TDM Class Descriptions and Requirements
Preschool and Creative Movement Program
Mommy & Me Mini Classes (1.5 years old - 3 years old)
TDM’s half-hour Mommy and Me class is a fun, upbeat class where a young child and parent, grandparent, relative, or other special caregiver engage in a variety of music and movement activities together. Our emphasis is exploring creativity through movement…and having FUN!
Pre-School Dance Classes (3.5 years old - 5 years old)
Our pre-school program combines elements of ballet / creative movement, tap and tumbling. Students will learn basic dance vocabulary and techniques of each genre including foundational movements and stretching. Dancers will also begin to learn how to count music, dance across the floor and in center, and how to thrive in a classroom environment by taking turns, and following directions. This 1-hour class includes: 15 minutes of tap, 30 minutes of ballet / creative movement and 15 minutes of tumbling. Dancers are encouraged to wear dance or active / comfortable attire with ballet shoes and tap shoes. We offer weekday morning, weekday afternoon and Saturday morning classes for our preschoolers.
Tumbling Tots (3 years old - 5 years old)
This 45 minute class is is creatively designed to promote body awareness and self-esteem through gymnastic exercise. Each class time will be filled with many meaningful movement experiences such as circle time, stretching, balancing, movement, music and tumbling, of course! Some of the skills students will focus on in this class are: teddy bear kicks, pony kicks, tables, baby bridges, cartwheels, roll variations and combinations of skills to create tumbling passes.
Combo Class Curriculum - Ballet / Jazz / Tap (Multiple Styles per Class)
Ballet / Tap Combo Class 1 (Ages 4-7)
This is a 1-hour beginner level class designed to teach dancers age-level appropriate basics in both ballet and tap. Classical Ballet is the basis for all genres of dance. It develops posture, strength, body placement and proper dance technique. Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Students will learn a variety of tap styles with exercises focusing on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and having fun! Students should wear dance attire, ensure their hair is pulled back away from their face, and have ballet and tap shoes.
Ballet / Jazz 1-Hour Combo Class (Ages 6-11)
Students who take this class will learn two contrasting styles to become a more versatile dancer. Ballet enforces classical etiquette and grace while jazz involves sharp movements danced to popular music. This class is great for beginners as well as dancers with some previous experience as it will also build and perfect skills taught in Ballet 1 and Jazz 1. Pre-ballet classes focus on basic beginning ballet positions, steps, coordination, stretching, rhythm, and proper body placement. Jazz class focuses on technique, style, and strength. Every class will begin with a warm-up and stretch. Class will follow stretching with progressions across the floor and center work. Students should wear dance attire, ensure their hair is pulled back away from their face, and have ballet shoes. Jazz shoes are encouraged but not required.
Ballet / Tap / Jazz 1.5 Hour Class (Ages 5-8)
This is a perfect combination class for young dancers who are interested in exposure to a variety of dance styles. Ballet training promotes coordination, balance, correct body alignment and grace. Tap dancing develops a keen sense of rhythm, timing and musical awareness. Jazz dance introduces a stylistic dance vocabulary for a fun, funky and expressive way of dancing. Skills are taught and reinforced through barre, center and across the floor work. Classical technique and vocabulary are both emphasized. Students should wear dance attire, ensure their hair is pulled back away from their face, and have ballet and tap shoes. Jazz shoes are encouraged but not required.
Ballet, Pre-Pointe and Pointe Curriculums
Classical Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and will maximize technique and longevity in a career of dance. It provides grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in all other areas of dance. Ballet classes will help dancers with posture, flexibility, fitness, strength, body placement, balance, self-discipline, and self-confidence. All ballet classes start with a complete barre warm-up, body placement / alignment and stretch. Adage and allegro movements and combinations will take place in every class following barre work. Pointe work will be incorporated for higher-level classes, based on dancer’s ability. Ballet classes require proper ballet attire (any color leotard and pink tights), ballet shoes and hair must be pulled back in a bun or low-pony (if hair is too short to put into a bun). This is a mandatory dress code for all dancers. If your dancer does not arrive in the required dress code, they will not be allowed to participate in the class.
