Elective Classes
Tap
Contemporary
Jazz
Tap dance allows students to focus on rhythm, sound, and silence using a variety of musical selections and is introduced at an early age in the DCM PreBallet & Tap syllabus. Basic instruction involves learning steps, hops, and brushes and gradually proceeds to slaps, shuffles, cramp rolls, pullbacks, wings, etc. Students taking a class in
Tap dance allows students to focus on rhythm, sound, and silence using a variety of musical selections and is introduced at an early age in the DCM PreBallet & Tap syllabus. Basic instruction involves learning steps, hops, and brushes and gradually proceeds to slaps, shuffles, cramp rolls, pullbacks, wings, etc. Students taking a class in this dance form are invited to perform in the Spring Production.
Jazz
Contemporary
Jazz
Jazz dance improvises on basic, defined technical movements. This popular contemporary dance form is taught from a traditional approach. Instruction in basic jazz positions, exercises, foundation steps, turns, jumps and isolations are taught while working with rhythm using popular and cultural music. Working with particular styles such as
Jazz dance improvises on basic, defined technical movements. This popular contemporary dance form is taught from a traditional approach. Instruction in basic jazz positions, exercises, foundation steps, turns, jumps and isolations are taught while working with rhythm using popular and cultural music. Working with particular styles such as musical theatre/Broadway, hip hop/street and lyrical are introduced after the basic technique is established. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in the Spring Production.
Contemporary
Contemporary
Contemporary
Contemporary offers a fusion of techniques from various dance styles like ballet, modern, jazz, and lyrical, often incorporating improvisation and floorwork. It emphasizes self-expression, storytelling, and the connection between mind and body.
Modern
Modern
Contemporary
Modern dance focuses on the use of space, time, and energy. This form teaches the fundamentals of modern dance and allows for freedom of movement and improvisation. Students are encouraged to focus on their interpretation of the music. Students taking a class in this dance form are invited to perform in the Spring Production.
Irish
Modern
Irish
Our Irish dance classes offer a fun and energetic introduction to traditional and modern Irish step dancing. Dancers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join as we focus on building rhythm, coordination, strength, and confidence. Students will learn a variety of steps and routines in both soft and hard shoes, exploring the rich culture and music of Ireland along the way.
Acro
Modern
Irish
Our acro classes are taught by Acrobatic Arts-certified teachers who have been trained to teach AcroDance safely. Our curriculum covers anatomy, technique, progressions, and more!
Flexibility and Conditioning
Flexibility and Conditioning
Flexibility and Conditioning
Our conditioning classes are specifically designed to support dancers in building the strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance needed for peak performance. Classes focus on core stability, muscular control, alignment, injury prevention, and overall body awareness—key components for executing movements with precision and power.
Enrollm
Our conditioning classes are specifically designed to support dancers in building the strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance needed for peak performance. Classes focus on core stability, muscular control, alignment, injury prevention, and overall body awareness—key components for executing movements with precision and power.
Enrollment in a conditioning class is strongly recommended for all dancers in the Pre-Professional Program.
Pilates
Flexibility and Conditioning
Flexibility and Conditioning
Our Pilates classes offer a full-body workout designed to improve core strength, flexibility, posture, and overall body awareness. Whether you're a beginner or experienced practitioner, each class focuses on controlled movements and mindful breathing to help you build lean muscle, reduce tension, and enhance balance. Using mats and props,
Our Pilates classes offer a full-body workout designed to improve core strength, flexibility, posture, and overall body awareness. Whether you're a beginner or experienced practitioner, each class focuses on controlled movements and mindful breathing to help you build lean muscle, reduce tension, and enhance balance. Using mats and props, you'll be guided through exercises that support joint health and functional movement, making Pilates a perfect complement to ballet.
Adult
Flexibility and Conditioning
Adult
DCM offers a number of classes for our adult community. From first-timers to professionals, classes are offered as either drop-ins or enrolled sessions.
Uniform
DCM is committed to ensuring that all students have uniform options that honor their unique selves and enable them to feel confident and comfortable while dancing. Students are encouraged to select the options below that best align with their gender identity.
Skirts and warm ups may be worn at the discretion of the instructor for Ballet levels 3 and up. Ballet warmup attire is limited to ballet sweaters, shrugs, and leg warmers. No Sweats or baggy clothing. No T-shirts.
Long hair must be secured in a bun at ALL times . Dancers may have natural hairstyles such as twists, braids, and cornrows into the ballet bun. If hair is short, a headband or hairspray/gel will be necessary to hold the hair back away from the face and neck. For safety, no hair beads or jewelry beyond stud earrings are allowed for ballet classes.
Click HERE for a tutorial on creating a proper ballet bun.
Tights and slippers color should match dancer's skin tone; fair skinned dancers should have pink tights and slippers.
Adult Ballet
Any color leotard, pink or flesh-tone convertible tights, pink or flesh--tone ballet slippers. If bra support is needed, undergarments should not show.
OR
Tight fitted T-shirt (no writing or logos). Black pants or shorts. Black ballet shoes. Ages 10 and up should wear a black or tan dance belt if appropriate (athletic support) when wearing fitted tights, shorts, or pants.
Tap
Any solid-colored leotard, solid tights/leggings/jazz pants, black patent-tie tap shoes (4-7 years), or black oxford tap shoes (8 years and up).
OR
Tight-fitted T-shirt (no writing or logos). Black pants or shorts. Black tap shoes. Ages 10 and up should wear a black or tan dance belt if appropriate (athletic support) when wearing fitted tights, shorts, or pants.
Jazz
Any solid color leotard or tight-fitting shirt. No bare midriffs. Solid tights/leggings/jazz pants. Black jazz shoes/sneakers.
OR
Tight-fitted T-shirt (no writing or logos). Black pants or shorts. Black jazz shoes or dance sneakers. Ages 10 and up should wear a black or tan dance belt if appropriate (athletic support) when wearing fitted tights, shorts, or pants.
Modern, Contemporary, Acro
Any solid color leotard. Solid tights/leggings/biker shorts. Bare feet.
OR
Tight-fitting T-shirt (no writing or logos). Black pants or shorts. Bare feet. When wearing fitted tights, shorts, or pants, children 10 and up should wear a black or tan dance belt if appropriate (athletic support).
Irish
Shorts, T-shirt or leotard. Ages 3/4 and 5/6 ballet slippers. Ages 7+ ghillies (i.e., the Irish Dance Shoes). Adult ghillies and eventually hard shoes.
To purchase ghillies:
www.Rutherfordshoes.com
www.fayshoes.com
Conditioning and Pilates
Fitted leggings or tights and a snug top or leotard to avoid anything baggy that could get in the way during movements. Bare feet.
