TDM Class Descriptions and Requirements
Preschool and Creative Movement Program
Mini & Me Classes (1.5 years old - 3 years old)
TDM’s offers a fun, upbeat half-hour Mini and Me class where a young child and parent, grandparent, relative, or other special caregiver engage in a variety of music and movement activities together. Our emphasis is exploring creativity through movement, bonding…and having FUN!
Pre-School Dance Classes (3.5 years old - 5 years old)
Our pre-school program combines elements of ballet / creative movement, tap and tumbling. Students will learn basic dance vocabulary and techniques of each genre including foundational movements and stretching. Dancers will also begin to learn how to count music, dance across the floor and in center, and how to thrive in a classroom environment by taking turns, and following directions. This 1-hour class includes: 15 minutes of tap, 30 minutes of ballet / creative movement and 15 minutes of tumbling. Dancers are encouraged to wear dance or active / comfortable attire with ballet shoes and tap shoes. We offer weekday morning, weekday afternoon and Saturday morning classes for our preschoolers.
Combo Class Curriculum - Ballet / Jazz / Tap
Ballet / Tap 1-Hour Combo Class - Beginner Level (Ages 4-6)
This is a 1-hour class designed to teach dancers age-level appropriate lessons that fuel their love of dance and movement in both ballet and tap. Classical Ballet is the basis for all genres of dance. It develops posture, strength, body placement and proper dance technique. Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Students will learn a variety of tap styles with exercises focusing on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and having fun! Students should wear dance attire, ensure their hair is pulled back away from their face, and have ballet and tap shoes.
Ballet / Jazz 1-Hour Combo Class - Beginner Level (Ages 5-9)
Students who take this class will learn two contrasting styles to become a more versatile dancer. Ballet enforces classical etiquette and grace while jazz involves sharp movements danced to popular music. This class is great for beginners as well as dancers with some previous experience as it will also build and perfect skills taught in our Preschool and Younger Combo classes. Pre-ballet classes focus on basic beginning ballet positions, steps, coordination, stretching, rhythm, and proper body placement. Jazz class focuses on technique, style, and strength. Every class will begin with a warm-up and stretch, followed by progressions across the floor and center work. Students should wear dance attire, ensure their hair is pulled back away from their face, and have ballet shoes. Students may use jazz shoes or bare feet for the jazz portion.
Ballet / Tap / Jazz 1-Hour Combo Class (Ages 5-9)
This is a perfect combination class for young dancers who are interested in exposure to a variety of dance styles. Ballet training promotes coordination, balance, correct body alignment and grace. Tap dancing develops a keen sense of rhythm, timing and musical awareness. Jazz dance introduces a stylistic dance vocabulary for a fun, funky and expressive way of dancing. Skills are taught and reinforced through barre, center and across the floor work. Classical technique and vocabulary are both emphasized. Students should wear dance attire, ensure their hair is pulled back away from their face, and have ballet and tap shoes. Jazz shoes are encouraged but not required.
Ballet / Contemporary 1-Hour Combo Class - Beginner / Intermediate (Ages 6-11)
Our ballet / contemporary combo class blends the structured, foundational technique of ballet with the expressive freedom and movement of the contemporary genre. This type of class typically starts with a ballet warm-up and barre work, then transitions into contemporary movements and combinations, often incorporating floor work and improvisation. The class aims to build a strong foundation in ballet while exploring the emotional and stylistic elements of contemporary dance.
Ballet, Pre-Pointe and Pointe Curriculums
Classical Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and will maximize technique and longevity in a career of dance. It provides grace, poise, and technique needed to be proficient in all other areas of dance. Ballet classes will help dancers with posture, flexibility, fitness, strength, body placement, balance, self-discipline, and self-confidence. All ballet classes start with a complete barre warm-up, body placement / alignment and stretch. Adage and allegro movements and combinations will take place in every class following barre work. Pointe work will be incorporated for higher-level classes, based on dancer’s ability. Ballet classes require proper ballet attire (any color leotard and pink tights), ballet shoes and hair must be pulled back in a bun or low-pony (if hair is too short to put into a bun). This is a mandatory dress code for all dancers. If your dancer does not arrive in the required dress code, they will not be allowed to participate in the class.
