2026/2027
Pre‑Professional Program
2026/2027
Pre‑Professional Program
Program Overview
Designed for dedicated students preparing for a professional dance career, our program offers rigorous, comprehensive training emphasizing discipline, technique, artistry, and resilience. Open to ages 8–18.
Curriculum Highlights
Advanced Technical Training: Intensive daily classes in classical ballet technique, pointe work (by assessment; see requirements below), and variations training.
Artistic Development: Performance opportunities in The Nutcracker excerpts and our Spring Performance at Montclair State University.
Holistic Growth: A supportive atmosphere stressing strength, grace, discipline, and grit needed for the modern professional landscape.
Placement & Class Requirements
Minimum ballet study to qualify for Horton placement: 2 ballet classes per week. Often introduced for intermediate/advanced programs, starting around age 10-12.
Pointe Eligibility: All students interested in pointe must complete a pointe assessment. Students taking pointe must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 ballet classes per week.
Jazz Enrollment: Students may take jazz classes only if they are enrolled in all required ballet and Horton classes.
Make-up Policy
No prorates for registrations. Students may make up missed classes in the level below their regularly scheduled class.
Enrollment Details
Trial classes are available for all levels at $25. Schedule is subject to change. For booking and pricing, email ac@acdancenj.com
Commitment
We are committed to providing the training, tools, and guidance necessary to help dancers transition into professional companies or elite collegiate programs.
Our Pre-Professional Program Schedule
2 Ballet and 1 Horton
Monday, Horton 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Tuesday 5:00 pm -6:00 pm
Wednesday 5:00 pm 6:00 pm
Leotard Color - French Blue
Level 1
2 Ballet
Tuesday 4:00 pm -5:00 pm
Wednesday 4:00 pm -5:00 pm
1st Year: Fuchsia Leotard
2nd Year: Sky Blue Leotard
Level 2
Additional Classes
Progressing Ballet Technique
an innovative body conditioning and strength-
building program that prioritises muscle
memory development through ballet-specific exercises.
ages 10+
Saturday -Juniors 8:00 am -8:55 am
Friday -Seniors 6:00 pm -7:00 pm
(students must be approved to take this level)
Dress code-leotard color and black tights
3 Ballet, 1 Pre-Pointe and 1 Horton
Monday, Horton 5:15 pm-6:45 pm
Wednesday 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Friday 4:00 pm -6:00 pm (incl. 4Pointe)
Saturday 9:00 am -10:30 am
Leotard Color: Lilac
3 Ballet and 1 Horton
Monday, Horton 4:00 pm-5:15 pm
Tuesday 5:00 -6:00 pm
Wednesday 5:00 pm-6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am -10:30 am
Leotard Color: Pacific
Level 4
Level 3
Jazz 1
(age 8+)
Saturday 3:30 pm -4:30 pm
Jazz 2
(must be approved to take this level)
Thursday 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Jazz 3
(must be approved to take this level)
Thursday 7:30 pm-9:00 pm
Dress code- level color and black tights
Contact us for more information regarding auditions for our Pre-Professional program.
You can reach us directly at ac@acdancenj.com
Upper Levels
4 Ballet, 2 Pointe, 1 Variations or Jazz and 1 Horton
Mon, Horton 5:15-6:45 pm
Tues, Ballet 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Tues, Variations 7:15-8:15 pm
Wed, Ballet 6:00 -8:00 pm
Thur, Ballet/Pointe 4:00 pm-6:00
Fri, Ballet/Pointe 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Leotard Color: Dark Purple
Level 5
Level 6
4 Ballet, 3 Pointe, 1 Variations or Jazz and 1 Horton
Mon, Horton 6:45 pm-8:15 pm
Tues, Ballet 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Tues, Variations 7:15-8:15 pm
Wed, Ballet/Pointe 6:00 -8:00 pm
Thur, Ballet/Pointe 4:00 pm-6:00
Fri, Ballet/Pointe 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Leotard Color: Hunter Green
5 Ballet, 5 Pointe, 1 Variations or Jazz, 1 PBT, and 1 Horton
Mon, Horton 6:45 pm -8:15 pm
Tues, Ballet/Pointe 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Tues, Variations 7:15-8:15 pm
Wed, Ballet/Pointe 6:00 -8:00 pm
Thur, Ballet/Pointe 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Fri, PBT 6:00-7:00 pm
Fri, Ballet/Pointe 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Sat, Ballet/Pointe 10:45 am-12:15 pm
Leotard Color: Black & Red Belt
Level 7
Level 8
5 Ballet, 4 Pointe, 1 Variations or Jazz, 1 PBT and 1 Horton
Mon, Horton 6:45 pm -8:15 pm
Tues, Ballet/Pointe 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Tues, Variations 7:15-8:15 pm
Wed, Ballet/Pointe 6:00 -8:00 pm
Thur, Ballet/Pointe 4:00 pm-6:00
Fri, PBT 6:00-7:00 pm
Fri, Ballet/Pointe 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Sat, Ballet 10:45 am-12:15 pm
Leotard Color: Burgundy & Black Belt

