Dance Styles Offered
At Cross Roads Dance Academy, we provide training in five styles of dance across multiple levels, including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and pointe.
Ballet
Ballet is the foundation of all dance and an essential starting point for every dancer. At Cross Roads Dance Academy, we offer multiple levels ranging from pre-ballet for our youngest students to Level 6 for advanced dancers. Each class begins at the barre, where dancers build strength, technique, and discipline, and progresses to center floor work as skills develop.
Tap
Tap is an important part of a young dancer’s training, helping develop rhythm, musicality, and coordination. At Cross Roads Dance Academy, our younger dancers are introduced to tap during the second half of their class, allowing them to build a strong foundation in both movement and timing.
As students move up in levels, they may occasionally perform tap in featured dances while expanding their training into a wider variety of styles that enhance their versatility and performance quality.
Jazz
Jazz is introduced beginning in our Level 3 classes and focuses on helping each dancer develop and express their unique personality. This style encourages strong performance quality, confidence, and individuality, while also building technique, strength, and flexibility. As dancers progress, jazz training continues to challenge them with more complex combinations, sharper movements, and dynamic choreography, allowing them to grow both technically and artistically.
Contemporary
Contemporary classes are offered for our Level 5 and Level 6 dancers. This style of dance is used to convey emotion and tell a story through movement, blending technique with artistic expression. Dancers are introduced to contemporary once they have developed a strong awareness of their movement, allowing them to connect more deeply to the choreography and meaning behind it.
Pointe
Pointe is offered to our more advanced dancers and is introduced based on individual readiness rather than a specific age or level. Because safety is our top priority, each dancer must pass a pointe readiness assessment before receiving their pointe shoes and beginning training in this advanced style.
Dancers must demonstrate strong and flexible ankles, sufficient foot development, and a solid foundation in ballet technique, as well as the ability to confidently pick up choreography. Every dancer’s journey is unique, and we carefully evaluate each student to ensure they are prepared to begin pointe safely and successfully.
LEVELS
Levels at Cross Roads Dance Academy are determined based on a combination of age, ability, maturity, and overall development. We begin accepting dancers as young as 3 years old and place each student where they will feel both confident and appropriately challenged.
Pre-Ballet
Our Pre-Ballet level is designed for our youngest dancers, typically starting at age 3. This class focuses on basic movement, coordination, listening skills, and introducing structure in a fun and encouraging environment.
Level 2
Level 2 introduces more structured technique and longer combinations. Dancers continue to build strength, flexibility, and musicality while growing in confidence and focus.
Level 4
Level 4 focuses on refining technique, strength, and flexibility. Dancers are expected to demonstrate increased focus, discipline, and the ability to retain choreography while continuing to grow artistically.
Level 1
Level 1 builds on foundational skills while continuing to develop coordination, rhythm, and basic technique. Dancers begin to learn classroom structure, simple combinations, and confidence in movement.
Level 3
Level 3 is where dancers begin to take on more challenging technique and combinations in center floor. Jazz is introduced at this level, allowing dancers to explore performance quality and individuality while strengthening their overall skill set.
Level 5
Level 5 is for more advanced dancers who are ready for higher-level training and performance. Dancers continue to refine technique and may begin styles such as contemporary, while preparing for more complex choreography and greater performance expectations.
Level 6
Level 6 represents our most advanced dancers. At this level, students demonstrate strong technique, discipline, and performance quality, and are advanced in styles such as pointe and contemporary. These dancers also have the opportunity to assist in younger classes, allowing them to begin developing leadership skills and gain experience in instruction.