EARLY CHILDHOOD DANCE PROGRAM

At Bellevue Dance Academy, our Early Childhood Dance Program is thoughtfully designed to introduce children ages 18 months to 6 years to the joy of movement while building the foundational skills that support success both inside and outside the classroom. Our program is structured as a progressive three-stage learning pathway, allowing young dancers to develop confidence, coordination, creativity, and independence at a pace that matches their age and developmental readiness. Through music, movement, imaginative play, and age-appropriate technique, dancers begin building the physical, social, and cognitive skills that create a lifelong love of dance. Throughout each stage, dancers develop essential physical skills such as balance, coordination, rhythm, spatial awareness, flexibility, strength, and musicality. Equally important, our curriculum focuses on classroom readiness skills, including listening, taking turns, following directions, teamwork, focus, confidence, and positive social interaction. As dancers grow within the program, they progress through three developmental stages designed to prepare them for our leveled dance curriculum.

Stage 1: Exploration (18 Months – 3 Years) | 30 min. per week

Move & Groove: An introductory movement class for young dancers and their caregiver.

Stage 2: Discovery (Ages 3 – 4) | 30 min. per week

• Ballet Discovery • Tap Discovery • Hip Hop Discovery: Our Discovery classes introduce young dancers to specific dance styles while continuing to build confidence, coordination, creativity, and independence.

Stage 3: Skill Building Adventures (Ages 4 – 6) | 30 min. per week

• Ballet Adventures • Tap Adventures • Jazz Adventures • Hip Hop Adventures: Our Adventures classes build on the foundations established in earlier stages while introducing more structured skill development and increased technical focus.

**(Hip Hop Adventures includes age-appropriate introductory floor work, including rolls, table tops, poses, and movement-based strength development.)

FOUNDATION CLASSES

Our foundation classes are designed to be taken in combination, allowing each dance style to receive focused technical training. Placement is based on a student’s technical ability and age. Progression through each level depends on a dancer’s ability to execute, retain, and apply the skills taught. Auditions or teacher recommendations are strongly encouraged for proper placement.

FOUNDATION CLASS DISCOUNT: Ballet is considered to be the most important foundation of all dance classes. Tap and Jazz are meant to be taken in conjunction with ballet. If you choose not to take ballet, your first foundation-level class will be the same price as that ballet-level class, regardless of the time per week. When taken in conjunction with other foundation-level classes, jazz and tap are $35 to add the second foundation class and $25 to add the third foundation class.

BALLET: LEVEL 1-6 | 30min - 1.5 hours/week based on level

Students will learn classical ballet techniques and terminology. Each class includes barre exercises, center floor work, and across-the-floor combinations. The ballet curriculum stresses precise technique based on a combination of methods. As students progress through each level, the curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.

PRE-POINTE, BEGINNING POINTE + POINTE: 30- 45 minutes per week

Pre-pointe will work on preparation throughout the fall. When ready, pointe shoes will be fitted and the student will begin work en pointe at the barre. Readiness for pointe work is determined by each student’s strength and physical development, not by their age. Pointe class will extend from the barre to floor work.

JAZZ: LEVEL 1-6 | 30-45 min/week based on level

Jazz class will focus on learning proper dance technique such as isolations of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Students will be exposed to various styles of jazz such as Broadway, Street and Contemporary to help develop a well rounded dancer. Class curriculum is based on traditional jazz movement and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations. As students progress through each level curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.

TAP: LEVEL 1-6 | 30-45 min/week based on level

Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Students will learn a variety of tap styles from Broadway to Rhythm tap. Exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, using a variety of tempos and combinations. As students progress through each level curriculum will become increasingly more complex and intricate.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START LEARNING!

ACCELERATED FOUNDATIONS | Ages 10–15 Years | 1 hour Weekly

Accelerated Foundations is designed specifically for older dancers who are new to dance training or have limited previous experience and need an age-appropriate place to begin.

ADULT CLASSES

Just because you are over 18, does not mean you can’t still shake your groove thing! Whether it is for a workout or to extend your skill level, we have some great options for adults too.

ALL INCLUSIVE DANCE CLASSES

Dance is for everyone—no matter your mobility level. Whether your child uses a wheelchair, walker, or has other physical challenges, our all-inclusive classes provide a fun, supportive space to move, groove, and express themselves through music.

SPECIALTY CLASSES

If you are looking for something other than traditional dance, then the Specialty Classes are made for you. Each specialty is taught by a professional in that particular field of study.

ACRO ages 5 – 18 years | 45 minutes per week

Our Acro program blends foundational acrobatic technique with elements of dance, breakdance, strength training, and creative movement.

BALLROOM 1 - SMOOTH ages 12 and up | 45 minutes per week

This class introduces dancers to the elegance and technique of traditional Smooth ballroom styles, including Waltz, Foxtrot, and Tango.

