COURSE CATALOG

Sole City Dance offers a flexible class schedule and leveling system that empowers students to design their own program based on their interests, goals, time commitment, and skill level. While faculty approval is required for enrollment in upper-level classes, there are no specific requirements regarding the number or type of classes a dancer must take, with the exception of pointe classes, which have additional prerequisites.

Here are the basics—

Youth and Teen Class Levels and Expectations

Sole City Dance provides leveled Youth and Teen classes, starting with Primary (including Lil’ and Mini’) and progressing through Level 5. Advancement is based on skill development and is not automatic. It is common for dancers to spend up to three years at a level as they master the necessary techniques and build a strong foundation.

For classically-based styles such as ballet, modern, and jazz, we recommend students begin training multiple times per week by Level 2, with at least one of those classes being ballet. Please note that progressing beyond Level 3 is challenging with only once-per-week training.

Upper-level ballet and jazz classes are offered multiple times per week. While attending all classes at a given level is encouraged for maximum growth, it is not mandatory. Dancers are also welcome to take lower-level classes, which can provide valuable opportunities to focus on refining technique.

Pointe Classes
Dancers training en pointe are required to take at least two ballet classes per week, along with the pointe classes associated with those ballet classes. For those seeking to excel in ballet, we strongly recommend attending three ballet and pointe classes at their level each week.

Class Placement
Dancers must be able to meet the technical demands of their class to ensure both their safety and respect for their peers. If a dancer is not keeping up, they may be asked to move to a lower level. Placement is determined by the faculty and may be adjusted at any time based on attendance, skill level, or work ethic.

At the end of each dance year, faculty recommendations for fall placement are posted under Student Resources. Adjustments may be made in September based on a dancer’s progress or changes in skill level over the summer.

Performance and Company Requirements

The Nutcracker: Dancers must be enrolled in and maintain good attendance in at least one ballet class per week to audition.
The Young Company or Solstice Dance Company: Dancers must be enrolled in at least one technique class per week to participate we do not require auditions for company.

We are committed to helping every dancer achieve their goals through thoughtful class placement and consistent training. For questions about leveling or recommendations, please contact the studio.

Things to keep in mind—

Understanding the Dance Education Process

Every dancer is a unique individual, bringing their own natural abilities, learning styles, and levels of commitment to their dance journey. Some dancers pick up skills quickly, while others require more repetition. Some are naturally strong or flexible, while others must work diligently to achieve these attributes. Similarly, certain dancers may excel in one style of dance, while others find their strengths in different styles. Commitment levels also vary, with some choosing intensive study and others enjoying dance as a recreational activity.

At Sole City Dance, faculty members continuously evaluate each dancer during every class. Corrections and compliments are valuable feedback intended to help students refine specific skills. Dancers are encouraged to take responsibility for remembering and applying this feedback. Keeping a dance journal to record corrections and compliments after class can be a helpful tool for growth.

In addition to personal feedback, learning also involves listening to the corrections and compliments given to others and considering how they might apply to your own practice. Observing fellow dancers with an open and nonjudgmental attitude can provide insight into your own strengths, challenges, and goals.

Since every dancer progresses at their own pace, we encourage you to avoid comparing yourself to others. Instead, focus on aligning your class choices with your personal dance goals, working hard each day, maintaining consistent attendance, and finding inspiration in the dancers you admire.

Dance is a journey, and every step contributes to your growth as an artist.

Trust the Faculty—

At Sole City Dance, our experienced faculty are dedicated to supporting every student’s growth and success. Working collaboratively, the faculty carefully considers each student’s placement to ensure they are challenged, inspired, and positioned to thrive.

If you have questions about class placement, please contact our Executive Director, Alexandra Poulis, who will gather input from the faculty and provide feedback or arrange an in-person discussion as needed. Faculty members continuously observe dancers in class and will address any concerns or suggestions directly when necessary. For inquiries, you can reach us through our contact form.

Class placement takes into account a variety of factors, including personality, natural ability, and prior experience. Every student’s journey is unique, and children excel in different environments. We encourage you to trust the instructors’ recommendations and allow your child’s skills to develop naturally at their own pace.

Ready to register for classes?

YOUNG CHILDREN’S DANCE

Dance with Me! (18 months to 2 y.o.)