Beginner Ballet (Ages 5-10)
This beginning level class is designed for budding dancers who are just entering their dance journey or who have a basic knowledge of ballet from previous Preschool and/or Combo classes. The class will focus on developing awareness of alignment and basic ballet vocabulary and technique. Class will include basic barre exercises, as well as center work, and will enhance your child's coordination, balance and flexibility with the teaching of basic ballet positions, steps, and terminology through standing barre work and simple center floor exercises. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and ballet shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Beginner / Intermediate Ballet (Ages 5-9)
TDM’s Beginner/Intermediate ballet class is designed for dancers who have some foundational knowledge of ballet technique and are ready to progress to more complex steps and combinations. This class will include beginner skill while introducing more challenging combinations at the barre and in the center, and begin to incorporate elements like turns and jumps. Dancers should expect this class to move at a faster pace with less repetition of basic steps compared to a beginner class, and combinations at the barre and in the center will become more intricate, requiring dancers to coordinate multiple movements and directions. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and ballet shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Intermediate Ballet (Ages 8-18)
This is an Intermediate class which requires prior ballet training (Beginner Ballet or previous training at a different Dance Studio). We will focus on classical ballet technique through a professional class progression. Barre work, center and across the floor exercises designed to improve technique, as well as performance quality and confidence will be taught to increase the skill level of your dancer during this 1-hour class. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and ballet shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Junior Ballet (Ages 9-13)
Our Junior Ballet is an intermediate/advanced class focuses on refining technique, building strength and stamina, and developing more complex choreography and combinations. It builds on the foundation of intermediate ballet, demanding a deeper understanding of ballet terminology, alignment principles, and execution of more challenging movements. Students should have a solid understanding of basic ballet vocabulary and be able to execute steps with accuracy and musicality. Our Junior Competitive Team members and Rec students will be in attendance during this class. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and ballet shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Intermediate / Advanced Ballet (Ages 10-18)
Our intermediate/advanced ballet class focuses on refining technique, building strength and stamina, and developing more complex choreography and combinations. It builds on the foundation of intermediate ballet, demanding a deeper understanding of ballet terminology, alignment principles, and execution of more challenging movements. Students should have a solid understanding of basic ballet vocabulary and be able to execute steps with accuracy and musicality. Previous ballet experience is required.
Advanced Ballet (Ages 11-18)
This class is for dancers with multiple years of ballet training who have progressed through an Intermediate level. Extensive prior ballet experience is required. The class focuses on advanced barre work, center exercises, across the floor combinations, and ballet variations. Students learn advanced technique, while emphasizing musicality, discipline, and professionalism. Pre-Pointe skills are also taught in this level to further develop and strengthen the muscles needed to go on pointe. This class is open to both our advanced competitive team dancers and advanced recreational dancers with approval. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and ballet shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Pointe (Ages 9-18) *This class requires pre-approval by our Resident Ballet Instructor.
Pointe class is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet. Pointe work is performed while wearing pointe shoes. TDM’s 30-minute pointe class is designed for students with previous ballet and pre-pointe training. Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes. Each class includes barre exercises, center floor work and across the floor combinations. These exercises focus on strengthening the feet and ankles. Appropriate ballet wear (leotard, pink tights) and pointe shoes are required. Hair must be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Contemporary Curriculum
Contemporary dance is a dance genre which encourages the freedom of expression, improvisation, innovation and creative exploration of movement. This genre is a combination of ballet, jazz and modern dance that combines hard hitting movement with smooth textures and transitions. During these classes. dancers will work on strength, flexibility, coordination, and fluidity of movement. Improvisational exercises will be utilized to inspire each dancer’s own creative artistic style. TDM’s Contemporary classes blend Lyrical and Modern styles into our curriculum. Students will dance in bare feet, and dance wear is required. Hair should be pulled back in a bun or low ponytail.
Beginner / Intermediate Contemporary (Ages 5-11)
This class is designed for both new dancers and those with previous experience. The class blends elements such as freedom of expression, interpretation of music, control, breathing and balance. Students will be taught contemporary technique while being encouraged to express their emotions and develop artistry through movement. Contemporary uses elements from all different dance styles, and is often more rhythmic or interpretive. Participants will learn tools to expand their range of movement while dancing in a fun and supportive atmosphere.
