Class Placement Information
Level 1 classes are open to all beginner students in first grade or higher, unless otherwise noted. New students with prior dance experience must contact our office to get placement into the appropriate level before registering. Classes run from Sept to June, unless otherwise noted.
For our very young dancers, we offer combo classes from toddlers to Kindergarteners. See Young Children’s section below.
Adult classes are available in the dance styles of ballet, hip hop, and tap. Additionally, we offer adult health and wellness classes in dance fit, tai chi, and Dance for Parkinson’s.
Ballet
Ballet Level 1 - 7
Ballet forms the foundation for all other dance styles. Classes for beginners build strength, grace and technique. For serious dancers, and those who might be, we offer a progressive program emphasizing classical technique as well as contemporary choreography. Placement for all levels is by staff approval only, with advancement based on physical and intellectual grasp of the material.
Lyrical - for ballet level 3 and up
Lyrical dance is a style that combines ballet and jazz dancing techniques. It is performed to music that inspires expressions of strong emotions. This style concentrates on an individual approach and expressiveness of such emotions as love, joy, and anger.
Variations - for ballet level 4 and up
This class will study the classical ballet variations including Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Coppelia, and more. We will also discuss the ballet they come from and give some history on the background of each piece.
Adult Ballet
We offer ballet classes for adults and teens (ages 14 and up). It is a mixed level class and the instructor works with the group to further their ballet technique. Beginners are welcomed. This class runs three times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring). Check the session schedule for dates and times.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop Level 1 - 4
Arresting isolations, percussive rhythm, and street style characterize this urban dance form. Explore this cutting-edge dance form and catch the excitement in class.
Preschool/Kinder Hip Hop - ages 4 to Kindergarten
Explore this cutting-edge dance form for preschoolers and Kindergarteners. We also offer a combo Hip Hop and Tap class for Kindergarteners.
Adult Hip Hop
For adults and teens (ages 14 and up). This class runs three times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring). Check the session schedule for dates and times.
Jazz
Jazz Level 1 - 5
Cut loose to fast-paced and high energy dance with upbeat music in jazz. Combining African-American rhythms and movements with elements from tap, ballet, and Latin dance influence, jazz dance evolved from social dance to theatrical dance from the 1920s to the 1950s. It is a beautiful blend of different genres and musical styles.
We start class off with jazz barre and core strengthening, then move on to the center for isolations and center combinations, including floor work. Then progressing on two combinations across the floor, “Chassee, axel jump, slide, roll!” Jazz is fun!
Teen Jazz/Ballet - for beginners aged 12 and up
Beginning jazz and ballet combo class for teens.
Modern/Contemporary
Modern Beginner (Teen/Adult) - ages 12 and up
A gentle movement class focused on improving range of motion, strength and full body expression through dance.
Creative Modern - for beginners aged 8-12
Expand your creative mind, physical awareness and movement vocabulary through imaginative play and teamwork.
Contemporary - advanced level by placement only
Building on the technical fundamentals of ballet and modern, contemporary dance explores how movement choices can be the modality for storytelling and authentic human expression. Class will include lessons on body mechanics, strengthening the mind body connection, improvisation, partnering and dance composition.
Tap Level 1 - 5
Buffalo step, shim-sham, Tack Annie and waltz clog—it could only be tap! Let your feet fly through the year with classes for first graders through adults. Classes are held for 1st grade through 12th grade.
Adult Tap - Level 1 & 2
Buffalo step, shim-sham, Tack Annie and waltz clog—it could only be tap! Let your feet fly through the year. Beginners are welcomed in the level 1 class. Dancers with tap experience can join the level 2 class. Open to adults and teens (ages 14 and up). This class runs three times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring). Check the session schedule for dates and times.
Tap
Tumbling
Tumbling Level 1 & 2
Tumbling 1 is for new students grades 1-3. Who are interested in learning fundamentals of tumbling. They will learn basic non apparatus skills such as for cartwheel, forward and backward rolls, bridges and more.
Tumbling 2 is for returning tumbling students who can execute a cartwheel and hold an unassisted bridge and who want to explore more advanced tumbling skills. This class is for 2-4th graders.
Health & Wellness
Adult Dance Fit
A dance class for fitness and toning. You’ll get the workout you want while enjoying some dance moves. Class offered 3 times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring). See session schedule for dates and times. For adults and teens (ages 14 and up).
Dance Conditioning
Conditioning class for all dancers in level 3 and higher of any style. This class does not perform and is a supplemental class for current students to gain strength, flexibility, and knowledge of caring for a dancer’s body.
Tai Chi & Qi Gong
Breathe, Move, Learn and Relax
Tai Chi & Qi Gong are mindfulness in action. We do gentle exercises with a smile on our hearts as we learn movements that may help soften tensions, increase ease of movement and bring comfort to our bodies.
Tai Chi is popular around the world: done in parks, in classrooms, at home. Qi Gong is the mindfulness part of the practice.
The Forms can be done standing or seated with big movements and/or small ones.
Come to learn, to breathe, to move in easy and perhaps unfamiliar ways, to look for ease and comfort as we explore these ancient arts together.
Class offered 3 times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring). See session schedule for dates and times.
Movement for Life / Dance for Parkinson’s
This adult class use movement from a variety of dance forms to foster fun, inclusive, creative and social dance class experiences. Accommodating and educational for those with balance/coordination issues, discomforts and restrictions from arthritis, aging, Parkinson's, just being out of shape. Based on the acclaimed international Dance for PD(r) program. Approaching movement from a dance perspective often provides inspiration, hopefulness and simply a good time. Options for sitting or standing during class, too.
Your teacher is a retired professional dancer trained in the Dance for PD(r) method with 25+ years experience teaching dance to those with movement and neurological challenges/disorders. Wednesday classes feature live music and welcome caregivers to join in, too.
Classes are ongoing on Wednesdays. Location and time changes throughout the year so please call our studio for details. This program is funded by a grant from the Anacortes Rotary and free for all participants.
Young Children’s Classes
Toddler & Me
Even little ones can dance! Explore movement, rhythm, and spatial concepts through music, games, and play in this session based series. For walking to age three, accompanied by a caregiver.
This class runs in 10-week sessions three times a year. Look for the dates and times on the session schedule.
Combo Dance for Young Children
Pre-Ballet, Tap, & Tumbling
For our youngest dancers we combine creative movement, pre-ballet, tap and tumbling in classes that develop strength, agility and musicality. A great beginning to a life-long love of movement and dance!
We offer three different classes separated by age.
Music & Movement - ages 3 to 4.5
This class is offered 3 times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring) in our session schedule. Meets a set number of weeks and does not participate in our performances. Must re-register for each session.
Preschool Dance - ages 4 to 5.5
This class meets all year from Sept to June and participates in our recitals. Registration for this class closes in Oct and re-opens in Dec for Jan start after our Winter performance.
Kinder Dance - must be 5 by Aug 31
A continuation of the Preschool Dance for Kindergarteners.
