Our Curricula
Explore our teaching progression and what each level offers at Petit Ballet Academy.
Parent & Tots Creative
Parent and Tot Creative Dance class, for ages 18 months to 3 years, is designed to connect and engage both caregivers and toddlers in a loving dance environment. Caregiver full participation is essential to success in the classroom. No previous dance experience needed, just a willing, moving heart. Dancers and caregivers will be able to explore and make choices as they move throughout the class. Caregivers will need to be able to sit down on the floor, and get back up again without much trouble. Variety of body types, interests, genders and strengths make our class successful and enriching.
Our Creative dance class uses songs, rhymes, books, props and imagery to support developmentally appropriate movement of young dancers and their caregivers. While we work on strengthening, stretching, balance and other specific dance skills and steps we are also cultivating the young dancer’s social emotional development as well as language acquisition. Dancers are practicing and developing life skills in a safe and nurturing environment, and having lots of fun too.
Each Weekly Class Will Consist of the Following
Warm-up Songs and Movement (Welcome)
Engaging the brain and body in movement, welcoming dancers to move and be together.
Locomotor (Across the Floor)
Moving across the floor and throughout the general space. Learning to navigate themselves, with other movers developing spatial awareness working on steps and skills, and connecting locomotor steps together. Specific dance elements taught and enforced.
Rock-a-bye (Re-center)
A chance for the caregiver to cuddle, rock and move their little dancer through the space. A moment to re center the dancer.
Circle Technique (Standing & Sitting)
Standing and sitting technique. Focusing on stretching, strengthening, and training the body to move properly, gaining the tools to create. Support of dance elements.
Creative (Choice & Exploration)
Choice making, collaborative choreography, improvisation, sharing movement with others and observation. Often we use books, images, props and other inspiration to find movement vocabulary to explore and create. This is where we will explore the dance elements that were taught earlier in the class.
“Signature Dance” Out the Door (Individual Voice)
Every dancer has a unique voice and every week they get to dance out the door their own way and share their “signature” of movement. A moment for them alone to move and share with their peers and instructor. (One of the best moments!)
Developmental Life Skills
*Developmental life skills especially we work in with this age (2-4 year olds) are: 1-2 step instructions, taking turns, sharing, following directions and a teacher, defining personal space, working with other dancers, routine and rituals, and expanding vocabulary.
Monthly Focus
These are the main concepts that will be covered each month. Specific skills fit alongside these broader concepts. We work on these skills in various ways in class and will explore these through books, seasonal themed activities, songs, props and in many more ways.
August & September (Contrasts)
Contrasting Movement and Body Awareness: Stop and go, fast and slow.
October (Space)
Spatial Awareness: Big and Little, Levels
November (Pathways)
Personal and General Space: Pathways and Shapes
December (Integration)
Integration of skills: Preparing to share skills and creativity with audience
January (Energy)
Energy Qualities: How movement feels and looks (i.e. light or heavy, sustained or percussive, etc)
February (Social)
Social Awareness: Sharing, cooperating, responding to other’s movement
March (Storytelling)
Communication: Telling stories through movement.
April (Together)
Collaborative Choreography
May (Performance)
Performance skills and preparation.
Pre-Ballet
Pre-Ballet (ages 3–4) introduces young dancers to foundational ballet technique in a fun, imaginative, and hands-on way. Each month builds on the previous month’s skills, gradually introducing new terms and steps with a focus on coordination, creativity, and proper technique.
Throughout the year, students will enjoy movement exploration, musical rhythm, and safe, age-appropriate exercises designed to build confidence and introduce the joyful world of ballet.
Class Structure & Flow
Each class follows a balanced and developmentally appropriate sequence to help dancers grow in strength, coordination, and understanding of movement.
Circle Warm-Up (10 min)
Fun and creative movement to stretch and engage muscles, using imagination and music.
Circle Activity (10 min)
Introduction of steps and vocabulary through games and interactive activities, incorporating rhythm and musicality.
Princess Path (5 min)
Imaginative movement through space helping dancers memorize steps in a playful way.
Barre (5 min)
Basic alignment and balance work at the barre to build early classical posture and body awareness.
Center Movement (15 min)
Movement throughout the room and group activities to develop coordination, confidence, and creative expression.
