Focus. Grow. Achieve.
Academy Program
High-quality technical training in a balanced, supportive environment for dancers ready to deepen their skills, artistry, and consistency.
Purposeful progression
More focus. More possibility.
Academy dancers receive structured technical training while maintaining room for school, family, and other activities.
Strengthen
Consistent technique classes develop alignment, control, coordination, flexibility, and movement quality.
Explore
Multiple disciplines help dancers broaden their vocabulary, musicality, creativity, and personal artistry.
Achieve
Clear expectations and constructive feedback teach students how steady work becomes visible progress.
Inside the program
A well-rounded weekly training plan
Academy schedules are built from core technique and complementary styles based on level, interests, and faculty placement.
- Core classes may include Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, and Hip Hop
- Supplemental options may include Technique, Leaps & Turns, Conditioning, Tumbling, and Art
- Levels 3, 4, and 5 provide progressive technical expectations
- Training supports recital performance and may prepare eligible dancers for additional opportunities
Class descriptions
What happens in each class
Academy classes balance strong technical instruction with versatility, artistry, and a weekly commitment that can grow with the dancer.
Ballet
Structured barre and center work develops alignment, strength, coordination, musicality, vocabulary, and the technical foundation required for continued progress.
Jazz
Technique-based combinations develop isolations, dynamics, turns, jumps, flexibility, musicality, and performance quality. Ballet is required for dancers studying Jazz.
Contemporary
Dancers combine technical foundations with floor work, weight shift, musical interpretation, improvisation, and expressive movement.
Modern
Students explore grounded movement, breath, alignment, use of weight, spatial awareness, and established modern-dance principles.
Hip Hop
Grooves, musicality, coordination, texture, and age-appropriate choreography develop confidence, precision, and personal style.
Tumbling
Progressive acrobatic floor skills strengthen flexibility, control, coordination, and safe movement mechanics.
Technique
Focused practice reinforces alignment, flexibility, strength, control, and the mechanics needed for clean, consistent execution across styles.
Leaps & Turns
Progressions for spotting, rotation, elevation, takeoff, and landing help dancers improve traveling turns, jumps, and leaps safely.
Conditioning
Dance-specific strength, stability, mobility, and endurance exercises support technical progress and help students meet increased training demands.
Class availability varies by season, age, and level. Our faculty will recommend the combination that best supports your dancer.
- Consistent expectations for attendance, effort, and classroom focus
- Technique-first instruction with attention to safe development
- A schedule that can grow as the dancer’s interests and goals evolve
- Faculty guidance about levels, prerequisites, and readiness for added opportunities
For parents
What you can expect
The Academy Program is for families who value meaningful progress and strong teaching within a manageable weekly commitment.
Questions families ask
Helpful details before you begin
Placement is personal. Our team is always happy to learn about your dancer and recommend the right class.
Is Academy a competition program?
Academy is a training pathway. Performance and competition opportunities through NOLA Dance Project are separate and invitation-based.
How is level placement determined?
Faculty considers age, experience, technical readiness, completed prerequisites, maturity, focus, and the weekly training commitment.
Is ballet required?
Ballet is the foundation of dance training. Dancers who enroll in Jazz are also required to take Ballet, supporting strength, alignment, coordination, and technique.
Can my dancer move into Conservatory later?
Yes. Dancers may move between pathways as their goals, readiness, training consistency, and faculty recommendations evolve.
Ready for the next level of growth?
Experience an Academy class and speak with our team about the combination of styles, level, and weekly commitment that fits your dancer.