Program Information
Below you will see general information regarding placement, levels, and genres. Please login to your studio account to review detailed class descriptions.
Student Placement
Students are placed into classes by age first then by experience and physical and social maturity. We use gemstone levels (cohorts) with our ballet, jazz, and modern/contemporary classes to help with class selection. Occasionally students may take classes in more than one cohort but it must be approved by the studio owner/instructor. New students into the program are typically placed by age unless an ability placement meeting is scheduled. Please email or call to set up a placement appointment if interested.
Levels & Expectations
Grown- Up & Me: This class is designed for children ages 12 months to 2 years and their caregivers to actively participate, explore movement, and enjoy the rhythm of music in a fun and supportive environment. This level is all about having fun, bonding with your child, and embracing the joy of dance. NON-RECITAL CLASS
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Twirly Three: This level focuses on continuing to develop their coordination, musicality, and foundational dance skills. Our activities focus on enhancing motor skills, body awareness, and creative expression in a fun, structured environment. Parents are encouraged to stay nearby in the lobby to assist with any needs that may arise during the class. The Twirly Three level participates in our end of year Recital.
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Pre-K Pearl: This level focuses on greater independence and the introduction of more dance-related skills designed for the 4 year old age. In this class, students work on larger coordination movements, setting the foundation for more complex dance techniques in the future. This level aims to build confidence and self-sufficiency while still providing a supportive and fun learning environment. The Pre-K Pearl level participates in our end of year Recital.
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Amethyst: This level is where young dancers, age 5-9, begin to apply the foundational skills they've been building in previous classes. Amethyst is split into two levels to allow for focused attention on skill development and refinement, ensuring each dancer progresses at their own pace. With structured guidance, this class helps dancers gain confidence and precision in their movements. Our teachers are paying closer attention to technique and maturity for advancement to the next level. The Amethyst level participates in our end of year Recital.
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Sapphire: The Sapphire level marks an important transition for young dancers as they move away from game and play-centered activities and begin to focus more on their specific genre of dance. This class is designed to introduce students to the discipline and structure of dance training, helping them develop the technical skills and artistic expression needed in their chosen style. With an emphasis on learning and practicing core techniques students, ages 7-10, will learn in a supportive environment where they can grow and refine their abilities. Our teachers are paying closer attention to technique and maturity for advancement to the next level. The Sapphire level participates in our end of year Recital.
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Ruby: The Ruby level builds on the foundation laid in previous levels by continuing to advance students' technique while introducing elements of performance. Dancers in this class focus on refining their skills and begin to explore the art of performing, learning how to express themselves on stage with confidence and grace. This level is designed to prepare students for more advanced choreography and performance opportunities as they progress in their dance journey. Our teachers are paying closer attention to technique and maturity for advancement to the next level. The Ruby level participates in our end of year Recital.
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Emerald: This level is designed for dancers who are serious about their dedication and passion for dance! Students in this class work on incorporating more complex movements, tricks, and advanced techniques while continuing to develop their performance abilities. This level provides a challenging and dynamic environment that helps dancers refine their skills and prepare for the highest level of training. Our teachers are paying closer attention to technique and maturity for advancement to the next level. The Emerald level participates in our end of year Recital.
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Diamond: The Diamond level represents the pinnacle of our dance program, where students are challenged to master their most advanced skills. At this stage, dancers receive rigorous training from our professional instructors who are committed to pushing them to achieve their highest potential. Despite the high expectations, the environment remains supportive and uplifting, ensuring that each dancer feels encouraged and motivated throughout their journey.
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General Genre Descriptions
Acrobatic Dance (AcroDance)
Acro is a lyrical approach to acrobatic tricks and skills with an emphasis on fluid transitions as it blends with technique-based dance choreography. Acro dance is an excellent component for serious dancers that want to enhance their flexibility, core, and treasure chest of skills! We offer Acro dance as a co-enrollment starting at age 4 to ensure the safety of our dancers. Students must be enrolled in either Ballet or Jazz to take Acro. Our teachers are trained to use the Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) curriculum.
Ballet
Ballet is a foundational dance form for all technique based dance genres including jazz, modern, and contemporary. Students enrolled in Ballet at UMF studio will follow a curated progressive syllabus & curriculum that is based off classical ballet methods with a primary focus from the Royal Academy of Dance ballet training method. Russian and Balanchine methods will also be referenced during instruction to expose students to a wider variety of classical and neoclassical training styles. Students with a goal to excel well in dance should consider enrolling in ballet each year.
We also offer a pre-pointe and pointe program to our intermediate and advanced ballet dancers. We take this training very seriously and use a prescript training evaluation and syllabus for the safety and longevity of your student. You may read more about our programs below.
