2025/2026 Season Class Descriptions
Modern Classes
Modern 4 (Mondays 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm) - Melissa Brown Guenther
Ages 10-14. This 60-minute class is a continuation of the skills, learned in Jazz/Modern 4. Dancers will learn modern dance techniques, floorwork, and improvisational skills. They will learn how to use movement to express themselves. Students will explore how to move fully and safely with an emphasis on anatomy and moving with proper technique. It is my goal in this class, as it is in all of our classes, for students to feel excited and joyful about movement and to help them find their creative voices.
Modern 5 (Mondays 9:00 pm - 8:00pm) - Melissa Brown Guenther
This 60-minute class is for dancers who have taken Modern 4B. In this class, we will delve into concepts taught in 4B. There will also be a focus on partnering and composition. Students will continue to improve their technique and self-expression as they grow into advanced dancers.
Modern 6 (Mondays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm) - Melissa Brown Guenther
This 75-minute class is for our advanced dancers. These are dancers who have a strong understanding of proper body alignment, anatomy, and modern technique. This class is all about skillfully dancing with intention. They will use improv and partnering and explore composition. Dancers are encouraged to move fully and authentically as individual artists.
Continuum Modern 5 (Tuesdays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm) - Maddie Burnham
Ages 12+. This 60-minute class is for the mover that is exploring modern and is interested in trying something new. This is a great class for the dancer who is new to Continuum Modern or Modern in general, has a creative mind, is always looking for new ways to move, and wants to grow more intellectually as a mover. This class is also great for the dancer exploring modern for the first time and wanting to expand their creative mind.
Continuum Modern 6 (Tuesdays 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm) - Maddie Burnham
Ages 15+. This 60-minute class is for the dancer that has advanced in their Modern class and is looking to dive deeper into Continuum Modern. This is a great class for the dancer who has a creative mind, is looking to expand their knowledge of Continuum, and wants to grow more intellectually as a mover.
Jazz/Modern Classes
Jazz/ Modern 3 (Wednesdays 4:00 pm- 5:00 pm) - Michelle Ward
Ages 5- 8. This 45-minute class has an emphasis on beginning to turn, leap, more complicated choreography, and introduction to small technical movements such as tendues, passers, etc.
Jazz 4 (Wednesdays 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm) - Cassandra Grosz
Ages 10-12. This 45-minute class has an emphasis on strength and clarity in existing jazz techniques, introducing the ideas of more advanced jazz turns and leaps, continuing the concepts of creativity and composition, increase emphasis on flexibility and strength.
Jazz 5 (Mondays 7:30 pm- 8:30 pm) - Emily Compaan
Ages 11-14. This 60-minute class focuses on mastering the strength and clarity in jazz techniques including turns, leaps, and combinations. This class is the next step from students that were in Jazz 4B. We will explore creating composition in this class in relation to the jazz techniques that are learned, and work on flexibility and strength training to help the dancer explore more range of movements. Not only will we do all of that, but this is a move and groove class! We will bring out the rhythm and tempo that jazz has for an upbeat, feel-good class!
Jazz 6 (Mondays 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm) - Emily Compaan
Ages 15+. This 60-minute class focuses on mastering the strength and clarity in jazz techniques, including turns, leaps, and combinations. Dancers must complete Jazz 5 before enrolling in this class, or have a placement audition. We will explore creating composition in this class in relation to the jazz techniques that are learned, and work on flexibility and strength training to help the dancer explore more range of movements. Not only will we do all of that, but this is a move and groove class! We will bring out the rhythm and tempo that jazz has for an upbeat, feel-good class!
