The Dancer's EDGE

It is one of our biggest honors to provide our dancers and our community with the opportunity to take small classes with some of the industry's leading performers, choreographers, and teachers. We encourage every family to take advantage of the master classes offered throughout the school year and summer as a way to not only develop technical excellence in our students, but also inspire them to dream big.

Hip Hop dance became widely known after the first professional breaking, locking and popping crews formed in the 1970’s. These early sub-styles were brought about as living interpretations of the music of the time and began to gain traction with the advent of Soul Train and MTV. Taking the best of styles shown on TV, professional Hip Hop crews and the most talented coaches in the industry, the Hip Hop program at The Dancer’s EDGE provides students with a dance genre like no other. The music is fresh and upbeat just like the movement, and the pace is often fast and aerobic.

Lyrical and Contemporary have their primary basis in Ballet, combining the many technical elements of Classical Ballet with the freedom and airier aspects of Jazz & modern. Dances are expressive, simultaneously subtle and dynamic and focused on conveying musicality and emotion through movement. It is a combination of intricate, highly technical steps paired with pedestrian/naturalistic movement. This allows dancers to highlight beauty, openness and strength simultaneously in one dance genre.

Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using one’s shoes, as well as the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a musical form. This marriage of music and dance culminates in a very fast-paced and technically challenging genre that is unlike any other type of dance. Tap dancers will learn to listen and count music in great detail, and highlight the nuances and textures of each song with delicacy and balance. From hoofin’ to traditional broadway tap, The Dancer’s EDGE has something to offer tap dancers of every age.

Jazz dance is an exciting, versatile style that captures the adoration of many a young, energetic dancer. Today’s style of jazz is largely inspired by the unequivocal Bob Fosse (Chicago, Cabaret, Damn Yankees) and Jerome Robbins (West Side Story, Funny Girl, Peter Pan). It was made popular by the music video era (i.e. Michael Jackson) and has been featured weekly on hit shows like So You Think You Can Dance and World of Dance. It is the basis of most musical theatre work, and is the primary style behind show choir choreography. Jazz technique finds all of its roots in classical Ballet training, and thus it’s essential that all students studying Jazz also be enrolled in a Ballet class.

If Ballet is your passion, we think you’ll find the Ballet program at The Dancer’s EDGE is one of the most comprehensive and well respected in the area. A focus on classical technique that emphasizes correct muscular engagement develops dancers with finesse and grace, movement qualities that will serve dancers well regardless of whether their future plans include Pre-Professional Ballet work, our Company program, or dance-related school activities.

The Tinies program at The Dancer's EDGE prides itself on being the most rewarding and comprehensive young dancer experience in the area.

Ballet, Tap, Tumbling/Flexibility, Pre-Jazz Tinies 3 is for students who are 5 years old (turning 6 throughout the school year) and generally in Kindergarten. Tinies 2 is not required beforehand in order to enroll in Tinies 3 (previous material will be reviewed at the start of the session).

Ballet, Tap, Tumbling/Flexibility Tinies 2 is for dancers who are 4 (turning 5 throughout the school year) and are in preschool or AK. Tinies 1 is not required beforehand to enroll in a Tinies 2 class (the Tinies 1 material will be reviewed at the start of the session).

Ballet, Tap, Tumbling/Flexibility Our youngest "dancing on your own" Tinies level at the Dancer's EDGE. This class is for 3 year olds (turning 4 throughout the school year). Students must turn 3 by November 1st in order to enroll in the class.

Creative Movement in a Mommy (or Daddy!) And Me format If you have a young dancer who's already movin' and shakin' but a little too young for our Tinies 1 class, Teeny Tinies is an excellent way to instill rhythm, creative movement, and comfort in a classroom environment!

Pointe 3 dancers must take Ballet three times per week and Pointe two times per week. This advanced class requires significant dedication and technique.

Pointe 1 and Pointe 2 dancers must enroll in Ballet two times per week and Pointe two times per week. This class is by invitation only and focuses on advanced ballet technique.

Hip Hop classes may be taken independently and offer a dynamic introduction to urban dance styles. Explore various movements and choreography in a high-energy environment.

Tap classes may be taken independently and focus on rhythmic footwork and musicality. Develop coordination and a sense of timing in this engaging class.

Ballet classes may be taken independently and are a foundational element for many other dance genres. This class focuses on classical technique and posture.

Jazz, Lyrical, and Acro classes require that students also be enrolled in their appropriate level Ballet class. These classes are designed to foster creativity and technical skill in various dance forms.

Experience The Early EDGE as children become mini chefs at cooking camp. Our cooking-themed preschool camp will include activities supporting the Iowa Early Learning Standards. It will consist of crafts, music, dance, and of course cooking! Our little chefs will learn a short dance to perform for families on the last day.

Experience The Early EDGE as children become zookeepers and learn about popular zoo animals. Preschool age students will engage in activities including crafts, music, dance, and so much more. Children will enjoy opportunities to explore zoo-themed centers, experience activities supporting the Iowa Early Learning Standards, and learn a short dance to perform for families on the last day.

Popstars unite! If you have a Swiftie or mini-Justin Bieber in your life who loves music and dancing, this is the camp for them! We’ll plan and choreograph a music video that we’ll film at the end of the week! An awesome memento to remember our fun time together!

Join us for this Wickedly-fun adventure! We’ll celebrate friendship, dance to our favorite musical theatre tunes, and create awesome crafts! Our camp week will conclude with a sweet treat and an awesome performance for our families! It’s bound to be Popular this Summer, so don’t miss out!

Join us for a patriotic week of dancing, crafts, games and more! We’ll learn a dance to perform in The Freedom Festival parade on Saturday, June 28th (tentative parade time is 4pm). Help us decorate our parade float, learn more about parade performance etiquette, and have fun celebrating our nation’s birthday! Registration includes a t-shirt to wear for the parade performance.

Calling all princesses! Join us for an academy fit for royalty! Wear your favorite princess dress, get fancied up, and dance through a week celebrating all of our favorite princesses! We’ll make beautiful crafts, play princess games, and prepare a royal performance for our final day!

We’re Back for a Hawaiian Luau celebrating one of our favorite princesses, Moana! We’ll do Moana crafts, games, dancing and more! Our camp week will conclude with a sweet treat and an awesome performance for our families!