Monthly Focus
Each month emphasizes a specific skill or movement theme to help dancers build layered understanding and progress throughout the year.
September (Introduction)
Introduction to ballet, movement, and class etiquette.
October (Jumping)
Coordination through jumping forward and back.
November (Sideways Movement)
Sideways movement with balance and hopping on one foot.
December (Strengthening)
Back strengthening and preparation for an in-class performance.
January (Review & Jumping)
Review of skills and preparation for more advanced jumping.
February (Teamwork)
Partner and group activities to build teamwork and collaboration.
March (Stretch & Rhythms)
New stretches and recognition of different rhythms.
April (Turns)
Building on previous steps with introduction to turns.
May (Year Presentation)
Formal presentation of the year’s work for friends and family.
Pre-Creative
Creative Dance for ages 3-6 will introduce making creative dance choices in a contemporary frame. Creative dance often uses props or other physical stimuli to help with prompts. Stories, animals, colors, balloons, and other fun prompts may be used to teach the student how to move in different ways. All the fun movements will be included in a class of contemporary dance that will compliment ballet movements. Each month the children will be taught a principle that builds on the principles from the month before.
Mid year (December), they will be doing an in-class performance to show their progress to close friends and family. A more formal performance will be at the end of the dance year, in May. This is a fun time for them to shine and wear a fun costume, showcasing the things they have learned throughout the year as well as building their confidence in giving them a more formal venue to perform at.
Class Schedule
During each class period, we will generally observe the following schedule:
Warm up (5 minutes)
Each class will include a warm up that prepares the student’s body and mind for the lesson ahead. Often moving through the studio.
Standing Technique (7 minutes)
Gives students the building blocks of steps for creative dance.
Sitting Technique (5-7 minutes)
Helps students learn proper stretches and different ways to move across the floor while on the floor.
Across the Floor (10-15 minutes)
Apply creative choices while applying technique from earlier in the class. Get some wiggles out.
Creative Dance (10-15 minutes)
Gives kids a creative outlet to choose their version of dancing. Will always include a prompt.
Monthly Focus
September (Movement Prompts)
Work on standing still and moving when prompted. Introduce different animals as inspiration for movement.
October (Contrasts)
Introduce contrasting movement ideas, such as big and small, fast and slow. Include seasonal prompts for movement, such as leaves, scarecrows, ghosts, etc.
November (Following Commands)
Students will learn how to follow 2 and 3 step commands. Focus on learning movement patterns on the floor, such as moving in a circle, triangle, or square.
December (Jumping)
Introduce jumping with age-appropriate technique using animals as prompts. We will include seasonal prompts and will prepare for in-class showing.
January (Creative Prompts)
Students will build upon standing still and moving by following general vocal prompts that include 3 steps. They will be allowed to choose their specific movement.
February (Skips & Gallops)
Introduce more complicated steps such as skips and gallops. Students will learn the steps in a creative way, allowing them for their own ideas to be part of the combination.
March (Leaps & Stretching)
Introduce leaps and age appropriate stretches. May use colors and stories as movement prompts.
April (Turns & Creation)
Students will learn basic body half turns and will create their own 4-8 count movement. Sum up the year's lessons and prepare for performance.
May (Performance)
Prepare for performance.
Kinder Tumbling
The Kinder Tumbling curriculum is designed to develop the foundational tumbling skills for young dancers, ages Kindergarten–1st Grade. Students will be introduced to basic floor skills, body mechanics, coordination, and strength. The focus of this class is on progress, body awareness, and confidence as students learn new skills in a supportive environment.
Students will work on strength, alignment, coordination, spatial awareness, and safe movement patterns. Each class will include warmups and strength activities that help prepare the body for tumbling progression.
Class Components
Each class period will focus on structured activities that build core strength, technique, and tumbling progression.
Warm-Ups & Stretching (Body Prep)
Focused warm-ups that increase blood flow, prepare muscles, and teach safe movement mechanics.
Strength Work (Core & Limbs)
Body conditioning that builds the strength necessary for tumbling and safe progression through skills.
Floor Skills (Foundational Moves)
Learn and refine safe, age-appropriate floor maneuvers such as log rolls, forward rolls, and low balance.
Progressive Tumbling (Skill Chain)
Build tumbling sequences in a logical order—students gain confidence by learning how one skill leads into the next.
