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