Youth Dance Classes

Dance Class Descriptions

See below for general class descriptions.

Dance Classes for Ages 3-5

We use creative movement and play to teach a basic understanding of dance class procedures. These fundamentals prepare students for more challenging classes.

Dance Fundamentals (ages 3-5) 

Dance Classes for Ages 5-7

These classes are designed to introduce young students to fundamental dance technique skills they will apply in various genres. These classes will provide more of a technical challenge than Dance Fundamentals classes.

Tech 1 Dance Technique (ages  5-7, must be at least enrolled in Kindergarten)

Ballet (ages 7 +)

Our classes in classical ballet technique are a blend of Vaganova (Russian) and Cecchetti (Italian) techniques, with an emphasis on line, anatomically correct form, strength, and flexibility. As our students progress to more advanced levels, instruction en pointe is offered to dancers who exhibit exceptional strength and technique.

Tech 2 (ages 7-10)

Tech 3 – (ages 10-12)

Tech 4 – by permission

Tech 5 – by permission

Ballet 101 – (13+)

Modern (ages 7+)

Modern is a genre of dance that emphasizes not just form and athleticism, but expressiveness and creativity as well. Students learn many traditional techniques such as Humphrey/Limon and Horton, while being introduced to concepts of improvisation and composition.

Tech 2 – (ages 7-10)

Tech 3 – (ages 10-12)

Tech 4 – by permission

Tech 5 – by permission

Modern 101 – (13+) 

Jazz (ages 7+)

As a highly stylized dance form, Jazz combines high-energy movement and technical skills such as turning, jumping, and fast footwork. Jazz techniques include influences from Broadway, Latin Jazz, and West Coast style jazz.

Tech 2 - (ages 7-10)

Tech 3 – (ages 10-12)

Tech 4 – by permission

Tech 5 – by permission

Tap (ages 5+)

Our Tap classes are a combination of the “hoofing” style of tap and traditional Broadway tap styles. Students will gain an understanding of rhythm, percussive movement, and basic to more complicated steps of the tap repertoire.

Tap 1 – (ages 5-7)

Tap 2 – (ages 8-10)

Tap 3 – (ages 10-12)

Tech 4 – by permission

Tech 5 – by permission

Tap 101 - (13+)

Hip Hop (ages 7+)

Our Hip Hop classes are fun, high energy classes that cover the basics of hip hop, street dance, and techniques such as popping and locking. No dance experience is necessary to enroll in our Hip Hop 1 class.

Tech 2 – (ages 7-10)

Tech 3 combined with Jazz - (ages 10-12)

Pointe (by permission)

Pre-Pointe & Pointe are by permission only AND in addition to another ballet class Tech 4 or 5

Contemporary African Dance (ages 12+)

Pilates (Tech 3 and above OR 13+)

Composition Class (Tech 3, 4, and 5)

Students in Composition are guided in the creation of original dances using play and creativity. Students learn all about the creative process, from cultivating and developing movement ideas to finding music and creating costumes. Students wishing to participate in the Composition must be enrolled in at least one technique class in Tech 3, 4, or 5. Composition is Factory Street’s performance group, which will perform regularly in outreach capacities around Athens County throughout the year, including presenting work at our Winter Dance Celebration.

Capstone Program

The Capstone Program was developed to provide Factory Street dancers in 10th-12th grades with the opportunity to engage in a pre-professional choreographic or interdisciplinary arts project as the culmination of their education at FSS. Capstone dancers will be mentored in a pre-professional experience that will enable them to explore education and career options in the dance field and learn about diverse dance contexts outside of the walls of FSS and city limits of Athens. Capstone students typically create choreography collaboratively and are invited to combine other artistic skills with their dance project (i.e. visual art, dance videography, musical skills, etc.) High School Capstone students generate fundraising money to support at least one Capstone trip outside of Athens to perform, explore surrounding colleges and universities, and participate in pre-professional dance workshops or series of classes (such as the annual OhioDance Festival) to expose them to the “next step” in their dance education after graduation.

Senior solo students are required to complete at least one Composition or Capstone class to be eligible to create and perform a senior solo at the Spring Concert.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are available at the discretion of the faculty.