Ballet 1/2 (Ages 6-10)
This beginning and intermediate level class is designed for budding dancers who have a basic knowledge of ballet. The class will focus on developing awareness of alignment and basic ballet vocabulary and technique. Class will include basic barre exercises, as well as center work, and will enhance your child's coordination, balance and flexibility with the teaching of basic ballet positions, steps, and terminology through standing barre work and simple center floor exercises. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and ballet shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Intermediate Ballet (Ages 10-18)
This is an Intermediate class which requires prior ballet training. We will focus on classical ballet technique through a professional class progression. Barre work, center and across the floor exercises designed to improve technique, as well as performance quality and confidence will be taught to increase the skill level of your dancer during this 1 hour class. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and ballet shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Advanced Ballet (Ages 12-18)
This 1.5 hour class is for dancers with multiple years of ballet training who have progressed through an Intermediate level. Extensive prior ballet experience is required. The class focuses on advanced barre work, center exercises, across the floor combinations, and ballet variations. Students learn advanced technique, while emphasizing musicality, discipline, and professionalism. Pre-Pointe skills are also taught in this level to further develop and strengthen the muscles needed to go on pointe. This class is open to both our advanced competitive team dancers and advanced recreational dancers. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and ballet shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Pointe *This class requires pre-approval by our Resident Ballet Instructor.
Pointe class is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet. Pointe work is performed while wearing pointe shoes. TDM’s 45-minute pointe class is designed for students with previous ballet and pre-pointe training. Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes. Each class includes barre exercises, center floor work and across the floor combinations. These exercises focus on strengthening the feet and ankles. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and pointe shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Contemporary Curriculum
Contemporary dance is a dance genre which encourages the freedom of expression, improvisation, innovation and creative exploration of movement. We also utilize improvisation to inspire the student's own creative movement. Contemporary is a combination of ballet, jazz and modern dance. It combines hard hitting movement with smooth textures and transitions. Students will dance in bare feet. Dance wear is required. Hair should be pulled back in a bun or low pony.
Contemporary 1/2 (Ages 5-11)
This class will blend elements such as freedom of expression, interpretation of music, control, breathing and balance. Students will be taught modern technique while being encouraged to express their emotions and develop artistry through movement. Contemporary uses elements from all different dance styles, and is often more rhythmic or interpretive. No previous dance experience is needed, however it is recommended to also take other dance styles so students can further their understanding of the techniques used in this style.
Intermediate Contemporary (Ages 11-18)
Designed for a dancer with previous contemporary experience, this class will continue a deeper focus on an understanding of music, rhythm, control, transitions, principles of fall and recovery, textures and the space around a dancer. More technical skills and technique will be introduced including floor work, body line versatility, and dynamic movements all designed to bring out the inner artist.
Advanced Contemporary (Ages 12-18)
TDM’s advanced class dives deeper into contemporary forms of concert and commercial dance. Dancers will continue training in more complex foundational elements of contemporary dance as well as cross-disciplinary approaches to movement exploration. This class allows dancers to expand on their technical foundation, while promoting elements of improvisation, creativity, individualism, musicality and adapting to details in choreography within the vast genre of contemporary dance. This class is a compromised of both our advanced competitive team and recreational dancers.
Jazz Curriculum
Jazz is a fast-paced dance style that utilizes ballet technique and is often performed to popular music. All Jazz curriculum is developed to layer traditional jazz movements with foundational ballet elements, and includes a proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the-floor progressions, and combinations. Jazz class focuses on technique, style, movement quality, performance and strength. Every class will begin with a warm-up and stretch. Class will follow stretching with progressions across the floor and center work. Progressions include movements, jumps, turns, pirouettes, and leaps. Class will end with a combination in center to incorporate all the elements of the class at instructor discretion. Ballet is strongly recommended as a pre-requisite for the serious dancer. Dancers may wear jazz shoes or dance in bare feet. Proper dance wear is required and hair should be in a bun or pony-tail.
Jazz 1 (Ages 5-8)
Our beginning jazz class focuses on flexibility, strength, turn preparation, jazz techniques and building combinations. Jazz is specifically used to teach personal expression and help dancers find their personal style and voice, as well as body control and awareness. These topics relate to body and choreography and use the encounter to grow as a dancer and as a person.
