Children & Teen Dance Classes for Ages 7 – 17 in Lafayette Discover Movement & Technique: Ballet, Jazz, Acro & more for Kids & Teens!

Acro (Acrobatics/Tumbling) focuses on developing core acrobatic techniques that enhance flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, endurance, timing, and body awareness. Students build self-discipline and confidence while mastering proper hand placement, body alignment, and the muscle control needed for safe and effective movement. Each level is guided by a skill-based curriculum to ensure safety and progressive growth.

Class Levels

Level I:
Limbering Skills: Pike, tuck, and straddle stretches, push-up to bridge, tendu to second ending position with weight transfer.
Tumbling Skills: Hollow position, log rolls, one-handed handstand, step hop in retiré, rock and roll to standing, pre-cartwheel, forward pike roll.

Level II:
Limbering Skills: Articulated foot stretches, wall walk to half-bridge, kneeling half-bridge, bridge retiré, inside-out tabletop.
Tumbling Skills: Forward rolls, consecutive straddle rolls, standing rock and roll, cartwheel, pre-handstand, straight handstand.

Level III:
Limbering Skills: Bridge to standing, inside-out bridge, bridge weight transfer, kickovers, bridge walking.
Tumbling Skills: Backward roll, cartwheel (one knee), handstand, bridge kickover with support.

Level IV:
Limbering Skills: Bridge recoveries, bridge prances, straight-leg bridges, handstand to bridge, bridge to chest roll.
Tumbling Skills: One-handed cartwheel, dive forward roll, hurdle cartwheel, chassé step-hop cartwheel, handstand forward roll.

Level V:
Limbering Skills: Front limber, rocking bridges, fish flop, bridge to forearms, Arabian handstands.
Tumbling Skills: Flying cartwheel, front walkover, back walkover, roundoff rebound, donkey kicks.

Level VI:
Limbering Skills: Tick tock, moon walkovers, Arabian limbers, back Arabian limbers.
Tumbling Skills: Side aerial, back roll extension, hurdle roundoff, front and back walkovers.

Level VII:
Limbering Skills: Valdez, reverse illusions, Arabian front walkovers, scorpions, continuous chest rolls.
Tumbling Skills: Standing side aerial, flying front walkover, back handsprings, back tucks, and advanced sequences combining acrobatic elements.

This structured progression ensures that each dancer builds confidence and skill at their own pace while laying the foundation for advanced acrobatics.

Ballet is the cornerstone of many dance styles, providing dancers with the grace, poise, and technique essential for success across all forms of movement. Ballet builds a strong foundation by enhancing posture, flexibility, fitness, balance, self-discipline, and confidence, ensuring longevity and proficiency in a dancer’s journey.

Class Levels

Level I: Perfect for beginner dancers ages 7+ ready to explore the fundamentals of ballet. Students will learn the five positions, practice plié variations and tendus, and work on skills appropriate for their level. Classes include both barre and center floor work, with a focus on mastering the Level I curriculum before advancing to Level II. For 7-year-olds new to dance, Pre-Ballet is recommended prior to starting Ballet I.

Level II: Expanding on the skills developed in Level I, this class focuses on refining technique, precision, and ability. Students will progress to more challenging skills while continuing to practice both barre and center floor work. Proficiency in Level I and an instructor’s recommendation are required to join this class.

Level III: Designed for advanced ballet dancers, this class offers a deeper challenge, emphasizing complex combinations and advanced technique. Dancers will refine their finesse and develop a classic style. Mastery of all Level I and II skills and instructor approval are required for enrollment.

Pom Dance (Ages 7–9 and 10+) introduces the fundamentals of pom technique, including strong arm motions, sharp and precise movements, jumps, kicks, and turns, all while incorporating the use of pom-poms. This dynamic class blends elements of jazz, hip hop, and lyrical styles, offering an exciting and versatile dance experience.

Center Court (Ages 7–9 and 10+) is a high-energy class inspired by the thrilling performances of dance teams. Combining pom, jazz, and hip hop styles, this class focuses on entertainment, technical precision, and show-stopping choreography. Dancers will learn what it takes to captivate an audience and bring the energy of a halftime performance to life!

Contemporary/Modern blends elements of ballet and modern dance with an emphasis on emotional expression and musicality. Dancers explore techniques like contractions and release, off-center balances, and suspension while developing their interpretive skills. Some prior dance experience, particularly in ballet or technical styles, is recommended.

Contemporary I (Ages 10+): Perfect for older beginners, this class introduces the fundamentals of contemporary dance. Students will learn introductory techniques, focus on interpreting music and choreography, and practice picking up stylized movements and combinations.

