Advanced 5 – Approximate ages 14-24

Advanced Tap – This class will take dancers from the fundamentals of tap technique and rhythm to a solid, intermediate/advanced tap vocabulary. Additionally, dancers will learn the basics of tap improvisation.

Ballet – CCD’s ballet training is based on a mixture of the English RAD system, the Italian Cecchetti method, and the French System. Our ‘neutral’, kinesthetically healthy classical technique builds great strength and versatility, while also allowing every kind of physical form to reach its potential in a healthy, accepting environment.

Coaching – Pre-Professional Program dancers will gain expertise with a select few classical variations and contemporary works in preparation for auditions and participation in Denver Ballet Guild.

Contemporary – CCD’s Contemporary syllabus explores dance methods, forms, and techniques that fall under the broad umbrella of contemporary dance. Dancers will study historic and present-day philosophies, ideas, attitudes towards performance, and cross-disciplinary creative approaches to movement exploration, while examining their own understanding of dance and performance and beginning their artistic identities as thinkers, movers, and makers.

Composition* – Composition is the study of creating choreography. Dancers are taught progressively more sophisticated ways to manipulate the fundamental elements of dance. The year culminates in a performance called Young Choreographers Showcase, where dancers create works on one another. Dancers are given the opportunity to create works on one another. Dancers are given the opportunity to create a piece of their own or in partnership with another dancer. For those choreographers who have taken multiple years of this class, we may offer the opportunity to design costume and lighting and aid in the production and administration of the performance.

*Composition is an extra fee of $120 per student per year.

Jazz Technique – CCD’s jazz technique syllabus aims to guide our dancers from the historic vernacular roots through the performative styles of Fosse and Luigi to current forms underpinning much of popular dance. We encourage our dancers to become generalists in jazz technique with a historic understanding of the past and future of the art form.

Men’s & Power, Flight & Turn is a class for advanced dancers to gain full-body strength (to keep them safe when lifting other dancers) while perfecting the technical requirements necessary when performing jumps and turns. Dancers will learn variations and other excerpts from classical repertoire typically attributed to male danseurs.

Modern Technique is a very general term which encompasses a vast wealth of history. At CCD, we believe in teaching our dancers the history behind the dance styles they learn. As such, our Modern Dance program will take dancers through each individual syllabus – including Graham, Cunningham, Horton, Humphrey, and more. Younger Modern dancers will gain a generalized foundation for the important over-arching principles associated with Modern Dance. As the dancers progress through CCD’s program, they will learn the history and cultural implications of each style, become fluent in each form, and begin to think about the role they play in its evolution.

Pas de Deux – This class is based on the basic understanding of how two individual dancers can bear each other’s weight, manipulate the physics of one’s movements, and work jointly to create beautiful shapes. Both classical and contemporary modalities will be used in teaching this class, and all dancers will learn to safely bear and give weight.

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)

is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best. The program uses various sizes of Fit Balls and flex bands to simulate ballet/dance technique, thus the muscle memory applied to class work. Highly appreciated by physical therapists around the world, the system is well organized by age, level and challenges. All PBT balls will be provided for all students who take classes in-person. CCD students studying online will need to have their own equipment:

• Fusion Ball 7-9″ (sometimes called a Pilates ball) 
• Fit Ball – 55cm-65cm
• Flex band (9 feet long) will be available for purchase at the front desk

Variations/Gala – Dancers enrolled in Variations will learn solo and small ensemble works from existing standard classical repertoire. Each class will learn three to four variations per year, allowing the faculty member to focus on refinement and the details of each variation. For those who choose to perform in our annual production of Gala, dancers will perform one or two of these variations as a small group based on the artistic vision of each individual faculty member.

New dress code goes into effect August 24, 2020. CCD is beginning a three year transition to present a more equitable and inclusive version of the standard, classical dress code. At this time, we are working with our partners at Boulder Body Wear to find reliable, high-quality vendors, but a consistent offering will take time. Until our dress code transition is complete, we will allow female dancers to choose between wearing pink tights and pink shoes OR flesh colored tights and shoes. Our ultimate goal is to have tights and shoes which match each female dancer’s skin tone.