DANCE STYLES & AGE PROGRESSION
Please use age/school year levels as a guide only. For any questions please contact us.
Beginner classes are for teens 11+ years old with no dance experience. For all other students please enrol into your appropriate level.
Acro Arts classes - for 2026 a strong recommendation to enrol in an additional dance class (eg ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical). This will be reviewed in. 2027.
Please scroll down to read about each class/dance style.
Dance Styles
JAZZ
Our Jazz classes follow the Asia Pacific Dance Association syllabus, which is a technical based syllabus designed to create versatile dancers. This is a one of our most popular dance styles, offering classes from age 4 and upwards.
The APDA syllabus introduces elements of hip hop, musical theatre, contemporary, amongst other genres, through stylised routines, while the centre work includes balances, turns and elevation movements.
Jazz students have the opportunity to sit APDA exams in August of each year.
Photo courtesy of Samantha Nicole School of Dance.
CONTEMPORARY
Our contemporary classes utilise the Asia Pacific Dance Association Lucidity Contemporary Dance syllabus.
The levels are made up of a series of exercises including including; plié and spine articulation, port de bras, swings and suspension, rolling progession, travelling progressions, floor sequences, turns, leaps, compositions and dances.
Conditioning work (often including a swiss ball) is included to develop core and upper body strength, increase turn-out and improve strength and control.
Improvisation is included to encourage freedom of movement in the junior levels. Student choreography is incorporated at higher levels to develop musical connection and expression.
Lucidity contemporary is available to dancers year 3/age 7 and above.
MUSICAL THEATRE
The Asia Pacific Dance Association Encore Dance Theatre syllabus allows dancers to showcase their style, performance and diversify their skills.
The focus is on achieving conviction of character and confident role playing through acting and dance. Singing is encouraged but not compulsory.
Each grade allows students to learn and perform: Golden Age Performance (pre 1960), Post Classic Performance (1960 – 1989), Contemporary Performance (1990 onwards), and, teacher and student created choreography. Choreography includes dances from famous musicals and movies.
We offer Musical Theatre from age 9/year 5.
LYRICAL
With a focus on fluent movement and musicality, our lyrical classes are becoming increasingly popular.
We use an in house lyrical syllabus in these classes, using fluid motions and emotive music, encouraging expression from the dancers. In these classes, jazz technique is incorporated, alongside introducing dancers to leaps, turns, and use of the floor space.
Lyrical students have the opportunity to sit exams in August of each year.
Lyrical is available for dancers year 2/age 6-7 and above.
Photo courtesy of Samantha Nicole School of Dance.
HIP HOP
Hip Hop is our more relaxed dance style on offer, which helps to build coordination and style.
Our classes follow the APDA ‘Urban Ignition’ syllabus, All work is progressive and designed to develop co-ordination, strength, agility and style. Freestyle and student choreography elements are included in the syllabus.
Hip Hop students have the opportunity to sit APDA examinations in August.
Hip Hop is available for dancers age 6-7/year 2 and above.
Photo courtesy of Samantha Nicole School of Dance.
BALLET
The La Beauté ballet syllabus from the Asia Pacific Dance Association provides a well rounded and enjoyable start to a ballet dancer's journey.
Ballet teaches grace and poise, with a focus on line, balance and musicality.
Ballet technique is an excellent support for many other dance styles with its focus on alignment, posture and precision.
The levels are made up of a series of exercises including barre work, port de bras, travel, turns, petit allegro, grand allegro, enchaînment and dances.
In the primary levels dancers learn the elements of mime. As grades progress students make their own choreography and learn variations (solos from famous ballets).
Ballet students have the opportunity to sit examinations in term 3.
Ballet is available for age 5/year 0/1 and above.
ACRO DANCE
Acrobatics is a great way to expand movement skills and complement dance styles.
Using the Acrobatic Arts syllabus, students will learn safe techniques as the progress through the levels in 5 disciplines: Flexibility, Strength, Balancing, Limbering and Tumbling. Different from gymnastics, acro dance applies acrobatics to choreography, creating dynamic movements.
Acro classes are primarily based on ability and students will require a short assessment of skills to determine their level.
From Acro level 2 and above, acro students are required to also enrol in dance class - ballet, jazz, lyrical or contemporary to ensure they are also learning foundational dance techniques, and prepare them for learning a dance for the end of year concert.
Acro is available from year 0/1/age 5 and above.
Photo courtesy of Samantha Nicole School of Dance.
CREATIVE DANCE
For our younger dancers who just want to move and express themselves!
For age 5-8 we offer a non syllabus (no exam) class for new dancers to be able to move freely with the guidance of a teacher. This class is not about learning moves, but about creativity, expression, and freedom. Dancers will explore dynamics, musicality, and space, and learn how to communicate ideas with their bodies.
Creative dance is for ages 5-8.
TEEN BEGINNER CLASSES
For teens aged 11 years old and above we offer starter classes in a range of styles.
These classes are for beginner dancers who no to very little dance experience. We welcome all dancers, of any age, background, gender and aspiration to join our dance community and we know it can be daunting to join a dance class where everyone else has been dancing for many years. Our teen beginner classes offer a friendly and fun environment for teens to explore movement, build body confidence and make new friends, all whilst fostering a love for dance.
We offer teen beginner classes in:
Ballet
Jazz
Hip hop
Contemporary
SIGN UP FOR A FREE TRIAL CLASS
We offer a free trial class for all new students. Get in touch to arrange.