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.
This season, we've organized our program into three primary levels:
Beginner
Elementary School (approximately Kindergarten–4th Grade)
Our Beginner classes focus on developing strong fundamentals, confidence, coordination, musicality, and a lifelong love of dance in a fun, encouraging environment.
Intermediate
Middle School (approximately 5th–8th Grade)
Intermediate dancers continue building technique while developing strength, flexibility, artistry, and performance skills through more challenging instruction and choreography.
Advanced
High School & Up (approximately 8th Grade & Up)
Our Advanced classes are designed for dedicated dancers who are ready for higher-level technical instruction, increased training opportunities, and more advanced choreography.
Please note: Grade levels are intended as general guidelines. Final class placement may vary based on previous dance experience, technical ability, maturity, and instructor recommendation to ensure every dancer is placed where they will be the most successful.
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.