Class Descriptions

Barre

• Demonstrates 1st–5th positions of feet Can demonstrate and identify first through fifth positions
• Pliés and relevés with correct placement Proper alignment. Knees track over toes in plié, and weight stays centered over the balls of the feet in relevé
• Tendus and dégagés from 1st Tendus and dégagés from first position with pointed feet. The working foot slides along the floor and extends

Center Work

• Basic port de bras and sautés Basic arm positions (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and simple jumps: sautés in 1st, échappé sauté from 3rd & working on from 5th

Across the Floor

• Chaînés and chassé across the floor Chaîné turns (hands on hips), chassé, skip (passé hop), polka, all traveling with some control

Musicality

• Moves with the music Executes movements in time with the accompaniment, without consistently rushing or lagging

Barre

• Strong foot placement in all 5 positionsNeeded to move up All 5 positions with correct, strong placement, so the feet are clearly differentiated between positions
• Arms and head during barre exercises Incorporates port de bras and head while executing barre work, coordinating upper and lower body simultaneously

Center Work

• Holds turnout in center exercisesNeeded to move up Maintains turnout while executing center work away from the barre
• Clean pirouette prepNeeded to move up Pirouette preparation from 4th or 5th with correct weight distribution, arm placement, and relevé

Across the Floor

• Strong toe/ball/heel in traveling Proper articulation through the foot (toe, ball, heel) when traveling

Learning Skills

• R & L sides without verbal cueing Executes both sides with increasing confidence without teacher direction

Alignment

• Strong posture and alignmentNeeded to move up Maintains long neck, engaged core, reduced curve in lower back. The placement holds steady from the first count to the last

Center Work

• Clean pirouette from 5thNeeded to move up Executes a clean single pirouette from 5th position with spot, passé, and controlled landing
• Working toward pirouette from 4th Attempting pirouette from 4th with correct preparation, even if the full rotation isn't consistent
• Knowledge of sauté types Demonstrates changement, échappé, royale, soubresaut, entrechat quatre, and can identify and execute each on request

Across the Floor

• Executes 3–4 step combos with arms/head Strings 3 or 4 steps together with coordinated arms and head. Verbal cueing is still acceptable
• Tombé pas de bourrée pirouette sequence Executes the standard TPDB en dehors pirouette combination with correct transitions

Musicality

• Phrasing awareness in barre work Begins and ends barre exercises with the musical phrase, neither early nor late

Barre

• Proper placement for fondu développé / RDJ en l'airNeeded to move up Correct hip and shoulder placement (hips square, shoulders level) during fondu développé or rond de jambe en l'air

Learning Skills

• R & L sides on their ownNeeded to move up Repeats both right and left sides WITHOUT verbal cueing, applying the reversal independently

Center Work

• En dehors vs. en dedans pirouette knowledgeNeeded to move up Demonstrates and executes the difference between en dehors and en dedans pirouettes on request
• Petite allegro R to L without cueing Repeats petite allegro combinations from right to left side without teacher direction

Across the Floor

• Confident arms/legs/head across the floor Uses arms, legs, and head simultaneously with confidence. No "dead arms" and no dropped focus
• Clean TPDB en dehors pirouetteNeeded to move up Tombé pas de bourrée into clean en dehors pirouette from 4th position with consistent spot and controlled landing

Musicality

• Musical sensitivity in adagio Sustains movement through adagio phrases with breath and control, so the movement travels through each position on the way to the next

Physical Readiness

• Functional extension and turnout Demonstrates working turnout and extension at or above 90° in développé, holding the leg there with active flexibility rather than passive

Barre

• Longer barre combos with head & arms Extended barre combinations (8+ counts of 8) incorporating head and arms, executed clean, polished, and coordinated

Center Work

• Clean, consistent pirouettesNeeded to move up Pirouettes from both 4th and 5th are reliable: clean singles every time, doubles with increasing consistency
• Petite allegro with batterie/reversalNeeded to move up 2–4 counts of 8 petite allegro with added batterie (beats) and/or reversal of the combination
• Clean execution of all sautés All sauté types executed cleanly with pointed feet in the air, soft landings, and musical timing

Across the Floor

• Grand allegro, longer combos Grand allegro combinations of increasing length and complexity with height and extension

Physical Readiness

• Full splits (R, L, and center) Demonstrates full splits on right, left, and center. This is the flexibility foundation required for advanced grand allegro and développé work at Level D

Performance Quality

• Artistry in movement quality Movement has polish and expression, with dynamic quality, breath, and épaulement appropriate to the phrase