Intermediate Jazz (Ages 9-18)
Our intermediate jazz class will focus on increased difficulty in technique including rhythms, body isolation, coordination, skills and performance quality. Dancers will be taken through a more challenging warm up, as well as more challenging dance progressions and choreography. Dancers in this level will be challenged to strengthen their jazz technique with more difficult skills, greater flexibility and a stronger range of motion. Proper technique is always our first priority.
Advanced Jazz (Ages 12-18)
Our advanced jazz curriculum emphasizes harder and more technical turns, jumps, floor work and longer sequences of combinations. Technique is still the foundation of all of our classes, so dancers will continue to train in strength, movement quality, transitions, flexibility and control. This class is a combination of our advanced competitive team dancers and recreational dancers.
Hip Hop Curriculum
Hip-hop is a high-energy class that infuses the latest styles of street dancing, breaking, popping, and locking. Students learn up-to-date, popular moves as seen on television, music video and from the most esteemed dancers working in the industry. Basic urban dance steps incorporate rhythm, coordination, and fun! Classes with learn age appropriate fun and free-style movements. Comfortable clothing is suggested. Students will need athletic shoes. Hair should be pulled back away from their faces.
Beginning Hip-Hop (Ages 5-10)
Our beginner / introduction to hip hop class will introduce dancers to the elements and style of hip hop dancing. Students will learn to understand and apply knowledge of hip-hop fundamentals. There is emphasis on rhythm and proper technique all while maintaining a fun and high energy class. Often danced to upbeat music, students will learn elements of coordination, balance, and strength through center combinations and freestyle exercises. Comfortable attire with athletic shoes is required.
Beginning / Intermediate Hip Hop (Ages 7-13)
Hip Hop is the pinnacle of self-expression so this class is perfect for dancers who love self-expression through upbeat moves and combos . Classes include warm up, moving across the floor, style explorations (popping, locking, waving, gliding, etc.), freestyle and choreography combo. Choreography will be super fun designed to improve flexibility, rhythm and extension while maintaining proper technique and timing. Comfortable attire with athletic shoes is required.
Intermediate / Advanced Hip Hop (Ages 10-18)
This class is designed for students who have multiple years of Hip Hop Training as more complex movements and faster choreography will be taught. The class will emphasize strength of movement and control, strong body isolation, freestyle movement, performance and showmanship. This fun and hard-hitting class is geared toward the more mature mind and body, and will be comprised of our advanced competitive team members as well as advanced recreational students. Comfortable attire with athletic shoes is required.
Jazz / Hip Hop Combo Classes
***NEW THIS SEASON***
Hip Hop / Jazz 1 (Ages 5-9)
An introduction to jazz technique and hip hop technique for your younger dancer. This is a high energy class for dancers who love the current trends found in pop-star concerts! Jazz fundamentals as well as hip hop movement styles will be taught to these dancers. Please ensure your dancer has comfortable clothes, water and athletic shoes!
Hip Hop / Jazz 2 (Ages 10-18) - Class currently on hold - please contact us at tdmcolorado@gmail.com if your dancer is interested
This class explores the cutting edge of jazz and hip hop dance styles for dancers of all abilities. Do you have a dancer obsessed with Tik Tok combos and current pop culture dance moves? This is definitely the class to take!
Technique Curriculum
Leaps & Turns - Intermediate / Advanced (Ages 10-18)
Leaps and Turns is a jazz-based technique class, providing technical instruction on correct body movement and muscle engagement to help each dancer achieve their fullest potential for a variety of turns and leaps. This class includes a warm-up focused on strength and appropriate muscle conditioning. Taught by a leading industry expert, dancers will work on exercises designed to increase their portfolio of turn and leap styles, as well as height and rotations. Requirements for this class include the ability to execute a double pirouette, front leap and center leap.
Teen / Senior Strength & Conditioning (Ages 12-18)
Strength class is designed to increase range of motion, balance, muscle flexibility, and a dancer’s overall fitness level. It involves a combination of cardio, bodyweight exercises, and weight utilization. Ankle weights, blocks, and bands are just a handful of tools that are often used to increase difficulty. Dancers are taught basic anatomy as well as proper form and receive exercises that will directly mirror the movements they perform in dance class. This class is to supplement the stretching dancers are doing outside of class.
