Classes are displayed by day and time. We have four studios, so each hour has up to four classes running. Each class is labeled by its type (i.e., Jazz), its level (i.e., 3), its age range recommendation, and the instructor’s initials in italics (i.e., WH).

Levels
Almost every class is given a level listing. Here are some guidelines:

Combo Classes
These classes are designed for young, beginning dancers. Combination classes consist of ½ an hour of Tap and ½ an hour of ballet in our Combo 1 classes. Combo 2 and 3 classes consist of ½ an hour of Tap and ½ an hour of Jazz or Ballet. All combination 2 and 3 classes also have some ballet fundamentals. Our teachers also add a little tumbling to their classes. If your child fits the age range recommended, he or she can join any Combo 1 or 2
class. Combo 3 classes are reserved for students with prior dance experience.

Jazz, Tap, and Ballet
Students who are 7 or older or who have taken Combination classes before may begin in a level 2 class. Each level reflects the number of years a student would need to take the class to move on to the next level. Students may remain in one level for a longer or shorter time depending on teachers’ recommendations.
Here is a breakdown of how a student could move through our Ballet levels, beginning at age 5:

Age 5 (1 year) – Ballet 1A (Pre-ballet) or Ballet/Tap Combo 1 and 2
Age 6 (1 year) – Ballet 1
Ages 7-8 (2 years) – Ballet 2
Ages 9-11 (3 years) – Ballet 3
Ages 12-15 (4 years) – Ballet 4 (Moving through pre-pointe and pointe during this time)
Ages 16+ Ballet 5

With this level system, students are not expected to move through a level a year. Jazz and Tap classes are created with similar levels.

Teen / Adult Dancers
Our classes designed for newer dancers who are 10 and up typically do not have levels. These classes usually have titles without levels (Adult Tap) or are labeled Intermediate (Int Jazz Teens). These classes are open to all new dancers who wish to dance with students their own age group. Basic classes are designed for completely new dancers, and Intermediate classes are designed for dancers who have taken at least one year of a Teen class in the past.

Troupe Classes
Any class with the Troupe label is closed to recreational dancers. These classes are formed by auditions in the late Spring. If your child has at least one year of dance experience with Foothills and at least two years of training (particularly in Ballet), that student is eligible to audition to become part of our Troupe. Troupe dancers are required to take a minimum number of classes per week, and perform and/or compete up to 10 tines a year.