Intermediate Contemporary (Ages 9-13)
Designed for a dancer with previous contemporary experience, this class will continue a deeper focus on an understanding of music, rhythm, control, transitions, principles of fall and recovery, textures and the space around a dancer. More technical skills and technique will be introduced including floor work, body line versatility, and dynamic movements all designed to bring out the inner artist.
Advanced Contemporary (Ages 12-18)
TDM’s advanced class dives deeper into contemporary forms of concert and commercial dance. Dancers will continue training in more complex foundational elements of contemporary dance as well as cross-disciplinary approaches to movement exploration. This class allows dancers to expand on their technical foundation, while promoting elements of improvisation, creativity, individualism, musicality and adapting to details in choreography within the vast genre of contemporary dance. This class is compromised of both our advanced-level competitive team members (Teen / Senior Company) and recreational dancers.
Jazz Curriculum
Jazz is a fast-paced technical dance style that is often performed to popular music. Our Jazz curriculum is developed to layer traditional jazz movements with foundational ballet elements, and includes isolations, across-the-floor progressions, center combos, flexibility and improv training. Jazz classes focus on technique, style, movement quality, performance and strength. Every class will begin with a warm-up and stretch, followed by progressions across the floor and center work. Progressions include movements, jumps, turns, pirouettes, and leaps. Class will end with a combination in center to incorporate all the elements of the class at instructor discretion. Ballet is strongly recommended as a pre-requisite for the serious dancer. Dancers may wear jazz shoes or dance in bare feet. Proper dance wear is required and hair should be in a bun or pony-tail.
Beginner / Intermediate Jazz (Ages 5-11)
Our beginner / intermediate level jazz class focuses on flexibility, strength, turn preparation, body alignment and foundational levels of jazz technique. Jazz is specifically used to teach personal expression and help dancers find their personal style and voice, as well as to teach body control and awareness. Classes will cover fundamental jazz steps like jazz walks, kicks, turns, and jumps, building upon the basics learned in beginner classes such as Jazz Combo Classes, Beginning Jazz and Preschool classes. Progressions will focus on refining technique, increasing vocabulary, and improving movement quality.
Intermediate Jazz (Ages 7-10)
Our intermediate jazz class is perfect for the dancer with prior technical jazz experience who wants to continue growing with their skills. This class will focus on increased difficulty in technique including musicality, strength, flexibility, body isolation, coordination, skills and performance quality. Dancers will be taken through a more challenging warm up, as well as more challenging dance progressions and choreography combos. TDM’s intermediate level jazz class is designed to showcase precision, strength and technique through a variety of sharp movements, jumps, leaps, turns, and stylized progressions. Dancers will be challenged to strengthen their jazz technique with more difficult skills, greater flexibility and a stronger range of motion. Proper technique is always our first priority.
Intermediate / Advanced Jazz (Ages 9-18)
Our intermediate / advanced jazz class is geared toward the dancer who has trained for multiple years in the jazz genre, and who is ready to learn more complex t technical jazz skills. This class will move at a faster pace than our Intermediate Level class and will focus on increased difficulty in technique including musicality, strength, flexibility, body isolation, coordination, skills and performance quality. Combos and skills taught will be at a higher level of difficulty than our Intermediate Jazz class.
Advanced Jazz (Ages 12-18)
Our advanced jazz curriculum emphasizes harder and more technical turns, jumps, floor work and longer sequences of combinations. Technique is still the foundation of all of our classes, so dancers will continue to train in strength, movement quality, transitions, flexibility and control. Previous jazz training at with multiple years at an intermediate and/or advanced level is required. This class is a combination of our advanced competitive team dancers (Teen / Senior Company) and recreational dancers.
Hip Hop Curriculum
Hip-hop is a high-energy class that infuses the latest styles of street dancing, breaking, popping, and locking. Students learn up-to-date, popular moves as seen on television, music videos and from the most esteemed dancers working in the industry. Our Hip Hop Curriculum focuses on developing coordination, musicality, and freestyle skills through upbeat music and popular dance moves. Classes will focus on developing rhymric movement, body isolations, footwork patterns, and transitions in a fun, age-appropriate environment. During class, dancers will be led through a warm-up to prepare the body as well as exercises and choreography combos to practice technique and coordination. Dancers should wear comfortable clothing that allows for the freedom of movement as well as athletic shoes. Hair should be pulled back away from their faces.
