Baby Bop! (Infants of any age with caregiver) **Drop-in only, SIGN UP HERE!

• This thirty-minute offering for parents of infants is designed as a fun way to get parents moving while bonding with your baby. We meet once a month on the first Friday at 10 am, and 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 ;) Drop-in only, SIGN UP HERE!

“Dance With Me!” Parent-Child Creative Movement (Ages 1-3 and walking) **Drop-in only, SIGN UP HERE!

• Shake your sillies out in this parent-child creative movement class! These 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!) through the contrasting elements of dance concepts. Geared towards children aged 1 year (and walking) to 3 years, with parent or caregiver.

Creative Ballet 1 (Ages 3-5)

• 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 3-5and able to separate from caregiver for duration of class.

Creative Ballet 2 + Tap (Ages 5-7)

• Building on the foundation set in the Creative Ballet 1 class, Creative Ballet 2 will focus on exposing dancers to introductory ballet and tap terminology in a fun, low-pressure environment. Plenty of opportunities for storytelling and creative expression will be offered through the lens of classical ballet and rhythm tap, with an emphasis on safe and appropriate alignment. The class will alternate between ballet and tap skills; dancers should supply their own ballet/tap shoes.

Ballet I/II (Ages 7-9)

• This 50-minute class scaffolds on the framework set by Creative Ballet I and II, but delves more deeply into classical ballet technique. A barre warmup will be introduced, followed by center 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 1 and Level 2 classifications are based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Jazz/Tap Combo (Ages 7-9)

• 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!

Modern Dance I (Ages 6-9) and Modern Dance II (Ages 8-10)

• This 55-minute class 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 1 and Level 2 classifications are based on dancer experience and teacher recommendation.

Kids POP! (Formerly Kids Hip Hop! - Ages 6-9)

• Our pop styles dance classes for kids ages 6-12 are inspired by hip hop dance, 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.

NEW! Irish Dance

• We are thrilled to now offer traditional Irish dance! These 55-minute classes teach foundational elements of Irish dance.

  • Irish Dance I focuses primarily on soft shoe basics starting with traditional Irish dance moves and evolving into a few basic jig and reel steps.

  • Irish Dance II introduces additional time signatures, and introduce hard shoe movements. This class is designed for dancers who have already taken Level 1 and are ready to learn more!

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

Modern Dance III/IV (Ages 10-17)

• In this class, fundamentals of modern dance will be introduced and expanded upon in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Dancers will become comfortable with leaps, jumps, turns, inversions and quick footwork. We will oscillate between learning set choreography and engaging with individual + group improvisation activities. Be ready to move, sweat and create!

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

Ballet III/IV (Ages 10-17)

• This hour-long advanced beginner-level class is targeted at teens who have had some experience in ballet and want to build their skill, stamina, and vocabulary. Class will focus on the fundamentals of classical ballet supported by detailed instruction using barre, centre technique and combinations, and variations, complemented with strengthening and stretching exercises.

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

Lyrical I/II (Ages 10-17)

• In our Lyrical Dance Class, students will unlock the power of expressive movement. This class combines 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.

Jazz I/II (ages 10-17)

• This class will focus on both classical and contemporary jazz dance skills including isolations, footwork, leaps and turns. Based on the interests of the group, some musical theatre choreography may be introduced. Appropriate for all levels of tween and teen movers, but geared towards those with at least some dance experience.

Tap I/II (Ages 10-17)

• This advanced-beginner level class will scaffold from fundamental rhythms to more complex footwork with fun music and time allotted for percussive improvisation! Appropriate for all levels of tween and teen movers, but geared towards those with at least some dance experience.

Tween/Teen Strength (Ages 10-17)

• 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!

Commercial Hip Hop I/II/III (Ages 10-14)

• Our Commercial Hip Hop classes build upon the foundation of skills set in the Kids Pop Styles classes, but are also appropriate for those with no dance experience! This offering is inspired by hip hop dance, 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.

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

Commercial Hip Hop III/IV (Ages 12-17)

• This offering is an intermediate/advanced level class that 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. Dancers are required to have completed at least one semester of the Tween Commercial Hip Hop class and have instructor permission to participate.

Irish Dance III/IV (Ages 10-17 with permission of instructor)

• Description coming soon!

We are migrating ALL of our adult class offerings to the Open Space Studios Adult Movement Programs page! Check them out HERE.