Acro / Tumbling / Stretch Combo Curriculum
TDM is proud to offer Acro and Tumbling training from esteemed in-house Faculty Members, with a priority on safety and proper technique. Our Tumbling classes focus directly on gymnastic floor skills. Acro combines techniques used in both dance and acrobatics. such as flexibility, contortion, balance, and tumbling skills. In both genres, students will enhance their flexibility, balance, strength, tricks and skills. These classes provide the building blocks necessary for their potential development in dance and overall fitness. By learning the benefits of flexibility, balance, strength, and body control inherent in all aspects of tumbling, your child will be better equipped to safely enjoy and excel in all of their future athletic endeavors.
Acro / Tumbling 1 - Beginner (Ages 5-8)
Our introduction to acro and tumbling class is perfect for a student who is interested in working on and perfecting beginner level skills such as headstands, cartwheels, handstands, handstand rolls, backbends from a standing position, kick-overs and dive cartwheels. As skills are achieved with proper techniques, students will continue their development of new skills in this class such as back walkovers and round-offs. Safety is always our first priority!
Acro / Stretch 2 (Ages 7-18)
This class requires some current tumbling skills such as kickovers, cartwheels, round offs and back bends. Students will continue execution of the skills learned Tumbling 1 as well as more difficult skills such as back walkovers, back walkover switch legs, backhand springs, front limber, front walkover, front headspring and side aerial prep. As a part of this curriculum, 30 minutes of this hour-long class will also be dedicated to stretching / flexibility, contortion techniques (needles, scorpions) and floor “tricks”.
Tumbling 2 (7-18)
Tumbling skills that will be taught in this class include back walkovers, switch leg back walkovers, front limber, front walkover, dive cartwheels, round offs, aerial prep, front handspring / headspring prep and execution and more. Your student will need a basic knowledge of tumbling skills for this class such as handstands, head stands, cartwheels (straight legs / pointed toes), back kick overs, front rolls, back rolls, handstand into a front roll, etc.
Intermediate / Advanced Tumbling (Ages 7-18)
This class is for the more advanced tumbler that has mastered the skills in our Tumbling 2 class. The following skills will be the focus of this curriculum: front / back handsprings, front / back tucks, front / side aerials, round-off back handsprings, round off back tucks and tumbling combinations. Pre-requisites include: Front / Back Walkovers and Side aerial prep.
Poms Curriculum
Beginning Poms (Ages 5-10)
Our beginning Poms will introduce your student to many of the skills that are required by dance teams such as jumps, leg holds, leaps, turns, flexibility, dancing with props (Poms) and tumbling. Pom dancing focuses on complete and correct execution of movements and will include across the floor exercises and pom combinations. It is energetic and fun to perform and to watch! Students should wear comfortable clothing with sneakers / athletic shoes.
Poms Tech Prep (Ages 11-18) - Class currently on hold and will most likely be added to the schedule in January 2025. Please contact us at tdmcolorado@gmail.com if you are interested in joining.
This class is tailored to give students the training necessary to make high school or professional / college level poms squads! It’s perfect for cheerleaders, as well as current and future poms hopefuls. The high-intensity class will focus on choreography, technique, and performance styles. Choreography and skills will focus on jumps, turns, kick lines, hop hop / jazz movements, precise / synchronized routines and flexibility.
Tap Curriculum
Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and having fun.
Intermediate Tap (Ages 12-18)
Designed for dancers with previous tap experience, this class focuses on the basic technique of tap dancing along with rhythm, syncopation, and tricks. Tap shoes are required.
Musical Theater Curriculum
Musical Theater (Ages 9-18) - New Class!!!
TDM’s Musical Theater class will focus on th development and execution of dance and performance skills as they relate to musical theater dance style. Students will gain a better understanding of how dance and choreography create and bring dramatic elements to life while using dance as a method of storytelling as it relates to musical theater. This class will help dancers improve strength and flexibility, as well as dance techniques rooted in a variety of genres.
Master Class Opportunities
TDM is excited to bring select Master Class opportunities from renowned Industry leaders from across the country in a variety of genres. Upcoming styles will include ballroom, hip hip and turns / leaps. More details to come!