Center Work

• Mastery of 8 body positions (Cecchetti) with reversalNeeded to move up Demonstrates all 8 body positions of the body (croisé devant, à la quatrième devant, effacé, écarté, etc.) and reverses them on request, with correct alignment, épaulement, and port de bras
• Petite allegro with batterie, reversibleNeeded to move up Petite allegro combinations with batterie reversed in any direction, showing full command of the vocabulary including entrechat, royale, and brisé

Turns

• Triple pirouette (working toward consistent)Needed to move up Achieves triple pirouette with correct mechanics. Doubles are automatic and clean from both 4th and 5th on both sides
• Fouetté turns (at barre and center)Needed to move up Executes fouetté turns in center, away from the barre, with stable supporting leg, consistent spot, and controlled whip

Across the Floor

• Grand jeté en tournant and advanced grand allegro Executes grand jeté en tournant, chassé tour jeté, and complex grand allegro combinations with height, extension, and musicality

Performance Quality

• Polished execution with épaulement and artistry Every movement from barre through révérence shows integrated head, épaulement, musicality, and breath. Artistry is inseparable from technique

Studio Engagement

• Leadership and mentorship Leads the class through consistent attendance, full-out effort, and positive influence, modeling professionalism and supporting younger dancers

Rhythm & Musicality

• Find the beat independentlyNeeded to move up Identifies and moves on the downbeat ("the one") without teacher cueing
• Quarter note paradiddles Basic paradiddle pattern at quarter-note tempo with each sound distinct

Traveling

• Step heel walks to the beat Step heel walks sideways (open and close) ON the beat
• Basic around-the-world step heel Single step heel pattern in the around-the-world circle

Across the Floor

• Front irish / back irish Shuffle hop step traveling forward and backward with clear shuffle sound

Technique

• Shuffle steps in all directions Clean shuffles forward, backward, and sideways, with two distinct sounds per shuffle
• 4-point riffNeeded to move up Clean 4-point riff with 4 distinct, audible sounds

Rhythm & Musicality

• Call and echo rhythms (8th notes) Echoes rhythmic patterns using quarter and eighth notes, reproducing them accurately within 1 or 2 attempts
• Paradiddle eighth notes (all 4 sounds) Paradiddles at eighth-note tempo with all 4 sounds clearly articulated

Turns

• Step heel turns with spotNeeded to move up Step heel turns traveling with a consistent spot: the eyes find the spot on every rotation

Traveling

• Around-the-world double heel with weight change Double heel pattern with controlled weight change to transition sides

Technique

• 5-point riffNeeded to move up Clean 5-point riff with all sounds distinct

Across the Floor

• Running flaps (beginner) Beginning running flaps, traveling forward with alternating flaps and an even rhythm

Sound Quality

• Sound clarity at tempo Maintains distinct, audible sounds when executing steps at class working tempo, so the sounds don't blur together

Across the Floor

• Solid running flapsNeeded to move up Clean, consistent running flaps with even rhythm and clear sounds

Technique

• Flap heel drops with weight shifting Flap with one and two heel drops, demonstrating controlled weight shifts between feet
• Waltz clog Step shuffle ball change pattern executed cleanly in 3/4 time
• Basic time stepNeeded to move up Executes the standard time step pattern with correct rhythm and weight placement
• Pullbacks (introduction) Attempting pullbacks, with some lift off the floor on both feet; mastery is not expected

Rhythm & Musicality

• Double paradiddle Single AND double paradiddle patterns with all sounds clearly articulated
• Responds to tempo changes Adjusts step speed when the music tempo changes instead of continuing at the same speed regardless of the music

Turns

• Flap heel turns / cramp roll turnsNeeded to move up Turns with rhythmic footwork, holding the spot and keeping clean sounds through every rotation

Across the Floor

• Leap shuffles (no horse gallop) Airborne shuffle traveling forward with clear separation from the floor and two distinct shuffle sounds in the air

Technique

• Traveling time stepNeeded to move up Time step pattern executed while traveling across the floor. The rhythm stays consistent while moving
• Triple time step Double-double and triple time step variations with correct accents
• 8-point riffNeeded to move up Clean 8-point riff with all 8 sounds distinct at moderate tempo
• Soft shoe / back essence Spank pas de bourrée pattern that demonstrates the rhythmic swing of the back essence
• Pullback masteryNeeded to move up Consistent pullbacks with clean landing: both feet achieve full lift and the landing is controlled
• Wings (introduction) Attempting wings, with an audible wing sound; consistency is still developing

Sound Quality

• Clarity at faster tempos Executes combinations at increased speed without losing sound clarity or distinct articulation