Monthly Focus Skills
Tumbling development builds upon itself each month as students learn new skills and strengthen previously learned ones.
September (Balance & Body Awareness)
Focus on balance skills, proper body alignment, and learning how different body parts connect in motion.
October (Forward Rolls)
Teach and refine forward rolls with emphasis on safe mechanics and body control.
November (Back Support & Bridges)
Students work on gaining strength and control for back support positions and basic bridges.
December (Handstands)
Introduction to safe handstands with progressions and spotting support.
January (Rolls to Handstands)
Connecting forward rolls with entry into handstand position with body control drills.
February (Cartwheel Prep)
Basic body shape and strength required for entry into a cartwheel, along with drills.
March (Handstand to Cartwheel)
Progressing from handstand position into early cartwheel mechanics.
April (Round-Off Prep)
Drills and strength work that support forward and backward tumbling combinations.
May (Year Wrap-Up)
Yearly review, skill refinement, and preparation for performance and progression into next level.
Kinder Ballet
Kinder Ballet is designed for Kindergarten–1st Grade dancers. In this class, students begin to learn foundational ballet technique with an emphasis on proper body mechanics, coordination, musicality, and fundamental steps. Dancers will work on strength, posture, balance, locomotor skills, and beginning ballet vocabulary in a developmentally appropriate environment.
Each month’s curriculum builds on previously learned skills. Students will be encouraged to explore movement creatively while progressing toward increased technical ability, musical coordination, and self-confidence.
Class Structure
Kinder Ballet class follows a sequence that nurtures strength, body awareness, and increasing comfort with ballet steps.
Warm-Up (10 min)
Gentle movement to prepare the body—stretching, traveling steps, and engagement with music.
Barre (10 min)
Foundational technique including foot positions, pliés, tendus, and alignment work.
Center Work (15 min)
Vocabulary and movement combinations practiced away from the barre with focus on balance, coordination, and musicality.
Monthly Focus
Each month highlights a new skill or theme that builds progressively throughout the year.
September (Intro to Ballet)
Introduction to ballet class structure, etiquette, and foundational movement.
October (Pliés & Tendus)
Proper execution of pliés and tendus with alignment focus.
November (Positions of the Feet)
Reinforcement and refinement of ballet foot positions with movement combinations.
December (Balance & Coordination)
Exploration of balance skills, coordination exercises, and introductory center steps.
January (Stretching & Strength)
Age-appropriate stretching and strengthening to support continued technical growth.
February (Locomotor Skills)
Combinations that travel across space integrating previously learned steps.
March (Musicality)
Movement patterns emphasizing rhythm, musical phrasing, and expressiveness.
April (Combination Building)
Putting multiple steps together in creative combinations.
May (Presentation)
Yearly review and in-class performance for families.
Kinder Ballet & Tap Combo
Kinder Ballet & Tap Combo Curriculum
Kinder Ballet & Tap Combo for ages 5-6 will introduce and build on previously learned ballet technique in a fun simple way through imagination and a hands on approach. Each month, as the students progress, we will introduce new terms and steps using good technique, coordination, and creativity, building on skills learned in the previous month. Mid year (December), they will be doing an in-class performance to show their progress to close friends and family. A more formal performance will be at the end of the dance year, in May. This is a fun time for them to shine and wear a fun costume, showcasing the things they have learned throughout the year as well as building their confidence in giving them a more formal venue at which to perform.
Class Schedule
During each class period, we will generally observe the following schedule:
Stretching (10 min)
Includes fun and correct stretching of muscles through creativity and imagination.
Ballet Positions/Warm-up (10 min)
Provides an opportunity to introduce new steps and vocabulary through activities and games.
Tap (15 min)
A time to practice musicality and rhythm through basic tap steps.
Center (15 min)
Gives children a chance to practice movement around the room and also works on coordination through creativity and group activities.
Monthly Focus
September
Introduce tap shoes, beginner tap moves. Begin learning basic ballet moves and stretches.
October
Work with groups and partners, learn how to channel creativity within tap noises, different ballet moves. Begin choreography.
November
Practice dance (either ballet or tap dance).
December
Prepare for the first in-class performance.
January
Begin new choreography.
