Designed for ages 9–12, the Pre-Teen program is the pinnacle of our youth recreational program. Pre-teens gain full access to our highest technical levels in Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Jazz. In a non-competitive setting, dancers refine advanced skills and explore creative expression.
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At ages 9 to 12, pre-teens are ready for deeper technical challenges and greater creative autonomy. Our Pre-Teen program offers our most complete range of dance styles, allowing dancers to specialize in their favorite genres or build a well-rounded weekly training schedule.
Classical ballet training focusing on advanced barre work, center combinations, pirouettes, jumps, and physical control.
Dancers refine classical technique, alignment, and core strength across Ballet 5a and 5b. Students focus on complex footwork, multiple turns, fluid arm carriage, and spatial discipline, laying a strong foundation for pre-teens advancing through our program.
Introductory pointe readiness focusing on ankle strength, foot articulation, core stability, and pointe shoe safety.
Designed for eligible Ballet 5a and 5b students preparing for future pointe work. Dancers build foot, ankle, and leg strength through targeted barre and center exercises under expert instructor guidance.
Expressive, fluid movement combining classical ballet alignment, modern floorwork, partnering concepts, and emotional storytelling.
Pre-teens learn to translate emotion into movement. Dancers explore weight transfers, floor transitions, balance work, and creative improvisation in an encouraging, non-judgmental atmosphere.
Complex urban choreography, freestyle foundations, musicality, footwork speed, and performance confidence.
High-energy classes where pre-teens learn upbeat, age-appropriate choreography to popular, clean music. Students develop rhythm, spatial control, and authentic performance style.
Complex rhythmic patterns, syncopation, speed, time steps, improvisation, and musicality.
Advanced tap dancers build lightning-fast footwork and sound precision. Students work on intricate rhythmic combinations, accent timing, and collaborative group routines.
Dynamic movement quality, body isolations, advanced leaps, turns across the floor, and stylistic versatility.
Progressing through Jazz 3, 4, and 5, dancers build core strength and flexibility while learning sharp turns, dynamic jumps, and expressive performance routines.
Advanced floor gymnastics, acrobatic transitions, core strength, and power control.
Designed for pre-teens looking to master advanced floor control. Dancers refine cartwheels, round-offs, back walkovers, handstand variations, and strength conditioning on mats under safe supervision. No ballet enrollment required.
New to Dance in 4th Grade or Above? If your pre-teen is 9 or older and starting to dance for the first time, we welcome them with open arms! Beginners enter through our "Fundamentals" placement track, giving them a comfortable, supportive environment to learn foundational vocabulary and technique before transitioning smoothly into regular Pre-Teen classes.
What to wear
| Style | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Ballet 5a & 5b / Pre-Pointe | Plum Leotard, Ballet Pink tights, Ballet Pink ballet shoes (or approved pre-pointe shoes for Pre-Pointe), and hair neatly secured in a classical ballet bun. |
| Tap & Jazz | Leotard (any color), pink or skin-toned tights, Caramel tap shoes (Tap), Caramel jazz shoes (Jazz), hair secured in a ponytail or bun. |
| Contemporary | Fitted dancewear or leotard, tights rolled up to ankles (or foot undies/bare feet), hair in a ponytail. |
| Hip-Hop | Comfortable athletic street clothes, CLEAN sneakers, hair tied back. |
| Tumbling 4 | Leotard (any color) with boy-cut shorts OR Biker leotard (shorts attached), bare feet, and hair tied in a ponytail. |
| Boys (All Styles) | White or uniform-matching fitted crew-neck shirt, black pants or tights, black socks, and black style-appropriate dance shoes. |
Important Safety Note: No jewelry (aside from small stud earrings). Dance shoes must never be worn outside the building or in the parking lot.
Browse our active Pre-Teen weekly schedule below. Pre-teens can enroll in a single favorite style or combine multiple classes for comprehensive training.
| Class | Days | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
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A glimpse at our 9 to 12-year-old dancers mastering technique, expressing their creativity, and growing together.
What parents ask us most
Clear answers to common questions about our Pre-Teen Dance program.
Yes, absolutely! We love welcoming new pre-teen dancers. If your child is in 4th grade or above and brand new to dance, they begin in our welcoming "Fundamentals" placement track so they can learn foundational steps and feel confident alongside peers before stepping into regular Pre-Teen classes.
The Fundamentals placement track is a low-pressure pathway designed specifically for older beginners. Rather than feeling self-conscious, your child learns basic posture, terminology, and rhythm at a comfortable pace with personalized instructor guidance.
That depends entirely on your child's interests and schedule! Some pre-teens focus on one style per week (such as Hip-Hop or Contemporary), while others take three or four classes to explore multiple genres. Multi-class tuition discounts automatically apply as you add more weekly sessions.
Ballet is not required for any genre except Pre-Pointe and Pointe, so Hip-Hop, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Tumbling can all be taken on their own. We do recommend ballet alongside Contemporary and advancing Jazz, because classical alignment builds the core strength and turn balance those styles ask for.
For a free trial class, athletic play clothes or any dancewear you own is great! Once officially enrolled, girls wear Plum leotards with Ballet Pink tights for Ballet 5a, 5b, and Pre-Pointe, street clothes with clean sneakers for Hip-Hop, and leotards with caramel shoes for Tap and Jazz.
Yes! All Pre-Teen dancers participate in our annual Spring Showcase at the end of May. It is a major highlight of the year where pre-teens celebrate their hard work on stage in front of friends and family. Costume details ($100 per class for 4th grade and older) are finalized by December 10th.
No. Elevate Dance & Fitness Studio is a non-competitive, community-centered recreational studio. We focus on technique, self-expression, confidence, and community rather than trophies or stressful travel competition schedules.
As dancers complete 6th grade and age up, they transition into our Teen Dance Program (Level 6 / Ages 13+). This allows them to continue advancing their technical skills with middle and high school peers in a positive environment.
Give your pre-teen a space where they can build skill, express themselves, and truly belong. Book a free trial class today, meet our professional instructors, and let your 9 to 12-year-old try a Pre-Teen class with zero pressure or commitment.
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