Class Descriptions 

Technique

Counterpoint Ballet Program
Ballet 1 (1 hour, grades 1-2) Ballet 2 (1 hour, grades 3-4) Intermediate Ballet (1 hour and 15 minutes, grades 5-8) and Advanced Ballet (1 hour and 45 minutes, grades 7-12) are rigorous but joyful technique classes for the ballet enthusiast, the ballet-curious, even the ballet skeptic. In Counterpoint Ballet, we embrace the powerful beauty of this iconic dance form, investigate the conventions that puzzle us, and respectfully release that which no longer serves us. We know that ANY body is a “ballet body,” that the language of movement need not be gendered, and that pointe shoes are optional. We care for our bodies and nurture our minds. We challenge ourselves and we encourage one another. In our weekly classes, students will be supported at their level, gaining strength, flexibility, artistic agility and musicality. **If you have any questions about which level is most appropriate for your dance, email us! Through conversation and/or having your child come to observe or participate in a class, we will find the right class for them!** 

Ballet Repertoire (1 hour and 30 minutes) In this advanced-level class, dancers will immerse themselves in variations from iconic ballets—both classical masterpieces and contemporary works. Students will explore and refine choreography from renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Aaron Copland, Jessica Lang, and others, gaining insight into a wide range of stylistic approaches and performance qualities. Each class begins with a full ballet barre designed to strengthen technique and prepare the body for the demands of repertoire work. Dancers will then transition into learning and polishing selected variations, focusing on musicality, artistry, and technical precision. Throughout the semester, students will study multiple excerpts and ultimately choose one variation to perform at the end of the spring. This class offers an exciting opportunity for committed ballet students to expand their performance vocabulary, challenge themselves artistically, and bring celebrated choreography to life.

Ballet Foundations (75 minutes, teens and adults) offers teens (and adults!) the opportunity to begin studying ballet in a relaxed, supportive environment. No prior experience necessary! Dancers will be challenged at their own level as they develop strength, coordination, musicality, and a strong “movement vocabulary” in this classical dance style.

Flight & Form: a Ballet Class for Boys (45 minutes, grades K-3) Taught by a male dancer (a Dance Major in the 5 College Dance Department), this joyful ballet class is designed for boys and male-identifying students in kindergarten through 3rd grade, and warmly inclusive of non-binary children. With a focus on creativity, community, and exploration, students will build strength, coordination, and confidence while learning foundational ballet technique. Flight & Form creates a supportive space where young dancers can express themselves freely, learn collaboratively, and discover the joy of dance. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and your love of movement!

Hip Hop 1 (45 minutes, grades K-2) and Hip Hop 2 (1 hour, grades 3-5) introduce dancers to the language of Hip Hop dance, including such specific styles as Poppin’, Lockin’, House and Krumping, among others. Students will develop skills in the art of freestyle and explore the tremendous expressive potential of this vital dance form. In Hip Hop 3 (1 hour, grades 4-6) and Hip Hop 4 (75 minutes, grades 7-12), dancers progress through increasingly complex choreography, developing strength, flexibility and stamina. 

CREW (1 hour, grades 5+): is a dynamic course designed for dancers looking to challenge themselves by mastering the intricate footwork of Afro House and the bold, expressive energy of Hip-Hop. Through engaging choreography and technique-focused sessions, students will refine their skills, build strength, and explore the cultural roots of these styles. Perfect for students ready to push their limits and shine on the dance floor, this class promises a high-energy, inspiring experience. Open only to students already enrolled in another Center Dance Hip Hop class. 

Modern Movement: an Adaptive Dance Class (1 hour, grades 2-5) is a contemporary technique class  offering dancers (and aspiring choreographers!) a robust foundation in modern dance. Incorporating principles from a variety of contemporary dance styles, Modern Movement nurtures powerful, versatile dancers. Students will joyfully gain strength, stamina, and agility as they focus on form, body awareness, and the artistry of expressive movement. This inclusive class is designed to support the needs of neurodiverse and disabled children, but is open to any child in the recommended age range. 

