CORE A
Ages 3-7
CORE A allows our youngest dancers to explore and discover the building blocks of dance such as balance, strength, coordination, and flexibility, while music, stories, and imaginative play stimulate creative learning.
Classes, Descriptions & Tuition
Dress Code
| Class | Ages as of Sept. 1 | Attire (girls) | Attire (Boys) | Hair Requirements | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tutu Tots & Gents | 3-4 years old | pink dance dress, pink tights, pink ballet shoes | White Tee with athletic pants with snug cuff, black ballet shoes | ponytail, braid or hair bun | |
| Kinderdance (ballet) | 4-5 years old | pink unskirted leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes | White Tee with athletic pants with snug cuff, black ballet shoes | ponytail, braid or hair bun | |
| Creative/Little Swans & Gents | 6-7 Years Old | Lilac unskirted leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, matching skirt on the last class of every month | White Tee with black athletic pants, black ballet shoes, solid color tee on the last class of every month | ballet bun for girls | |
| Ballet 1-4 | Ages 8+ | Black camisole or tank unskirted leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, black ballet skirt on the last class of every month. NO Plastic or cloth Shoes from Target or Wal-mart permitted | White Tee with black athletic pants and compression short or dance belt athletic support, white ankle socks black ballet shoes | sleek ballet bun required to attend class, with pins and hairnets. No bun makers. | |
| Ballet 5-7, Open Ballet (CORE C) & Pointe (all levels) | Ages 11+ | Eggplant camisole or tank unskirted leotard, pink tights, pink split sole stretch ballet shoes, ballet skirt on the last class of every month. No big box plastic or cloth shoes. Pointe shoes as fit by director | White Tee with black athletic pants, Black dance belt (athletic support), white ankle socks black ballet shoes | sleek ballet bun required to attend class, with pins and hairnets. No bun makers. | |
| Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) | Ages 8+ | Ballet Level solid unskirted leotard, pink convertible tights, bare feet | White Tee with black athletic pants, Black dance belt (athletic support), white ankle socks black ballet shoes | bun, ponytail or hair up | Fusion Ball 9-11": Pilates ball, sized by height; 72" physical therapy band (supplies availabe at the Dance Shoppe) |
| Teen/Adult Ballet | 11 years old thru Adult | Solid Color leotard, black leggings or pink tights and pink ballet shoes | White Tee with black athletic pants, Black dance belt (athletic support), white ankle socks black ballet shoes | bun, ponytail or hair up | |
| Modern (all levels) | Ages 8+ | Solid unskirted leotard, with solid Capris. No Shoes | No Shoes, Black Sweats, or leggings, White or Solid Color Tee, bare feet | bun, ponytail or hair up | |
| Acro/Jazz/Musical Theatre (all levels) | Ages 8+ | Black unskirted leotard, pink or flesh tights, black Capri or Acro Short, Tan Jazz Shoes | White top or tee, black compression shorts and short or legging over. Tan Jazz shoes | ponytail or hair up | |
| Hip Hop (all levels) | Ages 8+ | Shoe: All Black Hip Hop shoe; Bottoms: Black joggers capris or leggings, Black leotard | Shoe: All Black Hip Hop shoe; Bottoms: Black joggers, white tee | ponytail or hair up | |
| Tap (A-C) | Ages 8+ | Black or eggplant unskirted leotard, pink tights, Black skirt or leggings, black tap shoes | White Tee with black athletic pants, black tap shoes | bun, ponytail or hair up | |
| Stretch,Turns, Leaps/Contemporary | Ages 12+ | Ballet Level leotard color, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes or jazz shoes | White Tee with black athletic pants, Black dance belt (athletic support), white ankle socks black ballet shoes | bun, ponytail or hair up |
Happy Parents and Dancers
"I cannot put into words the profound effect learning dance from the Academy teachers has had on me. As a high schooler and throughout my life, I have found guidance and always, always acceptance here. I can't believe how lucky I have been to work with Julie McFarland, Sara Olivier, and more! I love that I am challenged to push myself further than I did in the last class. I have learned not only to dance using its proper technique, but to be compassionate, to develop my work ethic, and to exude a positive attitude. The Academy of Dance Arts is a family that is loving and supportive through it all. I highly recommend experiencing dance here."
- Karah Haug
"Academy faculty treat all dancers as individuals. Everyone is important. Personal strengths are recognized and celebrated. Teachers equip the dancers with a strong foundation in technique, which gives students the tools they need to develop higher skills. In fact, when my daughter went to a dance intensive in Salt Lake City, her technique and overall skill was comparable if not better than dancers who attended performing arts schools in that area. We have found the Academy of Dance Arts to be a welcoming and caring place for all students to express themselves through dance. I highly recommend the Academy."
- Kim Haug
"5 stars all the way! High quality instruction, caring, inspiring faculty and professional heart touching presentations. So much more I could say. We moved to SD from WY just to be closer to the Academy for my daughter to get the best dance instruction. We looked at other options but the Academy can't be beat. Over the past 8 years, she's received wonderful instruction (high technique standards matters to us) and so much more. So grateful. You're in the best hands here!"
- Kelly Parks-Hoffman
"I have danced with Academy since I was four-years-old. In my 13 years at Academy I have not only grown as a dancer but as a person as well. The faculty and fellow dancers are among some of the nicest, most nurturing, and humble people I've ever met. Upon traveling over the past few summers to other dance programs in other states I have noticed how remarkable the instruction is at this studio. Dancers are taught to uphold their technique while also embracing their own personality, in these other cities, while dancing with young folks from Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, etc. I found that the instruction I received allowed me to feel incredibly comfortable while dancing alongside others from larger cities. In summation, Academy provides a fantastic technique base while allowing each dancer to embrace what makes them special. The Academy of Dance Arts has become a safe, neutral, happy place for me to call my second home."
- Maia Zoller
"Although I only attended Academy for a short time I loved every moment there. I decided to make the trip from my home town of Custer to the Rapid City studio the summer of my sophomore year and continued to do so until graduation. I traveled there no matter the weather and as many times a week as I could afford. The studio became my happy place. They have amazingly creative, intelligent, and loving teachers there. Students are exposed to many different sides and kinds of dance and encouraged in a truly beautiful way. I can easily say that I found a family there, life-long friends, and mentors for life. Thank you Academy of Dance Arts! I can't wait to come back and visit!"
- Sarah Powers