Tap/ Contemporary Classes
Tap 1/2 (Wednesdays 5:00 pm-5:30 pm) - Cassandra Grosz
Ages 5-7. This 30-minute class is for the young mover who can't seem to stop marching all around the house. The young mover who loves to explore sounds with their feet! If this sounds like your child, then this is the perfect class for them! In Beginning Tap we will focus on the basics and bring out the joy that comes with making music with your feet. Tap shoes will be required for this class and must be provided by the student on the first day of class. (If you need recommendations on shoes, feel free to reach out to us via email!) In this class, the students will learn the basic movements of Tap, as well as a routine that will be performed at the end-of-the-year recital.
Contemporary 5 (Thursdays 4:30 pm-5:30 pm) - Phillip Hommes
Ages 10-14. This contemporary class will consist of a warmup, technique exercises, and phrase work, along with composition and improvisational exploration. Dancers will work with multiple aspects of movement quality, including directional shifts, textures, and a range of dynamic qualities through a contemporary movement style with a variety of genre influences, while being encouraged to develop individual artistic voices within a group setting.
Contemporary 6 (Thursdays 6:30 pm-7:30 pm) - Phillip Hommes
14+. This contemporary class will consist of a warmup, technique exercises, and phrase work, along with composition and improvisational exploration. Dancers will work with multiple aspects of movement quality, including directional shifts, textures, and a range of dynamic qualities through a contemporary movement style with a variety of genre influences, while being encouraged to develop individual artistic voices within a group setting.
Jazz/Tap 4/5 (Thursdays 3:30 pm-4:30 pm) - Phillip Hommes
10-14. This tap class will consist of a choreographed warmup, technical exercises in center and across the floor, and phrase work/choreography rehearsal. Dancers will develop their tap technique across a variety of tap skills, emphasizing the shifting of weight between each foot, the articulation of the feet and ankles, and the separation and clarity of the heel, ball, and toe of each foot. This class will also highlight the importance of musicality, working with complex rhythms and syncopation.
Hip Hop/ Creative Movement Classes
Hip Hop (Wednesdays 5:30 pm- 6:00 pm) - Cassandra Grosz
Ages 7-11. This 30-minute class has an emphasis on intermediate hip-hop concepts such as footwork, arm technique, hip-hop tricks as well as strength in tumbling for hip-hop, and intermediate choreography incorporating all of these things.
Creative Movement (Wednesdays 4:30 pm- 5:00 pm) - Cassandra Grosz
Ages 3-5. This 30-minute class is designed for the young mover! It is for the dancer who is just signing up for classes for the first time and can't sit still. If that dancer is your child, then this is the class for you! In Creative Movement, we will explore the joys that come when we move our bodies! The dancers will learn to be creative, imaginative, and playful with dance. This class is designed to embrace the imaginative minds of the students. We will learn multiple phrases, teach dance skills through interactive games and projects, as well as learn a routine to be performed in the recital.
Ballet Classes
Ballet 1/2 (Mondays 3:30 pm-4:00 pm) - Melissa Brown Guenther
Ages 5-8. This 30-minute focuses on locomotor movements, learning rhythms, and counting music. Dancers will learn ballet positions, terminology, and beginning ballet techniques. This is a wonderful way to introduce your dancer to the art of ballet.
Ballet 3 (Mondays 4:00 pm-5:00 pm) - Melissa Brown Guenther
This 60-minute class will focus on ballet technique. Dancers will learn terminology, and class structure and work on the fundamentals of ballet. Dancers will grow as informed movers and develop their artistic skills.
Ballet 4 (Mondays 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm & Fridays 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm) -Melissa, Shelby, & Lily
This 60-minute class meets twice a week. Students are required to take both classes. As their level increases they do more difficult movements that require strength and proper alignment. The dancers will work on furthering their understanding of ballet and growing as artists. This class will now be treated as a pre-pointe class as well. When dancers are ready, they will go on pointe in this class. This structure for Ballet 4 will help the dancers be better prepared when moving up to Ballet 5 and feel strong on pointe. When moved up to Ballet 5, dancers should be already prepared to be on pointe. The Ballet 4 dancers will also get two different instructors to learn from. Melissa will be teaching the Monday Classes and Jen Mack will be teaching the Friday Classes.
