Plan the season

Paths of a Dancer

A quick guide to where your dancer is now, and where they could go. Use it to plan how many classes, which styles and at what pace, whatever your dancer’s goals and level of commitment.

The three paths

Educational: grace, poise and self-esteem
Developmental: train, explore and expand
Advanced Technique: mastery, discipline and commitment

Ages 2 – 5

Educational: about 1 hour a week

Fall in love with dance. One weekly class is the perfect start: a Ballet/Tap Combo, a Hip Hop class for little ones, or a morning tumbling class. The goal here is grace, confidence and a love of moving.

Developmental: about 2 hours a week

Build the foundation. Add a second class. If you add Hip Hop, keep a Ballet/Tap Combo class so the technical foundation stays strong. Ask us about early performance opportunities too.

Ages 6 – 8

Educational: 1–2 hours a week

Explore the styles. This is the age to sample and find what a dancer loves. A Ballet class builds the technical foundation for Jazz, and a Jazz class strengthens Hip Hop.

Developmental: 2–4 hours a week

Choose a focus. Ballet-focused dancers take two Ballet classes a week to stay on track for future pointe work. Jazz-focused dancers keep at least one Ballet class for progression. Tap, Hip Hop and Acro are great additions for rhythm, musicality and confidence. Ballet and Jazz are our core classes: they build the flexibility and strength every style relies on.

Ages 9 – Teen

Educational: 1–3 hours a week

Grow in confidence. One class a week in any style is a wonderful way to build confidence and feel at home in your own body. Ballet and Jazz develop the turns, leaps and kicks that carry over into Hip Hop, Tap and every other style.

Developmental: 3–6 hours a week

Train with intention. Hours depend on focus. Ballet-focused dancers take two classes a week for pre-pointe, then three or more once on pointe. Jazz-focused dancers add multiple Jazz classes alongside their Ballet. Hip Hop, Tap and Contemporary dancers keep a Ballet or Jazz core each week. Ask about the CDC Company for more performance training.

Advanced Technique: 4–12+ hours a week

Master the craft. Serious training, tailored to the dancer. Ballet-focused dancers may train six or more hours a week, and Jazz-focused dancers often train twice that. Many add Hip Hop, Tap, Contemporary, private lessons or Company classes on top of their core technique. Talk to us about a plan built around your dancer.

Our approach

Let us help you. Whatever the reason you started, dance will develop and challenge your child mentally, physically and emotionally. Your path is shaped by expectations, commitment and technique, and it grows as your dancer matures.

Results will vary. Every student progresses at their own pace, and no two dancers grow at the same rate, even with identical training. We encourage each dancer to focus on themselves, give it their all, and take pride in their own accomplishments.

Enjoy the process. Our goal is to educate the mind and body and free the spirit of every student, building the skills that make for a successful life.

Re-assess each year. Goals and interests change. Please reconsider your path each school year and let the front desk know, so we can help your dancer reach their goals.

Which path are you on this year?

Tell us where your dancer is headed and we’ll help build the right schedule. See the class schedule, register for a free trial, or call the studio at (203) 377-8755.