Technique

• Syncopated wingsNeeded to move up Consistent wings executed with syncopated rhythmic patterns, placing wing sounds on off-beats with control
• Double back essence Double spank pattern in the back essence, with increased speed and complexity while maintaining the swing

Turns

• Reverse rhythm turns Paddle turns and rhythm turns with reversed rhythmic phrasing

Rhythm & Musicality

• Advanced paradiddle manipulationsNeeded to move up Paradiddle variations with clean sounds: para 5, para 6, para 7, reverse paradiddle

Musicality & Performance

• Improvisation (structured, 8 counts) Improvises rhythmic patterns using 16th-note subdivisions within a structured 8-count format

Sound Quality

• Tonal variation (light and shade) Varies volume and tonal quality intentionally, distinguishing between accented and ghosted notes

Combinations

• Picks up combinations quickly Learns and retains new tap combinations with minimal repetition and executes them correctly after 3 or 4 run-throughs

Foundations

• Jazz walks with technique Pointed feet and proper placement while traveling, with the toes leading and the weight controlled
• Basic footwork vocabulary Executes 3-step turn, pivots, jazz square, ball changes with correct weight placement
• Basic isolations Head, shoulders, and hips can move independently, isolating the targeted body part

Turns

• Pirouette prep with spot Quarter/half turn prep showing correct feet position, passé connection, supporting leg engaged, and use of spot

Combinations

• Strings 2–3 steps with arms Links several learned steps in a short combination while coordinating arm movements

Musicality

• Moves on the beat Executes learned steps on the correct counts. The timing holds steady without rushing or lagging

Turns

• Single pirouette R & LNeeded to move up Clean single pirouette on both sides, every time
• Chaîné turns with techniqueNeeded to move up Spotting, straight knees, staying in relevé throughout, with no falling off center
• Double pirouette (attempted) Working toward double, attempting it with correct preparation and mechanics

Leaps

• Chassé step leap with arms R & LNeeded to move up Chassé into step leap with correct arms on both sides. The leap gets height and the front leg extends
• Grand jeté Grand jeté with height and split: legs extend fully and the landing is controlled

Foundations

• Solid footwork (consistent technique) Pivots, ball changes, cross ball change, and pas de bourrée, all with consistent pointed feet and clean execution

Turns

• Double pirouette with techniqueNeeded to move up Attempting double with correct preparation, spot, and passé. The mechanics are correct even if the turn isn't consistent yet
• Quick spot changesNeeded to move up Changes spot direction rapidly in combination turns (e.g., chaîné ball change pirouette) without losing balance
• 6-step pirouette Executes the 6-step pirouette sequence with correct weight transfers

Combinations

• Strings skills into combos easily Links different steps in longer combinations or across-the-floor progressions without hesitation

Physical Readiness

• Flexibility (working toward splits) Demonstrates active flexibility, reaching full splits or coming within 4 to 6 inches

Traveling

• Triplets across the floor Clean triplet pattern traveling with down-up-up rhythm and arm coordination

Musicality

• Responds to musical accents Hits accents and dynamic changes in the music, so the movements get bigger or sharper when the music does

Turns

• SOLID double pirouette R & LNeeded to move up Consistent, controlled double pirouette on both sides, completing two full rotations with clean spot and controlled landing. This one is required before moving to Level 5

Leaps

• Right & left leaps with height and extensionNeeded to move up All leap vocabulary (step leap, grand jeté, x-leap) executed on both sides with full leg extension and visible height

Performance Quality

• Performs with musicality and dynamics Executes combinations with visible dynamic contrast (sharp vs. smooth, big vs. contained) and responds to musical phrasing

Foundations

• Clean footwork at faster tempos All footwork vocabulary executed cleanly when speed increases, with pointed feet and correct weight placement maintained at tempo

Physical Readiness

• Strong flexibility Working toward or at full splits (right, left, and center); measurable progress from prior level

Combinations

• Learns choreography quickly Picks up and retains new 8-count combinations with minimal repetition, executing them correctly after 3 or 4 run-throughs

Turns

• Individual advanced turnsNeeded to move up Demonstrates fouetté, à la seconde, and pencil turns individually with correct mechanics. Each turn type is executed with control and a clean finish
• Triple pirouette (working toward) Attempting triple pirouette with correct mechanics, achieving 2.5+ rotations with proper spot and controlled finish

Physical Readiness

• Full splits (R, L, and center)Needed to move up Demonstrates full splits on right, left, and center, which is a concrete physical benchmark for this level

