Class Descriptions

At Twirl, class placement is important to the success and happiness of all students. Please read the class descriptions to ensure that students are registered for the proper levels. Teaching artists at Twirl reserve the right to redirect students to a different level if they feel it is beneficial to the student and the class.

Note that the minimum ages for classes reflect the dancer’s age at the beginning of the dance season September 5. 2024.

Preschool Dance

Twirl Junior Preschool Dance- (ages 3-5)* Imaginations soar as preschool dancers focus on tap, acrobatics, and dance basics.  Preschoolers also learn counting, their left from right, and other skills that will help them excel in school and life. To learn more about Twirl Junior click here.

*Students must be at least 3 years of age by September 5, 2024 to enroll in Twirl’s 2024-2025 preschool dance classes.

Ballet

Ballet/Jazz Ia, Ib, and Ic– (ages 5-7) It’s the best of both worlds! In one hour, your child will begin with the classic technique of ballet and end with the energetic dance moves of jazz. Ballet/Jazz Ia (ages 5-6) is designed for kindergartners and also first graders with no ballet/jazz dance experience. Ballet/Jazz Ib (ages 6-7) is for first graders with previous dance experience and also second graders with no dance training. Ballet/Jazz Ic (ages 6-7) is geared toward second graders who have studied dance (at Twirl or elsewhere) in the previous season.

Ballet I– (ages 8+) Perfect for students taking dance for fun or dancers who are serious about their craft, this level I class is beneficial for posture and focus while establishing a strong technical foundation for other forms of dance. Ballet I is the ideal level for third graders transitioning to Twirl’s 8+ level of dance classes.

Ballet II– (classes for ages 9+) Ballet II is geared toward fourth and fifth graders with previous ballet training and who are approved to move on from Ballet I, and also dancers sixth grade and older (ages 11+), who have no previous ballet training. Students in this class will love dancing barre and center floor combinations that will feed their spirits and strengthen their dance technique. Level placement is based on teacher recommendation.

Ballet III and IV- (ages 10+) Dancers with at least two years of ballet training will plié the night away in this higher-level ballet class. Students will gain strength, control, and beautiful technique through challenging barre work and center floor combinations. Level placement is based on teacher recommendation.

Ballet V- (ages 11+) Turns, leaps, and beats. Ballet V is for Twirl’s most advanced ballet students. Level placement is based on teacher recommendation.

Pre-Pointe– (ages 11+) Pre-pointe is a 30-minute class of strengthening and technique to prepare students to dance en pointe for the following season.  Twirl has a unique partnership with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in our assessment of pointe readiness for the dancers in this class. Pointe readiness will be assessed individually by dance/sports specialists from CHOP toward the end of the dance season. Students ages 11+ must be approved or recommended to register for pre-pointe and are required to take two additional ballet classes each week.

Pointe I and II– (ages 11+) Dancers work on strengthening, conditioning, and dance artistry as they safely navigate the world of dancing en pointe. All pointe students must have completed Twirl’s pre-pointe program or have previous pointe training. Pointe students who are new to Twirl and have not completed Twirl’s pre-pointe class, must pass an assessment before being approved to take this class. All pointe students must also be enrolled in at least two ballet classes per week.

Musical Theatre Dance

Musical Theatre Dance Ia, Ib and Ic- (classes for ages 5-7) Your child who loves dancing and being on stage will thrive in this jazz-based class that focuses on dance styles found in Broadway musicals. Musical Theatre Dance Ia (ages 5-6) is designed for kindergartners and also first graders with no jazz dance experience. Musical Theatre Dance Ib (ages 6-7) is for first graders with previous dance experience and also second graders with no dance training. Musical Theatre Dance Ic (ages 6-7) is geared toward second graders who have studied dance (at Twirl or elsewhere) in the previous season.

Musical Theatre Dance IIa and IIb– (classes for ages 8-11) Perfect for the student who wants to explore the world of entertainment dance. Musical Theatre Dance IIa (ages 8-10) is for third through fifth grade dancers who are at the beginner/intermediate level. Musical Theatre Dance IIb classes (ages 9-11) are for more advanced fourth grade dancers and fifth graders with two years of recent musical theatre dance/jazz dance training.

Musical Theatre Dance III– (ages 11+) Students who dream of dancing at Disney, on cruise ships, and other live entertainment venues are challenged with contrasting musical theatre dance styles that require both dance technique and performance quality. This class is perfect for intermediate dancers age 11+.

Musical Theatre Dance IV– (ages 11+) Intermediate/advanced dancers hone in on jazz dance technique and learn dance styles that are prevalent in the entertainment industry.

Musical Theatre Dance V– (ages 11+) Twirl’s highest level of musical theatre dance features advanced training in dance technique and choreography.

