Pre-Professional Levels
Our pre-professional training track is an audition-based program designed to give a comprehensive dance education to those ages 7-18 wishing to take their training to the next level.
Performance Ensemble
The Midwest Dance Collective Performance Ensemble is an audition-based performing group. Dancers accepted into the ensemble will follow the pre-professional training track with the addition of at least one 90 minute rehearsal each week. These rehearsals will consist of learning choreography and preparing for upcoming competitions, conventions, and performances, both local and otherwise. Additional rehearsals may be added closer to performance dates as needed.
Dancers ages 7-18 may audition and will be placed into one of three groups, Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced.
Level 1 (Ages 7 and older)
In addition to the vocabulary and movement fundamentals from the previous levels, students will learn new positions of the feet and arms, the basic body directions, and movement directions both traveling and in space. Students will be introduced to barre exercises to focus on proper posture and turnout.
*Requirements for the pre-professional training track include 2 ballet classes/ week, with the addition of jazz, tap, and one class of the dancer’s choice.
Dancers have the option to add tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, acro, and Progressing Ballet Technique classes to their personalized curriculum.
Level 2 (Ages 9 and older)
Students should have a working knowledge of the basic vocabulary and theory of the previous levels as they progress into the more advanced study. Maximum turnout and correct posture should be maintained throughout exercises. At this level, students will begin preparation for pointe work by strengthening their feet, toes, calves, and anterior tibialis.
*Requirements for the pre-professional training track include 2 ballet classes/week, with the addition of jazz, tap, and one class of the dancer’s choice. It’s highly recommended to add at least one additional technique. Dancers may choose from modern, contemporary, improvisation/composition, acro, hip hop, and Progressing Ballet Technique.
Level 3 (Ages 10 and older)
Students should have a working knowledge of the basic vocabulary and theory of the previous levels as they progress into the more advanced study. At this level, students may begin pointe work. *Please note that students must be at least 11 years old, have at least 3 years of consistent training in ballet, and be taking a minimum of 3 ballet classes a week consistently. It is upon the instructor’s assessment and approval of the student’s strength and abilities that they will be granted permission to begin pointe work.
*Requirements for the pre-professional training track are 3 ballet classes/ week, with the addition of jazz, modern, Progressing Ballet Technique, and one class of the dancer’s choice. It’s highly recommended to add at least one additional technique. Dancers may choose from tap, hip hop, contemporary, musical theater, and improvisation/composition.
Level 4 (Ages 11 and older)
Students should have a working knowledge of the basic vocabulary and theory of the previous levels as they progress into the more advanced study. At this level, épaulement and head and arm coordination should be strengthened, along with allongé movement. This allows dancers to expand on their artistry.
*Requirements for the pre-professional training track include 4 ballet classes/ week (pointe included), with the addition of jazz, modern, improvisation/composition, Progressing Ballet Technique, and two classes of the dancer’s choice. Dancers may also choose to add tap, hip hop, musical theater, contemporary, and stretch & strengthen/ jumps, leaps, & turns classes.
Level 5 (Ages 12 and older)
Students should have a working knowledge of all vocabulary and theory from the previous levels. This is our most advanced level for students who show great commitment and dedication to their study in dance.
*Requirements for the pre-professional training track include 4 ballet classes/week (pointe included), with the addition of jazz, modern, improvisation/composition, Progressing Ballet Technique, plus two classes of the dancer’s choice. Dancers may choose to add tap, hip hop, musical theater, contemporary, and stretch & strengthen/ jumps, leaps, & turns classes.