OVERVIEW OF ALL CLASSES
At Grace Christian Dance Center, we offer two distinct paths for our dancers: Studio Classes and Company Classes.
Studio Classes focus on specific dance genres— Acrobatic-Dance, Ballet, Contemporary, or Recreational. Pre-Company is included within our Studio Class offerings and serves as a preparatory program for future Company participation. Studio dancers have one performance opportunity per season.
Company Classes are more challenging and require more dedication. These dancers are punctual and committed to attendance as well as being well prepared for class. They train across multiple genres and are constantly challenged with a wide variety of choreography. They learn several pieces throughout the year in different styles, which helps develop versatility, musicality, and confidence as performers. In addition, most Company dancers choose to add on Studio Classes at a reduced rate to further support their growth and training. Company dancers perform various times during the season.
CLASSES BY AGE
Acro-Dance
Ballet
Company
Pre-Company (age 5)
Contemporary (ages 8+)
Recreational
Summer Camp
Summer Classes
Acro-Dance
Ballet
Company
Contemporary
Foot Strengthening (Company dancers only)
Recreational
Summer Camp
Summer Classes
Acro-Dance
Ballet
Company
Contemporary
Foot Strengthening (Company dancers only)
Leaps and Turns (Company dancers only)
Recreational
Summer Camp
Summer Classes
Acro-Dance
Ballet
Company
Contemporary
Foot Strengthening (Company dancers only)
Leaps and Turns (Company dancers only)
Pointe (Company dancers only, by invitation)
Summer Camp
Summer Classes
Company Classes are structured classes that hold dancers to a high standard of proper technique, blending ballet, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical movement. Weekly devotions are often shared during stretching time, and we expect Company dancers to be committed to excellent attendance and consistent at-home practice.
These classes work together to create performance pieces designed to honor the Lord and lift high the name of Jesus Christ. Pieces are performed at our formal Spring Production in April at a rented venue, where each dancer appears in at least two choreographed pieces. Company dancers taking additional classes such as Acro-Dance, Ballet, Contemporary, or Recreational will also perform in the Studio Showcase.
Company dancers may also have opportunities to perform in the community. Whether at Canonsburg’s Old Fashioned Christmas, Washington City Mission’s Sweet Sunday, local nursing homes, or church services, when you see our dancers out in the community, you’re watching our talented Company Dancers in action!
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STUDIO CLASSES
Company dancers are encouraged to take additional studio classes to strengthen their technique and progress more quickly. You will see acro, ballet, and contemporary featured in the Company Spring Production.
Dancers enrolled only in Acro-Dance, Ballet, Contemporary, Pre-Company and/or Recreational classes are considered Studio Dancers. They conclude their season with a single performance at the Studio Showcase, held at a local community center. Studio Dancers perform one piece for each style of class they take and wear their class uniforms with simple embellishments to mark the occasion.
If you’ve attended our Studio Showcase, you’ve seen the grace and growth of our dedicated Studio Dancers!
GCDC is an Acrobatic Arts certified studio. We use their acclaimed curriculum, which is based on a safe and effective progression through levels. Acro-Dance focuses on flexibility, strength, balancing, limbering, and tumbling. To keep dancers from losing flexibility, strength, and skills due to inactivity, Acro-Dance is available all year long.
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Ballet is the strong foundation for all other forms of dance. This class will spend significant time on proper alignment of the body, carriage of the arms, turnout of the legs, and gracefulness. Dancers will learn ballet skills with increasing difficulty.
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Contemporary encourages self-expression and creative movement through a blend of techniques from ballet, jazz, and lyrical styles. In this class, dancers will cultivate musicality, fluidity, coordination, spatial awareness, and a strong stage presence through improvisation, combinations, and technical drills.
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Recreational Classes offer the opportunity to explore dance in a less structured environment than all of our other classes. Dancers will be exposed to various disciplines on an introductory level without concern for perfecting technique.
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Pre-Company is designed for dancers ages four and five and provides an introduction to structured dance training. Dancers explore ballet and jazz fundamentals while developing focus, coordination, and performance readiness in preparation for future Company participation.
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LEARN MORE!
Tuition, schedule, dress code, and performance details are under the Information tab above