Skill Progression
A strong dance foundation is built on skills that are challenging, but developmentally appropriate. Our classes are taught in such a way that each skill and step is broken down and taught so that they can be executed with proper technique. Below are the skills that each age level will work toward throughout the course of the season.
Creative Movement
Gross motor skills
Social skill development
Following directions
Gaining Confidence toward being in a class setting without a parent
Gross motor skills
Social skill development
Following directions
Gaining Confidence toward being in a class setting without a parent
Ages 3-4
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Ballet
Plie Releve Tendu Ronds de jambe Passe Saute Echappe Arabesque Chasse Skipping forwards and backwards Basic Terminology |
Tap
Tap front Tap side Toe-toe step Shuffle step Traveling toe step Traveling heel step |
Ages 5-6
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Ballet
Ronds de jambe Third position Grande battements Chaine turns Grande jete Skipping backwards Chasse forward Coupe Arabesque in center Changement Transition to barre work Definitions of Terminology |
Tap
Maxi Ford Flap Shuffle ball change Heel brush Buffalo prep Side shuffles |
Jazz
Grapevine Chasse to side Pivot turns Parallel passé Jazz drag |
Ages 6-8
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Ballet
Barre work Degage (facing barre) Releve passé Pas de bourree Balance Center combinations Arm positions Counting music Saute arabesque Correct body placement and technique |
Tap
Buffalo (standing and travelling) Shim sham Traveling flap heel Toe hop step Cramp roll Heel brush toe step Create their own phrases Counting and rhythm |
Jazz
Three step turn Passé leap Chasse ball change Kick ball change Pirouette prep Jazz square Combinations in center Showing emotion during performance |
Ages 8-12 Level 1
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Ballet
Glissade Pirouette prep Pique turns Degage Temps lie Frappe Fondu ronds de jambe Cambre Pas de chat Ronds de jambe en lair Continuing focus on proper alignment |
Tap
Drawback Rolling shuffle Single time step Traveling buffalo |
Jazz
Pirouette Fan kick Chasse step leap Grande battements Jazz drag soutineau Chaine with plié Traveling pas de bourre |
Ages 8-12 Level 2
*mastery of level 1 skills plus teacher recommendation required
*mastery of level 1 skills plus teacher recommendation required
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Ballet
Waltz turns Jette Tombe pas de bourre Pirouettes Body placement Center grande battement En dedans turns Passé releve balance Assemble Adagio Sliding echappe Attitude |
Tap
All time steps Buffalo & maxi ford turns Cincinatti Progressions across the floor |
Jazz
Double pirouette Center combinations Various leaps |
Intermediate Ballet, Jazz & Tap
*mastery of these skills as observed by the teacher is required for placement in advanced level classes
*mastery of these skills as observed by the teacher is required for placement in advanced level classes
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Ballet
Double frappe Petit battemant Glissade Assamble Jete Saut de chat Grande jete Pique turns Chaine turns Clean single pirouette (inward & outward) Balance´ Waltz & waltz turns Use of turnout Apply barre technique to center and across the floor combinations Consistent attendance* |
Jazz
Clean double outward pirouette with proper placement Clean single inward pirouette with proper placement Use of plies for high leaps Correct leg placement for leaps in second Straight, even legs in grande jete Use of general technique for all leaps Ability to learn and retain fast paced choreography Ability to continuously apply corrections Actively working on flexibility outside of class Consistent attendance* |
Tap
Clean buck and traditional time steps (single, double, and triple) Drawbacks Cincinatti Double buffalo Maxi ford turns Three clean, consecutive pullbacks Wings Ability to learn and retain rhythm based choreography Consistent attendance* |
*See attendance portion of studio policies for full attendance requirements