Dance Program

The Arvada Center Dance Academy is a program based on strong technique and discipline with special attention paid to the whole child and not just the dancer. Students at the Center learn more than dance in classes, they learn life lessons. Dance classes with a caring instructor build self-confidence, discipline, hard work ethics and respect. The dance teachers work hard to find a niche for each student, where he or she will enjoy dance and thrive, whether that niche is ballet, jazz, modern, tap or hip hop. The academy is wonderfully flexible for dancers of all abilities and ages. There are classes for young dancers just starting out, teen agers who want to give dance a try for the first time and for aspiring professional dancers who wish to train 15 to 20 hours a week and perform with the Arvada Center Dance Theater. There is also a teacher apprentice program where students aspiring to teach will learn the art of teaching under the guidance of seasoned instructors.

For those dancers who want a more in depth dance experience, there is the Arvada Center Dance Theater. Students in jazz level III and higher levels or ballet IV and higher levels are elligible to audition for the performing company each spring or summer. If accepted into the company, they rehearse 5-8 hours a week plus take 4-5 dance classes a week in preparation for their fall concert and highlights in the spring recitals. There are over a dozen alumni of this program who are dancing professionally in modern dance and ballet companies or in Broadway shows and touring companies. Still others, own their own schools or professional dance companies, and some are CEO’s of corporations or research scientists. Several alumni have gone on to attend well known dance conservatories and universities on dance scholarships.

Each spring the academy students may participate in one or both of the spring dance productions. There is a three performance series for ballet and another for jazz/modern/hip hop and tap. The Ballet Concert is a story ballet complete with sets, props and costumes designed and made by volunteer parents. The Jazz Concert (includes modern, hip hop and tap) productions vary from a story like the Jungle Book to a theme concert. The concerts are full of high energy dancing and creative choreography accompanied by age appropriate music and costumes.

The Arvada Center Dance Academy is a jewel in the backyard of Arvada and the northwest Denver region. For further information or question, please contact dance coordinator, Christina Noel Adcock at 720-898-7237.