Here is some information on the placement and progression of dancers in the programs at Alderwood Dance Spectrum.
Children ages 3-8 are placed according to age. The usual progression is:
- Preschool I – age 2.5 and 3 (potty-trained)
- Preschool II – age 4 by September 1st
- Preschool 5 – Kindergarten
- Dance Arts I – 1st & 2nd grade
- Dance Arts II – completed Dance Arts I or older beginner
- Ballet I/Tap I/Jazz I/Hip Hop I/Acrobatics – 3rd grade and above
After age 8, placement depends on previous dance experience and skill level. Dancers are eligible for hour long classes in each subject and a larger variety of subjects are open to them. From this point on, dancers do not automatically move up to the next level. In fact, most dancers remain in the same level class for several years. The teachers will determine when a student has achieved the level of technical proficiency to advance.
How do you advance more quickly? The answer is simple: take more classes. Training a dancer is like training any other athlete. It takes repetition and practice to master physical skills. And the eye of the teacher to make sure things are done correctly; bad habits not formed, injury avoided, technique perfected. Students who take two ballet classes per week improve much more quickly than students who take one. Shortening the time between lessons improves muscle memory, plus by the end of the year, they’ve taken twice as many classes! And, for example, to be considered for pointe shoes, a ballet student must have been taking ballet twice a week for several years.
Broadening your dance background by learning other genres of dance is beneficial also. While ballet is still the best for developing overall technique, tap, jazz, acrobatics, hip hop, and lyrical all offer differing opportunities for promoting musicality, strength, flexibility, coordination, and self-expression. All those things contribute to you becoming a well-rounded dancer. We want dance to be FUN, challenging, rewarding, and an activity that our students will enjoy throughout their lives. And we all know that the benefits of dance go far beyond the walls of the studio.
If you have any questions, please contact us. (contact us button)
