Curriculum We use a guided curriculum in all of our dance classes. All students learn dance terminology, technique and numerous combinations throughout the year. We do not spend the entire year working on one recital routine. Choreography for recital is not taught until the spring semester and it is only the focus of a portion of the class.   

Technique We believe a solid foundation in technique is extremely important for any dancer. Proper technique enables students to execute movements and steps precisely. Ballet is the foundation for all forms of dance; technique learned in ballet classes can be applied to skills learned in jazz, tap, hip hop and musical theatre. Although the study of ballet is not required for enrollment in all of our classes, we strongly encourage all dancers to pursue ballet training. Students who take a ballet class in addition to lyrical, for instance, will progress more rapidly than their peers who do not.    

Placement We believe proper class placement will enable each student to develop as a dancer. Placement is determined by the Director of Dance, Cheryl Morris. Some classes do require teacher permission, while others do not. If you wish to enroll your child in a class that requires permission, please email Cheryl Morris, at cheryl@artworksacademy.com. All students who were enrolled in Junior or Senior level classes will receive a placement guide before enrolling in fall classes, which lists the level of dance in which you should enroll your child. You do not need to email Cheryl for permission to enroll in an upper level class if it is listed on your placement guide. If you have not received yours, please contact Cheryl.  No permission is required for summer classes.

Classes begin the week of August 26, 2019

Mommy and Me: 18 months - 2 year olds

Mommy and Me is aimed at developing gross motor skills, classroom etiquette (following directions, taking turns, etc.), and dance movement. This class is designed for students who are not ready to enter the classroom without mommy by their side, but still love to move and dance! Parents: you only need to enroll your child in the class. Do not enroll yourself or the system will charge you twice.

Teacher approval is not required

Creative Movement:  2 year olds 

Creative movement is aimed at developing gross motor skills, classroom etiquette (following directions, taking turns, etc.), and learning beginning tap and rhythm. Students will begin the year in ballet shoes, when the teacher feels the students are ready, they will also start dancing in their tap shoes. Students must be two by the first day of class to enroll. 

Teacher approval is not required

Petite Protégé and Protégé

Do you have a young dancer who LOVES dance and wants MORE?  We will be assessing students this summer for our NEW Petite Protégé and Protégé classes.  These advanced, invitation only classes will give dancers extra time in class, further challenge them and serve as a stepping stone to the Relevé Dance Company!  

Petite Protégé

• PreK and Kindergarten students
• Students will take a Petite Protégé ballet and tap combo class and will also take an Acro Dance class.
• New students must take a summer dance camp or dance class, in order to be assessed for Petite Protégé
• Students who were in a dance class during the 2018-2019 season can contact Cheryl Morris to let her know you would like your child to be considered.
• This level does NOT go to dance competition.

Protégé

• 1st and 2nd grade students
• Students will take a Protégé ballet and tap combo class and will also take an Acro Dance class.
• New students must take a summer dance camp or dance class, in order to be assessed for Protégé
• Students who were in a dance class during the 2018-2019 season can contact Cheryl Morris to let her know you would like your child to be considered.
• This level may go to one dance competition. 

If you would like more information or have specific questions, please email Cheryl Morris, Director of Dance, at cheryl@artworksacademy.com

Ballet/Tap Combo: Kindergarten - 2nd grade

This one hour combo class focuses on basic dance technique for ballet and tap. Students will gain an understanding of beginning dance terminology and skills. They will also develop a sense of rhythm and flexibility through various dance steps and combinations.

Teacher approval is not required   

Acro Dance (Add On): Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

Acro Dance is different from typical gymnastics and tumbling classes. It is the seamless fusion of dance and acrobatic skills. The techniques taught help students to perform the skills safely on a hard floor (dance or stage floor) and to allow seamless flow from an acrobatic move into dance moves during choreography. It also helps to develop strong and well rounded dancers. ArtWorks Academy is one of only a few studios in the metro area to be a certified Acrobatic Arts dance studio.

Students enrolled in the Acro ADD ON, must also be enrolled in the Ballet/Tap Combo that precedes the Acro class. 