Join us for an engaging 30-minute class where parents and children learn together while exploring gross motor skills and the magic of music! With the help of fun props, students are encouraged to listen, express themselves through movement, and connect with the music. This lively class also helps young dancers develop the ability to follow directions and introduces the foundational elements of a dance class—all while having a blast!

*Not a performance class

Dance Explore 1 (for new 3 y.o. & 4 y.o.)

This engaging 45-minute class is designed to introduce young dancers to the fundamentals of dance, including ballet, in an age-appropriate and enjoyable way. Each session begins with warm-up exercises to build coordination, body awareness, and strength. Students will explore basic traveling steps and practice moving together in group patterns, fostering teamwork and spatial awareness.

The class also includes tap dancing to develop rhythm and counting skills, along with creative movement games that spark imagination and self-expression. It’s the perfect blend of structure, creativity, and fun to nurture a love of dance in every child! (Children must be 3 by September 1st)

Dance Explore 2 (for experienced 4 & new 5 y.o.)

This 45-minute class nurtures creativity and movement while introducing ballet and tap. Students warm up with isolations and stretches, practice steps across the floor, and explore patterns to build coordination. Class themes inspire imagination, while tap and rhythm exercises enhance musicality and expressive movement.

Dance Works 1 or 1/2 (for experienced 5 & all 6 y.o.)

This 45-minute class gives young dancers the chance to explore ballet, tap, and basic jazz all in one session. Students build on foundational skills with more complex and detailed movements while still enjoying fun and creative exercises that foster self-expression and a love of dance.

Dance Works 2 (for experienced 6 y.o. and new 7 y.o.)

Designed for students who have completed a full year of Dance Works or are new to dance at age 7, this class focuses on further developing skills in tap, ballet, and jazz.

Jazz Mini’s (for 6-8 y.o.)

Jazz Mini’s introduces young dancers to the many styles within this dynamic genre. Students will study classic jazz technique, musical theater, lyrical jazz, contemporary/modern movement, and hip-hop-inspired styles.

Each class includes a comprehensive warm-up, center work, and traveling progressions to enhance flexibility, strength, and technique. Dancers will also learn choreography, building their performance skills, confidence, and expressive ability in a fun and supportive environment.

Lil’ Hip Hoppers (for 5-8 y.o.)

Lil’ Hip Hoppers is the perfect introduction for young dancers seeking an upbeat, high-energy class. Hip hop, a vibrant street dance style that has evolved over the past 40 years in urban communities across the country, forms the foundation of this dynamic class.

Each session includes an energizing warm-up, skill-building exercises to develop hip-hop movement vocabulary, and a fun, engaging dance combination. Ideal for active kids, this class offers a fast-paced, exciting way to learn and move!

Lil’ Tappers (for 6-8 y.o.)

Lil’ Tappers is perfect for young dancers eager to explore the exciting world of tap dance and build a strong foundation in this rhythmic art form. At SCD, we teach jazz tap, also known as rhythm tap, focusing on techniques that create clear, precise sounds while encouraging creativity and individual expression through rhythm.

Dancers will develop musicality, learn about musical structure, and begin to explore improvisation, making this class both educational and fun!

Modern Mini’s (for 6-8 y.o.)

Modern Mini’s is designed to help young dancers build a strong foundation in modern dance technique while encouraging freedom of movement and creativity. Developed as a contrast to classical ballet, modern dance emphasizes expressive, innovative movements, often drawing inspiration from ethnic dance styles from around the world.

At SCD, modern dance classes delve into a variety of modern dance styles, featuring dynamic movements set to diverse musical genres. Students will explore improvisation and partnering techniques, cultivating creativity and collaboration. This class offers an engaging and expressive experience for dancers looking to broaden their skills and artistic expression!

Acro Prim (for 5-7 y.o.)

Sole City Dance is proud to be an Acrobatic Arts-certified studio, offering a unique blend of dance, acrobatics, and gymnastics in one thrilling discipline. Widely featured in the dance and gymnastics world, as well as professional productions like Cirque du Soleil, acrobatics combines strength, flexibility, and control with artistic expression.

Students will focus on extensive conditioning while mastering fundamental skills, from forward rolls to advanced tricks such as handstands, cartwheels, chest stands, needles, illusions, walkovers, aerials, and more. They’ll also learn how to seamlessly integrate these skills into dance, creating a dynamic and powerful performance style.