Beginner Hip-Hop (Ages 5-10)
Our beginner hip hop class will introduce dancers to the elements and style of hip hop dancing. Students will learn to understand and apply knowledge of hip-hop fundamentals. There is emphasis on rhythm and proper technique all while maintaining a fun and high energy class. Often danced to upbeat music, students will learn elements of coordination, balance, and strength through center combinations and freestyle exercises. Comfortable attire with athletic shoes is required.
Beginner / Intermediate Hip Hop (Ages 7-13)
Hip Hop is the pinnacle of self-expression so this class is perfect for dancers with previous dance experience who love self-expression through upbeat moves and combos. Classes include warm up, moving across the floor, style explorations (popping, locking, waving, gliding, etc.), freestyle and choreography combos. Our fun, age-appropriate choreography is designed to improve flexibility, rhythm and extension while maintaining proper technique and timing. Comfortable attire with athletic shoes is required.
Intermediate Hip Hop (Ages 8-18)
TDM’s intermediate hip hop class builds upon basic hip hop skills, focusing on refining technique, expanding vocabulary, and learning more complex choreography. This classes includes warm-ups, technique drills, and combinations, with an emphasis on musicality, rhythm, and individual expression. Dancers at this level should be comfortable with foundational hip hop movements and ready to challenge themselves with more intricate combinations and choreography. Comfortable attire with athletic shoes is required.
Advanced Hip Hop (Ages 12-18)
This class is designed for students who have multiple years of Hip Hop-specific training at either an intermediate or advanced level as more complex movements and faster choreography will be taught. The class will emphasize strength of movement and control, strong body isolation, freestyle movement, performance and showmanship. This fun and hard-hitting class is geared toward the more mature mind and body, and will be comprised of our advanced competitive team members as well as advanced recreational students. To maintain the integrity of age-appropriateness, our advanced-level hip hop dancers must be 12 years of age or older. Students must have previous hip hop training at an intermediate and/or advanced level. Comfortable attire with athletic shoes is required.
Leaps and Turns Curriculum
Leaps and Turns is a jazz and ballet-based technique class for dancers currently at an intermediate and/or advanced level. The curriculum provides technical instruction on correct body movement and muscle engagement to help each dancer achieve their fullest potential for a variety of turns and leaps. This class includes a warm-up designed for strength and muscle conditioning with a focus on the proper technique. Dancers will work on exercises designed to increase their portfolio of turn and leap styles, as well as height and rotations. Our turns and leaps classes are a perfect training enhancement for current High School Poms dancers, as well. Requirements for this class include the ability to properly execute a double pirouette, front leap and center leap. TDM’s Junior / Teen / Senior Competitive Team members attend these classes, along with our Recreational Students.
Intermediate Turns & Leaps (Ages 8-12)
Our intermediate turns and leaps class in for the dancer with multiple years of training in ballet, jazz and / or contemporary. This class will focus on refining technique and building strength for more complex turns and leaps, as well as more difficult progressions.
Intermediate / Advanced Turns & Leaps (9-18)
Our intermediate/advanced turns and leaps class focuses on refining technique and building strength for more complex turns and leaps. It emphasizes proper body alignment, control, and execution, often including spotting techniques to minimize dizziness during turns. Dancers will work on a variety of turns, jumps, and leaps, progressively building to more challenging combinations and traveling sequences.
Advanced Turns & Leaps (Ages 10-18)
This is an advanced class that focuses on refining technique and building strength for more complex turns and leaps. It emphasizes proper body alignment, control, and execution, often including spotting techniques to minimize dizziness during turns. Dancers will work on a variety of turns, jumps, and leaps, progressively building to more challenging combinations and traveling sequences. For dancers interested in high school dance teams or other performance groups, this class can be a great way to prepare for auditions. Studio approval is required for dancers younger than 10 years of age. Dancers in this class must be at an advanced level.
