The program at BDT is progressive and builds on the skills and experiences students acquire as they advance through the curriculum. Students in our Foundation level are placed according to general age guidelines. Transfer students begin at the lowest level appropriate for their age, and through the evaluation of the instructor, are placed at the correct class level in each discipline for their skill level.

Students are most successful when they start at the beginning of the program and work their way through it according to their own readiness and ability. Students advance according to ability and individual rates of progress. All placements are by teacher recommendation. We place our students in the classes where they will learn the most. Taking classes that are too difficult only promotes bad habits and poor technique, and often leads to frustration and discouragement.

CLASSES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

FOUNDATION 
Dance Introduction - new and continuing students ages 3-4
Creative Movement - new students age 5 and graduates of Dance Introduction
Pre-Acrobatics  - new students ages 5-7, students will be evaluated in class and advanced when appropriate

DEVELOPMENTAL

Pre-Ballet - new students ages 6-8 and graduates of Creative Movement
Tap/Jazz - new students ages 6-8 and graduates of Creative Movement
Intro to Hip Hop - new students ages 5-7 
Intro to Musical Theatre - minimum of 1st grade - must be able to read effectively

CLASSES FOR OLDER CHILDREN AND TEENS

LEVEL I AND II
Our Level I and II programs provide the fundamentals required for advanced work in all disciplines. Advancement to Level II is by teacher recommendation only.

Ballet I - new students ages 9 & up and graduates of Pre-Ballet
Pre-Pointe - by teacher's recommendation only
Tap I - new students age 9 & up and graduates of Tap/Jazz
Jazz I - new students ages 9 & up and graduates of Tap/Jazz
Modern I - new students 9 & up and graduates of Pre-Ballet
Hip Hop I - new students ages 9 & up and graduates of Intro to Hip Hop
Musical Theatre I - new students ages 9 & up and graduates of Intro to Musical Theatre
Acrobatics I - students who have been skill tested in Pre-Acrobatics
Ballet II
Pointe
Tap II
Jazz II
Modern II
Hip Hop II
Musical Theatre II
Acrobatics II

Lyrical II

ADVANCED AND PREPROFESSIONAL

Placement by teacher recommendation only. Students at this level must maintain a minimum of four classes in order to maintain advanced technique and skills, as well as performance quality.
Classes in this category include:

Ballet III/IV/V
Tap III/IV/V
Jazz III/IV/V
Modern III, IV &V
Hip-Hop III, IV & V

Lyrical III, IV & V
Choreography III, IV & V

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