February
Practice tap basics and choreography in groups to create unity and make new friends, as well as new turns and jumps in ballet.
March
Continue to improve rhythm and timing.
April
Introduce tap and ballet improvisation to build confidence and learn to support each other.
May
Prepare for final recital.
Presentation of the year’s work through formal performance for friends and family.
Beginning 1 Ballet
Beginning 1 Ballet (ages 7–8) builds on foundational ballet technique while encouraging strong posture, correct positioning, coordination, and creative expression. Each month introduces new steps and vocabulary, building on skills learned throughout the year. Mid-year (December), dancers will perform their progress for close friends and family. A more formal performance will take place at the end of the dance year in May, giving students a chance to shine in costume and showcase their growth.
Typical Class Flow
Each class follows a predictable structure that supports technique, confidence, and artistry.
Circle Warm-Up (5–10 min)
Includes fun and correct stretching of muscles and preparing the body for dancing during class.
Circle Activities (5–10 min)
Introduces new steps and vocabulary while practicing musicality and rhythm.
Transition (10 min)
Fun, creative movement to prepare for barre work.
Barre (10–15 min)
Practice correct form and simple combinations at the barre. Work on balance and technique.
Center (20–25 min)
Develop confidence in center work through musicality, creative movement, partner work, and group exercises.
Reverence (Bow/Curtsey)
A respectful closing to class that honors the teacher and fellow students.
Monthly Focus
Each month’s curriculum focuses on specific skill development and artistic growth.
September (Introduction)
Introduce and review ballet terms, movement, and class etiquette.
October (Creativity & Coordination)
Use creativity with musicality. Focus on coordination in jumping and strengthen back muscles.
November (Balance & Extension)
Work on balance at the barre and extension of the legs. Begin preparing for turns.
December (Center Movement)
Maximize center floor movement and prepare for the in-class Christmas performance.
January (Stretch & Review)
Expand stretching and review positions and terms. Begin turning work in center.
February (Complex Movements)
Introduce more complicated movements and begin choreography for performance.
March (Center Transitions)
Work on transition movements in center across the floor.
April (Review & Rhythm)
Review positions and terms while practicing rhythm and performance choreography.
May (Presentation)
Presentation of the year’s work through a formal performance for friends and family.
Beginning 1 & 2 Creative
Creative Dance Curriculum
Creative Dance is barefoot dancing designed with the child as the Artist. It validates children’s age appropriate interests, physical, social, emotional development and cultivates growth in a loving dance environment. Choice making is valued and encouraged throughout the process. Variety of body types, interests, genders and strengths make our class successful and enriching.
Creative dance uses, songs, rhymes, books, props and imagery to support developmentally appropriate movement of dancers. While we work on strengthening, stretching, balance and other specific dance skills and steps we are also cultivating the dancer’s individual artistry, choreography, leadership and cooperation skills. Dancers are practicing and developing life skills in a safe and nurturing environment, and having lots of fun too.
The class will develop and build throughout the year (see calendar below) we will be able to showcase our progression mid-year in an in-class sharing for close guests in December and once again in a formal performance for a bigger audience at the end of the year in May. The students are part of the creative process so they not only will showcase their physical movement and performance skills but they will also have the privilege of creating and presenting their own movement for the audience.
Each Weekly Class Will Consist of the Following
Warm-up (Welcome)
Engaging the brain and body in movement, welcoming dancers to move and be together.
Circle Technique (Standing & Sitting)
Standing and sitting technique. Focusing on stretching, strengthening, and training the body to move properly, gaining the tools to create.
Locomotor (Across the Floor)
Moving across the floor and throughout the general space. Learning to navigate themselves, with other movers developing spatial awareness working on steps and skills, and connecting locomotor steps together.
Creative (Choice & Collaboration)
Choice making, collaborative choreography, improvisation, sharing movement with others and observation. Often we use books, images, props and other inspiration to find movement vocabulary to explore and create.
“Signature Dance out the door” (Individual Voice)
Every dancer has a unique voice and every week they get to dance out the door their own way and share their “signature” of movement. A moment for them alone to move and share with their peers and me. (one of my favorite moments!)