Strength and Conditioning Curriculum
TDM’s strength and conditioning dance class focuses on building dancers' physical capabilities, including strength, flexibility, and endurance, to enhance their performance and prevent injuries. This classes incorporates exercises inspired by Ballet, Pilates, Yoga and Strength / Body Weight Training, tailoring them to the specific demands of dancers. By strengthening supporting muscles and improving body awareness, these classes help reduce the risk of dance-related injuries. Benefits for dancers also include improved technique, stronger stamina and enhanced performance capabilities. Dancers are taught basic anatomy as well as proper form and receive exercises that will directly mirror the movements they perform in dance class. TDM’s strength and conditioning curriculum is designed for serious intermediate and advanced level dancers with multiple years of previous dance training.
Intermediate / Advanced Strength & Conditioning (Ages 8-18)
This strength and conditioning dance class that provides intermediate to advanced level dancers with the physical foundation to excel in their art form, improving their technique, performance, and overall well-being. It includes a warm-up, strength-building and specific dance-tailored exercises, flexibility work, and a cool-down with stretches. Students should arrive in dance or workout attire with hair pulled back.
Tumbling Curriculum
TDM is proud to offer Tumbling training based in dance and gymnastics technique from esteemed in-house Faculty Members, with a priority on safety. Our Tumbling classes focus directly on gymnastic floor skills as well as techniques used in both dance and acrobatics such as flexibility, contortion, balance, and progression skills. In both genres, students will enhance their flexibility, balance, strength and tricks. These classes provide the building blocks necessary for their potential development in dance and overall fitness. By learning the benefits of body control inherent in all aspects of tumbling, your child will be better equipped to safely enjoy and excel in all of their future athletic endeavors.
Beginner Tumbling (Ages 5-10)
Our introduction to tumbling class is perfect for the student who is interested in working on and perfecting beginner level skills such as headstands, cartwheels, handstands, handstand rolls, backbends from a standing position, kick-overs and dive cartwheels. As skills are achieved with proper techniques, students will continue their development of new skills in this class such as back walkovers and round-offs. Safety is always our first priority!
Intermediate Tumbling (Ages 7-18)
This class requires the proper execution of all basic tumbling skills listed above as outlined in the Beginner Tumbling curriculum. Students will focus on more difficult skills such as back walkovers, back walkover switch legs, standing back handsprings, front limbers, front walkovers, front headsprings and side aerial prep. A portion of this hour-long class will also be dedicated to stretching / flexibility, contortion techniques (needles, scorpions) and floor “tricks.”
Intermediate / Advanced Tumbling (Ages 7-18)
This class is for the more advanced tumbler that has mastered or is close to mastering the skills in our Intermediate Tumbling class. The following skills will be the focus of this curriculum: front / back handsprings, front / back tucks, front / side aerials, round-off back handsprings, round-off back tucks, front flips and advanced skill combinations / progressions. Mandatory pre-requisites include: back handspring, front / back walkovers and side aerial prep.
Poms Curriculum
⭐️January 2026⭐️ Poms Tech Prep (Ages 11-18) - Please contact us at tdmcolorado@gmail.com if you are interested in joining.
This class is tailored to give students the training necessary to make high school or professional / college level poms squads! It’s perfect for cheerleaders, as well as current and future poms hopefuls. The high-intensity class will focus on choreography, technique, and performance styles. Choreography and skills will focus on jumps, turns, kick lines, hop hop / jazz movements, precise / synchronized routines and flexibility.
Tap Curriculum
Tap classes are designed to develop rhythm, style and sound. Exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique, producing clear tap sounds, and having fun.
Tap (Ages 10-18)
Designed for dancers with previous tap experience, this class focuses on the basic technique of tap dancing along with rhythm, syncopation, and tricks. Tap shoes are required.
Musical Theater Curriculum
Musical Theater (Ages 8-18)
TDM’s 45-minute Musical Theater class explores various styles within this genre and will focus on the development and execution of dance and performance skills as they relate to the musical theater dance style. Students will gain a better understanding of how dance and choreography create and bring dramatic elements to life, while using dance as a method of storytelling as it relates to musical theater. This class will help dancers improve strength and flexibility, as well as dance techniques rooted in a variety of genres.
Master Class Opportunities
TDM is excited to bring select Master Class opportunities from renowned Industry leaders from across the country in a variety of genres. Upcoming styles will include ballroom, hip hip and turns / leaps. More details to come!