Tap

Tap/Jazz Ia and  Ib– (ages 5-7) Your child will have a great time learning both tap and jazz dance in one action-packed class. Tap/Jazz Ia (ages 5-6) is designed for kindergartners and also first graders with no tap/jazz dance experience. Tap/Jazz Ib (ages 6-7) is for first graders with previous dance experience and all second graders with previous dance training or no training.

Tap I– (ages 8+) Beginner tappers will fall in love with this style of dance as they train in the basics of tap technique and rhythm, providing the framework for tap classes in years to come.

Tap II (ages 9+) Tap dancers with at least one year of recent tap training since third grade will learn cool moves like time steps, drawbacks, Cincinnati’s, and other awesome classic tap steps.

Tap III (ages 10+) Dancers who have completed Tap II move onto to more advanced skills in Twirl’s Tap III class.

Tap IV (ages 10+) This class will challenge proficient tappers with intricate footwork, complex rhythms, pickups, pullbacks, and advanced tap steps.

Hip Hop

Hip Hop- (classes for ages 8+ and 11+) Dancers learn how to find the rhythm and the baseline in a song as they build core strength and learn really cool dance moves. Like all classes at Twirl, music for hip hop classes is free of suggestive or inappropriate lyrics and choreography is cool, hip, and current while maintaining modesty and integrity.

Pre-Pro Hip Hop– (ages 12+)- This fast-paced hip hop class is designed for advanced students who are enrolled in at least three other dance classes at Twirl.

Contemporary Dance

Contemporary Dance II, and III– (classes for ages 10+ and 11+) Students will love dancing out their joys and frustrations through this super expressive genre of dance, which is a fusion of ballet, jazz, and modern. Level II (ages 10+) is geared toward dancers who are dancing at an intermediate level, and level III is designed for advanced dancers .  NOTE: All contemporary dance students must also be enrolled in a ballet class.

Jazz Dance

Jazz I, II, III, and IV– (classes for ages 8-10 and 9+, 10+ and 11+) Students will have an awesome time dancing this dynamic dance style to popular music. Grounded in dance technique, jazz students will be work on kicks, turns, leaps and other skills that are common to this fun and upbeat genre of dance.

Lyrical

Lyrical I and III– (classes for ages 9+ and 10+) Splitting the difference between ballet and jazz, lyrical offers dancers the opportunity to learn beautiful and fluid choreography while developing strong dance technique. Note that lyrical is offered at the beginner level with Lyrical I and an advanced/intermediate level class with Lyrical III. There is no intermediate Lyrical II class on the current 2024-25 schedule.

Leaps and Turns

Leaps and Turns (ages 11+) Dancers in this class will work on conditioning, stretching, technique, and drills to master solid turns and beautiful leaps. Leaps and Turns will focus on technique only and is a non-performing class for the June show.

Acrobatics

Acrobatics I*– (classes for ages 5-7 , 6+, and 8+) Kids love getting upside down so it’s not a surprise that these are some of Twirl’s most popular classes. Students work on physical conditioning and agility as they learn handstands, walkovers, cartwheels, and other fun tumbling tricks. Students are challenged according to their individual skill level, and beginners are welcome.

Acrobatics II*— (ages 6+) Level II is Twirl’s intermediate level acrobatics class. Along with strength and flexibility training, this class focuses on cartwheel variations, walkovers, and balancing skills. The prerequisite for this class is a consistent bridge kickover. For clarification on this skill please click here.

Acrobatics III*— (ages 7+) This class is designed for acrobats who want to bring their skills to the next level. Students work on back handsprings, aerial cartwheels, and other more advanced acrobatic tricks as well as exercises to improve flexibility and strength. Having a solid back walkover and bridge recover (standing up from a bridge) are required prerequisites for this class. For clarification on these skills please click here.

*Note that for all acrobatics classes there is a $20 class fee per student due with each quarterly payment.

Performance Team

Team Twirl I, II, III, IV, and V– (levels for ages 6-7, 8-10, 10+, 11+, and 12+) Team Twirl is a non-audition performance group that gives Twirl dancers more opportunities to have a positive presence in the community though public performances (not dance competitions). Team Twirl classes include dance technique and learning choreography for performances. Team Twirl I dancers ages 6 to 7 (first and second graders) are required to take at least two classes a week including at least one technique class (Ballet/Jazz, Tap/Jazz, or Musical Theatre Dance) plus Team Twirl I. Team Twirl dancers ages 8+ (Team Twirl II, III, VI and V) are required to take at least three classes a week including at least one Ballet class, plus Musical Theatre Dance or Jazz or Leaps & Turns or Contemporary or Lyrical (available for Team Twirl II, III, and IV levels only), plus Team Twirl II, III, IV or V (level based on teacher recommendation). Click here for more details.

Down Syndrome Dance

Down Syndrome Dance– (ages  11+) Students with Down syndrome work on improving movement skills, creativity, and memorization as they explore jazz and musical theatre dance styles. Learn more about Twirl’s Down Syndrome Dance program by clicking here.