Developmental Life Skills
*Developmental life skills especially we work in with this age (3-6 year olds) are: 2-3 step instructions, lining up, following directions, staying in personal space, waiting your turn, working with another person, knowing when to use your voice, learning to describe experiences and expanding vocabulary
*Developmental life skills especially we work in with this age (7-11 year olds) are: multiple step instructions, negotiating personal space in a group, observing and responding to movement, team work skills, yielding and leading, awareness of others, knowing when to use your voice, learning to describe experiences and expanding vocabulary words, individual worth and personal value.
Monthly Focus
These are the main concepts that will be covered each month. Specific skills fit alongside these broader concepts. We work on these skills in various ways in class and will explore these through books, seasonal themed activities, songs, props and in many more ways.
August and September (Contrasts & Awareness)
Contrasting Movement and Body Awareness: Stop and go, fast and slow, big and little.
October (Space)
Spatial Awareness: Floor and Air Pathways, Levels
November (Expression)
Personal and Collective Awareness: Expressing emotions through energy qualities, and telling stories through movement. (Percussive, sustained, explode)
December (Integration)
Integration of skills: Preparing to share skills and creativity with audience
January (Connectivity Patterns)
Patterns of total body connectivity. New ways to move and explore space. (Core-distal, head-tail, upper-lower, right-left side, cross lateral)
February (Space: Symmetry)
Spatial Awareness: symmetry and asymmetry, negative and positive space
March (Expression)
Personal and Collective Awareness: Expressing emotions through energy qualities, and telling stories through movement. (swing, collapse, suspend)
April (Collaboration)
Collaborative Choreography
May (Performance)
Performance skills and preparation.
Beginning 1 Jazz
Beginning 1 Jazz is designed for dancers ages 7–8. Beginning 1 Jazz focuses on cultivating foundational jazz technique through musicality, style, and creative expression. Students will explore basic jazz steps, rhythmic patterns, flexibility, coordination, turns, and jumps in a supportive, age-appropriate environment while building confidence and performance skills.
Typical Class Flow
Each class will include structured elements that support jazz technique development, warm-ups, and artistic exploration.
Warm-Up (Stretch & Prep)
Full-body warm-ups and stretches designed to prepare the body for jazz movements with flexibility and strength.
Technique (Foundations)
Introduction of foundational jazz steps and movements, emphasizing coordination, rhythm, and line.
Across the Floor (Locomotor Skills)
Jazz locomotor steps performed across the floor to enhance coordination, timing, and repertoire.
Combinations (Group Work)
Short combinations that develop rhythm, performance quality, and memory while working with peers.
Monthly Focus
Monthly progressions focus on specific techniques and coordination skills to help dancers grow throughout the year.
September (Intro to Jazz)
Introduction to jazz movements, class expectations, and rhythm development.
October (Jazz Walks & Isolations)
Develop jazz walks and body isolations with musical timing and coordination.
November (Leap & Jump Patterns)
Introduction to basic leap and jump patterns with focus on safety and strength.
December (Center Combinations)
Working on center floor jazz combinations and performance quality preparation.
January (Turns)
Begin introduction to turns with proper placement and spotting.
February (Rhythm & Sync)
Work on rhythmic variation and moving in sync with peers.
March (Extended Locomotor Steps)
More advanced locomotor patterns and combinations across the floor.
April (Review & Prepare)
Review learned skills and begin preparing for performance combinations.
May (Performance)
Showcase the year’s progress through a formal performance.
Beginning 1 & 2 Tap
Beginning Tap Curriculum
Tap for ages 7-10 will introduce the fundamentals of tap with exciting choreography while learning to identify different tap rhythms. As the class continues through the year, the students will learn many tap steps and skills that will be implemented into the choreography. In December, the students will perform for family and friends to showcase their progress through a dance number. In May, the class will have another opportunity to perform for loved ones through a formal recital. The final show of the dance year will be an opportunity for the students to perform in costume at a formal venue.
Class Schedule
During each class period, we will generally observe the following schedule:
Warm Up (5 minutes)
Time to condition and warm up our muscles through fun and energetic steps.
Stretch (10 minutes)
Introduces new ways to stretch our muscles and increase flexibility.
Introduction of New Skill/Technique (15 minutes)
The students will continue to expand their tap knowledge as they learn a new skill and/or technique.
Choreography (25 minutes)
We will review the dance taught from previous weeks and continue with choreography while implementing the new technique/skill.
