The Delaware Dance Company Pre-Professional Division accepts students beginning at eight years of age. The graduated curriculum is divided into levels of achievement. Students follow a carefully structured sequence of training stages, designed specifically to increase their technical skills, stamina and discipline per their age and physical ability. Ballet classes are 1.25 hours and pointe class is an additional 0.75 hour.

BALLET 1

Ages: 8–12
Requirements: 1 ballet class per week
Focus: Introduction to classical ballet technique, alignment, coordination, and classroom discipline.

BALLET 1X

Ages: 9–12
Requirements: 2 ballet classes per week
Focus: Strengthening foundational technique, musicality, and consistency in preparation for more advanced training.

BALLET 2

Ages: 10–12
Requirements: 2 ballet classes + 1 pre-pointe class per week
Recommendations: Add one modern or jazz class per week
Focus: Technical development, strength building, and preparation for pointe work.

BALLET 2X

Ages: 11 & up
Requirements: 2 ballet classes + 1 pointe class per week
Recommendations: Continue modern or jazz once per week
Focus: Introduction to pointe work and continued technical refinement.

BALLET 3

Ages: 12 & up
Requirements:
• 2 ballet classes
• 2 pointe classes
• 1 PBT (conditioning) class
• 1 modern or jazz class per week
Focus: Technical refinement, stamina, artistry, and increased pointe work.

BALLET 3X

Ages: 13 & up
Requirements:
• 3 ballet classes
• 2 pointe classes
• 1 PBT class
• 1 modern or jazz class per week
Focus: Accelerated training for advanced students demonstrating strong technical readiness.

BALLET 4 & ABOVE

Ages: 14 & up
Requirements:
• 3 ballet classes
• 3 pointe classes
• 1 PBT class
• 1 modern or jazz class per week
Focus: Advanced pre-professional training emphasizing technique, artistry, and performance readiness. Partnering and variations are included at upper levels.

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), developed by Marie Walton-Mahon, is a conditioning and strengthening program that uses muscle memory to improve core stability, alignment, weight placement, and overall ballet technique. Taught by a certified PBT instructor, this class supports dancers in achieving greater technical efficiency and control.

Ages: 10 & up

Requirements:
• Required for students in Ballet Level 3 and above
• Strongly encouraged for students in Ballet Levels 2 and 2X

Class Notes:
• Students must bring a large exercise ball to each class
• Pinky balls and exercise bands are available for purchase
• Class length: 0.75 hours

The Modern Division introduces students to modern dance through movement exploration, body awareness, musicality, and choreographic fundamentals. Classes emphasize use of space, time, and energy while encouraging creativity, self-expression, and appreciation of others. Modern training supports versatility and complements classical ballet study.

MODERN: INTRODUCTION

Ages: 8–12
Requirements: Enrollment in Ballet 1
Focus: Introduction to modern movement concepts, body awareness, and basic choreographic skills.

MODERN BEGINNING A

Ages: 9–12
Requirements: Completion of Introduction, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 2
Focus: Expanding movement vocabulary and rhythmic awareness.

MODERN BEGINNING B

Ages: 10 & up
Requirements: Completion of Beginning A, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 2X
Focus: Increased coordination, strength, and expressive movement.

MODERN BEGINNING C

Ages: 11 & up
Requirements: Completion of Beginning B, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 3
Focus: Developing clarity, musical interpretation, and movement quality.

MODERN INTERMEDIATE A

Ages: 12 & up
Requirements: Completion of Beginning C, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 3X
Focus: Intermediate modern technique and choreographic exploration.

MODERN INTERMEDIATE B

Ages: 12 & up
Requirements: Completion of Intermediate A or placement
Focus: Increased technical complexity, stamina, and artistic intent.

MODERN INTERMEDIATE C

Ages: 13 & up
Requirements: Completion of Intermediate B or placement
Focus: Advanced intermediate technique and performance readiness.

MODERN ADVANCED LEVELS (A, B, C)

Ages: By placement
Requirements: Progressive completion of prior advanced level or faculty placement
Focus: Advanced modern technique, artistry, and choreographic depth in preparation for pre-professional performance opportunities.

The Jazz Division is grounded in strong technical training while honoring the rich history and evolution of jazz dance. Students develop flexibility, strength, clean lines, coordination, turns, jumps, and musicality, while learning to quickly and clearly translate movement from mind to body. Training balances foundational jazz principles with contemporary styles in a disciplined, consistent format.

Ballet Co-Requirement:
Beginning at the Jazz Beginning A level, students must be enrolled in ballet in order to continue jazz training within the Pre-Professional Division.

