Pre Dance Classes
Our Pre-dance classes are the first steps for the youngest dancers. Your child will begin to learn the basic positions, exercises, and dance steps of ballet, tap, and jazz. These age appropriate classes also provide creative movement time such as animal action games, freeze dance, and stretching with partners. It is our goal to spark an ongoing interest in dance for your child. Pre-Dance class meets once a week for a 45 minutes session. Classes are a Ballet/Tap combo or Ballet/Jazz combo. Our Lil’ Princess class provides the same dance instruction described, along with arts/crafts and snack time and is 1 ¼ hours.
Pre-Dance 1
This class is designed for kids just starting out in dance. Ages 3-4 ½ with no dance experience Children will take first steps in ballet and tap dance, as well as creative movement and dance games.
Pre-Dance 1-1A
This class is designed for kids with at least 1 year of Pre-Dance Ages 4-5 with a little experience. Children will continue in ballet and tap dance, as well as creative movement and dance games.
Pre-Dance 2-2A
This class is for ages 4 ½ -6 with at least 1 1/2 years experience. Students will continue their dance movement in a fun, exploratory environment.
Pre-Dance 3
This class is designed for ages 5-6 1/2 with at least 1-2 years experience. Kids will learn ballet, tap and jazz dance. The class is designed to take students to the next level of dance which would be Ballet 1.
Contemporary Lyrical
Lyrical dance is a fusion of ballet and jazz dance techniques. Lyrical dance challenges dancers to use motion to interpret music and express emotion. Lyrical dance is characterized by fluidity and grace, with the dancer flowing from one move to another. It is recommended students have some ballet knowledge prior to taking Lyrical.
Contemporary Lyrical 1
This class is for ages 7-9 1/2 and is Beginner level, 0-1 years dance experience. Students will warm up with fluid movements and stretch sequences, work on across the floor lyrical patterns, and perform basic choreography at the end of each class. While students do not have to take ballet to enroll in this class, it is very helpful to take ballet in conjunction with lyrical.
Contemporary Lyrical 1A-2
This class is for ages 9 & up and is Advanced Beginner level, 2 or more years of dance experience. Students will warm up with fluid movements and stretch sequences, work on across the floor lyrical patterns that are more intricate than the previous level, and perform longer strings of choreography at the end of each class. While students do not have to take ballet to enroll in this class, it is very helpful to take ballet in conjunction with lyrical.
Contemporary Lyrical 3
This is Intermediate level with at least 2-3 years of lyrical dance experience. Students will warm up with fluid movements and stretch sequences, work on across the floor lyrical patterns that are more intricate than the previous level, and perform longer strings of choreography at the end of each class. Students must take a ballet class in conjunction with this class.
Contemporary Lyical 4
This is Advanced Intermediate level with at least 3 or more years of lyrical dance experience. Students will warm up with fluid movements and stretch sequences, work on across the floor lyrical patterns that are more intricate than the previous level, and perform longer strings of choreography at the end of each class. Students must take a ballet class in conjunction with this class.
Contemporary Lyrical 5
This is an Intermediate/Advanced level class with at least 3-4 years of ballet or modern training. Ballet in conjunction is required.
Ballet
ContempraDance School provides professional ballet training. At ContempraDance School, students can decide on taking one ballet class a week for casual enjoyment and the acquisition ballet knowledge as an art form, or students may wish to take several ballet classes a week to accelerate in ballet. We offer Ballet for Adults in the morning and the evening. Check out our schedule online.
Ballet 1
This is a Beginner class for ages 7 to 91/2 with 0-2 years of previous ballet dance experience. This class is also the next step for kids leaving pre-dance classes. The class is a full hour and features all aspects of a ballet class including barre exercises, center floor work, and across the floor steps.
Ballet 1A-2
This class is Advanced Beginner with 1 year of ballet experience the previous season. Students should be familiar with the basic ballet positions and basic ballet steps, exhibit strength in proper body alignment and barre work. This class will teach involved sequences of dance steps, turns and jumps in preparation for Ballet 3. Each class meets once a week for 1 hour each session.
Ballet 2A-3
This class is Pre-Intermediate with at least 2 years previous ballet experience. One other ballet class is required in conjunction with this class. Class features more intricate combinations during barre exercises, and more advanced turns and jumps.
Ballet 3-4
Ballet 4 class is for the Intermediate dancer and must take one other ballet class to participate and have at least 3-4 years of ballet training for this class. Pointe is offered after this lesson for students with permission from the teacher.
The Ballet 4+ class is for Advanced Intermediate dancer.
