Dance Academy

Providing quality dance education since 1990, the mission of the JCCNV Dance Academy is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment where dancers of all skill levels may embrace this remarkably expressive, nonverbal art form. The program is based on cooperation, appreciation and dedication to the art of dance.  

Whether it’s ballet, tap, acrobatics, jazz, hip-hop or modern dance, our programs for students ages 24 months through adult focus first on instilling a love of dance and leveraging their enthusiasm for movement and music. As our students grow and mature, we transition them into a more serious study of proper dance technique and artistic development that prepare them with the poise, discipline and confidence they need as dancers.

Class Etiquette

• Students must arrive to class on time with appropriate dance attire and hair worn in the preferred bun or ponytail.  (See video below for instructions)
• Parents are not permitted in the classroom.
• Dress code must be followed.
• No candy, gum or food is allowed in the classrooms.
• No new students will be admitted to classes after February 1.
• Make-up classes must be arranged with the teacher and dance director.
• Please contact the Center with regard to closings for all dance classes.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

If registration is cancelled prior to the first day of class, a $7 handling fee is deducted from your refund. After start of class date, only credits are issued.

Class Descriptions

Assisted Dance
This program allows high-functioning special needs dance students to be mainstreamed into our dance classes with the help of a shadow. Parents are required to pay for the shadow as needed.  Contact Alicia Ronquillo or the JCCNV special needs coordinator, with questions regarding this program.

Adult Dance
Classes are a relaxed and easy-going way to learn something new and get in shape. No strict dress code. Try something new and invite your friends. Dance is a great way to have fun and stay in shape.   

Ballet
Ballet is a remarkably expressive, nonverbal art form that creates a mood or tells a story through apparently effortless movement. The study of ballet, however, is rigorous and is designed to improve body carriage and coordination. Students should wear leotards to allow the instructor to properly observe body alignment and form, as well as ballet slippers. Ballet 4, 5 and 6 students are required to wear solid-colored leotards, tights and pink ballet slippers.

Choreography
A class designed to teach the tools necessary for creating your own dance pieces. The students in this class work together, with the instructor, to create a dance for the end-of-year Dance Academy dance recital. It is recommended that dance company members, as well as those interested in auditioning, participate in this class.

Creative Dance
This class is a movement class!  Students will explore movement through the use of music, props, stories and more.  They will learn basic dance vocabulary as well as body control and self awareness.  This class will perform a dance in our annual dance recital. 

Dance Explorers
This class was designed as an introduction to dance for preschool dance students.  The class allows your little explorer to try everything from ballet to hip hop and acrobatics all in one class.  The dancers will work together with their instructor to create a dance which will be presented at our annual recital.  

Hip-Hop
A high-energy dance form done to the music of rap, R&B and pop. Study of this form develops the student’s sense of creative movement, rhythm, strength and coordination. Comfortable clothes and dance sneakers should be worn to class.  (Sneakers worn outdoors will not be allowed in the dance studio.)

Israeli Dance
These are both traditional folk dances and modern creations performed to Israeli music.  Be the only one at the next Bah/Bat Mitzvah to really know how to dance!

Jazz
A newer dance genre than ballet and tap, jazz inspires dynamic movement and precision. Jazz shoes and leotards should be worn to allow the instructor to properly observe body alignment and form.

JCCNV Senior and Junior Dance Company
A select group of dancers who perform throughout our community at various events and festivals.  The premier dancers learn dances in many different styles and are expected to be very committed to the company. Dancers must be asked to participate in this group; an audition will be held on August 28th. Contact Alicia Ronquillo at
(703) 537-3037 or at AliciaR@jccnv.org.   

Modern Dance
An expressive, free form of dance that utilizes elements of ballet, jazz, acrobatics and many other dance styles. A leotard with jazz pants or shorts should be worn. This form of dance is performed barefooted. 

New! Parent Child Dance
Open to all dancers ages 6 and up.  Each month we will explore a different style of dance from tap to ballet. You will get to take class from each of our instructors, and as a class create a performance piece for our annual dance recital. Don’t just be a spectator step up and dance! 

Pre-Pointe
By referral only
To dance en pointe is the ambition of every young ballet student. First, a standard of strength and technique must be achieved to be able to reach that goal safely and without detrimental effect to a growing body. Students practice barre and center floor exercises in ballet slippers until the teacher feels they are ready to begin en pointe. Students in this class must also be in Ballet 5 or higher. Solid-colored leotards and pink tights should be worn to class. 

Pointe
By referral only
Students are referred to pointe class when the teacher has determined that their bodies are strong enough and they have developed the proper discipline and work ethic. Students in this class must also be enrolled in Ballet 6 or higher. Solid-colored leotards and pink tights should be worn to class. Students will need pointe shoes and regular ballet slippers for this class. 

Tap
Tap is a rhythmic and percussive dance form done in special shoes that augment the dance movement with a variety of sounds. Tap develops the student’s timing and rhythm and can enhance the study of other dance forms. Tap shoes and leotards must be worn to allow the instructor to properly observe body alignment and form.

Technique and Flexibility
An advanced-level class offered as a way to further develop advanced-level dance technique and flexibility. Although this is a ballet-focused class, it contains elements of fitness, modern dance and jazz to encourage the development of technique and to help build strength and vocabulary. The first thirty minutes of each class will be focused on core development.  This class does not have a recital dance so performance fees do not apply.   

New! Theatre Dance
This is a beginning level dance class that helps prepare dancers for the stage. They will learn basic Jazz dance technique with a focus on musical theatre. Watch out Broadway, here we come!

Toddler Tales and Tu Tus Too
Allows younger children to develop their imaginations and body awareness through interactive storytelling, dress up, basic ballet exploration and creative expression. Students should wear comfortable clothing or ballet attire. 

Tumbling
Tumbling introduces students to basic acrobatic skills (forward rolls and bridges) while developing strength and flexibility. As students progress, they work toward learning more difficult tricks like back walkovers and handsprings. Leotards with footless tights (or no tights) must be worn.