Ballet 5 (Tuesdays 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm, Thursdays 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm, Fridays 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm) -Melissa, Shelby, & Lily
This 60-90 minute class meets three times a week. Students are required to take all three classes. Students need to be at least 12 years old and have strong techniques. They will do pointe work in this class. The instructors will let the students know when they are ready to get pointe shoes. In this class, students will continue to grow into advanced pre-professional dancers. The Ballet 5 dancers will also get three different instructors to learn from. Dancers will learn from instructors Melissa, Shelby, and Lily. This will give the students a well-rounded practice with these professional educators.
Ballet 6 (Mondays 5:00 - 6:30 pm, Thursdays 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm, Fridays 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm) -Melissa, Shelby, & Lily
This 90 minute class is our most advanced, pre-professional ballet class. It meets three times a week. Dancers are required to take all three classes. They will continue to work on improving their technique and artistic expression. The Ballet 6 dancers will also get three different instructors to learn from. Dancers will learn from instructors Melissa, Shelby, and Lily. This will give the students a well-rounded practice with these professional educators.
Ballet 7 (Mondays 7:30 - 9:00 pm, Thursdays 4:00 pm- 5:30 pm, Fridays 4:30 pm- 6:00 pm) -Melissa, Shelby, & Lily
This 90 minute class is our most advanced, pre-professional ballet class. It meets three times a week. Dancers are required to take all three classes. They will continue to work on improving their technique and artistic expression. The Ballet 6 dancers will also get three different instructors to learn from. Dancers will learn from instructors Melissa, Shelby, and Lily. This will give the students a well-rounded practice with these professional educators.
Nutcracker Suite (Saturdays 10:00 am- 2:00 pm) **Led by director Melissa**
Ages 6+. We are excited to offer this performance opportunity to our dancers as well as dancers from the community. We would love all levels of ballet and modern dancers ages 8 and up. We are holding auditions for this year‘s Nutcracker suite at our open house on June 30. Please contact us if you are unable to make the audition but would still like to be considered. We will be rehearsing on
Rehearsals: Saturdays from 10:00-3:00 August TBD-December 13th
Shows: Friday December 19th, 20th & 21st
Where: Mayer Lutheran High School
There is a one-time fee of $250 for participating. This is to cover the rehearsals and help with costumes and sets. **Any additional student in a family gets $50 off the $250. (Example: Student 1 $250, Student 2 $200, Student 3 $200)
If you are unable to pay or would like to sponsor a dancer you can reach out to us.
Nutcracker has been such a fun and special tradition in my life as a dancer. I danced as Clara when I was 10 years old and performed almost every part in different productions of the ballet until I was in my mid-twenties. As a child, my whole family was involved in making costumes and doing stage work. As an adult, I have stage managed and done lighting design for Nutcracker productions. I cannot wait to share this tradition with you.
8:20 Apprentice Company (Tuesdays 7:30 pm- 9:00 pm)
** Led by director Maddie **
Ages 16+.
This 90-minute class is by Audition only. Auditions will take place during our Open House this summer. (If you are unable to attend the audition day, email us to make other arrangements.) In this class, dancers will be introduced to the professional dance scene. They will learn combinations and phrases from the company as well as prepare a few pieces to perform in the upcoming 8:20 Dance Company in the Spring of 2024.
This class will be charged as any regular class. There will be an additional costume fee posted when costumes are posted later in the year.
Location of Performance: The Southern Theater
Performance Dates: May 15th, 16th, and 17th
Rehearsals/Class: Tuesdays 7:30-9:00 (Must be able to attend occasional Wednesdays 7:00-9:00 with the Main Company. Dancers will get these dates before the season starts)
They will also get professional Dancer/Headshots taken to be shared on the Company's website. This is a great class for dancers who want to get a glimpse of what dance can look like as a career!
