South Suburban offers challenging, comprehensive dance training which instills grace, discipline and self-confidence! Academy of Dance is a progressive program with classes designed especially for young students, ages 3 - 18. Youth receive quality studio instruction at a fraction of the cost of other studio classes. Our instructors keep classes fun and engaging without the pressure found in a dance studio setting.

Over the course of a semester in the Academy of Dance program, instructors cover the basics of ballet. These vary from class to class and level to level. We recommend parents contact the Academy of Dance coordinator about the best placement for their child based on their previous ballet experiences.

Ballet Level 1 or Preteen/Teen Beginning Ballet (ages 3-18): This instruction instills grace, balance and confidence. Students work on basic ballet movements, vocabulary, choreography and floor work. This is a progressive program with classes designed to be taken multiple times before advancing.

Ballet Level 2 (ages 5-12): Students continue to perfect their ballet technique, posture and balance in this class. All students must have previous ballet experience and instructor permission to join.

Ballet Level 3 (ages 7-14): This advanced class continues to work on technique, strength and choreography. All students must have previous ballet experience and instructor permission to join.

Ballet Level 4 (ages 9-16): In this class, students work on body alignment, advanced barre and floor work. All students must have previous ballet experience and instructor permission to join.

Recommended attire
Girls wear a solid-colored ballet leotard, pink tights (with feet) and leather or canvas ballet slippers (pink preferred). We recommend that Ballet Level 1 dancers wear a pink leotard and Ballet Levels 2-4 wear black leotards. Boys wear black pants or shorts, a white t-shirt and black ballet slippers. Street shoes are not permitted in the dance room.

We strive to give our students the chance to explore and experience all types of dance; the following classes are also currently offered:

Ballet Level 1/Tap Combo (ages 4-7): Students continue ballet education in this class and add tap to dance knowledge. They wear tap and ballet shoes, leotard, and tights for class.

Beginning and Intermediate Hip Hop (ages 5-16): Youth learn hip hop moves while working on coordination, strength, and teamwork. Boys and girls wear loose comfortable clothing and sneakers that attach firmly to dancer’s foot. Dancers will need previous hip hop experience and instructor permission to join the Intermediate level.

Jazz/Tap (ages 5-7): This combo class is an introductory class for both styles of dance. Jazz dance combines techniques of classical ballet and modern dance with the current forms of popular dance. Tap is often paired with jazz and focuses musically on percussion. Students wear tap and jazz shoes.

Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Jazz (ages 5-16): Jazz dance combines techniques of classical ballet and modern dance with the current forms of popular dance. Jazz also has its own movement vocabulary ranging from the isolation of certain body parts to the movement of the entire body with the accents of musical rhythms. This is an upbeat, fun dance style. Dancers will need previous dance experience and instructor permission to join the Intermediate and Advanced levels.

Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Tap (ages 6-16): Tap dance is an exciting and rhythmic style of dance. Dancers wear fitted tap shoes and work on making specific sounds and rhythms, while doing choreographed footwork. Dancers will need previous tap dance experience and instructor permission to join the Intermediate and Advanced levels.

Beginning and Intermediate Lyrical (ages 6-16): This is a class for students who may not have any dance experience. Lyrical is a form of dance that uses movement to express emotions. Students work on balance as well as technique. Girls and boys can wear clothing that is easy to move in and can either dance barefoot or wear lyrical or jazz shoes.

The following describes year-round dance semesters and accompanying performances. Performing is not required for the Academy of Dance program.

The Spring Recital Semester of Academy of Dance runs January through May with a recital performance at the end. Registration fees include the costume for each dancer for this recital performance. Registration for this semester opens in October. Each class learns their own dance and the finale dance learned by all students. Parents and friends can purchase tickets for each audience seat.

The Summer Semester of Academy of Dance runs from June through August and does not include a performance. Registration for this semester opens in April. We encourage all dancers to continue year-round to keep up with flexibility, strength and knowledge of dance. This semester is valuable because it focuses on technique and form without the pressure of a performance.

The Winter Showcase Semester Academy of Dance runs from September through December and does include a recital performance. The Winter Showcase has holiday based songs and students borrow tutus or other holiday/dance performance gear to perform with no extra costume fee. Each class learns their own dance for the Winter Showcase. Parents and friends can watch with a small fee for each audience seat.

The Academy of Dance Competition team is available to students ages 4+ and those that currently participate in a South Suburban Academy of Dance class at any location. All participants must attend an audition to be placed on the appropriate competition team (usually in August). This is a one year commitment for dancers that wish to audition.

Students are expected to compete in three local competitions in the spring. They must join the competition teams in the fall to be properly prepared for these competitions.  

Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W Powers Ave, Littleton, CO 80120

Goodson Recreation Center, 6615 S, University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121

Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Cir, Lone Tree, CO 80124

Sheridan Recreation Center, 3325 W Oxford Ave, Sheridan, CO 80236