Below is a recommended course of study at Betty’s School of Dance. Most of our dancers study both ballet and contemporary styles of dance, as the training in the different courses benefit each other greatly.

100 Level: Preschool

At the preschool level, dancers are exploring movement in creative and engaging ways.  We offer 45 minute classes in various styles.   Our Creative Ballet classes have the option of performing in our December Nutcracker production, and all styles will perform in the Spring Concerts!

200 Level: Grades K-2

The 200 level is designed for elementary children (typically Kindergarten through 2nd Grade). These courses teach ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumble, and lyrical.  Ballet classes will learn choreography for our Nutcracker production, and all of our 200 Level classes will dance in our Spring Concerts.

300 Level: Grades 3+

The options really open up at the 300 level, and dancers begin to plan their course of study to help them reach long-term goals.  Classes are offered in a wide variety of styles.  Dancers will have the option of embarking on advanced courses of study in Classical and/or Contemporary styles.  We also have many fun and enriching classes for our dancers who dance for the pure joy of dance, using movement to stay healthy, explore ideas, and connect with the world.  All ballet classes (and now our Hip Hop classes too!) perform in our December Nutcracker production, and all styles perform in our Spring Concerts.

Ballet Courses

Our ballet students will study the 300 level curriculum at least through age 10, working closer toward mastery each year.  Detailed study of ballet greatly improves a dancer’s overall technique, even if  the dancer plans to pursue more contemporary styles in the long run.  Dancers wishing to pursue pointe training (and/or one of our ballet companies should consider adding a second weekly ballet class at this level).  At age 10, dancers will need at least two weekly ballet classes to be considered for pre-pointe/ pointe training.  Our 300 level ballet classes do also offer lyrical choreography in the second semester.

Contemporary Styles

Just as ballet improves technique, we find that our strongest ballet dancers are usually also contemporary dancers!  Contemporary technique study improves a dancer’s power, strength, creativity, and quality of movement.  At the 300 level we offer tap, jazz, modern, tumble, hip hop, and lyrical training.  Dancers interested in pursuing our Contemporary Company should consider training multiple days per week to grow their technique more quickly.

400 Level: Grades 6+

Classes are offered in a wide variety of styles, and dancers have the option of embarking on advanced courses of study in Classical and/or Contemporary styles.  In addition, we have many fun and enriching classes for our dancers who love to dance for the pure joy of dance,  using movement to  stay healthy, explore ideas, and understand the world.  All ballet classes (and now Hip Hop!) perform in our December Nutcracker production, and all styles perform in our Spring Concerts.

Ballet Classes & Companies

Ballet is for everyone.  Dancers may choose a weekly ballet foundations course or our Ballet Company level courses.  Pointe is not a requirement for Ballet Company, although most of our Company dancers choose to pursue pointe.  Dancers who desire to dance en pointe should take  at least three hours of ballet per week. Consistent training multiple days per week ensures the dancer is able to enjoy the transition to pointe, dancing safely and confidently.  The health of our dancers is of the utmost importance, and for that reason we require an extensive amount of preparation before graduating our dancers to pointe shoes.  Patience and attention to detail on the front end will greatly enhance your dancer’s pointe experience.  Lyrical Ballet Company requires EITHER one other weekly ballet course (for a total of 2) OR enrollment in Contemporary JAZZ &/or MODERN (for a total of 2 weekly classes).  Classical Ballet Company requires at least 3 hours per week of ballet.

Contemporary Company & Classes

Dancers interested in the contemporary forms of dance should enroll in our Contemporary Company Courses.  These include MODERN and JAZZ technique with a strong recommendation for adding Ballet Foundations or Lyrical Ballet Company.  Adding additional styles also helps dancers develop stronger versatility, technique, and confidence.  We also offer tumble, hip hop, and lyrical.

Tap Ensemble

Tap Ensemble is our tap company!  This group learns advanced tap skills in an encouraging, fun environment.  If there is one thing tappers love…it’s more tappers!

500 Level: Grades 9+

Classes are offered in a wide variety of styles, and dancers have the option of embarking on advanced courses of study in Classical and/or Contemporary styles.  In addition, we have many fun and enriching classes for our dancers who love to dance for the pure joy of dance,  using movement to  stay healthy, explore ideas, and understand the world.  All ballet classes (and now Hip Hop!) perform in our December Nutcracker production, and all styles perform in our Spring Concerts.

Ballet Classes and Companies

Ballet is for everyone.  Dancers may choose a weekly ballet foundations course, Lyrical Ballet Company, or Classical Ballet Company.  Pointe is not a requirement for Ballet Company, although most of our Company dancers choose to pursue pointe.  Dancers who desire to dance en pointe should take three ballet classes per week at the 400 level. Consistent training multiple days per week ensures the dancer is able to enjoy the transition to pointe, dancing safely and confidently.  The health of our dancers is of the utmost importance, and for that reason we require an extensive amount of preparation before graduating our dancers to pointe shoes.  Patience and attention to detail on the front end will greatly enhance your dancer’s pointe experience.  Lyrical Ballet Company requires EITHER one other weekly ballet course (for a total of 2) OR enrollment in Contemporary JAZZ &/or MODERN (for a total of 2 weekly classes).  Classical Ballet Company requires all three weekly ballet classes.

Contemporary Company & Classes

Dancers interested in the contemporary forms of dance should enroll in our Contemporary Company Courses.  These include MODERN and JAZZ technique with a strong recommendation for adding Ballet Foundations or Lyrical Ballet Company.  Adding additional styles also helps dancers develop stronger versatility, technique, and confidence.  We also offer tumble, hip hop, and lyrical.

Tap Ensemble

Tap Ensemble is our tap company!  This group learns advanced tap skills in an encouraging, fun environment.  If there is one thing tappers love…it’s more tappers!