Contemporary II (Ages 10+): Designed for dancers with prior experience in contemporary, this class builds on foundational skills to enhance technique and artistry. Placement is by instructor recommendation to ensure dancers are grouped with peers at a similar level.

Hip Hop is an energetic style that blends a variety of urban, street, and pop dance techniques. Movements are designed to flow with the beat and rhythm of hip hop music, creating a dynamic experience that builds flexibility, balance, and coordination.

Hip Hop Level I (Ages 7+): Perfect for beginner and intermediate dancers, this upbeat class introduces foundational hip hop moves and techniques in a fun and engaging atmosphere.

Hip Hop Level II: For dancers ready to take their skills to the next level, this class features more intricate choreography, faster-paced routines, and challenging music. Placement is by instructor recommendation.

Hip Hop Level III: Designed for advanced dancers, this high-energy class focuses on complex routines and styles, offering a fast-paced environment to push boundaries. Placement is by instructor recommendation.

Jazz Dance is all about style and expression. Classes focus on musicality, body alignment, conditioning, flexibility, rhythm, and technique, while incorporating creative choreography to keep learning exciting and fun.

Level I (Ages 7+): This beginner class introduces dancers to foundational jazz techniques, including jazz walks, chaine turns, single pirouettes, jetes, and kicks. Students will build confidence, develop their style, and work on connecting steps and skills through choreography set to upbeat music. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Technique: Leaps & Turns classes focus on developing the technical skills essential for dance, combining precision with strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Leaps & Turns I: Ideal for beginner dancers or those refining foundational skills, this class breaks down essentials like splits, single pirouettes, chaine and pique turns, jetes, and extensions. It also incorporates stretching, conditioning, and strengthening exercises to build the muscle strength and coordination needed for dance. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Leaps & Turns II: Designed for intermediate dancers, this class focuses on perfecting foundational skills and introducing more advanced techniques. Students will work on calypsos, center leaps, double pirouettes, turns in second, and skill progressions across the floor. Mastery of Level I skills is required to progress to this level.

Lyrical combines elements of ballet and jazz to help dancers connect movement with music and express emotion through choreography. This style encourages interpretation of lyrics to convey meaning and deepens the understanding of performance and storytelling in dance.

Lyrical (Ages 7–9): Recommended for younger dancers with some prior dance experience, this class introduces the fundamentals of lyrical dance and explores the connection between movement, music, and emotion.

Lyrical (Ages 10+): Designed to expand on lyrical concepts, this class can also serve as a standalone introduction for older dancers. Students will learn the basics of lyrical while collaborating with peers to explore expressive movement and artistry.

Broadway/Musical Theater classes bring the excitement of Broadway to the dance studio, combining elements of ballet, jazz, and modern styles. Dancers will learn the iconic Broadway jazz style popularized by legends like Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins, and inspired by classic musicals such as Annie, Oklahoma!, and Grease.

Broadway Jazz (Ages 7+): This class introduces the basics of Broadway jazz, blending ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. Dancers will gain an appreciation for musical theater history while learning the foundations of this expressive style.

Musical Theater Jazz I (Ages 10+): Perfect for older beginners, this class builds on basic jazz techniques while focusing on various musical theater styles, helping dancers bring stories and characters to life through movement.

Musical Theater Jazz II (Ages 10+): Designed for dancers with prior experience, this class refines technique and explores more advanced choreography with peers. Placement is by instructor recommendation.

Tap classes introduce students to the art of rhythm and musicality through dynamic footwork and technical precision. Alongside building foundational and advanced tap skills, dancers gain an appreciation for tap history and its influential figures, offering a well-rounded understanding of the style.

Tap I (Ages 7+): Ideal for beginners, this class focuses on building foundational tap skills such as shuffles, paradiddles, flaps, pickups, and cramp-rolls. Students will also work on developing musical awareness and an appreciation for historical tap figures. Recommended for 7-year-olds new to dance to start with Pre-Tap before progressing to Tap I.

Tap II: A fast-paced class for dancers with prior tap experience. Students will refine technical skills, learn combinations quickly, and deepen their understanding of tap history and musicality.

Tap III: For experienced dancers, this class emphasizes speed, advanced technique, trick steps, and understanding syncopation and swing rhythms. Improvisation and tap history are integral parts of the curriculum.

Tap IV: Designed for advanced tap dancers, this class expands on techniques and trick steps from Tap III. Dancers will explore various time signatures and begin creating their own choreography.

Tap V: The highest level of tap offered, this class is for advanced students placed by instructor evaluation. Dancers will master complex techniques and further their creative and technical expertise.