Classes and Levels 2026-27

MADC has something for every dancer, from age 2.5 and up! Below you will find our class offerings, starting with our Early Dance Division (ages 2.5-5), our Adaptive Dance class (special needs kids ages 3-17), and then our class levels within each dance style (ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop and more!).

The age listed should be the age the dancer will by by October 1st, 2025.

Early Dance Division

This class specializes in fostering the love of movement and music in the littlest of dancers, while improving their focus and ability to follow directions. Creative Movement will develop your child’s coordination as well as an understanding of basic dance concepts. Through this fun educational experience, students will learn to use dance as a creative means of self-expression. MUST be 3 by October 1st, 2025.

Our Pre-Ballet class introduces young students to the enchanting world of ballet, emphasizing fundamental ballet vocabulary and technique. Within a structured yet playful setting, students develop coordination, musicality, rhythm, and concentration skills. We encourage our students to explore and utilize the space around them, fostering a love for dancing and self-expression. (Must be 4 by November 1st)

In our Pre-Tap class, young students embark on a journey of learning simple tap steps and rhythms. With an emphasis on musicality, students gradually develop skills and confidence, and the ability to express themselves artistically through tap dance. (Must be 4 by November 1st)

This high-energy class serves as an introduction to hip hop dance for young students. Emphasizing popular dance steps and freestyle movement with age appropriate music, this class focuses on rhythm, musicality, and basic footwork. It’s a great way to get kids moving with their friends! (Must be 4 by November 1st)

Adaptive dance

MADC partners with Kids on the Go to provide students with special needs (ages 3-17) a safe, inclusive, fun experience in the dance studio! Our adaptive dancers also perform in our bi-annual recitals. If you know a child with special needs who loves music and dance, please reach out to Kids on the Go at (313) 332-1026 or email cori@mackavenuedancecenter.com!

BAllet

As the foundation of so many dance styles, ballet training is critical for a dancer. Our curriculum teaches students the discipline, technique, and beauty of ballet in a safe, healthy, age-appropriate way.

Our levels are listed by age and experience, but these are rough parameters and teachers may place a student in a different level after observation in class. Students should expect to stay in each level a minimum of 2 years. Consideration is given to potential, ability to comprehend quickly, natural body lines, maturity in applying corrections, and work ethic.

This class introduces young students to the fundamentals of ballet, including basic terminology, placement, strength, balance, artistry, and musicality. Each class works toward developing the motor skills and body awareness needed to be successful. Barre work will be slowly introduced, as well as center work, petite and diagonal steps. No previous ballet experience is required. This is the proper choice for dancers coming from pre-ballet classes.

This class emphasizes the fundamentals of ballet, including body positions and placement, strength, balance, artistry, and musicality. Each class consists of barre work, center work, petite and grand allegro. One year of ballet experience is required (excluding pre-classes).

Intermediate ballet students must have at least 2 years of ballet experience. Dancers will continue to work on technique at the barre and center to prepare for advanced level. Pre-pointe work will be at the discretion of the ballet program director.

Intermediate/Advanced ballet students must have at least 3 years of ballet experience. Dancers will continue to work on technique at the barre and center to prepare for advanced level. Pre-pointe work will be at the discretion of the ballet program director.

This is our most rigorous ballet class, consisting of barre, center, adagio, petite and grande allegro. Pointe work is at the discretion of the ballet program director. Dancers must have at least 5 years of ballet training to register.

This class is suitable for dancers looking for ballet basics, ideal for high school musical theater or show choir students. No previous ballet experience is required.

This class is suitable for high school students looking for dance technique basics in jazz, tap, and ballet. No previous experience is required. The perfect class for show choir or musical theater enthusiasts!

Jazz, Lyrical, musical theater

Our jazz offerings include many different styles, from traditional jazz to Lyrical (slower music, emphasizes deeper connection to songs through interpretation of lyrics) to Musical Theater (incorporated elements of acting and storytelling in the classic Broadway style).

Our levels are listed by age and experience, but these are rough parameters and teachers may place a student in a different level after observation in class. Students should expect to stay in each level a minimum of 2 years. Consideration is given to potential, ability to comprehend quickly, natural body lines, maturity in applying corrections, and work ethic.