Teacher approval is not required   

Hip Hop: Kindergarten- 12th grade


Hip hop is a popular style of dance that began in urban areas and can now be seen in music videos, commercials, television, and Broadway musicals. Through the study of hip hop, students will learn coordination, strength, agility and endurance. Age appropriate music and choreography are used in all hip hop classes.

Teacher approval is not required

Ballet: 3rd - 12th grade

Ballet is the foundation of all dance technique. Solid training in this genre will allow a performer to easily adjust to the various dance styles seen in dance and musical theatre industries. Our classes place equal emphasis on technique, alignment, terminology and execution as well as musicality and a love of the art form.

J1/2 and S1/2: Teacher approval is not required.

J3, Intermediate and S3 - Teacher approval IS required.

Grade divisions:  Junior (3rd-6th), Intermediate (4th-7th), and Senior (6th-12th)

Students who take ballet twice per week will see the most growth in skill and technique.

Jazz/Tap Combo: 3rd - 6th grade



This one hour combo class focuses on jazz and tap technique. This class builds on the foundation a student gains through ballet and teaches them to use their technique as they explore different steps and styles. Combinations will be used to develop performance skills.  Students must also be enrolled in Ballet.

J1/2:  Teacher approval is not required

Jazz: 3rd-12th grade

Jazz classes study a variety of styles within the genre of jazz - classical technique, contemporary dance, and lyrical jazz. These classes build on the foundation a student gains through ballet and teaches them to use their technique as they explore different steps and styles. Students will work on strength and flexibility, as well as the execution of various kicks, leaps, and turns. Combinations will be used to develop performance skills.  Students must also be enrolled in Ballet OR Leaps and Turns.

S1/2:  Teacher approval is not required

J3/Intermediate - Teacher approval IS required

Grade divisions:  Junior (3rd-6th grade), Intermediate (4th-7th), and Senior (6th-12th)

Tap: 3rd- 12th grade

Tap focuses on developing rhythm and speed through intricate footwork.  Students will learn proper execution and rhythm for steps, as well as the ability to execute steps at various speeds.  

S1: Teacher approval is not required

J3/Intermediate, S2 and S3:  Teacher approval IS required

Grade divisions:  J3/Intermediate (3rd-7th), and Senior (6th-12th)

Acro Dance: 3rd - 12th grade

Acro Dance is different from typical gymnastics and tumbling classes. It is the seamless fusion of dance and acrobatic skills. The techniques taught help students to perform the skills safely on a hard floor (dance or stage floor) and to allow seamless flow from an acrobatic move into dance moves during choreography. It also helps to develop strong and well rounded dancers. ArtWorks Academy is one of a few studios in the metro area to be a certified Acrobatic Arts dance studio.

To be truly successful in acro, students should be enrolled in a second dance class.

Teacher approval is not required   

Musical Theatre Dance Technique: 3rd-7th grade

Musical productions require solid dance technique.  This class will help our theatre students develop the strength, flexibility, and technique they need. Class will include strength and conditioning for dancers, progressions of dance steps across the floor, and short combinations to help them prepare for future dance auditions and rehearsals.  Less experienced dancers will gain the confidence they need to do well in musical theatre, more experienced dancers will be challenged by new combinations, styles, and characters to portray!

Pointe: 6th-12th grade

This class is designed to help students develop the strength and skills needed to dance on Pointe. The class is open to students currently placed in Senior 3 Ballet. To be considered for Pointe work students must be enrolled in TWO ballet technique classes each week and Pointe. Regular evaluations of students strength, alignment, and balance will be done to determine a student's readiness for Pointe.

*The decision for placing a student on Pointe will be made by the students instructor(s). This decision is based on a students strength, placement, technical proficiency, understanding of terminology, as well as class attendance and participation.

Teacher approval is required

Leaps and Turns: 6th-12th grade

Develop strength and flexibility as you work on various jumps and turns used in jazz, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre and many other dance genres.  This class is ideal for the dancer who wants to supplement their study of individual genres to advance faster.  It is also great for musical theatre students who want to be successful with more challenging choreography.  

Teacher approval is not required. This class is required for Relevé Dance Company Senior members.