1 and Ballet 2: Light blue leotard

Ballet for 7-8 year olds: Light blue leotard

Pre-ballet and Ballet with Tap: light pink leotard or simple light pink dance dress.

Ballet is the basis for all dance forms. It provides a strong foundation and the terminology needed by all dancers. It is danced to classical music. Our ballet curriculum is based on the Cecchetti technique.