Ballet 5
This class is Intermediate/Advanced with at least 4-5 years of ballet experience. Students focus on perfecting more intricate ballet moves, adding speed and complexity into their routines. One additional ballet class a week is required to enroll in this class and to maintain the complex level of the class work.
Ballet 4
This class is an Intermediate class for ages 11 & up with at least 3-4 years experience. Recommended to take 2 ballet classes for this level.
Pointe
ContempraDance School offers Pointe lessons for students who wish to pursue ballet further. Pointe work is offered as an option after some of our ballet classes. Teacher and director permission is required to enroll in Pointe class. Two ballet classes a week at ContempraDance School is required to take Pointe lessons. We recommend that younger students who may wish to pursue Pointe work in the future begin taking 2 ballet classes a week at least two years prior to beginning Pointe lessons. Pointe work is not recommended at ContempraDance School for students under the age of 11.
Hip Hop
Fun Fun Fun!!
Students love this incredibly energetic form of dance. They will learn how to spin, turn, kick and twist their bodies like never before. Our Hip-Hop classes are an invigorating and cultural dance workout. We offer Teen/Adult Hip Hop in the evenings. Check out the schedule online.
Kids Mini Hip Hop
This is an introductory class for ages 4 1/2-6 1/2 with little or no dance experience. Students are challenged to learn the basic moves necessary to understand the genre in a fun and supportive environment, set to fun, upbeat music. Each class meets once a week for 45 minutes each session.
Hip Hop 1-1A
This is Beginner class for ages 7-9 with 0-2 years of hip-hop experience. Students are challenged to learn the basic moves necessary to understand the genre in a fun and supportive environment. Each class meets once a week for 1 hour each session.
Hip Hop 2-3
This class is for ages 9 & up and Advanced Beginner with at least 2 years dance experience. We encourage students interested in hip hop to try the class as often kids in this age range can pick up the moves after taking class a few times. Students who have had hip hop will be challenged to learn new steps, and choreography will become progressively longer as the year moves on.
Hip Hop 4-5
Class is designed for teenage students, 12 years and up. Intermediate/Advanced with at least 3-4 or more years experience. In this level, students will learn new hip hop moves, and are challenged by longer and more intricate choreography.
Modern Dance
Modern dance is the style of dance performed by ContempraDance Theatre which is ContempraDance School’s resident professional dance company. It is one of the most expressive forms of dance incorporating various styles of movement and improvisation. With a conglomerate of lyrical, interpretive and cultural techniques, students improve their form while learning technical style and expression.
Modern 1
This is a Beginner/Advanced Beg. with 0-1 year modern dance experience. Students will be introduced to basic modern vocabulary and steps.
Modern Dance 2-3
This is for the Advanced Beg/Pre-Intermediate student with at least 2 or more years of modern or lyrical training. Students will learn a Modern style which builds upon the Graham, Limon & Horton techniques. Ballet class in conjunction with this class is recommended.
Modern Dance 4-5
This is designed for the Intermediate/Advanced student with at least 4 years of modern training. Ballet in conjunction is required. Students must be knowledgeable in the Graham, Limon & Horton techniques. The combination of lyrical, blues and world style movement keeps this class interesting and challenging for dancers. Each class meets once a week for 1¼ hour each session.
Tap
Tap Dance is an exciting combination of rhythmical and intricate foot moves.
Tap shoes are required for this class.
Tap 1
This class is for 7-9 1/2 year olds and Beginner/Adv. Beginner level. 0-2 years tap experience. Students will learn the basic foot moves and rhythms necessary for developing various combinations. Each class meets once a week for 1 hour each session.
Tap 2-3
This is a class designed for the Advanced beinner/ pre-intermediate level student with at least 2-3 years tap experience. For ages 9 & up.
Tap 4-5
Intermediate/Advanced level class. Ages 12 & up. For those that have had over 3 -4 years tap experience.
Teen/Adult Tap
This is an Open Level class designed for older teens and adults.
Mat Pilates
Take a lunch break with a great workout!! Want to Improve core strength and maintain long and strong muscles? Come study Pilates Mat which is the true foundation of the Pilates Method. You’ll improve flexibility, strengthen your core, and uniformly develop your strength. All levels are welcome. Taught by Eastern University Professor and Certified Instructor, Michelle Jones Wurtz. Thursday 11:45-12:45 Open level
Musical Theater Dance
Do you have what it takes to be on Broadway?
