Ballet

Ballet training for younger students is based on the English graded teaching syllabi of the Royal Academy of Dancing and the Cecchetti Society, along with the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 8 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels.In the higher grades, students continue to study the above systems, but are also exposed to teachers of other methods, including Balanchine and Vaganova.

Ballet B Level

Ballet B Level is designed for students who are ready to advance beyond regular ballet classes. This program offers two ballet classes per week, providing a more intensive and focused training environment. Students will refine their technique, enhance their strength and flexibility, and develop greater musicality and expression. Ideal for dancers committed to taking their skills to the next level, Ballet B Level ensures a comprehensive and disciplined approach to ballet training.

Prep Level Ballet

Prep Ballet is an advanced level designed for students who have excelled in Ballet B and are ready for more rigorous training. This invitation-only program offers 2 to 3 ballet classes per week, focusing on advanced technique, performance skills, and artistic expression. Prep Ballet provides a challenging and enriching environment for dedicated dancers committed to reaching their highest potential.

Ensemble and Company Ballet

Ensemble Ballet and Company Ballet are the highest levels of ballet training, tailored for high school students deeply dedicated to the art of ballet. These invitation-only programs offer 3 to 4 classes per week, focusing on advanced technique, performance excellence, and artistic mastery. Students in these levels will engage in rigorous training, preparing them for professional opportunities and advanced studies in ballet.

Pointe

The Studio recommends Pointe classes only for students who meet the necessary physical and technical criteria, typically around 11 years of age, and who participate in a minimum of two ballet classes per week. Before starting Pointe training, students are evaluated by their ballet teachers and may be recommended for demi pointe classes. These classes include exercises designed to develop strength and proper placement through repetition and careful observation, facilitating an easy transition to Pointe.

At the higher levels, Prep Ballet, Ensemble Ballet, and Company Ballet combine Pointe and Ballet with variations, providing advanced training that integrates technical skills and artistic expression.

Boys Ballet

Young boys start their training at age 7 with a basic technique class focused on strength, coordination, and athleticism. As they progress, older boys refine their technique with an emphasis on physical strength, power, and agility.

Partnering

In partnering class, boys develop a strong sense of balance, musicality, physical timing, and unity of movement with a partner. They are paired with age- and skill-appropriate girls. The class begins with exercises to build trust, then moves to mastering basic hand positions and holds. As strength and coordination improve, students advance to more complex lifts and turns.

Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre introduces students to Broadway songs. Classes include a brief warm-up, learning Broadway show tunes, and acting and staging techniques. This course focuses on the enjoyment and appreciation of musical theater and Broadway productions.

Performance Ensemble

Performance Ensemble is a weekly, one hour class that includes Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre, Acting, and Vocal Coaching. Classes run through the school year. This class focuses on building skills in all areas of performance, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of character, style, and staging, culminating in a public final performance.

• Intermediate Ensemble: For 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
• Senior Ensemble: For high school students

Admission is by recommendation only.

Acting

This class explores the acting process using theatre games and improvisation, monologues and scene work. By developing concentration, focus, and the ability to actively listen and respond, the students work to create truthful, engaging performances. For students in the 5th grade, and older.

Creative

Younger students learn basic Modern Dance technique and explore self-expression by creating dances guided by their teacher. Themes include poetry, nature, art, and diverse musical styles.

Contemporary Modern Jazz

Combining the influences of Cunningham, Limon, and Hawkins, Coupe’s award-winning Modern Dance program provides students with a strong technical foundation while fostering their individual creative spirit. Modern Dance is an ever-changing art form, free from constraint, allowing both teachers and students to create something new in every class.

Contemporary Jazz

Contemporary Jazz (Lyrical) is a fusion class that combines expressive movement with ballet technique. Designed for high school students and older, this class emphasizes creativity, musicality, and technical precision. Students will explore dynamic choreography that blends jazz, contemporary, and Hip Hop styles. Contemporary dancers are encouraged to explore an emotional connection between their performance and style of movement by pushing against traditional boundaries, enhancing their ability to convey emotion and storytelling through dance.

Hip Hop

Hip Hop is a sophisticated and mature style of movement, now offered to students from 1st grade through Senior Ensemble. Beginner classes focus on fundamental Hip Hop movements, including basic body isolations and footwork. As dancers progress, they learn more advanced isolations, combinations, boogaloo, whacking, gliding, popping, locking, street jazz, and simple freezes. Completion of Hip Hop levels 1 through Senior Ensemble provides dancers with a comprehensive knowledge of Hip Hop and versatility as Hip Hop dancers.

Jazz and Tap

Offered to students in First and Second grades, this class combines 40 minutes of jazz and 20 minutes of tap in each session. Students will learn foundational techniques in both styles, enhancing their rhythm, coordination, and musicality. The class provides a balanced introduction to both jazz and tap, fostering a love for dance and performance from an early age.

Jazz

Beginning in Third grade, students are taught basic jazz techniques and are exposed to current jazz styles while keeping content age-appropriate. Older students are introduced to a broad range of styles, including New York and L.A. styles, Funk, Hip Hop, and Theatre Dance. This comprehensive approach ensures that dancers develop versatility and a strong technical foundation in jazz.

NY Jazz

NY Jazz is an advanced class designed for high school and upper-level dancers. This intensive program focuses on the high-energy, dynamic styles characteristic of New York jazz. Students will refine their technique and performance skills through challenging choreography and rigorous training. The class emphasizes precision, musicality, and the expressive qualities of jazz, preparing dancers for professional opportunities and advanced studies.

Tots

Three-year-olds engage in a creative study of music and the fundamentals of movement, serving as a precursor to all dance techniques. Students learn body awareness in their own space as well as in shared space. Must be 3 years old by December 1, 2024.

Kinder 1

A fun approach to dance through basic ballet, jazz, and tap, these classes emphasize creative movement and music appreciation. For pre-kindergarten students ages 4 and up.

Kinder 2

A continuation from Kinder 1, enhancing and developing skills established in Kinder 1. For children 5 years and up entering Kindergarten. Choose from the following classes:

• Classic Combo Class: A 45-minute class focusing on basic ballet positions and steps, jazz with appropriate movements and music for this age range, and tap, developing sounds such as toe taps, heel taps, brushes, and shuffles.
• Primary Ballet: A 45-minute class concentrating on ballet positions and steps, terminology, expression, characterization, and musicality. A great class for the aspiring young ballerina.
• Jazz, Tap, Tumble: A new 45-minute combo class developed from the Acrobatic Arts curriculum. It includes a fun, energetic jazzy warm-up, strength and flexibility training to develop acro skills, and a tap section developing sounds and steps for little feet!