This introductory class combines technique, flexibility, and strength training. Our jazz students learn to understand musicality, fluidity, technique, and transition. Class starts with a warm up and stretch, then progresses to across the floor, center work, and finally a combination taught at the end of class. No previous jazz experience is required.

This class requires 1-2 years dance experience. It reinforces the fundamentals of jazz while preparing dancers for intermediate work.

Intermediate jazz students must have at least 3 years of dance experience, including ballet training. Dancers will continue to work on technique, transitions, progressions, and style to prepare for advanced level.

This is our most challenging jazz class, taught at a faster pace with higher expectations for technique, flexibility, and style. Dancers must have at least 5 years of dance training, including ballet and jazz, to register.

This class is suitable for dancers looking for jazz basics, ideal for high school musical theater or show choir students. Adults are also welcome. No previous jazz experience is required.

Tap

From the classic styles of Broadway to the innovative rhythm of “hoofing,” the Mack Avenue Dance Center tap program has it all. Classes focus on endurance, accuracy, timing, clarity, speed, and footwork.

Our levels are listed by age and experience, but these are rough parameters and teachers may place a student in a different level after observation in class. Students should expect to stay in each level a minimum of 2 years. Consideration is given to potential, ability to comprehend quickly, natural body lines, maturity in applying corrections, and work ethic.

This class introduces students to the basics of tap dance. Steps are broken down and demonstrated sound by sound, emphasizing proper execution and rhythm. Class starts with a warm up, then progresses to across the floor and center work. No previous tap experience is required.

This class requires 1-2 years dance experience. It reinforces the fundamentals of tap while preparing dancers for intermediate work, adding more sounds and speed.

Intermediate tap students must have at least 3 years of dance experience. Dancers will continue to work on clarity of sound, speed, rhythm, and style to prepare for advanced level.

This is our most challenging tap class, taught at a faster pace with higher expectations for technique, speed, and style. Dancers must have at least 5 years of dance training to register.

This class is suitable for dancers looking for tap basics, ideal for high school musical theater or show choir students. Adults are also welcome. No previous tap experience is required.

Contemporary and modern

Contemporary is a fusion of ballet, modern, and jazz technique that incorporates artistry and improvisation to create unconventional shapes, dynamics, and musicality. This class allow for more exploration of movement, and more freedom to dance outside the specific form of traditional ballet. Students will learn combinations as well as use their own creativity to improvise freely to music.

Modern dance is a concert dance that developed from ballet in the early 20th century. Establish techniques covered in this class include Limon, Graham, and Horton. Classes will begin with a center warmup, followed by center and traveling exercises. Dancers focus on contractions, floor work, concepts of space, time, and force, and spirals. Class is taken barefoot.

This class introduces students to the basics of contemporary dance. Concepts include fall and release, moving the body off its center, and learning how to use the floor and space in many different ways. No previous dance experience is required.

This class requires 1-2 years dance experience. It reinforces the fundamentals of contemporary while preparing dancers for intermediate work, adding more sounds and speed.

Intermediate contemporary students must have at least 3 years of dance experience. Dancers will continue to work on quality of movement to prepare for advanced level.

This is an advanced class that incorporates various styles and asks dancers to be more vulnerable with improvisation. Dancers must have at least 5 years of dance training to register.

Hip Hop

With deep historical and social roots, hip hop has evolved to incorporate a variety of street dance and freestyle movement. Classes include warmup, stretching, across the floor, and center combinations. Emphasis is on creativity and community.

This class introduces students to the basics of hip hop dance. No previous dance experience is required.

This class requires 1-2 years dance experience. It reinforces the fundamentals of the style while preparing dancers for intermediate work.

Intermediate hip hop students must have at least 3 years of dance experience. Dancers will continue to work on quality of movement and music interpretation to prepare for advanced level.

This is an advanced class that incorporates various styles, improvisation, and music interpretation. Dancers must have at least 5 years of dance training to register.

Improvisation and Composition

Dance improvisation is the act of creating movement spontaneously without pre-planning steps or choreography. Improvisational dances are often unstructured, free, and less technically strict than other forms of dance. They can be inspired by everyday dance practices and influences, and can evoke dramatic or thought-provoking content.

Dance composition is a study of basic dance choreography, including construction of a phrase, structure and form in a composition, and the basic elements of time, space and energy.