Join us and learn dance routines to songs from various musicals. They will learn about dancing with props, acting, and how to tell a story through movement. Wednesday 7:00 12 & up and Friday 4:30 9 & up. Open level
Jazz Dance
ContempraDance offers various styles of jazz from classical to theater jazz. Check out our schedule online for the classes offered. We also offer Adult Jazz in the evening and Wednesday mornings.
Jazz 1 Beginner Wednesday 5-6pm 7 1/2- 10. No experience necessary
Jazz 2 Advanced Beginner Thursday 5:30-6:30 10 & up with at least 2 year experience
Jazz 3-4 Pre-Intermediate/ Int 12 & up Wednesday 6:00-7:00 At least 3 years experience. Must take ballet along with this class.
Jazz 4 Advanced Intermeidate 12 & up Thursday 6:30-7:30. At least 4 years experience. Must take ballet along with this class.
Jazz 5 Advanced 13 & up Thursday 7:30-8:30. At least 4-5 years experience. Must take ballet along with this class.
African Dance class
September thru June Class Schedule 2025-2026
Classes Start September 8th 2025
Session 1 Sep. 8th - Dec. 7th 2025
Session 2 Dec. 8th - March 14th 2026
Session 3 March 15th - June 13th 2026 (please email us for availability since most classes are full at this point due to our June recital )
ContempraDance has incorporated online registration and payments through The Studio Director. Clicking the register/login button will take you to the Fall/Spring class list. You will need to sign in or create an account if you have not already. There is also a Studio Director app that you can download. Please contact us with any questions.
Congratulations 2025 Seniors!
Congratulations to our 2025 seniors Alex and Siena! We will miss you so much!
Your passion, dedication, and heart lit up our studio for years. We are so proud of you!
ContempraDance 2025 Rehearsal Clip from “Gotta Dance” Recital
This recital was amazing. The dancers were extremely talented and of course our little ones were a big hit!! I am so fortunate to have such a fantastic faculty and students. The recital video link will be sent to everyone. Thank you for a great season and look forward to the next!
ContempraDance School is the proud winner of the 2022 Main Line Parent Family Favorite dance studio award. Thank you everyone!
Congratulations to Ms. Daria. She has opened her own Yoga studio in Gladwyne called The Yoga Spot. She won’t be returning to Contempra this year due to this, but we wish her the best in her new endeavor!! I’m sure we will be seeing her around!
Our “LIVE IT UP” 2022 Dance Recital was a huge success Saturday June 4th. Over 600 people attended. The dancers were absolutely amazing and blew the audience away! My faculty and I were so impressed and just loved seeing smiling dancers on stage. It’s been 3 years since we had our last recital at Valley Forge Middle School. It was nice to be back.
Our “LIVE IT UP” 2022 Dance Recital was a huge success Saturday June 4th. Over 600 people attended. The dancers were absolutely amazing and blew the audience away! My faculty and I were so impressed and just loved seeing smiling dancers on stage. It’s been 3 years since we had our last recital at Valley Forge Middle School. It was nice to be back.
Austin Johnson amazed the audience with his senior solo, Sound of Silence choreographed by Daria Johston. Austin has been with Contempra for over 10 years and part of the Contempra Youth Dance Company. He was recently accepted to Cornell University. We are so proud of him. Austin is not only a fantastic and gifted dancer but an incredible person. We are going to miss him so much and wish him the best!!
Congratulations to everyone that performed on Saturday. AMAZING!!!
Picture below is Austin with Ms. Gail and Ms .Daria.
Lola is going to college!! Lola has been with ContempraDance since the age of 3. We are going to miss her so much. She’s a beautiful, talented and amazing young woman. Congratulations Lola!! Ms. Gail
Summer Dance Program
ContempraDance School’s Summer Dance Program
Check out the schedule and join us for a fun-filled summer of dance!
Class size is limited so register early.
Main Line Love Award
ContempraDance School is excited to announce we are the proud winner of the Main Line Love Award Best Dance Studio 2021.
Thank you to those that voted. We appreciate your support!
Congratulations to Ms. Daria!
Our Youth Ensemble Director and Instructor, Ms. Daria has been accepted into Temple’s MFA program for dance. We are so excited for her and very proud!
Good Luck!
Tickets are on sale now for June 8th recital. You can purchase in the office
Elevate Dance Competition 2019. Congrats to our amazing dancers! Great job!
Ms. Daria is now married. Congratulations!
Main Line Parent and Philadlephia Family LOVE award. ContempraDance School 2016, 2017, and 2021 LOVE award winner for "Best Dance Studio on the Main Line". 2019 LOVE award and 2022, 2023 "Family Favorite"