Baby Bop! (Infants of any age with caregiver) **DATES TBA, CHECK BACK FOR UPDATED SCHEDULE!

• This 30-minute offering for parents of infants is designed as a fun way to get parents moving while bonding with your baby. Caregivers/babies are welcome to socialize before and after class. We'll do some gentle, accessible baby-wearing dance moves, emphasizing the bouncing beats that babies love with fun pop music that caregivers don't hate ;)

Dance With Me! Parent/Tot Creative Movement (Ages 1-3 and walking)

Generally the 2nd Saturday of the month at 10 am.  Click here for more info and  schedule

• Shake your sillies out in this parent-child creative movement class! These 45-minute classes will provide developmentally appropriate movement activities, songs and games with emphasis on joyful connection with parent or caregiver. Creative Movement is a fantastic way to create balance in body and mind (for kids and parents too!) Geared towards children aged 1 year (and walking) to 3 years, with parent or caregiver.

Joyful Movement (Ages 3-4) [Formerly Creative Ballet I]

• Roll like a log, bounce like a ball, soar like a bird and scamper like a mouse! In this introduction to creative dance, we’ll explore all the fun and fantastic ways people can move. We’ll exercise our brains and bodies, play games and act out stories. Basic ballet and modern dance terms will be introduced in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. Ages 3-4 and able to separate from caregiver for duration of class.

Introductory Classes (Ages 5-6) [Formerly Creative Ballet II/Tap, now split into 3 separate classes]

• Intro to Ballet (formerly Creative Ballet II/Tap) will focus on exposing dancers to introductory ballet terminology in a fun, low-pressure environment. Plenty of opportunities for storytelling and creative expression will be offered through the lens of classical ballet, with an emphasis on safe and appropriate alignment.

• Intro to Jazz + Tap (formerly Creative Ballet II/Tap) is a fun, energetic 45-minute class designed to introduce young dancers to the fundamentals of both jazz and tap. Students will alternate between learning basic jazz technique, movement, and musicality, and developing tap skills through rhythm, coordination, and creative expression. This class encourages confidence, creativity, and a love of dance in a supportive and engaging environment.

• Intro to Hip Hop(formerly Creative Ballet II/Tap) is an energetic 45-minute class for children ages 5–6 who love to move and groove to pop music. Dancers will learn beginner hip hop skills, including basic grooves, rhythm, coordination, and age-appropriate choreography, while building confidence and having fun!

Ballet I (Ages 6-9) & Ballet II (Ages 8-11)

• These 55-60 minute classes scaffold on the framework set by the Intro to Ballet classes, but delve more deeply into classical ballet technique. A barre warmup will be introduced, followed by centre exercises and combinations across the floor. Dancers will learn basic French ballet terminology, placement of the feet and arms, and fundamental ballet skills. In keeping with our teaching philosophy, this class will be taught from a joyful and alignment-based perspective, with opportunities for improvisation based on classical ballet prompts.

• *Level I and Level II classifications are based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Jazz + Tap I/II Combo (Ages 6-11)

• Fundamentals of jazz dance and basic rhythm tap technique will be introduced in this 55-minute offering. The jazz portion of class will focus on isolations, footwork, leaps and turns, while the tap portion of class will scaffold from beginner-level rhythms to more complex footwork with fun music and time allotted for percussive improvisation! Dancers should provide their own jazz and tap shoes. Ballet shoes may also be worn for jazz.

Modern Dance I (Ages 6-9) & Modern Dance II (Ages 8-11)

• These 55-60 minute classes will provide the foundational elements of modern dance training in a fun, non-competitive environment. We will start with gentle warm up activities, and will ultimately progress towards fun, full-bodied movement phrases. Creative expression and improvisation will be introduced and encouraged, along with basic partnering skills and a variety of composition tools that will enable dancers to create their own original choreography.

• *Level I and Level II classifications are based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Hip Hop I (Ages 6-9)[formerly Kids Pop]& Hip Hop II (Ages 8-11)

• Please note age/level change! Our Hip Hop dance classes are inspired by hip hop dance, contemporary pop culture, other dance genres, and set to age-appropriate pop music. Fun, upbeat classes that incorporate isolation movements, progressions across the floor, and complex choreography help build strength and flexibility. Most importantly, dancers develop confidence as they express themselves while creating their own, personal movement and style. This class will build on the skills developed in the Intro to Hip Hop class; however, beginners are also welcome! Dancers should wear comfortable athletic clothing and clean sneakers.

Irish Dance I: Softshoe (Ages 6-9) & Irish Dance II: Softshoe + Intro to Hardshoe (Ages 8-11)

• Students will learn the core elements of Irish dance, including technique, musicality, and traditional movement vocabulary. Irish Dance I emphasizes soft shoe fundamentals and introduces basic jig and reel steps. Irish Dance II continues skill development through the exploration of additional rhythms, time signatures, and increasingly challenging combinations. Irish II will primarily focus on soft shoe dances, along with introduction of hard shoe techniques.

• Dancers in all Irish classes will have the opportunity to perform in the Roanoke Saint Patrick’s Day Parade!

Modern Dance III (Ages 11-15) & Modern IV (Ages 12-17)

• These intermediate and advanced modern dance classes expand students' movement vocabulary, technical proficiency, and artistic expression in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Dancers will further develop strength, coordination, and confidence through leaps, jumps, turns, inversions, floor work, and dynamic footwork. Classes balance the study of choreographed movement with guided improvisation, creative exploration, and collaborative composition activities. Students are encouraged to take risks, move boldly, and develop their own unique artistic voices.

