Early Childhood Program
Ages 3-7
Our Early Childhood Program allows our youngest dancers to explore and discover the building blocks of dance such as balance, strength, coordination, and flexibility, while music, stories, and imaginative play stimulate creative learning. All Early Childhood classes held at 4251 Canyon Lake Drive
Classes, Descriptions & Tuition
First Steps (Ages 3-4)*
Preschool-aged children are invited to take their first steps in dance with creative movement, music, and stories. We ignite big imaginations while helping young ones develop their spatial awareness, coordination, and creative spirit!
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Kinderdance (Ages 4-5)
A fantastic fusion of ballet basics, creative movement, and rhythm skills that will help set the stage for more specialized technique at the next level. We refine gross motor skills, pattern and shape recognition, balance, and musicality. We connect emotions to movement and learn technical skills through playful activities!
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Ballet & Beyond (Ages 6-7)
This class gently introduces boys and girls to the world of ballet. We blend foundational techniques like turnout, balance, rhythm, and coordination with dance conditioning and creative, playful movement. Dancers build strength, poise, and confidence as they prepare to leap into our Ballet Program, all while learning classic French terminology and expressing their graceful individuality.
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Creative Dance (Ages 6-7)
A beautiful bridge that preps young dancers for the styles of modern, jazz, lyrical, and more. This class combines contemporary movement, improvisation, and tumbling skills with foundational techniques and concepts. Dancers explore their own creative voices and express their individuality!
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Tappy Toes (Ages 6-7)
Let’s get those toes a tappin’ and make some noise! Students are introduced to basic tap techniques, musical rhythms, and coordination. We will train our ears to find the beat as we learn to use our body’s very own drumset! This short class is a great add-on to our other styles.
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Hippity Hop (Ages 6-7)
Upbeat and high-energy, this class features trendy moves and grooves for our youngest hip hoppers. Dancers learn basic skills, connect movements to age-appropriate music, and have fun with friends!
Schedule View & Tuition
Happy Parents and Dancers
"I cannot put into words the profound effect learning dance from the Academy teachers has had on me. As a high schooler and throughout my life, I have found guidance and always, always acceptance here. I can't believe how lucky I have been to work with Julie McFarland, Sara Olivier, and more! I love that I am challenged to push myself further than I did in the last class. I have learned not only to dance using its proper technique, but to be compassionate, to develop my work ethic, and to exude a positive attitude. The Academy of Dance Arts is a family that is loving and supportive through it all. I highly recommend experiencing dance here."
- Karah Haug
"Academy faculty treat all dancers as individuals. Everyone is important. Personal strengths are recognized and celebrated. Teachers equip the dancers with a strong foundation in technique, which gives students the tools they need to develop higher skills. In fact, when my daughter went to a dance intensive in Salt Lake City, her technique and overall skill was comparable if not better than dancers who attended performing arts schools in that area. We have found the Academy of Dance Arts to be a welcoming and caring place for all students to express themselves through dance. I highly recommend the Academy."
- Kim Haug
"5 stars all the way! High quality instruction, caring, inspiring faculty and professional heart touching presentations. So much more I could say. We moved to SD from WY just to be closer to the Academy for my daughter to get the best dance instruction. We looked at other options but the Academy can't be beat. Over the past 8 years, she's received wonderful instruction (high technique standards matters to us) and so much more. So grateful. You're in the best hands here!"
- Kelly Parks-Hoffman
"I have danced with Academy since I was four-years-old. In my 13 years at Academy I have not only grown as a dancer but as a person as well. The faculty and fellow dancers are among some of the nicest, most nurturing, and humble people I've ever met. Upon traveling over the past few summers to other dance programs in other states I have noticed how remarkable the instruction is at this studio. Dancers are taught to uphold their technique while also embracing their own personality, in these other cities, while dancing with young folks from Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, etc. I found that the instruction I received allowed me to feel incredibly comfortable while dancing alongside others from larger cities. In summation, Academy provides a fantastic technique base while allowing each dancer to embrace what makes them special. The Academy of Dance Arts has become a safe, neutral, happy place for me to call my second home."
- Maia Zoller
"Although I only attended Academy for a short time I loved every moment there. I decided to make the trip from my home town of Custer to the Rapid City studio the summer of my sophomore year and continued to do so until graduation. I traveled there no matter the weather and as many times a week as I could afford. The studio became my happy place. They have amazingly creative, intelligent, and loving teachers there. Students are exposed to many different sides and kinds of dance and encouraged in a truly beautiful way. I can easily say that I found a family there, life-long friends, and mentors for life. Thank you Academy of Dance Arts! I can't wait to come back and visit!"
- Sarah Powers