Dance Extension classes are co-educational.

Young Mover's Program

Young children's classes encourage openness, confidence, creativity and exploration. Our program is designed to introduce dance in an exciting, but disciplined environment.

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Rhythm & Movement  Pre-School Program
Level 1 (Ages 3-4)
Level 2 (Ages 4-5)
This fun, energetic class introduces children to the joy of dance, and focuses on creative movement, rhythm training, enriching the imagination, and increasing confidence & expression.  The curriculum includes basic ballet vocabulary, motor skills such as skipping, marching and galloping as well as the use of movement stories to encourage improvisation and creativity. 

Dance Forms  (Ages 5-6)
Perfect for students in Kindergarten! This class is divided into half hour dance segments of ballet and tap, and introduces children to the fundamentals in a fun, upbeat environment.  A great class to get your little one moving!  Students need both ballet and tap shoes.

Ballet Discovery   (Ages 6-8)
Tap Rhythms  (Ages 6-8)
These classes focus on building basic vocabulary, fundamentals and proper placement. Students develop the ability to recognize and describe positions and sequences of movement. These classes focus on technique development, coordination skills, alignment, rhythm, balance, and working together as a group. Students may enroll in one or both classes which each meet once per week.

Youth Program (Ages 8-12)

Beginner to Intermediate Levels   ◊   Private lessons available

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These classes are designed to advance the student in his/her dance education. Each level includes a progressive curriculum built upon the previous level’s foundation. Students may enroll in one or more classes. All students are strongly encouraged to study ballet since it is the foundation of all dance forms and necessary for proper progression in tap and jazz. Upper levels are determined by ballet experience.

Ballet: Explore the fundamentals of classical ballet concentrating on proper body alignment, use of turn-out, increasing strength and flexibility. Classes progress from barre work to center floor and finally locomotor movements and choreography. Movement sequences become more complex through increased repetition and speed.

Tap: Turn your feet into a musical instrument! Tap dancing is truly unique! Tap classes focus on quick thinking, musicality, creating rhythms, using correct terminiology and fun, upbeat choreography.

Jazz: Focuses on isolations, stretching and the development of strong lines. Dance combinations are set to a wide array of music to allow students to explore their creativity and musicality while increasing flexibility and stamina.

Hip Hop: Explore the latest dance moves! The fun begins with a jazz based warmup to stretch and strengthen the body followed by exciting, funk based choreography. Attention is paid to the appropriateness of music, lyrics, movement and content while exploring the latest dance moves.

Kids in Motion (ages 8-12)
A repertory company of enthusiastic dancers who perform for audiences throughout southeastern Connecticut. Dancers are selected yearly from the student body of The Dance Extension by artistic directors, Maggie & Nancy Dennis. The dancers must exhibit an enthusiasm for dance and performance. Kids in Motion dancers must attend a weekly ballet class at The Dance Extension as well as a company repertory class to learn new and existing repertoire for the performance season.

Teen/Adult (TA) Program

Beginner - Advanced Levels   ◊   Private lessons available

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Ballet & Pointe  -   Tap

Jazz   -   Modern   -   Hip Hop

ZUMBA® Fitness

Improve flexibility, rhythm, strength, alignment, and coordination!  Our Teen/Adult classes are filled with people from all walks of life. Whether developing a foundation in ballet; making their feet” talk” in tap; toning and conditioning in jazz and modern; getting an aerobic workout in ZUMBA® or popping in hip hop, the common element is fun!

Our beginner level classes are perfect for students trying dance for the first time or those ready to come back to dance!

New Session Starting in January!
ZUMBA® Fitness: Tuesdays 6 - 7 pm / New London Studio  / 16 Weeks
Tap Adv. Beginner: Tuesdays 7:30 - 8:30 pm / Chapman Studio  /  12 Weeks
Beginner Hip Hop: Wed., 7:30 - 8:30 pm  / Chapman Studio  / 18 Weeks
Ballet Beginner/Adv. Beg: Thurs., 7:30 - 9 pm  / Chapman Studio  / 12 Weeks

Pointe: Pointe study may begin at age 12 or 13 with the approval of the faculty. Dancers must have had a solid, continuous study of ballet technique for the body to build sufficient strength for pointe class. If begun too early, pointe can permanently damage the feet. Readiness is at the discretion of the faculty and is based on strength, number of years in ballet program, foot structure, concentration and commitment.