Pre-Academy Program
Ages 2–7
We focus on providing developmentally appropriate education with a focus on FUN! This program gives students a solid foundation upon which to continue their dance education. This is where you start!
Mini & Me: Ages 2–3
This class is a parent/toddler dance class for ages 2–3 years old. It is perfect for children who need some time easing into a group setting with other children and adults. This 30-minute introductory dance class includes an introduction to ballet and creative movement. Young dancers and their parent/guardian learn how to follow direction and imitate movement in an active environment while having a fun time. Parent participation is required. This class is a session-based class and will not perform in the recital
Pre-Ballet: Ages 3–5
Pre-Ballet supports locomotive skills, flexibility, musicality, and motor development while nurturing creativity and free movement. Students utilize energy, movement, and expression while exploring Ballet!
Ballet/Jazz Combo: Ages 5–7
Ballet/Jazz Combo is a formal introduction to ballet & jazz dance styles. This class will focus on basic ballet and jazz principles while learning to integrate their ballet technique into the fun and upbeat feel of jazz dance.
NEW! Ballet/Tap Combo: Ages 5–7
Ballet/Tap Combo is a formal introduction to both ballet and tap dance styles. Dancers will build a foundation in classical ballet technique while also exploring the rhythm and musicality of tap. This class focuses on developing coordination, balance, and timing, all while fostering creativity and confidence through movement and sound.
Hip & Tumble Combo: Ages 5–7
A fun, high-energy class combining hip hop and beginner tumbling. Dancers build coordination, strength, and confidence while learning basic hip hop moves and foundational acro skills in an engaging, upbeat environment.
Musical Theatre 1: Ages 5–7
Students are introduced to acting and jazz styles found on the Broadway stage. From Annie to Legally Blonde, dance has played an integral role in telling the stories of Broadway shows. Students will also focus on stage presence and performance in this class.
Academy Program
Ages 7-18
In our Academy program, students of all ages, levels, and styles will develop skills and technique with other dancers their age. Create your own dance program—you can take as many or as few classes as you wish. Each class will learn age-appropriate choreography and will end the year performing at our annual recital.
Ballet: Ages 7–18
Ballet is the foundation for all dance forms. Ballet is taught in a nurturing and correct manner. Each level of ballet designates a level of attainment and a physical and intellectual grasp of the material being taught. Ballet classes are offered from beginner to advanced levels. Students are taught proper body placement, body alignment, barre, and center floor work, along with across-the-floor combinations. All students are urged to study ballet, as it is the foundation of all other dance styles and facilitates further success in these disciplines.
Pointe is offered by pre-approval only.
Note: Dancers from ages 10–18 are encouraged to participate in two ballet classes per week to increase kinesthetic memory development.
Prerequisites:
- Ballet 1: Prior movement experience is suggested
- Ballet 2: One to three years of ballet experience
- Ballet 3: Four or more years of Ballet experience
- Ballet 3/4: Four or more years of Ballet experience
- Ballet 4: Minimum of five years of Ballet experience
Ballet Fundamentals: For absolute beginners with relatively little experience, this series is an introduction to ballet fundamentals. It will consist of developing skills at the barre and center and traveling exercise across the floor. You will gain a better understanding of terminology, alignment, balance, artistry, sequencing, and space. This series is a perfect place to begin your education of the fundamentals of ballet in a non-competitive & fun environment.
Pointe Prerequisites
- Pre-Pointe: Two or more years of Ballet experience
- Pointe 1: Pre-Pointe and three or more years of Ballet experience
- Pointe 2: Pre-Pointe, Pointe 1, and four or more years of Ballet experience
Ballet & Pointe Placement
Ballet & Pointe Placement TDC's ballet program offers classes on a multi-level system, with students progressing from one course to the next at their own individual pace. Students are placed in the level that best suits their needs, with age being a secondary consideration. To successfully achieve the placement necessary to support pointe work, muscle development and form must be practiced in order to become habitual for the dancer. Strength and muscular development are assessed before pointe is started. This placement method is most important to ensure the safety and best instruction at the student's current level.
Jazz: Ages 7-18
Explore jazz dance from its earliest cultural roots to the present day. Jazz dance is influenced by popular culture, music, and events. Students will study all aspects of jazz dance from its historical roots to its current influence. Our jazz program emphasizes proper technique and progression into leaps, turns, and flexibility–minimizing injury and encouraging correct placement and technique.
Prerequisites:
- Jazz 1: Prior movement experience is suggested
- Jazz 2: Two or more years of Jazz experience
- Jazz 3: Three or more years of Jazz experience
- Jazz 4/5: Four or more years of Jazz experience
Jazz Fundamentals: For absolute beginners with relatively little experience, this series is an introduction to jazz dance fundamentals. This is a great place to begin developing your skills in rhythm, isolations, style, and musicality in a fun and non-competitive environment.
Acrobatics: Ages 8-18
We use the Acrobatic Arts curriculum. Students will develop the strength, agility, and flexibility to be able to perform various ground and aerial tricks. Students will learn everything from front rolls and cartwheels to handsprings, walkovers, and aerials.
