Our Class Structure

Designed for Growth. Built for Community.

As we prepared for the inaugural season of Richmond Dance Collective, we thoughtfully evaluated our class offerings with one goal in mind: creating a class structure that provides clear progression for every dancer while welcoming new families into our community.

Our simplified class structure was intentionally designed to provide a natural pathway from one level to the next, while honoring the experience of returning Arabesque Etc. dancers and creating welcoming entry points for new students joining Richmond Dance Collective for the very first time.

Placement Levels

To help every dancer grow with confidence, Richmond Dance Collective organizes classes by developmental level. Grade and age ranges are intended as general guidelines. Placement may be adjusted based on a dancer's experience, technical ability, and overall readiness to ensure every student is appropriately challenged and supported. Please note, dancers should expect to dance at a level for approximately two years before moving up to the next level.

  • Elem I: Grades K-2 (5-8 yrs old)

  • Elem II: Grades 3-4 (8-10 yrs old)

  • Mid I: Grades 5-6 (10-12 yrs old)

  • Mid II: Grades 6-8 (11-14 yrs old)

  • Advanced (A/B): Grades 8-12 (13-18 yrs old)

    Advanced levels are by instructor recommendation or permission only.

Tiny Tots

Ages 3–5

The perfect first independent dance class! Tiny Tots introduces preschool dancers to creative movement in an engaging, age-appropriate environment. Dancers build confidence while developing listening skills, coordination, musicality, and classroom independence.

Students will learn:

  • Basic ballet positions

  • Creative movement

  • Rhythm and musicality

  • Coordination and balance

  • Classroom etiquette

Ballet

Ballet is the foundation of all dance styles and emphasizes grace, strength, discipline, and proper technique. Our progressive curriculum develops flexibility, posture, coordination, musicality, and artistry while encouraging dancers to perform with confidence.

Ballet Elem I

Designed for young dancers beginning their ballet journey. Students learn the fundamentals of ballet through imaginative instruction and age-appropriate exercises.

Ballet Elem II

Builds upon foundational skills while introducing more complex movement patterns, balance, flexibility, and musicality.

Ballet Mid I

Dancers continue strengthening technique, body alignment, flexibility, and coordination while learning longer combinations and increasing artistry.

Ballet Mid II

Focuses on technical refinement, strength, balance, turns, jumps, and increased performance quality.

Ballet Advanced A & B - Instructor Placement

Designed for dedicated dancers who wish to pursue advanced ballet training.

Teen Ballet Lab

For New & Recreational Teen Ballet Dancers

It's never too late to start ballet.

Teen Ballet Lab is designed specifically for teenagers who are new to ballet, returning after time away, or simply looking to enjoy ballet without the intensity of a competitive training track. This welcoming and supportive class focuses on building confidence, strength, flexibility, coordination, and proper ballet technique at a comfortable pace.

Whether you're exploring ballet for the first time, adding it to your training in another dance style, or dancing simply because you love it, Teen Ballet Lab provides a fun, encouraging environment where every dancer can grow.

Students will develop:

  • Ballet fundamentals and terminology

  • Strength, flexibility, and posture

  • Balance and coordination

  • Musicality and artistry

  • Confidence in a welcoming, supportive environment

Supplemental Class Option:

This is an excellent supplemental class for intermediate ballet dancers looking to improve strength, flexibility, turnout, balance, and technique through focused exercises and individualized corrections.

Contemporary

Contemporary combines ballet technique with modern movement, creativity, and emotional storytelling. Dancers develop strength, flexibility, fluid movement, floor work, improvisation, and artistic expression.

Contemporary Mid I & II

Students continue building technical skills while exploring movement quality, musical interpretation, and choreography.

Contemporary Advanced A & B - Instructor Placement

Advanced dancers refine technique while developing expressive performance skills through challenging choreography and advanced movement vocabulary.

Hip Hop

High-energy and fun, Hip Hop teaches rhythm, coordination, musicality, and confidence through age-appropriate choreography inspired by today's music and styles. Classes focus on performance, freestyle skills, and teamwork in an encouraging environment.

Hip Hop Elem I & II

Perfect for dancers learning basic grooves, footwork, rhythm, and coordination.

Hip Hop Mid I & II

Introduces more challenging combinations, musicality, freestyle concepts, and performance skills.

Hip Hop Advanced A & B - Instructor Placement

Fast-paced classes designed for experienced dancers focusing on precision, performance quality, advanced choreography, and versatility.

Jazz

Jazz is energetic, expressive, and athletic. Dancers build strong technical foundations while learning turns, jumps, flexibility, musicality, and dynamic choreography.

Jazz Mid I & II

Students strengthen jazz technique while increasing confidence and performance quality.

Jazz Advanced A & B

Designed for experienced dancers ready for advanced turns, leaps, conditioning, and performance-focused choreography.

Combination Classes

Storyteller Combo Class (Available in two age groups: Elementary School and Middle School)

Lyrical • Contemporary • Musical Theatre

This unique class encourages dancers to tell stories through movement. Students explore lyrical, contemporary, and musical theatre styles while developing emotional expression, musical interpretation, acting skills, and performance confidence.

Perfect for dancers who love creativity, storytelling, and performing.

High Impact / High Energy Combo Class (Available in two age groups: Elementary School and Middle School)

Jazz • Hip Hop

Can't decide between Jazz and Hip Hop? This exciting combo class offers the best of both worlds! Dancers enjoy upbeat music, energetic choreography, strong technique, and lots of fun while developing versatility across two exciting dance styles.

Built with Flexibility in Mind

While we've simplified our overall class structure, we've also built flexibility into our schedule to accommodate enrollment as our studio grows.

For classes where we anticipate stronger participation, we have intentionally reserved both studio spaces. This allows us to divide a class into A and B sections, if needed, to maintain ideal class sizes and provide the best possible learning environment.

This approach allows us to:

  • Maintain appropriate student-to-teacher ratios

  • Provide more individualized instruction

  • Create balanced class sizes

  • Group dancers with similar experience and skill levels

  • Support continued growth for every student

Our priority is always creating an environment where every dancer receives the attention, encouragement, and instruction they deserve.

We're Happy to Help

Not sure which class is the best fit?

Choosing the right class is an important part of ensuring a positive and successful dance experience. Whether your dancer is brand new to dance, transitioning from another studio, or returning from Arabesque Etc., we're happy to help guide you through the placement process.

If you have questions about class levels, previous experience, or where your dancer will be most successful, please don't hesitate to contact us.

📧 hello@rdcstudio.org

We're always happy to answer questions and provide personalized recommendations so every dancer begins the season feeling confident, challenged, and excited to dance.