We are proud at Dance Alive Studios to have an ENTIRELY ADULT DANCE STUDIO, boasting multiple levels of training in different dance and movement classes. However, it can be tricky to navigate the Class Levels, since these are unique to DAS and our clientele. Read below to learn more about how we label our classes!

*PLEASE NOTE*
Class levels are actually always customized to the group currently in the class. We try to have some standardization of levels for outside participants to choose a best fit, but we believe in adapting our class syllabus to the dancer in front of us, not some imaginary standard. Because of this, you will see variation in classwork, focus, and difficulty within the same level year to year. This also means many of our dancers comfortably stay at the same level forever, since they’re always experiencing something new, just not necessarily progressing up the levels!

If you have any questions about where you would best fit in, please contact us.

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BEGINNER
(0-1 years experience)
Designed for first time dancers but everyone is welcome!
*No specific level of fitness, strength or flexibility required

NOVICE
(1-3 years experience)
Designed for beginning dancers who have some experience but still require instruction on basic technique & elements and need more support arranging steps into combinations.
*Advised for dancers with some experience who are returning after a very long break
*A moderate level of fitness & strength is required for safe practice
*No specific level of flexibility required

INTERMEDIATE
(3-5 years experience)
Designed for more experienced dancers who have a good understanding of the basic technique and steps and are able to put together combinations independently.
*Advised for dancers who practised intensively when they were younger and have come back from a break
*A moderate level of fitness, strength, and flexibility is required for safe practice

ADVANCED
(4-5+ years experience)
Designed for very experienced dancers who have mastered the basics, have a good understanding of complex steps, and are able to put together complicated combinations with ease.
*Advised for continuing dancers, or those who practised intensively with a minimal break
*A high level of fitness & strength is required for safe practice
*A moderate level of flexibility is encouraged, though focus is on fitness & strength for adult classes

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Some classes at Dance Alive have combined levels – ie. “Beginner/Novice”, “Novice/Intermediate”, or “Intermediate/Advanced”. We only have to do this due to lower interest – some classes just don’t have enough students to spread out across 4 distinct levels. While we work to increase the interest in these classes, we will accepting current dancers to choose the combination that seems the best fit for them and we can adjust from there! You can expect the following from a Combined Levels class:

• Syllabus will be aimed at the skill level of the majority in the group (ie. if there are 5 Beginners and 2 Novice dancers, it will be more of a Beginner-level class with Novice-level modifications)

• Modifications will be given either to make an exercise easier for lower-level dancers or to add a challenge for the higher-level dancers

• As interest increases, dancers may be invited to a separate class created at a specific level, or the class name may change simply based on the experience already present in the class

• If interest decreases, more levels may be combined to accommodate more dancers

*There is NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED to join a Beginner/Novice-level class

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The Silver Linings Series is designed for dancers 50 years and older, although it is open to anyone who wants to join! Classes are designed at a Novice/Intermediate level, so we do encourage you to take a regular Beginner-level class if you have no experience in the style.

The focus in this series is on enjoying dance for the sake of movement and expression and not necessarily athletic progression. This class has more progressive Warm-Up & Cool-Down periods, and generally moves at a slower pace. Technical exercises are still taught, but the steps and combinations chosen are low-impact with less focus on jumping and turning, and more focus on musicality, flowing movement, and artistry. 

While these classes are designed for ages 50+, they are also an excellent fit for anyone choosing a more gentle, restorative, and relaxing experience while dancing!

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Some classes at Dance Alive have no reference to levels at all (ie. Body Break, Street Styles, Bunions & Balance, etc.). This is because there are no levels inherently in the style taught in this class! These are classes taught for all bodies, all dancers, and all movers, and are not meant to provide progressive training but more just an enjoyable experience to move your body with friends. These are all Beginner-Friendly, in that we will accommodate people with less experience to provide modifications to exercises or more careful instruction. However, everyone is encouraged to simply jump in and follow along with wherever the mood takes us!

*No specific level of fitness, strength or flexibility required