Performance Quality

• Nuanced musical interpretation Demonstrates sensitivity to musical accents, breath, suspension, and texture, so both the timing and the quality of the movement change with the music
• Commands the space with confidence Performs with full-body engagement, focus, projection, and personal expression, so the audience can see the dancer's intention

Combinations

• Learns and adapts choreography rapidly Learns complex choreography quickly and layers personal stylistic interpretation

Foundations

• Pivot turnsNeeded to move up Clean pivot turns with balance. The turn finishes without stumbling or losing direction
• Criss cross apple sauce Executes the criss cross pattern with rhythm, crossing and uncrossing the feet on the correct counts
• Grapevine Clean grapevine traveling sideways on the beat: step-behind-step-touch with rhythmic consistency

Combinations

• Links skills with arms/levels Can take basic skills and add arms and/or level changes as directed

Groove & Musicality

• Can start to clap & find beat of music Maintains a basic bounce/pulse with the beat so the body responds to the music's rhythm

Foundations

• All Level 1 skills with energy and powerNeeded to move up Pivot turns, criss cross, grapevine, kick cross touch, rock steps, three step turns, and tic toc stop, all executed with energy and strength and danced full out

Combinations

• Links skills with personal stylizationNeeded to move up Beginning to put personal style into skills and combos, with intentional variation of their own rather than a copy of the teacher
• Across-the-floor combos independentlyNeeded to move up Performs across-the-floor progressions and combos with little to no assistance from teacher

Groove & Musicality

• Groove maintained through combinations Keeps the underlying bounce/groove going while executing choreography. The groove stays alive even when the focus goes to the steps

Foundations

• All prior skills with confidence and powerNeeded to move up Every Level 1 and 2 skill executed with full energy, power, and confidence, dancing the steps with full commitment

Musicality & Performance

• Freestyle / improvisation (basic)Needed to move up Freestyles for 8 to 16 counts with personal style, using a variety of movements (not one repeated step) and responding to the music

Body Control

• Clean single-joint isolations (head, chest, hips) Isolates head, chest, and hips independently: the targeted body part moves while the rest stays stable

Combinations

• Combo retention and execution Learns and retains longer combinations (16+ counts); executes in groups independently

Physical Readiness

• Physical intensity and stamina Maintains high energy throughout class, with no visible fade in effort during the second half

Performance Quality

• Stage presence in group performance Brings energy, focus, and commitment when performing in groups, holding character even when not in the front row

Groove & Musicality

• Awareness of musical structure Demonstrates awareness of phrases, hits, and breaks in the music during both freestyle and choreography. Beyond dancing on the beat, begins to dance with the music

Body Control

• Body waves and multi-joint isolationsNeeded to move up Executes clean body waves (chest-to-hips or full body) and multi-joint isolations with control. This is a qualitative jump from Level 3's single-joint work

Musicality & Performance

• Extended freestyle with musicalityNeeded to move up Freestyles for 2+ eights showing varied movement, level changes, and response to musical shifts (tempo changes, drops, breaks)

Foundations

• Foundation style awareness Can identify and demonstrate basics from at least 2 foundation styles beyond general hip-hop (e.g., popping, locking, house, breaking), and understands that they exist as distinct vocabularies

Combinations

• Learns complex choreography quickly with style Picks up complex choreography rapidly and immediately adds personal interpretation

Performance Quality

• Dynamic contrast in performance Shows intentional variation between hard/soft, fast/slow, big/small, so the performance moves between energy levels

Groove & Musicality

• Musicality beyond the downbeat Catches syncopation, hits, and accents in the music, so the movement reflects the musical structure beyond the main beat

Musicality & Performance

• Confident, extended freestyleNeeded to move up Freestyles for 32+ counts with confidence, variety, musicality, level changes, and clear personal identity. Commands the cipher/circle

Foundations

• Versatility across 3+ hip-hop sub-stylesNeeded to move up Demonstrates competence in at least 3 foundation styles (popping, locking, house, breaking, waacking, krumping). Can switch between styles on request and show authentic quality in each, which goes beyond basic awareness

Body Control

• Advanced isolations and body controlNeeded to move up Executes complex multi-joint isolations, tutting sequences, and controlled body waves at performance speed, with precision and control that would hold up in an audition setting

Combinations

• Choreographic voice Can create, structure, and teach original movement phrases. This shows a personal choreographic perspective on top of performance ability

Performance Quality

• Performance artistry and stage presence Commands the space with dynamic contrast, musicality, individuality, and full commitment. This is the dancer the audience watches

Studio Engagement

• Leadership and mentorship Supports younger dancers through example and encouragement; could assist-teach if needed; represents the program inside and outside the studio