Cool Down (5 minutes)
Allow our bodies and muscles to relax as we finish class.
Monthly Focus
September
Introduce tap basics and begin choreography.
October
Begin to create different tap sounds.
November
Practice various rhythms and memorization of tap combos.
December
Prepare for the first in-class performance.
January
Learn to travel around the room while tapping. Begin new choreography.
February
Practice independence and technique as we practice skills one on one.
March
Continue with more advanced tap combinations.
April
Introduce tap improvisation to build confidence and learn to support fellow dancers.
May
Prepare for final recital.
Beginning 2 Ballet
Beginning 2 Ballet builds upon the foundations laid in previous ballet classes by increasing technical proficiency, coordination, strength, musicality, and confidence. Students in this level will continue learning ballet vocabulary and steps, and begin connecting them into combinations with more than one movement. Performances take place mid-year for close friends and family, and in May students have the opportunity to present their progress in the year-end recital in costume.
Typical Class Structure
Each class incorporates warm-ups, barre, center work, and artistic refinement to help dancers grow technically and expressively.
Warm-Up (5–10 min)
Dynamic stretches and movement patterns designed to prepare the body for technique work.
Barre (15 min)
Focused work on ballet positions, alignment, tendus, pliés, dégagés, and strengthening exercises.
Center (20–25 min)
Develop balance, coordination, and artistry through traveling steps, combinations, and musical phrasing.
Reverence (Respect)
Dancers conclude class with reverence, acknowledging teachers and classmates with grace.
Monthly Focus
Each month introduces specific technical and stylistic goals to help dancers progress throughout the year.
September (Review & Alignment)
Review and reinforce alignment fundamentals and introduction to new vocabulary.
October (Extension & Balance)
Build extension through correct placement and strengthen balance in center combinations.
November (Turns)
Introduce turning progressions with a focus on alignment, spotting, and strength.
December (Combinations)
Work on linking steps together in combinations while fostering musicality and expression.
January (Locomotor Skills)
Focus on traveling combinations to improve coordination and execution.
February (Musical Phrasing)
Emphasize musical timing and expressive phrasing in movement.
March (Strength & Coordination)
Strengthen key muscle groups and coordinate steps with artistic growth.
April (Review & Performance Prep)
Review all skills and begin focused performance preparation.
May (Performance)
Present the year’s work in a formal end-of-year performance for families and friends.
Intermediate Ballet
Intermediate Ballet elevates technical training, artistic expression, classical vocabulary, and performance quality for dancers who are ready to deepen their ballet practice. This level focuses on strength, coordination, flexibility, artistry, and clarity in movement. Students will expand their vocabulary and challenge themselves with more complex combinations. Mid-year performances offer an opportunity to share progress with friends and family, and the formal recital in May allows dancers to showcase growth with confidence and joy.
Class Structure
Intermediate Ballet classes follow a structured progression of warm-ups, barre, center work, and performance refinement to support continuous improvement.
Warm-Up (10 min)
Warm-ups designed to prepare the body functionally for technique work and performance quality.
Barre (15–20 min)
Continued development of ballet fundamentals through tendus, pliés, dégagés, rond de jambe, and balance work.
Center (20–25 min)
More advanced center floor work exploring traveling steps, turns, combinations, and artistic expression.
Artistic Refinement (Creative Practice)
Focus on musicality, performance quality, dynamics, phrasing, and presentation to enhance artistry.
Monthly Focus
Intermediate Ballet’s monthly objectives support continued strength and coordination advancement while strengthening artistic growth and technical proficiency.
September (Foundational Refinement)
Review and strengthen foundational technique with clarity and alignment.
October (Extension & Control)
Focus on extension through strength and body awareness.
November (Turns & Balances)
Develop turning technique and stability in balance work.
December (Combinations)
Refine and link steps into combinations with focus on precision and expression.
January (Musical Phrasing)
Work on musical phrasing and matching movement quality to music.
February (Traveling Sequences)
Focus on traveling patterns and coordination through center floor work.
March (Strength & Confidence)
Strengthen technique and promote confidence through performance practice.
April (Review & Performance Prep)
Review skills and prepare choreography for year-end performance.
May (Performance)
Showcase the year’s growth through a formal performance for family and friends.