Kids Ballet Classes in Wheat Ridge
JC Dance & Company teaches kids ballet in Wheat Ridge, from a first plié around age 3 to youth dancers building real technique. Ballet is where many dancers start, because it builds the posture, balance, and control that carry into every other style. Classes stay small so each dancer gets attention.
The ballet classes we offer
We teach ballet at a few levels. Here they are with the day, time, and ages. The full weekly grid is on the class schedule.
Mini Stars Ballet/Tap Combo, Wednesdays 9:00 to 9:45am, ages 3 to 5
Mini Stars Tap & Ballet, Saturdays 9:45 to 10:30am, ages 4 to 6
Youth Ballet, Mondays 5:00 to 6:00pm, ages 7 to 10
Adult Ballet, Wednesdays 7:00 to 8:00pm (see the adult classes page)
Younger dancers who are not quite ready for a full ballet class build their pre-ballet foundation in our preschool creative movement classes, where tiptoes, balance, and following the music come first.
What a ballet class looks like
A youth ballet class runs an hour and follows the shape ballet has always had. Dancers warm up at the barre with pliés and tendus, move to the center for balance and port de bras, which is the way the arms move, and finish with steps across the floor and a short combination. The teacher corrects gently and often, because ballet is built one small habit at a time. In the mini combo classes, the ballet half is shorter and playful, full of shapes, jumps, and encouragement, paired with a tap half in the same 45 minutes.
Is my child ready for ballet?
If your child likes to move carefully and enjoys a little structure, ballet suits them. Ages 3 to 5 do best in the combo classes, which mix ballet with tap and keep things moving. Around ages 7 to 10, dancers are ready for Youth Ballet, where the focus shifts to real technique and steady progress. No experience is needed to start either one. If your dancer is 5 or 6 and you are not sure where they fit, book a free trial and we will place them.
What to wear and bring
For ballet, a leotard and tights are ideal, with hair in a bun so it stays out of the face. Soft ballet shoes are the one piece of gear that helps, though bare feet or grippy socks are fine for a first class while you decide. For the combo classes, add tap shoes once your dancer continues. Bring a water bottle with your child's name on it.
Questions parents ask
What should my child wear to a first ballet class?
A leotard and tights if you have them, or fitted athletic clothes if you do not, with hair pulled back. You will not need ballet shoes to try a class.
Do we need ballet shoes right away?
No. Come in bare feet or grippy socks for a trial. If your dancer continues, soft leather or canvas ballet shoes are inexpensive and last a good while.
What is the difference between the combo class and Youth Ballet?
The Mini Stars combo classes are for ages 3 to 6 and split the 45 minutes between ballet and tap at a playful pace. Youth Ballet is a full hour of ballet for ages 7 to 10, with more focus on technique.
Can my 6-year-old join Youth Ballet?
It depends on the child. Youth Ballet is built for ages 7 to 10 and runs a full hour focused on technique, so it asks more of a dancer than the Mini Stars classes do. A mature 6-year-old who is ready for that can sometimes join. Book a free trial and we will see how your dancer does, then place them in the class that fits best.
Do you have a recital or performance?
Yes. We plan performances, and the timing can vary from year to year. We let enrolled families know the details ahead of time, so once your dancer is in class you will hear about any upcoming performance and what to expect.
Ready to try ballet? Pick a class from the schedule and book a free trial. If you want help choosing the right level, call the studio at 983-900-9690 or send a message. You can also see every class we offer. Your first class is free.