JUMP 1 (1 hour, grades 2-4) and JUMP 2 (1 hour, grades 5-8) Acro Dance. Ready to tumble, twist, and soar? Our JUMP! Acro Dance classes are the perfect way to explore the exciting world of acrobatics while elevating your dance skills! Blending athleticism and artistry, JUMP! allows students to develop strength, flexibility and coordination as they practice exciting moves like fish flops, shoulder rolls, cartwheels and backbends. Our supportive instructors will guide students through safe and effective Acro progressions, helping them build confidence in their bodies while having a blast! This class is perfect for those who love to move, take on new challenges, and enjoy working together in a community-oriented, high-energy environment. 

Journeys: Lyrical Movement (1 hour, grades 5-8) In this dynamic and empowering class, students in grades 5 through 8 will explore the art of expressive movement and lyrical dance, blending emotion, storytelling, and technique. Designed for dancers of all experience levels, this class encourages self-discovery through movement, helping students connect with their inner selves and express their unique stories through dance. Through a combination of contemporary dance techniques (primarily ballet, modern and jazz), lyrical expression, and creative improvisation, students will learn to use their bodies as a medium for emotional expression. The class emphasizes fluidity, grace, and storytelling, allowing each dancer to interpret music and emotion in a way that is both personal and captivating.

Rhythm and Rhyme (45 minutes, grades K-1), Rhythm and Rhyme 2 (1 hour, grades 2-4) and Rhythm & Rhyme 3 (1 hour, grades 5-8) are The Center Dance Studio’s popular tap technique classes for elementary schoolers! Get your tapping toes ready to learn steps such as the Buffalo, the Shirley Temple, and the Cramp Roll; then, pull on your thinking caps to invent some steps of your own! Together, we will find our rhythm, and tap the time away!

Center Stage (75 minutes, grades 3-6) Curtains up! The Center Dance is thrilled to announce a homeschool edition of Center Stage: a marvelous medley of musical theater, jazz and improvisational dance styles. Students will work with the fundamentals of theatrical dance, learn choreography straight off of Broadway, and master a “step, ball change!” Whether your child is an aspiring performer, a Broadway enthusiast, or simply looking for some fun physical activity Center Stage is the place to be!

Choreography Labs

Freewheel (1 hour, grades K-3): A creative movement class for children in grades K-3. In Freewheel, students’ interests drive inquiry; we will explore the endless possibilities of human movement, emphasizing discovery, experimentation, collaboration and play! Each class will pose a different question (often student-generated!), yielding an improvisational “score” that supports our movement exploration. Dancers will be introduced to some choreography basics, and, as the session progresses, engage in collaborative dance-building.

Turning Pages (1 hour, grades 1-3): All the magic of The Center’s celebrated movement story classes, reimagined for slightly older dancers. Students can expect developmentally appropriate contemporary dance instruction, and a more sophisticated set of movement stories. Toward the end of the fall session, students will select one movement story to refine and perform for family members; winter/spring session will afford students the opportunity to collaboratively write their own movement story (and perform it, as well!)

Moving Museum (1.5 hours, grades 2-6) Venture beyond the frame in Moving Museum, our newest choreography lab where art comes alive! Children will navigate Pablo Picasso’s cubist landscapes, try Jean-Michel Basquiat’s crowns on for size, dance to the music of Wasily Kandinsky’s visual symphony, and bask in the brilliance of Sonia Delaunay’s colorful palettes. Each week, students will discover a new artist or art movement, using creative movement, storytelling, and choreography to interpret the visual elements they see. Along the way, they’ll build confidence, develop coordination, and learn to express themselves in exciting new ways. Each 6-week session will end with a joyful performance and informal art show, where families and friends are invited to celebrate how students have turned paint, pattern, and imagination into dance!

Story Arc (75 minutes, grades 3-6) and Theme and Variation (90 minutes, grades 7-12) encourage students to stretch themselves — both creatively and physically — in a supportive, community-oriented atmosphere. Combining modern technique instruction and dance building, these classes invite students to apply their technical dance skills to a wide range of choreographic tasks, exploring movement dynamics, spatial design, time factors and relationship. Democratically selected themes and literary texts will inform collaborative dance making; students will also write across a variety of genres and use their work as choreographic material. By rooting students in the basics of Laban Movement Analysis, students will learn to constructively critique and refine their original ensemble works.