BALLROOM 2 - LATIN ages 13 and up | 45 minutes per week

Bring the energy and passion of Latin dance to life through styles such as Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, and Jive. This class emphasizes rhythm, confidence, musicality, body movement, and performance quality while helping dancers build strength, versatility, and dynamic stage presence.

CLOGGING 1 & 2 Tap level 1 B and up | 45 minutes per week

This class introduces the student to the fundamental dance skills of clogging. Clogging is a percussive dance form which emphasizes the downbeat of the music.

CONTEMPORARY ages 12 and up | 45 minutes per week

This class is designed to explore the abstract side of dance.

HIP HOP ages 6 and up | 45 minutes per week

Hip Hop is a high energy class that has developed from funk, soul and street dance.

LYRICAL ages 7 and up | 45 minutes per week

Dancers will explore the style of lyrical dance with basic techniques and skills from ballet, jazz and modern.

MUSIC CONCEPTS ages 5-8 & Ages 9 & up | 30-45 minutes per week

This class builds a strong foundation in music literacy and expression, designed specifically for dancers, theatre students, and performers.

POM ages 7 – 18 years | 45 minutes per week

Dancers will focus on sharp arm movements, execution of choreographic visuals and dance team/cheer skills. Dancers will learn fundamentals of Pom positions, performance skills and expand on their high energy, entertainment skills.

THEATRE AND PERFORMING ARTS

When dancing isn’t enough and you need to add singing, acting, and working backstage too, these are the classes that will take you to the next level. No discounts apply to these classes, except as noted below.

BROADWAY ages 5 – 8 years | 30 minutes per week

This class will introduce you to the exciting world of the stage by performing a combination of singing, dancing, and acting to songs from Broadway musicals.

MUSICAL THEATRE ages 9 – 18 years | Fall/Winter Production & Spring Production Rehearsal time will vary

Take your love of acting, singing and dancing to the stage. Placements into our musical theatre productions will be based on auditions.

RECITAL OPENER

Our musical theatre performers have the unique opportunity of starring in our recital opener for all three shows!

STAGECRAFT: Page to Stage (materials included) ages 12 and up | 90 min/week + seasonal production labs

From first script to final curtain, this hands-on class explores the world of technical theatre through lighting, sound, props, costumes, scenic design, painting, construction, and more. Students receive guided instruction from theatre professionals while gaining real-world experience by creating and managing elements used in studio productions. Tuition includes project materials, guest workshops with industry professionals, and additional production lab hours during active show seasons, giving students expanded hands-on training opportunities. The class also includes our annual Tech Olympics—a fun competition celebrating teamwork, creativity, and technical skill. Perfect for students who love theatre both onstage and behind the scenes.

TECHNIQUE + CONDITIONING CLASSES
(NON – RECITAL)

These classes are designed for dancers who want to train beyond their weekly technique classes and build the strength, control, and technical foundation needed for higher-level performance. Classes focus on strength, conditioning, balance, stamina, and injury prevention to support overall technical growth. Placement is based on a dancer’s current ballet level, not age, and enrollment in ballet is required. These classes do not perform in recital.

Technique Lab | 45 minutes per week

A precision-focused class that sharpens ballet-based technique, leaps, and turns.

TRX (Tricks · Relationship · eXpression) | 45 minutes per week

This boundary-pushing class blends acro skills, partnering, and choreographic expression. With rotating instructors and weekly challenges, dancers build strength, connection, and versatility—on the ground and in the air.

S.A.F.E. – Strength · Agility · Flexibility · Endurance | 45 minutes

A dancer’s cross-training is essential. Improve physical conditioning, prevent injuries, and support peak performance through targeted strength and mobility work.

Balance and Stability | 45 minutes

A conditioning class designed to improve foot and ankle strength, balance, alignment, and stability while building a strong technical foundation and supporting injury prevention for dancers of all genres.

NON-RECITAL EXPLORATORY CLASSES

Our Non-Recital Classes offer dancers the opportunity to learn, explore, and grow without the commitment of recital choreography. Designed for new and mid-season students, these classes focus on developing technique, confidence, creativity, and versatility in a fun, low-pressure environment while building a strong foundation for future growth.

Groove & Tumble - February 1 - May 31, 2027 ages 3–6 Years | 30 Minutes Weekly

Designed especially for our youngest movers.

Dance Discovery - February 1 - May 31, 2027 ages 6–9 Years | 30 Minutes Weekly

Dance Discovery is the perfect class for dancers who want to experience a little bit of everything. Throughout the season, students explore a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, acro, pom.

Movement Lab - February 1 - May 31, 2027 ages 10 & Up | 30 Minutes Weekly

Movement Lab is an exploratory class designed for dancers who want versatility, growth, and creative exploration without committing to one specific dance style. This class is ideal for beginners, returning dancers, or students who simply want to expand their movement vocabulary in a supportive and creative environment.

Why Choose a Non-Recital Class?

✅ Open enrollment later in the season

✅ Focus on skill development rather than choreography

✅ Great option for new dancers or those adding extra training

✅ Supports long-term dancer growth and confidence