Preschool (Ages 1-5)
The Young Dancers Program at the RCD is joyful, healthy, and wholesome. These classes expose students to the joy of dance through movement games, creative exercises, exploration of dance styles, and an introduction to movement vocabulary. Children flourish in a positive atmosphere of self-discovery while learning a curriculum that introduces the basic concepts of ballet, promotes musicality and rhythm, and instructs foundational and fundamental dance techniques.
Age Group Details
Class Descriptions:
Dance for 1s
Dance for 1s is for one year olds (must be 12 months old by 9/1/24) and one participating adult companion. This class requires full participation from the parent or caregiver who can move with, hold, and assist their child in exploratory and stimulative play both on the floor and through the dance studio space using incorporated props, songs, and imagination.
Babies and adults wear comfortable clothing and no footwear is required besides socks. Only one adult participant, please.
Dance for 2s and 3s with Companion
Dance for 2s and 3s with Companion is for two-year-olds (must be 24 months by 9/1/24) and three-year-olds who are more comfortable with the presence of their participating adult companion. This class requires full participation from the parent or caregiver, who can interact with, encourage, and assist their child in introductory dance movements through the dance studio space. The class includes a creative movement warm-up, a brief barre familiarization, an introductory dance vocabulary lesson through a playful creative movement freeze dance, a guided movement story, and more.
Adults: Comfortable attire. Children Option 1: White skirted leotard (Motionwear 4354 white 139, Bloch CL8262, or Capezio 11305c) with skin-toned tights and skin-toned ballet slippers without drawstring (So Danca 55)
or Children Option 2: White t-shirt with black tights, white socks, and black ballet slippers. Long hair is secured in a ponytail or bun.
Dance for 3s & 4s Independent
Dance for 3s & 4s Independent is for three-year-olds (must be 36 months by 9/1/24) who are ready to separate and work independently without the support of an adult participant present. The class structure follows the same elements of the Dance for 2s and 3s with Companion class, including the warm-up, barre familiarization, dance vocabulary lesson, guided movement story, and more.
Option 1: White skirted leotard (Motionwear 4354 white 139, Bloch CL8262, or Capezio 11305c) with skin-toned tights and skin-toned ballet slippers without drawstring (So Danca 55)
or Option 2: White t-shirt with black tights, white socks, and black ballet slippers. Long hair is secured in a ponytail or bun.
Pre-Ballet for Pre-K
Pre-Ballet for Pre-K is for students entering Kindergarten in fall 2025. This class transitions into more formal pre-ballet, building upon the class elements of creative movement warm-up, adding a few formal barre exercises, and expanding the vocabulary exercises and movement story. Center work including port de bras and simple footwork is introduced, along with traveling steps.
Option 1: Pink skirted leotard (Motionwear 4354 pink 140, Bloch 140, or Capezio 11305c) with skin-toned tights and skin-toned ballet slippers without drawstring (So Danca 55)
or Option 2: White t-shirt with black tights, white socks, and black ballet slippers. Long hair is secured in a ponytail or bun.
Pre-Ballet for K
Pre-Ballet for K is for students entering Kindergarten in fall 2024. As we continue to add elements of more pre-ballet to the floor warm-up and barre exercises, the class reflects the more formal structure dancers experience in their academic day. We add to the center work and traveling steps.
Light purple skirted leotard (Motionwear 4354 orchid 137, Bloch 140, or Capezio 11305c) with skin-toned tights and skin-toned ballet slippers without drawstring (So Danca 55)
or Option 2: White t-shirt with black tights, white socks, and black ballet slippers. Long hair is secured in a ponytail or bun.
Broadway Babies
Broadway Babies is for the movers and shakers! This introductory Creative Movement and Tap class is for ages 3-5. This class includes a blend of creative movement, basic tap steps, and imaginative play.
Dancers wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement, and tap shoes are recommended.
