Instagram Facebook-f Youtube

Young Children's Program

Dance Arts Los Alamos :: Dance With Me

DALA’s Young Children’s Program is where the joy of dance begins! Designed for our youngest movers ages 18 months-12 years, this program nurtures imagination, confidence, coordination, and a love of movement that can last a lifetime, whether your child dances for one year or one hundred. Our Young Children’s classes balance play with technique and build into our Classical Ballet and Mixed Repertoire Programs with an audition-only Winter Performance and in-class preparation for the spring Young Children’s Showcase. Through imaginative lessons, progressive skill-building, creative problem-solving, and exciting performance opportunities, DALA’s Young Children’s Program helps students build confidence, friendships, and a lifelong love of movement while developing the strong foundations for any future dance journey!

Dance Arts Los Alamos :: Dance Exploration

Progression and Leveling

Young dancers at DALA can progress through our programing from Creative Movement, Dance Exploration, and Pre-Ballet, all the way to Level 1, Level 1/2, and Beginning Level where we introduce a wide variety of styles, including Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Flamenco, Scottish Highland, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Tumbling, and more.

Creative Movement (age 18 months – 3 years) student:

  • By the end of this level, students should be able to attend class with a caregiver and participate fully in all activities.
  • Recommend 1 class per week. Recommend 6 days off per week.
  • DRESS CODE: Long hair pulled out of the face; Comfortable moving clothes OR any color leotard and tights; Ballet shoes recommended.
  • Recommend students bring a water bottle to class.

***Creative Movement (age 18 months – 3 years) Parent/Guardian Dance Partner:

  • A Parent/Guardian of a Creative Movement dancer is expected to attend weekly class and fully participate with their dancer. The best way for students to learn at this age is by observing you, they will copy everything.
  • NOTE: Siblings of Creative Movement dancers are encouraged to bring something to occupy them and play in the lobby during class. Siblings are not invited to take class unless they register for the class.

Dance Exploration (age 4-5):

  • By the end of this level, students should be able to attend class independently and remain in the class without running to the lobby to speak to a parent.
  • Students in this age group are eligible to audition for the Winter Performance.
  • Recommend 1 class per week. Recommend 6 days off per week (unless rehearsing on weekend).
  • DRESS CODE: Long hair pulled out of the face; Comfortable moving clothes OR any color leotard and tights; Ballet shoes recommended.
  • Recommend students bring a water bottle to class.

Pre-Ballet (age 6-7):

  • By the end of this level, students should be able to attend class independently, arrive with proper dress code, hair pulled back out of the face, bring a water bottle, and having used the bathroom before class.
  • Students in this age group are eligible to audition for the Winter Performance.
  • Recommend 1 class per week. Recommend 6 days off per week (unless rehearsing on weekend).
  • DRESS CODE LADIES: Long hair pulled out of the face; Pink leotard; Pink tights; Pink ballet shoes. Detachable skirts recommended.
  • DRESS CODE GENTLEMAN: Long hair pulled out of the face; Black tights or pants; White t-shirt; Black Ballet Shoes.
  • Recommend students bring a water bottle to class.

Level 1 or Beginning Level (age 8+):

  • By the end of this level, students should understand proper dance class etiquette including entrance, warm up, center, across the floor, combinations, and exit.
  • Recommend parents start dropping kids off at this level to encourage independence.
  • Students in this age group are eligible to audition for the Winter Performance.
  • Recommend 1-3 classes per week depending on interests. Recommend just 1 class of each genre.
  • Recommend 5 days off per week (including classes and weekend rehearsals).
  • Recommend students bring a water bottle to class.

Level 1/2 or Beginning Level (any genre):

  • By the end of this level, students should be arriving 5 minutes early for class as well as getting familiar with receiving feedback in class.
  • Recommend parents drop kids off at this level to encourage independence.
  • Students in this age group are eligible to audition for the Winter Performance.
  • Recommend 1-3 classes per week depending on genre interests.  Recommend 1 class of each genre.  Recommend 4 days off per week (including classes and weekend rehearsals).
  • Recommend students bring a water bottle to class.

With age-appropriate instruction, engaging activities, and encouraging teachers, every class is an adventure filled with creativity, music, and movement