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.

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

Preschool Combo 1 and 2:  3-5 year olds   

Young dancers will learn the basics of tap, ballet, and jazz. Part of each class is spent on technique as well as various creative movement and gross motor development activities (i.e. basic tumbling, skipping, galloping, balancing, and much, much more).

Preschool Combo 1:  3-4 year olds

Preschool Combo 2: 4-5 year olds

Preschool Combo 1-2: 3-5 year olds

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
• Must be in Preschool Combo (PreK) or Ballet/Tap Combo (Kindergarten) for the 2017-2018 season
• Students in Petite Protégé also take an advanced class on Tuesdays from 4:15-5:00 pm
• 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 2016-2017 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
• Must be in Ballet/Tap Combo or J1 Ballet and Jazz/Tap Combo for the 2017-2018 season
• Students in Protégé also take an advanced class on Fridays from 4:15-5:10 pm.
• 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 2016-2017 can contact Cheryl Morris to let her know you would like your child to be considered.
• This level does may got 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

Acro Dance: Kindergarten - 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 only two studios in the metro area to be a certified Acrobatic Arts dance studio.

The only classes to receive year round acro instruction this year will be our Protege and Petite Protege classes. These classes are invitation only. If your child was asked to join us in one of these groups, you can still enroll. Space is limited!

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

Teacher approval is not required   

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   

Leaps and Turns Technique: Kindergarten - 12th Grade

In this class, dancers will work to develop flexibility and strength for dancing. Half of each class will focus on stretching, conditioning and strength work. The second half of the class will be spent improving the dancers technique in turns and jumps.  

Teacher approval is NOT required for the Monday section for for Mini Leaps and Turns.

Teacher approval IS required for both Friday 4:45-5:40 pm sections.

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

Jazz/Tap Combo: 3rd - 7th 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:  Teacher approval is not required

J2:  Teacher approval is required

J3:  Teacher approval is required

Intermediate: Teacher approval is 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:  Teacher approval is not required

J2:  Teacher approval is required

J3:  Teacher approval is required

Intermediate: Teacher approval is required

S1:  Teacher approval is not required.

S2:  Teacher approval is required.  

S3:  Teacher approval is required.  

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.  

J1: Teacher approval is not required

S1/S2:  Teacher approval is not required

S3:  Teacher approval is required

Adult: Teacher approval is not required

Lyrical Dance: 5th-12th grade

Lyrical is a dance style that focus on expressively communicating the song through movement.  It tells  a story from the stage.  Students will focus on spatial awareness, timing, shape and movement dynamics. 

Intermediate Lyrical:  Teacher approval is required 

Senior Lyrical:  Teacher approval is required

Jazz: 6th-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:  Teacher approval is not required

S2:  Teacher approval is required

S3:  Teacher approval is required

Adult: Teacher approval is not required

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 Intermediate Balet or 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