Prerequisites:
- Acro 1: No previous training required
- Acro 2: Two years of pervious acrobatic/tumbling
**In order to participate, students must be concurrently enrolled in one technique class to also learn musicality and rhythm.
Contemporary: Ages 9-18
Dancers will study the development of contemporary from postmodern and jazz dance into what is now an international phenomenon. Styles explored may include lyrical, modern, and jazz. Students will explore the complete movement potential of the body. Modern dance characteristics emphasized will include contact-release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation.
Prerequisites:
- Minimum one simultaneous ballet or jazz class enrollment
- Two or more years of ballet and/or jazz
Lyrical: Ages 9-18
A fusion of ballet and jazz, lyrical dance interprets the accompanying music in an emotionally expressive way. The dancers’ movements attempt to illustrate the actual meaning and emotion communicated in the song. This style allows the student to tell a story through their performance.
Prerequisites:
- Minimum one simultaneous ballet or jazz class enrollment
- One or more years of ballet and/or jazz
Modern 1 & 2: Ages 10-18
Dancers will study concepts of modern dance such as groundedness, expression, and articulation of the spine. We will explore a wide range of dynamics incorporating the elements of dance: body, energy, space, and time. Experienced dancers will build upon the fundamentals covered in Modern 1 and focus mostly on the Horton & Graham technique emphasizing strength, stability, and precision.
*Must also enroll in at least one ballet class.
Hip Hop: Ages 10-18
This is a fun and energetic dance class. Classes consist of warm-up, strengthening exercises, and a combination filled with the latest dance trends. This style of dance allows the body to move freely and funky, while integrating the dancer’s own personal style. This class provides an age-appropriate experience of today’s most popular form of dance, trends, and music. Classes available at beginner and intermediate/advanced levels.
Tap 1–3: Ages 7-18
This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of rhythm tap. Students will explore using the body as an instrument and learn basic rhythms and vocabulary.
Prerequisites:
- Tap 1: Prior movement experience is suggested
- Tap 2: Two or more years of tap experience
- Tap 3: Three or more years of tap experience
Musical Theatre 2–5: Ages 7-18
Musical Theatre 2 & 3 dancers will explore the fundamentals of acting and Broadway-style choreography including jazz techniques, partnering, character work, and social/historical dances as seen on Broadway.
Musical Theatre 4 & 5 dancers build on advancing their knowledge of acting and jazz styles, focusing on combos and repertory. Dancers work on advanced musicality and storytelling through song and dance.
Conservatory Program
Ages 10+
It is an optional, add-on program, for TDC dancers 10–18 who wish to intensify their ballet study with pre-professional training. Dancers hoping to attend university dance auditions and/or pre-professional programs in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, or contemporary/modern are strongly advised to audition. Participating dancers are grouped according to ability level with age consideration.
Junior Conservatory: Ages 10–12
Requirements:
- Three hours of ballet class
- One modern class
- One contemporary class
Senior Conservatory: Ages 13+
Requirements:
- 4.5 hours of ballet class
- One modern class
- One contemporary class
- One jazz or lyrical class
TDC Performance Company: Ages 9+
The TDC Performance Company is a special program designed for dancers who love to perform and desire a more intense level of training. Dancers grow in confidence and ability through dance classes, rehearsals, community involvement, competitions, and more! Past performances include regional competitions, Artscape, Open Marley Night at the Baltimore Theater Project, New York City Dance Parade and Festival, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
Company dancers are required to take at least two ballet classes per week, one jazz class & at least one elective class
Requirements:
- Minimum two ballet classes per week
- Minimum one jazz class per week
- Minimum one elective class per week
Rehearsals:
Company members must attend all rehearsals that are scheduled unless permission from a coach or TDC Director is granted.
- Handbook: Member and parents must sign TDC Company Member and Parent handbook.
Competition Opportunity:
- Small & Large group
- Solo & Duet – must be asked by coaches or Artistic Director
![TDC Summer Evening Classes]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773423688/spsfg/d0jpeydt2ymt7j2vpqru/_MG_94061.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773423688/spsfg/d0jpeydt2ymt7j2vpqru/_MG_94061.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773423688/spsfg/d0jpeydt2ymt7j2vpqru/_MG_94061.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1773423688/spsfg/d0jpeydt2ymt7j2vpqru/_MG_94061.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1773423688/spsfg/d0jpeydt2ymt7j2vpqru/_MG_94061.jpg","width":1440}])
![TDC Summer Day Camps]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766087024/spsfg/pxifipk7knrltrq63zmk/_MG_9847.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1766087024/spsfg/pxifipk7knrltrq63zmk/_MG_9847.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1766087024/spsfg/pxifipk7knrltrq63zmk/_MG_9847.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1766087024/spsfg/pxifipk7knrltrq63zmk/_MG_9847.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1766087024/spsfg/pxifipk7knrltrq63zmk/_MG_9847.jpg","width":1500}])
