Dance Levels & Skills Overview

Beginning Dance 

Our Beginning dancers build a strong foundation while discovering the joy of movement and self-expression!

 

Skills You’ll See in Beginning Dancers:

• Basic coordination and body awareness

• Introduction to simple dance steps and movement patterns

• Developing a sense of rhythm and timing with music

• Willingness to try new movements and participate in class

• Growing confidence in movement and performance

​

Areas of Progress:

• Learning foundational dance terms and vocabulary

• Practicing basic footwork, arm placement, and posture

• Improving balance, flexibility, and strength

• Exploring ballet, jazz, and modern styles at an introductory level

• Building comfort performing in front of others

​

Next Focus:

• Stronger coordination and cleaner execution of basic steps

• Introduction to turns (like single pirouettes) and simple leaps

• Increased musicality and ability to stay on beat

• Connecting movements together into short combinations

• Developing confidence and expression in performance

​

​Beginning dancers are laying the groundwork for all future dance training. They build confidence, coordination, and a love for dance as they prepare to grow into more skilled and expressive performers.

​

Intermediate Dance 

Our Intermediate dancers work on building skills and exploring new styles! Here’s what students focus on in this level:

 

Skills You’ll See in Intermediate Dancers:

• Strong basics and footwork that keep them grounded and controlled

• Familiarity with dance terms that help with clear communication

• Solid single turns (pirouettes) and controlled leaps

• Clean leg kicks (battements) with smooth technique

• Confidence with musical timing and stage presence

 

Areas of Progress:

• Learning more complex dance moves and terms

• Improving flexibility and strength

• Practicing multiple turns, chassés, and leaps

• Trying out more ballet, jazz, and modern techniques

• Building confidence with expression in dance

 

Next Focus:

• Advanced jazz steps, footwork, and double pirouettes

• New leap styles for variety in performance

• Sharpening technique and exploring emotions in choreography

 

Intermediate dancers are refining their skills and beginning to tackle more complex dance combinations. They’re moving from beginner basics to a more advanced, expressive level of dance!

 

Advanced Dance 

Our Advanced dancers continue to perfect their technique and take on challenging choreography!

 

Skills You’ll See in Advanced Dancers:

• Mastery of intermediate-level skills, building on a strong foundation

• Excellent flexibility, often achieving full splits

• Controlled double turns and graceful leaps

• Clear knowledge of advanced dance steps and terms

• Strong posture and body control

 

Areas of Progress:

• Refining advanced jazz, ballet, and modern steps

• Perfecting turns, leaps, and intricate footwork

• Building expression and versatility in performance

• Developing consistency and professionalism

 

Next Focus:

• Triple and quadruple turns, and advanced leaps

• Complex choreography that tells a story

• Learning acrobatic skills for dynamic performances

• Growing teamwork, leadership, and focus on stage

​

Advanced dancers combine strong technique with creativity, taking on complex routines and sharing expressive performances with the audience.

 

Production - Dance Composition and Performance

Our Composition and Performance dancers focus on creativity, storytelling, and bringing full productions to life!

 

Skills You’ll See in Production Dancers:

• Strong understanding of movement vocabulary across styles

• Ability to create original choreography with clear intent and structure

• Confidence in making artistic choices and taking creative risks

• Awareness of spacing, formations, and stage design

• Collaboration skills when working with peers on choreography and performance

 

​​​Areas of Progress:

• Developing choreography tools (motif, phrase development, transitions

• Exploring storytelling through movement and emotion

• Learning production elements like staging, costuming, and music editing

• Strengthening improvisation and creative exploration

• Building confidence in presenting and revising original work

​

Next Focus:

• Creating longer, more complex choreographic pieces

• Producing cohesive works for concert performance

• Refining artistic voice and style as a choreographer

• Incorporating multimedia or innovative production elements

• Developing leadership in directing and collaborating with dancers

 

Composition and Performance dancers move beyond executing choreography—they become creators, shaping meaningful performances and bringing artistic visions to the stage.​

​

Hip Hop Crew 

Hip Hop Crew dancers develop foundational skills and grow their unique style while mastering hip-hop basics.

 

Skills You’ll See in Hip Hop Crew:

• Ability to stay on beat, moving naturally with the music

• Clean and confident basic hip-hop movements

• Charisma on stage, captivating the audience with personality

• Skill in freestyle, expressing personal style

 

Areas of Progress:

• Sharpening rhythm and musical timing

• Building precision and confidence

• Strengthening stage presence and adaptability in routines

 

Next Focus:

• Advanced hip-hop choreography and styles

• Exploring the cultural roots of hip hop for deeper understanding

• Blending different hip-hop styles into routines

 

Hip Hop Crew dancers keep the energy high, developing skills, confidence, and an appreciation for hip-hop’s cultural impact as they move through more challenging choreography.

​

Elevate Dance Company 

Our Elevate Dance Company represents the highest level of performance, leadership, and commitment in our program.

 

Skills You’ll See in Elevate Dancers:

• Advanced technical mastery across multiple styles

• Consistent execution of complex turns, leaps, and intricate choreography

• Strong performance quality with emotional depth and connection

• Professionalism in rehearsals, performances, and team settings

• Leadership both on and off the stage

 

Areas of Progress:

• Refining precision, synchronization, and musicality at a high level

• Developing versatility across genres and performance settings

• Strengthening endurance and consistency in demanding choreography

• Building mentorship skills to support younger dancers

• Enhancing artistry and individuality within group performance

 

Next Focus:

• Elite-level turns, jumps, and technical combinations

• Competitive and performance-ready choreography

• Advanced storytelling and audience connection

• Opportunities for leadership, choreography, and mentorship

• Preparing for college dance programs, teams, or professional pathways

 

Elevate Dance Company dancers set the standard for excellence, combining technique, artistry, and leadership as they represent the program in performances and beyond.

​​