Class Schedule & Descriptions

Connecticut Dance School is dedicated to the highest standard of teaching classical ballet. Proper technique, musicality, and discipline are emphasized throughout all classes. Students are trained at age-appropriate levels, a critical element in building dancers’ skill and self-esteem. This gradual process helps train younger students in the artistry and discipline necessary to excel in classical ballet.

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Fall 2019 (Classes begin September 9th)

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>> Fall 2019 - Spring 2020 Calendar

>> Dance 4 All Abilities Class Schedule

Class descriptions, times and tuition info below.

All students must pay annual registration fee of $35.00 in addition to tuition.

New students ages 3-7 will be placed by age. Students ages 8 & up must take a placement class to determine an appropriate level, please contact the office via phone or email to schedule a placement.

Pre-Ballet

Children love to move to music and, at CDS, we hope to channel that joy into a lifelong love of dance. These early creative movement classes focus on the basics of dance training, such as listening to the teacher and following her instructions and movements, and emphasis is on developing a feeling for music and enjoying movement. Students perform in a year-ending Studio Showcase for parents and friends.

Creative 1 (age 3): One 45-minute class per week ($335 Semester / $670 Full Year)
- Tuesdays 1:15 - 2:00 pm
- Saturdays 9:00 - 9:45 am

Creative 2 (age 4): One 45-minute class per week ($335 Semester / $670 Full Year)
- Tuesdays 2:15 - 3:00 pm
- Saturdays 9:45 - 10:30 am

Introductory Ballet

By the time students reach school age, they are ready for a more structured class. These classes, based on the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, provide an introduction to classical ballet. Exercises are designed for strengthening core muscles, developing flexibility and strength in the feet, and promoting the response to music. In Pre-Primary 2 and Primary levels, they may participate in the school’s annual production of The Nutcracker.

Pre-Primary 1 (Kindergarteners): One 60-minute class per week ($345 Semester / $690 Full Year)
- Wednesdays 4:15 - 5:15 pm
- Saturdays 10:30 - 11:30 am

Pre-Primary 2 (1st Graders): One 60-minute class per week ($345 Semester / $690 Full Year)
- Wednesdays 5:15 - 6:15 pm
- Thursdays 4:15 - 5:15 pm
- Saturdays 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Primary (2nd Graders): One 60-minute class per week ($345 Semester / $690 Full Year)
- Thursdays 5:15 - 6:15 pm
- Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00 am

Lower Level Ballet

Students are now ready for longer formal ballet classes, working at the bar and center floor, and beginning to learn the language of ballet, including all the proper terms. Students from the lower level ballet classes participate in the annual production of The Nutcracker.

Ballet 1 (typically, age 8): Two 60-minute classes per week ($660 Semester / $1,320 Full Year)
- Tuesdays 4:15 - 5:15 pm & Saturdays 10:00 - 11:00 am
- Tuesdays 5:15 - 6:15 pm & Saturdays 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Ballet 2 (typically, age 9): Two 75-minute classes per week ($680 Semester / $1,360 Full Year)
- Thursdays 4:00 - 5:15 pm & Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00 am

Technique and Introduction to Pointe

Once students have mastered the basics of ballet, they are ready for more rigorous training. Classes at this level are now based on the Kirov syllabus. Connecticut Dance School emphasizes proper technique, alignment and age-appropriate introduction of pointe work. No student goes en pointe until appropriate strength and stability are achieved.

Ballet 3 (typically, age 10): Three 90-minute classes per week ($910 Semester / $1,820 Full Year)
- Mondays 4:15 - 5:45 pm
- Thursdays 5:15 - 6:45 pm
- Saturdays 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Ballet 4 (typically, age 11): Three days per week ($1,200 Semester / $2,400 Full Year)
- Mondays 5:45 - 7:15 pm
- Tuesdays 4:15 - 6:00 pm
- Thursdays 4:15 - 6:15 pm

Advanced Ballet Classes

Students at this level are committed to classical ballet, and take six classes per week (three technique, three pointe). The classes focus on developing expertise in technique in comprehensive and rigorous classes. Students are encouraged to participate in all performances, as well as choreography workshop.

Ballet 5/6 (typically, ages 12 & 13) ($1,580 Semester / $3,160 Full Year)
- Tuesdays 4:15 - 6:15 pm
- Wednesdays 4:15 - 5:45 pm
- Thursdays 4:00 - 6:15 pm
- Saturdays 9:00 - 10:30 am

Ballet 7 - 10 (typically, ages 14 - 17) ($1,580 Semester / $3,160 Full Year)
- Mondays 3:30 - 5:30 (includes Pointe/Variation)
- Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:30 pm (Ballet 7 & 8 only)
- Wednesdays 4:30 - 6:00 pm (Ballet 9 & 10 only)
- Fridays 3:30 - 5:30 pm (includes Pointe/Variation)
- Saturdays 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Boys Ballet

Young boys take the regular Pre-Ballet and Introductory Ballet classes. Older boys are eligible for the Boys Ballet Class (for boys only) in addition to their regular classes. Taught by Chihwan Kim, the strength and technique necessary for male dancers are emphasized. Big jumps and turns and an introduction to partnering are included.

Saturdays 12:00 - 1:00 pm (All Boys pay only $100 per Semester)

Adult Ballet

Adult ballet students are offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Thursday evenings. Students at the appropriate level may also participate in Saturday morning and weekday afternoon advanced level classes with the permission of the teacher. All adult classes are drop-ins.

Per Class Rate: $20.00

10-class card: $180.00

Tuesdays 9:30 - 11:00 am
Thursdays 9:30 - 11:00 am
Thursdays 6:45 - 8:00 pm

Children's Jazz

Contemporary Dance Workshop

The Jazz Classes, for ballet students, levels 1 - 4, expands students’ dance vocabulary in a whole new direction. Students learn the basic jazz techniques, including isolations, leaps, turns and the rhythms that are the hallmarks of the technique. Students use stretching and strengthening exercises as they learn different floor progressions and step combinations.

Children's Jazz 1 (Ballet 1 & 2)
- Tuesdays 6:15 - 7:15 pm
Children's Jazz 2 (Ballet 3 & 4)
- Saturdays 12:15 - 1:15 pm

Designed for the advanced ballet students (levels 5 through 10), this once-a-week workshop class provides training in a variety of modern dance techniques such as Graham, Cunningham and Limon, emphasizing proper alignment and skills to improve awareness of the body as a performing instrument. Students learn to use modern dance vocabulary to shape space and use energy, rhythm and technique to take dance into new dimensions. Students also learn to retain and perform extended modern dance combinations, preparing for two annual CDS performances, one at the Spring Benefit and the other, the June Concert.

Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:15 pm

Dance 4 All Abilities

Dance 4 All Abilities is an adaptive dance program for children facing various challenges. The program provides a fun, small group dance class using creative movement principles with modified ballet technique. Allowing dancers with Autism Spectral Disorder, Down syndrome and physical disabilities to engage, explore and express themselves in dance.

Visit our Dance 4 All Abilities page for schedule and more information!