YOUTH AND TEEN CLASSES

*Not all classes listed are currently running

Level Information

Progression through levels 1 to 5 varies based on factors such as natural ability, learning style, focus, and attendance. For all classes at Level 2 and above, advancement requires a recommendation from an SCD instructor.

Level recommendations for current students are available in the student portal under the resources section. New students are encouraged to contact us to discuss appropriate placement and arrange an evaluation. Students may remain in a level for up to three years and advance only upon faculty recommendation.

Acro (ages 7 & up)

Sole City Dance is a certified Acrobatic Arts studio, blending the grace of dance, the thrill of acrobatics, and the power of gymnastics. As seen in productions like Cirque du Soleil, acrobatics develops strength, flexibility, and control. Students progress from foundational skills, like forward rolls, to advanced techniques such as aerials and walkovers, seamlessly integrating these into dance. Basic dance training, such as ballet or jazz, enhances acrobatic development and fosters versatile performers. We strongly encourage acro students to complement their training with another dance discipline.

Aerial & Little Flyers (ages 7 & up)

Elevate your dance experience with the excitement of aerial dance! This unique training combines strength, flexibility, and artistry as students master skills on fabric, trapeze, and lyra. From understanding rigging and equipment care to performing stunning tricks, students progress from foundational moves to advanced techniques, all while exploring act creation and performance theory. Build upper body and core strength, enhance coordination, and discover the thrill of dancing in the air. Visit our Aerial page for more details and dress code requirements!

Ballet* – ABT National Training Curriculum (ages 7 & up)

This centuries-old art form, celebrated for its grace and beauty, demands discipline, strength, and flexibility. Mastery requires years of patience and repetition to build the strength and refinement essential to ballet.

SCD follows the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) National Training Curriculum, a nine-level program from pre-primary to professional. This curriculum combines rigorous artistic training with a focus on dancer health and whole-child development, blending principles from the French, Italian, and Russian ballet traditions. It equips students with a deep understanding of classical ballet technique and the versatility to excel in all dance styles.

*A placement class is required to determine the appropriate level for each dancer. See the ABT page for more details.

Pre-Pointe

Pre-pointe is designed for students aged 10 and older who aspire to advance to pointe work. These classes focus on strengthening the muscles required for pointe through targeted conditioning exercises and emphasize proper alignment and technique.

Pre-pointe also serves as a critical assessment period, allowing instructors to evaluate each student’s readiness for pointe in a controlled and supportive environment. Completion of the pre-pointe program is mandatory before transitioning to pointe, ensuring the necessary foundation for safe and successful training. For health and safety reasons, no student will begin pointe work before the age of 12.

Pointe (by Permission/Audition)

Pointe work is a vital component of advanced ballet training, requiring exceptional strength, alignment, and technique. To meet these demands, students must attend a minimum of two ballet classes per week, along with the corresponding pointe classes. For optimal progression and skill development, we highly recommend enrolling in three ballet classes and all associated pointe classes at the appropriate level each week.

Hip Hop (ages 7 & up)

Hip hop is a dynamic and high-energy dance style that has evolved from urban street culture over the past 40 years. Classes feature an engaging warm-up, exploration of hip-hop movement vocabulary, and learning exciting combinations. Tailored for youth and teens, music selections and choreography are thoughtfully designed to suit each age group, ensuring a fun and age-appropriate experience for all dancers.

Jazz (ages 7 and up)

Jazz classes provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the diverse styles within this dynamic genre. Students explore classic jazz technique, musical theater, lyrical jazz, contemporary/modern jazz, and hip-hop-influenced movements.

Each class incorporates a structured warm-up, center work, and traveling progressions to enhance flexibility, strength, and technical proficiency. Additionally, students learn choreographed pieces, fostering performance skills, confidence, and artistic expression. This well-rounded approach ensures a deep understanding of jazz and its many forms.

Lyrical Jazz (ages 13 & up)

Lyrical Jazz blends the precision of ballet with the expressive energy of jazz, offering a powerful interpretation of the emotions conveyed through song lyrics. Designed for dancers with a solid foundation in jazz technique, this class is open to students aged 13 and older who are placed at Level 4 Jazz or higher.