JAZZ: INTRODUCTION

Ages: 7–10 (Entering 2nd grade or higher)
Requirements: None
Focus: Introduction to basic jazz movement, rhythm, coordination, and classroom structure. No prior experience required.

JAZZ BEGINNING A

Ages: 8–12
Requirements: Completion of Introduction, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 1X
Focus: Building foundational jazz technique, musicality, and coordination.

JAZZ BEGINNING B

Ages: 9 & up
Requirements: Completion of Beginning A, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 2
Focus: Increased strength, clarity of movement, and technical consistency.

JAZZ BEGINNING C

Ages: 10 & up
Requirements: Completion of Beginning B, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 2X
Focus: Developing clean lines, dynamic movement quality, and performance skills.

JAZZ INTERMEDIATE A

Ages: 11 & up
Requirements: Completion of Beginning C, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 3
Focus: Intermediate jazz technique with increased speed, complexity, and stamina.

JAZZ INTERMEDIATE B

Ages: 12 & up
Requirements: Completion of Intermediate A, placement, or enrollment in Ballet 3X
Focus: Greater technical control, musical phrasing, and stylistic range.

JAZZ INTERMEDIATE C

Ages: 13 & up
Requirements: Completion of Intermediate B or placement
Focus: Advanced intermediate training emphasizing precision, strength, and performance readiness.

JAZZ ADVANCED LEVELS (A, B, C)

Ages: By placement
Requirements: Progressive completion of prior advanced level or faculty placement
Focus: Advanced jazz technique integrating athleticism, artistry, and contemporary styles in preparation for pre-professional performance opportunities.

Tap dance is an African-American art form rooted in musicality, rhythm, and swing. The Tap Division follows a comprehensive, leveled curriculum that builds technical clarity, rhythmic accuracy, improvisation skills, and knowledge of traditional repertoire. Age-appropriate music theory and tap history are introduced and reinforced at every level.

TAP: INTRODUCTION

Ages: 6–8 (Entering 1st grade or higher)
Requirements: None
Focus: Introduction to basic tap steps, rhythm, coordination, and musical awareness. No prior experience required.

TAP BEGINNING A

Ages: 7–9
Requirements: Completion of Tap Introduction or placement
Focus: Development of foundational tap vocabulary, timing, and rhythmic accuracy.

TAP BEGINNING B

Ages: 8–10
Requirements: Completion of Tap Beginning A or placement
Focus: Expanded rhythmic patterns, clarity of sound, and coordination.

TAP BEGINNING C

Ages: 9–11
Requirements: Completion of Tap Beginning B or placement
Focus: Increased speed, complexity, and introduction to structured improvisation.

TAP INTERMEDIATE A

Ages: 10 & up
Requirements: Completion of Tap Beginning C or placement
Focus: Intermediate tap technique emphasizing musical phrasing, stamina, and clean execution.

TAP INTERMEDIATE B

Ages: 11 & up
Requirements: Completion of Tap Intermediate A or placement
Focus: Advanced rhythmic structures, coordination, and performance quality.

TAP INTERMEDIATE C

Ages: 12 & up
Requirements: Completion of Tap Intermediate B or placement
Focus: Strong technical control, musical interpretation, and historical repertoire.

TAP ADVANCED LEVELS (A, B, C)

Ages: By placement
Requirements: Progressive completion of prior advanced level or faculty placement
Focus: Advanced tap technique, improvisation, musical sophistication, and repertory study in preparation for pre-professional performance opportunities.

Hip Hop – Pre-Professional Division

Hip Hop evolved from street dance styles performed to hip hop music. Classes are high-energy and rhythm-driven, incorporating jumps, drops, isolations, and athletic movement while developing coordination, musicality, and performance confidence.

HIP HOP: INTRODUCTION

Ages: 6–9
Requirements: None
Focus: Introduction to basic hip hop movement, rhythm, coordination, and classroom structure.

HIP HOP BEGINNING A

Ages: 6–9
Requirements: Completion of Hip Hop Introduction or placement
Focus: Building foundational hip hop technique, grooves, and musical timing.

HIP HOP BEGINNING B

Ages: 8–10
Requirements: Completion of Hip Hop Beginning A or placement
Focus: Increased coordination, athletic movement, and stylistic clarity.

HIP HOP BEGINNING C

Ages: 9–11
Requirements: Completion of Hip Hop Beginning B or placement
Focus: Developing stamina, performance quality, and more complex movement patterns.

HIP HOP INTERMEDIATE A

Ages: 9–13
Requirements: Completion of Hip Hop Beginning C or placement
Focus: Intermediate hip hop technique emphasizing musicality, speed, precision, and dynamic movement.