Pre-Pointe Program (age 9-18) Click link for more information
Pointe Program (age 12-18) Click link for more information
Creative Movement (Grown Up & Me, Tippy Two, and Twirly Three)
Our Creative Movement classes are designed to introduce young children to the foundational principles of dance through engaging and developmentally appropriate activities. These classes focus on enhancing motor skills, coordination, and musicality while fostering creativity and self-expression. Emphasis is placed on improving basic movement skills such as running, jumping, and balancing, with activities structured to build gross motor abilities and refine body awareness. Students practice coordination through exercises that involve following rhythms and patterns, helping them develop a sense of timing and spatial awareness. The curriculum encourages imaginative play and experimentation with movement, allowing children to explore different ways of moving and expressing themselves through dance. Additionally, the classes provide opportunities for social and emotional growth, where children can interact with peers, build confidence, and learn the value of cooperation and self-expression in a supportive environment. Our Creative Movement classes are tailored to different age groups, with each level introducing more advanced skills and concepts as students grow and develop. By integrating these elements, our Creative Movement classes aim to create a fun and enriching experience that lays a strong foundation for future dance training.
HipHop
Our hip-hop classes are funky and fun! Classes emphasize trendy dance moves, traditional hip-hop grooves, and free-styling. Appropriate for all ages to let loose and have fun to upbeat music!
Jazz
Our jazz classes are a technique based fusion of traditional and current jazz styles. The foundation of jazz technique is ballet and students will be expected to build upon these foundational principles to fine-tune their technique. Isolation, contractions, and various tempos are the backbone of jazz technique. Students will also explore Fosse and Luigi jazz style techniques. Jumps and leaps are learned in intermediate and advanced versions of this class. A variety of music is used in this genre.
Modern & Contemporary
Contemporary dance incorporates technique from ballet, jazz, and modern styles. Free-form and unique movements are also found in a contemporary piece as the dancer is encouraged to express emotion that precisely matches the music to tell a story. Modern dance is a style of dance that developed in America in rejection to strict ballet teaching methods. Grounded, earthy, and natural movements are incorporated into traditional modern technique. UMF studio will focus on Graham and Horton modern dance technique.
Acro is a lyrical approach to acrobatic tricks and skills with an emphasis on fluid transitions as it blends with technique-based dance choreography. Acro dance is an excellent component for serious dancers that want to enhance their flexibility, core, and treasure chest of skills! We offer Acro dance as a co-enrollment starting at age 4 to ensure the safety of our dancers. Students must be enrolled in either Ballet or Jazz to take Acro. Our teachers are trained to use the Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) curriculum.
Ballet
Ballet is a foundational dance form for all technique based dance genres including jazz, modern, and contemporary. Students enrolled in Ballet at UMF studio will follow a curated progressive syllabus & curriculum that is based off classical ballet methods with a primary focus from the Royal Academy of Dance ballet training method. Russian and Balanchine methods will also be referenced during instruction to expose students to a wider variety of classical and neoclassical training styles. Students with a goal to excel well in dance should consider enrolling in ballet each year.
We also offer a pre-pointe and pointe program to our intermediate and advanced ballet dancers. We take this training very seriously and use a prescript training evaluation and syllabus for the safety and longevity of your student. You may read more about our programs below.
Pre-Pointe Program (age 9-18) Click link for more information
Pointe Program (age 12-18) Click link for more information
Creative Movement (Grown Up & Me, Tippy Two, and Twirly Three)
Our Creative Movement classes are designed to introduce young children to the foundational principles of dance through engaging and developmentally appropriate activities. These classes focus on enhancing motor skills, coordination, and musicality while fostering creativity and self-expression. Emphasis is placed on improving basic movement skills such as running, jumping, and balancing, with activities structured to build gross motor abilities and refine body awareness. Students practice coordination through exercises that involve following rhythms and patterns, helping them develop a sense of timing and spatial awareness. The curriculum encourages imaginative play and experimentation with movement, allowing children to explore different ways of moving and expressing themselves through dance. Additionally, the classes provide opportunities for social and emotional growth, where children can interact with peers, build confidence, and learn the value of cooperation and self-expression in a supportive environment. Our Creative Movement classes are tailored to different age groups, with each level introducing more advanced skills and concepts as students grow and develop. By integrating these elements, our Creative Movement classes aim to create a fun and enriching experience that lays a strong foundation for future dance training.
HipHop
Our hip-hop classes are funky and fun! Classes emphasize trendy dance moves, traditional hip-hop grooves, and free-styling. Appropriate for all ages to let loose and have fun to upbeat music!
Jazz
Our jazz classes are a technique based fusion of traditional and current jazz styles. The foundation of jazz technique is ballet and students will be expected to build upon these foundational principles to fine-tune their technique. Isolation, contractions, and various tempos are the backbone of jazz technique. Students will also explore Fosse and Luigi jazz style techniques. Jumps and leaps are learned in intermediate and advanced versions of this class. A variety of music is used in this genre.
Modern & Contemporary
Contemporary dance incorporates technique from ballet, jazz, and modern styles. Free-form and unique movements are also found in a contemporary piece as the dancer is encouraged to express emotion that precisely matches the music to tell a story. Modern dance is a style of dance that developed in America in rejection to strict ballet teaching methods. Grounded, earthy, and natural movements are incorporated into traditional modern technique. UMF studio will focus on Graham and Horton modern dance technique.
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