Contemporary Jazz (ages 11 & up)

Contemporary dance is a captivating fusion of self-expression, storytelling, and artistic freedom. Drawing inspiration from traditional styles like Ballet and Jazz, it pushes beyond their structured techniques, embracing fluidity and innovation. Open to dancers aged 11 and up, this class invites you to explore movement in a uniquely expressive and liberating way.

Jazz Leaps & Turns (ages 9+)

This specialized class will focus on leaps and turns for Jazz. It is open to any SCD Jazz student in level 2+.

Modern Dance (ages 7 & up)

Modern Dance emerged as a response to classical ballet, emphasizing expressive, creative movements and drawing inspiration from cultural dances worldwide. At SCD, modern dance classes explore a broad spectrum of renowned modern techniques set to diverse musical styles. Classes also incorporate improvisation and partnering, encouraging creativity and dynamic collaboration.

Tap (ages 7 & up)

At SCD, we teach jazz tap, also known as rhythm tap, focusing on technique to produce clear, precise sounds while fostering individual expression through rhythm. Classes emphasize musicality, helping dancers understand musical structure and develop improvisational skills, creating a dynamic and expressive tap experience.

Youth Combo (for 7-12 y.o.)

This class offers young students the opportunity to explore more than one dance form in a single class. Ballet and jazz are the two styles that will be studied in this class. Classwork consists of more complex and detailed movements than in previous classes, while still allowing time for fun, creative exercises.

Flexibility & Conditioning (9+)

Strength and flexibility are essential for injury prevention and supporting a sustainable dance career. This class focuses on cross-training techniques designed to enhance both strength and flexibility, equipping dancers with the tools needed for optimal performance and longevity. Additionally, dancers will receive guidance and resources for skill development and strength training exercises to practice independently at home.

SCD Performance Companies

We have two company options we have The Young Company for dancers 8-12 years old and The Solstice Dance Company for dancers ages 13+. Both companies rehearse on Fridays during the dance year. The Young Company 4:00-5:15 and The Solstice Dance Company 5:00-6:30. Dancers in these performance companies showcase the studio at community events throughout the year.

Company Requirements:

Companies are open to those enrolled in classes ages 8+.
Company members must take at least one technique class per week to participate (ballet, jazz or modern). We strongly recommend being enrolled in a ballet class as it will help you improve in all styles.

You can find more company details and our philosophy here.

ADULT CLASSES (18+)

See the Adult Dance page for session details, class descriptions and level options. If you are interested in Ballroom you can find that on the Ballroom page.

Adult Aerial

Take dance to another level with aerial dance! Aerial training will focus on building upper body and core strength and increasing flexibility and coordination while working on each apparatus. Students will learn everything from the basics of rigging and equipment maintenance to basic, intermediate, and advanced skills on the fabric, trapeze and lyra. We offer an adult beginner level and intermediate level. The intermediate class is for anyone with at least a year of aerial experience.

Adult Ballet

This class covers all the basics of ballet in a fun and encouraging environment. Perfect for those totally new to ballet or those who have taken a break and want to get back into it. Wear whatever you can move comfortably in. Ballet shoes are recommended but not required. We offer a beginner and intermediate level.

Adult Contemporary Jazz

This class exposes students to the many forms that make up this diverse genre of dance. Contemporary Jazz dance combines techniques of classical ballet and modern dance with current forms of popular dance. Classes include warm up, isolations, stretches, across the floor progressions, and choreography combinations. Dress code: barefoot or socks and comfy clothes you can move in.

Adult Tap

The style of tap dance taught at SCD is jazz tap, also called rhythm tap. Classes teach technique aimed at achieving good, clear sounds, while encouraging individual expression through rhythm. Dancers learn about musical structure and develop improvisation skills. We offer an adult beginner level and intermediate level. The intermediate class moves at a faster paced and is geared towards those with a tap background.

Heels (16+)

This class will explore the experience of dancing in heels. We will investigate movement patterns essential to dancing in heels and learn a section of stylized choreography. The overall style of the movement will be somewhere in between commercial sassy jazz and jazz funk, with some elements of hip hop. Some dance experience is recommended but not required, this is fun class for all levels who want to help gain some confidence on the dance floor. As the name of the class suggests, this class may be done in heels but sneakers are also encouraged. We recommend choosing a pair of heels that are clean and that you feel comfortable walking in.

**No stilettos they can ruin our flooring.