Preschool & Children
Introducing dance to young children is an honor and a responsibility we assume with joy, enthusiasm, and professionalism. We respect each child’s individuality and strive to make their experiences with dance positive and fun! We offer various levels based on age. Each class is designed to meet the individual needs of its students while taking into account their emotional maturity, attention span, and developmental stage.
Multiple class offerings are available for each age group/ level throughout the week. You will find links to class schedules for each age group and/ or style below.
For students ages 9-13 interested in a more intensive program that offers additional training and more performance opportunities beyond the annual recital, visit the Dance Inn Youth Intensive page for more information.
Preschool Program
We offer different courses based on age, emphasizing musicality, rhythm, and motor development. A typical preschool class is divided into several short, fun activities. Preschool dancers learn about proper dance etiquette, resulting in strong listening skills, friendly cooperation with classmates, and an important sense of security and trust in the teacher. Various music, props, musical instruments, and dance activities are used to make class exciting! All three-year, four-year, and kindergarten groups are invited to perform in our annual recital.
Independent Experiences:
Introduction to Dance for 3 Year Olds: 45-minute program
Introduction to Dance for 4 Year Olds: 60-minute program
Introduction to Dance for 3 & 4 Year Olds: 60-minute program
Kindergarten Dance for those in Kindergarten: 60-minute program
Parent & Me Dance Class: New Session Jan 7-Feb 25, 2025!
For children age 18 months-4 years: 45-minute program
This class focuses on creative play, movement, and self-expression. Parents join their children as they explore new ways to move around the space, engaging with the music, props, and each other. The class will consist of fun listening-based movement songs, dance games, and, as the session progresses, an introduction to a few basic dance concepts. The goal is for students to get moving, build confidence and creativity in the dance studio, improve their mind-body connection and listening skills, and, most importantly, to enjoy themselves!
Tap, Jazz, & Ballet
Children in grades 1-5 are physically and intellectually ready to begin studying tap, jazz, and ballet (TJB). TJB students build their understanding of rhythms and musicality while simultaneously developing the strength and stamina needed to accomplish increasingly challenging physical movements. Each class performs 2 routines in The Dance Inn's annual recital: one tap routine and one jazz routine. The Dance Inn also invites our TJB level II and III dancers to dance in our annual Holiday Show at The Regent in Arlington! Classes begin at one hour in length for TJB I and increase by 15 minutes each year until the class is 1.5 hours. Dancers cannot skip levels without prior experience or approval from a teacher.
For children in Levels 4+ that are interested in studying dance more seriously, we offer the Dance Inn Youth Intensive Program. DIYI dancers study tap, jazz, and ballet for four or more hours weekly and have several additional performance opportunities throughout the year.
Hip Hop
Offered to dancers in grades 3+, our hip-hop program encourages dancers to find their own personal flare while studying various styles of urban movement, including, but not limited to, popping, locking, break dance, house, tutting, and dance hall. In all 5 levels, students can engage in freestyle, a practice at the core of hip-hop culture, while simultaneously learning high-energy choreography. All hip-hop classes are one hour long, and each group performs one routine at The Dance Inn’s annual recital. Occasionally, we offer an all-boys hip hop class and special spring session hip hop classes for younger children in grades 1-2.