• **Level III and Level IV placement is based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Ballet III (Ages 11-15) & Ballet IV (Ages 12-17)

• These intermediate and advanced ballet classes are designed for dancers with prior ballet experience who are ready to deepen their technical skills, artistry, and performance quality. Students will build strength, flexibility, alignment, and endurance through focused barre work, center practice, across-the-floor progressions, and classical combinations. Emphasis is placed on developing a strong technical foundation while expanding movement vocabulary, musicality, and expressive artistry in a supportive and encouraging environment.

• *Level III and Level IV classifications are based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Lyrical III (Ages 11-15) & Lyrical IV (Ages 12-17) [Formerly Lyrical I & Lyrical II, respectively]

• In our lyrical dance classes, students will unlock the power of expressive movement. These classes combine elements of ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance to create a unique style that emphasizes fluidity, emotion, and storytelling. Students will learn how to convey feelings and narratives through their movements, while building strength, flexibility, and technical skills. Whether you're new to lyrical dance or looking to refine your skills, this class provides a supportive and inspiring environment to explore your artistic potential and connect with the music on a deeper level.

• *Level III and Level IV placement is based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Jazz III (Ages 11-15) & Jazz IV (Ages 12-17)

• These intermediate and advanced jazz classes explore both classical and contemporary jazz techniques while fostering confidence, versatility, and performance quality. Dancers will develop strength, coordination, flexibility, and musicality through isolations, intricate footwork, leaps, turns, and dynamic movement combinations. Classes incorporate technical training alongside expressive movement and performance skills, with opportunities to learn a variety of jazz styles. Depending on student interests, musical theatre choreography and jazz-inspired performance work may also be included.

Tap III/IV (Ages 11-17)

• This combined III/IV class offering builds upon foundational rhythms and technique while encouraging creativity, musicality, and personal expression. Dancers will develop precision, coordination, and rhythmic awareness through progressively challenging footwork, combinations, and stylistic studies. Classes explore a wide range of tap vocabulary, from fundamental patterns to more intricate rhythmic sequences, while also providing opportunities for percussive improvisation and collaborative exploration. Students will be challenged to listen, create, and perform in a supportive and engaging environment.

• Appropriate for all levels of tween and teen movers, but geared towards those with at least some dance experience.

Strength (Ages 11-17)

• This 30-minute class focuses on the proper alignment needed to build strength and flexibility in a safe and sustainable way. It’s hard work but we make it fun with great tunes and good friends!

Hip Hop III (Ages 11-15)

• This intermediate-level offering will emphasize L.A. music industry style hip hop dance techniques with age-appropriate choreography. Fun, upbeat classes that incorporate isolation movements, progressions across the floor, and complex choreography help build strength and flexibility. Most importantly, dancers develop confidence as they express themselves while creating their own personal movement and style.

• *Levels III classification is based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Hip Hop IV (Ages 12-17)

• This advanced-level class deepens dancers’ technical skills, artistic voice, and understanding of hip hop dance as a rich cultural and artistic movement. Students will explore foundational hip hop styles and techniques rooted in the history and traditions of hip hop culture while continuing to develop strength, coordination, musicality, and performance quality. Classes include isolations, grooves, progressions across the floor, freestyle exploration, and challenging choreography. Through movement, creativity, and collaborative learning, dancers will build confidence, develop their individual style, and gain a deeper appreciation for the origins and evolution of hip hop dance.

• *Dancers are required to have completed at least one semester of Hip Hop III and receive instructor permission to enroll.

Irish Dance III: Softshoe + Hardshoe (Ages 11-15), & Irish Dance IV: Softshoe + Hardshoe (Ages 12-17)

• These classes build on the foundational elements taught in Irish Dance I and II. Hardshoe techniques are introduced in Irish II, and in Irish III those techniques are more fully developed while reinforcing timing and form learned in earlier levels. In Irish Dance IV, dancers will take on more advanced material and continue to grow their understanding of traditional steps, musicality, and performance skills in an energetic and encouraging environment.

• Dancers in all Irish classes will have the opportunity to perform in the Roanoke Saint Patrick’s Day Parade!

• *Levels III and Level IV classifications are based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Pom Dance III/IV (Ages 11-17)

• This class builds on foundational technical skills from jazz and hip hop while introducing the precision, energy, and performance style of pom dance. Dancers will develop strength, coordination, flexibility, musicality, and confidence through dancing with pom poms, sharp arm motions, intricate footwork, kicks, jumps, turns, and dynamic choreography. Classes emphasize clean lines, powerful movement, synchronization, and performance quality while encouraging dancers to bring their own personality and style to each routine. Students will explore a variety of upbeat choreography while developing versatility, stage presence, and strong ensemble skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.

• *Appropriate for all levels of tween and teen movers, but geared towards those with at least some dance experience.

Musical Theatre III/IV (Ages 11-17)

• This class builds on foundational skills from jazz, tap, and/or modern dance while exploring the movement, storytelling, and performance skills of musical theatre. Dancers will develop musicality, coordination, versatility, and stage presence through choreography inspired by a variety of musical theatre styles and productions. Classes emphasize character development, expressive movement, performance quality, and the ability to connect choreography with music and storytelling. Students will have opportunities to explore ensemble work, theatrical choreography, and the unique combination of dance and acting that brings musical theatre to life in a supportive and creative environment.

• *Appropriate for all levels of tween and teen movers, but geared towards those with at least some dance experience.

Some of our adult dance and movement classes continue to be offered through Blacksburg Dance Theater, while others are offered through our partner organization, Open Space Studios!

Going forward, classes will be offered by individual instructors, but still held in the same studio space you know and love.

Visit the Open Space Studios’ Adult Dance/Movement Classes page for more details.