Classes listed below are not always available every term. Please check the class schedule for current offerings. Contact us if you have a suggestion for a specific class. We are adding new classes frequently to our schedule.
Discover Us!    Discover Dance! Check out our classes: PreSchool Tiny Boppers Pre-dance Creative dance Ballet Ballroom dance Hip Hop Dance Jazz Dance Modern Tap Highland Irish Camps Variations Choreography Workshops
Class Placement All Level 1 classes are open to age appropriate students with little or no previous dance training. Prior experience and instructor’s consent required for Levels 2 through Advanced. If you are new to our program and have previous dance training, please contact us for referral to proper placement.

Dress Codes for Dance Classes

Tiny Boppers

An open dance forum for parents and young children to explore dance and music in a family-friendly environment.  There will be fun group activities as well as individual time to connect with your child.  Bring the whole family. This is a wonderful introduction to movement and music as well as a great parent/child opportunity.

Tiny Boppers , Ages 0-Adult   

Pre-Dance

An independent dance and movement experience that helps children develop into confident movers that feel good about themselves. Self-esteem for children this age is primarily based on being a comfortable and confident mover. Kids love to get moving to music that works on motor co-ordination, rhythm, and strength. A wonderful basis for all dance forms, sports and other physical activities.

Pre-Dance 1, Ages 3½-4½  
Pre-Dance 2, Ages 4½-6

Creative Dance

An excellent introduction to dance and movement that lets children explore their own potential.  Moving to a variety of music assists motor co-ordination, rhythm, and strength. A fun way to get started moving.

Creative Dance , Ages 3½-Kindergarten

Creative Dance , School Grades 1-6   
See Summer Schedule

Ballet

Ballet technique is the foundation for all other dance forms and excellent preparation for sports, conditioning and other physical activities. Classical Ballet is offered in a progressive program, from Ballet 1 for those with little or no previous experience, through Advanced and Pre-professional. Ballet 2 through Ballet 5 require prior training and instructor’s consent. Dancers working en pointe must regularly attend at least three technique classes per week. New students should contact our office for proper placement, prior to registration. Parents and other visitors are invited to the first and last class of the term.

Int/Adv Pointe (must be taken in conjunction with proceeding Ballet technique class)
At this level, dancers working en pointe must regularly attend at least three technique classes per week and take the Ballet 4/5 class that preceeds Pointe.

Open to dancers with at least two years of prior ballet training. Instructor's consent is not required, although it is requested that new students speak to the instructor following the first class to assure proper class placement.

Beginning Pointe (must be taken in conjunction with Open Adult Ballet)
Basic pointe work targeted for the adult dancer. Dancers working on point at this level should regularly attend technique classes two time a week and take the Open Adult Ballet class that preceeds Pointe.

Choreography

Explore the elements of movement, composition, shape and design that give your dance technique a new dimension. Dancers of all levels and disciplines can extend their skills and create dynamic dance works.

Variations

Classical variations from the great ballets for both women and men.  Learn the choeography that has been handed down through generations of dancers.  Women need not be en pointe, although those who are will find the variations an exciting challenge to their pointe technique.

See Summer Schedule

Ballroom Dance

Never feel lost on the dance floor again.   Start with a basic introduction to standard ballroom dances and progress to more detailed variations and dances.  Learn the skills to help you breeze through the next wedding or social event.  These are fun classes with the recreational dancer in mind.  Learn what to do so you can relax and enjoy yourself on the dance floor.

Teen Ballroom Dance , Middle School-High School
Ballroom Dance,  High School-Adult

Hip Hop Dance

As part of the urban culture of rap music, hip hop dance embraces several dance styles such as the athleticism of break dance and fast sharp moves of body popping.  Hip hop dance and its music have become part of our popular culture and continues to evolve   No prior dance experience is necessary for level 1.

Hip Hop 1, School Grades 1-6
Hip Hop 1, Middle School-Adult
Hip Hop 2, instructor's consent

Jazz Dance

Move and groove to selections from today’s music with age-appropriate dance steps.  Jazz helps students gain co-ordination skills, flexibility and self-confidence as they move toward becoming a poised and self-assured. No prior dance experience is necessary for level 1.

Jazz Dance 1, Middle School-Adult
Jazz Dance 2, instructor's consent

Modern Dance

What began at the turn of the last century as a statement of rebellion, modern dance became the most significant influence in all theatrical dance forms.  Based on the essence of movement, modern will inspire a new awareness for all dancers.  No prior dance experience is necessary.

Modern Dance , Middle School-Adult

Tap

Tap dance technique is an excellent way to develop a sense of rhythm and body coordination.  The fundamentals of tap are taught in a progressive program of classes, with level I being for students with little or no previous training.  New students should contact our office for proper placement, prior to registration.  Parents are invited to the first and last class of the term.

Pre-Tap 1, Ages 3½-Kindergarten
Tap 1, School Grades 1-6
Tap 2, instructor's consent
Adult Tap 1, Middle School-Adult

Highland Dance

Highland Dance, Beginning through Advanced
Beginning Highland Dance is for children and adults with no previous experience. As knowledge and technique increase, students will move up to competition levels.

Taught in our building by one of our resident tenants. See McKinney Highland Dance School for more details. Contact McKinney Highland Dance at 503-408-0604 to register. The schedule of the classes taught in our school are defined at See School Year Schedule.

Web site: http://www.mckinneyschoolofhighlanddance.com .

Irish Dance

Irish Dance, Beginning through Advanced
Our beginner classes are designed for the dancer who is just starting out in Irish dance.  First learn fundamental techniques, drills and soft shoe dances.  As dancers progress, they will start learning hard shoe dances and techniques. Jim and Lauren Mueller are the certified instructors, assisted by champion level senior dancers. 

Taught in our building by one of our resident tenants, An Daire Academy of Irish Dance. See Irish Dance Information for class schedules, costs, and registration information. The schedule of classes can be found at School Year Schedule.

Camps

Dance Camp, School Grades 1-6

Get moving this summer, with camps featuring ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance that end in our very own production.  You are the set and costume designers, choreographers, performers and production crew.  These camps are for dancers with little or no previous experience who are looking to try something new.  Dancers will want to sign up for both camps because each will be working on different productions.

Cinderella, Jack & the Beanstalk, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty , Snow White, Wizard of Oz

See Summer Schedule

Workshops

An intensive one-week evening workshop tailored to the needs of mature dancers.  The workshop includes ballet technique, variations, character, technique clinics, modern and special events.  The program is designed for dancers at least fifteen years old with one or more years of ballet.  Several guest instructors will be featured.  The schedule of classes is subject to change.  Registrations will be taken in the order they are received.  Adult Ballet students already registered for August will receive a $25 discount on registration.

Adult Dance Workshop , HS-Adult

Intermediate/Advanced Summer Dance Intensive

An intensive three-week workshop for intermediate and advanced dancers.  The workshop will include ballet technique, pointe, variations, ethnic, choreography, modern and special events.  The program is designed for dancers at least ten years old with four or more years of ballet.  Dynamic guest instructors will be teaching each week.  Dancers may register for the full three weeks, by the week, or on a drop-in basis.  The schedule of classes is subject to change. 

Registrations will be taken in the order they are received.  Priority is given to dancers taking the full workshop.  Weekly and drop-in students will be accepted on a space available basis.  Current PMPA students in Ballet 3 through Ballet 5 should register for this workshop.  Non-PMPA students should contact our office for placement assistance. Register now to insure that your space will be held.

Intermediate/Advanced Summer Dance Intensive , Middle School--Adult