Jazz, Tap & Contemporary Classes in Wheat Ridge
JC Dance & Company teaches jazz, tap, lyrical, and contemporary in Wheat Ridge for kids and teens, roughly ages 5 through 16. These are the styles where dancers build rhythm, musicality, and their own way of moving. A dancer can take one of them or stack a few in a week, and many do.
The classes we offer
Here are the jazz, tap, and contemporary classes, with the day, time, and ages. The full weekly grid is on the class schedule.
Kinder Contemporary, Tuesdays 4:00 to 4:45pm, ages 5 to 7
Tap & Tumble, Wednesdays 5:00 to 6:00pm, ages 6 to 8
Youth Jazz/Hip Hop, Mondays 6:00 to 7:00pm, ages 7 to 10
Contemporary/Lyrical, Tuesdays 5:00 to 6:00pm, ages 8 to 12
Musical Theater Skills, Tuesdays 6:00 to 7:00pm, ages 11 to 16
Teen Contemporary, Thursdays 5:00 to 6:00pm, ages 11 to 16
The littlest dancers get their first taste of tap in the Mini Stars tap and ballet combos, and adults have their own jazz and tap classes in the evening.
What a class looks like
What happens in class depends on the style. Jazz classes warm up with isolations and stretches, then work turns, leaps, and a combination to music. Tap is all about sound, so dancers drill each step slowly to hear it clearly, then speed it up. Contemporary and lyrical spend time on control and expression, including floorwork and moving through a feeling rather than just hitting shapes. Musical theater blends dance with performing, so there is character and energy in the room. Whatever the style, dancers build toward a combination they can run start to finish by the end of a session.
Is this right for my child?
These styles suit dancers who already like to move and want to get better at it. Ages 5 to 8 have gentle entry points in Kinder Contemporary and Tap & Tumble. From age 8 up, dancers can take contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and musical theater, and most take more than one. You do not need prior training to start, but these classes reward dancers who come regularly.
What to wear and bring
It depends on the style. For jazz and contemporary, wear fitted clothes you can move and stretch in, with bare feet or the shoe your teacher recommends. For tap, you will need tap shoes once your dancer continues, though not for a first class. Hair pulled back, a water bottle, and that is it.
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between lyrical and contemporary?
They overlap. Lyrical follows the words and feeling of a song closely, with flowing movement. Contemporary is broader and more experimental, with more floorwork and modern shapes. Our Contemporary/Lyrical class covers both.
Which tap shoes should we buy?
For a beginner, a basic tap shoe is fine, and you will not need them for a first class. Ask us and we will point you to a good starter pair.
Can my dancer take more than one of these?
Yes, and many do. Jazz, tap, and contemporary build different skills, so taking two or three in a week rounds a dancer out.
My teen is just starting. Is that too late?
Not at all. Teen Contemporary and Musical Theater Skills both welcome dancers who are new to the style. Starting as a teen is common.
Do these classes perform?
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 a class? Pick one from the schedule and book a free trial. If you want help choosing, call 983-900-9690 or send a message. You can also see every class we offer. Your first class is free.