Class Descriptions and Attire Guidelines

All DancEast youth students are expected to come to class in appropriate dancewear, with hair pulled back, and wearing no jewelry (non-dangling earrings are acceptable). No school clothes or “street” clothes, please! And remember – all dance shoes (even breakdance sneakers) should NEVER be worn outside! We discourage loose clothing in all of our dance classes. One exception is that somewhat looser clothing is permitted in Breakdance.

Please note that students who do not come dressed ready to dance may be asked to change or sit and observe class.

Classes for ages 2.5-7.5

Classes for this age range are designed to spark children’s interest in dance by encouraging them to creatively explore movement and music.  Dancers are introduced to basic dance concepts through age-appropriate classes geared toward building listening and social skills, rhythm, spatial awareness, motor skills, and a lifelong love of moving and being active. Each class meets once weekly, and all dancers participate in a spring dance showcase (early May).

Creative Movement levels 1 and 2 (ages 2.5-5)

introduces young dancers to basic dance concepts and steps. Dancers grow listening and social skills while exploring the concepts of rhythm, spatial awareness, sequencing, large and small motor skills, and locomotor movements. Attire: Leotard and tights of any color or pattern. A dance skirt is optional. Leggings or shorts with a fitted t-shirt or sleeveless top are great options, too. Dancers can either dance in bare feet or in ballet shoes. If a dancer would like to dance in bare feet, footless tights are needed.

creative movement with tumbling (ages 4-6)

includes all the same skills and fun as our traditional Creative Movement classes with some basic tumbling added into the mix. Attire: Leotard and footless tights or leggings of any color or pattern. Leggings or shorts with a fitted t-shirt or sleeveless top (that can be tucked in) are great options, too. Bare feet.

Breakdance level 1 (ages 5-8)

is an energetic and often acrobatic style of dance that incorporates intricate footwork and even pantomime. It's a great way to burn a lot of energy while learning about rhythm and increasing strength and flexibility. Attire: Leggings/sweatpants, a t-shirt/tank top, and sneakers that will ONLY be worn on the dance floor. Converse work well. No jeans.

primary dance levels 1 and 2 (ages 5-7)

is a great introduction to the study of all dance techniques and allow dancers to build on the knowledge gained through Creative Movement. Classes incorporate movement, improvisation, musicality, class etiquette, and basic dance steps and technique. Attire: Leotard and tights of any color or pattern. A dance skirt is optional. A fitted shirt and shorts are acceptable in place of a leotard and tights if desired. Ballet shoes are required for this class.

primary tap (ages 5-7)

helps dancers build musicality while learning the basics of tap dance. Dancers learn about the different parts of their tap shoes and the many sounds they can make with their feet through games, across the floor activities, and simple combinations. Attire: Leotard and tights or leggings of any color or pattern. A dance skirt is optional. A fitted shirt or sleeveless top are acceptable options, too. Tap shoes are required for this class. We do not allow character-style, high-heeled tap shoes. We prefer black tap shoes.

Classes for ages 7.5-18

These classes offer opportunities for dancers to build on fundamental dance knowledge and technique. Dancers explore a variety of genres of dance, work on gaining and improving technique, and develop their sense of artistry. Each class meets once weekly, and students are encouraged to register for more than one class, allowing them the opportunity to grow in different genres of dance. All classes share a piece in a spring dance showcase (late April). 

Ballet Levels 1, 2, and 3 (ages 7.5-18)

offers dancers a solid foundation of ballet vocabulary that emphasizes proper posture and alignment and increased strengthening of the legs and feet. Students in these classes also develop and increase their sense of artistry. Attire: Solid-colored tights with a leotard of any style, color, or pattern. Ballet skirts of any color or pattern are allowed (this includes any above-the-knee sheer dance skirt).  Fitted warm-up sweaters and legwarmers are allowed but dancers will be asked to remove them after warming up. Hair MUST be off the face and off the neck. We may allow leggings over leotards in some cases, but permission from the instructor will be required. Ballet shoes are required.

Pointe (by placement only)

dancers must also be enrolled in two Level 3 Ballet classes and have permission to enroll. Attire: Same as for Ballet, with pointe shoes required, as well.

acrobatic dance levels 1/2 and 3 (ages 7.5-18)

is the perfect class for increasing flexibility and strength while also increasing dance ability. Not to be confused with gymnastics, the incorporation of acrobatics into contemporary dance is the performance of movement that requires balance, coordination and agility. Attire: Leotard and footless tights or leggings of any color or pattern. Leggings or shorts with a t-shirt or sleeveless top (that can be tucked in) are great options, too. Bare feet.

jazz/contemporary level 1/2 (ages 7.5-14)

explores jazz and contemporary dance fundamentals, combining the fun and energetic footwork, leaps and turns of jazz dance with the fusion of ballet, modern, and jazz that makes up the unique genre of contemporary dance. Attire: Leotard and tights or leggings of any color or pattern. A fitted shirt and leggings are acceptable if desired. Jazz shoes are required for this class; we prefer black.

modern/contemporary level 3 (ages 12-18)

combines the technique of modern dance - including contract-and-release, emotion-based improvisation, use of gravity to enhance movement, and pedestrian movement - with contemporary dance movement. Contemporary dance borrows from ballet, modern, and jazz to create a uniquely 21st-century style. Attire: Leotard and footless tights or leggings of any color or pattern. A fitted shirt and leggings are acceptable if desired. Bare feet.

Breakdance level 2 (ages 8-13)

is an energetic and often acrobatic style of dance that incorporates intricate footwork and even pantomime. It's a great way to burn a lot of energy while learning about rhythm and increasing strength and flexibility. Attire: Leggings/sweatpants, a t-shirt/tank top, and sneakers that will ONLY be worn on the dance floor. Converse work well. No jeans.

tap Levels 1/2 and 3 (ages 7.5-18)

helps dancers build musicality while learning to tap. Level 1/2 is for brand-new tappers or those who have previous tap experience, as dancers build knowledge and skills while learning more difficult steps and longer combinations. Level 3 is for intermediate/advanced tappers and expands on previous tap fundamentals by continuing to grow dancers' tap vocabulary and skills. Attire: Leotard and tights or leggings of any color or pattern. A dance skirt is optional. A fitted shirt or sleeveless top are acceptable options, too. Tap shoes are required for this class. We do not allow character-style, high-heeled tap shoes. We prefer black tap shoes.