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.
Awesome recital!!!
Our “Magic of Dance” student performance June 2nd 2018 was absolutely beautiful. Thank you to all of our amazing dancers that performed their hearts out to a packed audience. The Contempra faculty was unbelievably impressed. We can’t wait to start again in the fall! We also hope to see you in class this summer.
Thank you parents for sharing your fabulous kids with us all year. We hope you enjoyed it as much as us!
Ms. Gail, Ms. Daria, Ms. Jenn, Ms. Tia, Ms. Tweety, Mr. Bilal, Mr. Jerzy, Mr. Dre
Beyond the Stars Competition Results!
Our dances received numerous awards at Beyond the Stars Dance Competition. May 19th & 20th.
The dancer’s hard work and determination certainly paid off this year. Not only in competitions but at our Youth Festivals, charity events and in ContempraDANCE Theatre’s winter and spring productions.
We are extremely proud of all of the Ensemble Dancers and their talented choreographers. WAY TO GO!!
- Lola Contained Platinum and 5th Overall And Choreography award for Contained
- Visually Effective for The Trail
- 2nd Overall The Trail And Ultimate Emotional Execution award for The Trail
- Claudia Solo If I had my Way Diamond 1st Overall
- Austin Sound of Silence Platinum 9th Overall
- Eyes High Gold 3rd Overall
- Elusive High Gold 4th Overall
- Terrilyn Love is In Control High Gold 1st in Category
- Trio On My Own got platinum and 1st Overall
- Duo life of the party got High Gold and 3rd Overall
- Maya Time After Time got High Gold and 9th Overall
- Audrey placed 1st in Contemporary category, Platinum and 4th overall.
- Hanging Tree got Platinum and 3rd Overall
- Work Me Down High Gold 7th Overall
- Jailhouse Rock High Gold 6th Overall
- Virus Platinum 2nd Overall and Judges Award Creative Concept
- Ellie Solo Ciao Adios Platinum and 2nd Overall and standout technique award
- Maria Between the Lines got High Gold
ContempraDance Studio Named A Family Favorite Business By the Main Line Parent LOVE Awards!
Congratulations to ContempraDance Studio again being named a Family Favorite Business From Main Line Parent LOVE Awards!
Congratulations Mr. Dre!!!!!!!!!!!
Ms. Gail with Dre at his wedding in the outer banks Saturday April 28th.
Dre has been teaching hip hop at ContempraDance for over 11 years.
We are so excited we were able to be there to celebrate with him and his new wife, Kathy.
Congratulations Mr. Dre!!!!!!!!!!!
Ms Gails Little Mermaid kids
Ms Gails Little Mermaid kids posing after trying on their recital costumes Ms Jenn made.
They are under the sea lol !!!!
Oldie But Goodie – Gail with Jerry Blavat – 2008 “Best Of Philly Awards”
Gail With Jerry Blavat aka “The Geator with the heater” at The 2008 Philly Magazine “Best of Philly Awards”
ContempraDance School was voted Best Dance School on the Main Line.
Elevate Competition March 17th 2018
Elevate Competition March 17th 2018
Awards:
- 2 High Platinum’s
- 15 Platinum’s
- 1 High Gold
- 5 1st place awards
- 1 Judges award for superb staging for “Work me Down”
- 1 “IT” award from the judges for Audrey’s Solo
Special DJ award for Virus.. selected as most favorite dance of the day!
Youth Ensemble dancers in Philly Nutt Crak-Up as “Philazzle Canes”
Youth Ensemble dancers performing “Arabian Night” at 2016 World Dance Festival in Philadelphia
ContempraYouth Dance Ensemble performs “Hershey Kisseritas” in the Philly Nutt Crak-Up
ContempraYouth World Dance Ensemble 2016
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"