We are a "small but mighty" community nonprofit. Unlike competitive studios, our focus is on affordable, high-quality training grounded in exercise science and NDEO standards. Every one of our youth instructors holds a degree in dance, ensuring your child receives instruction that is developmentally appropriate, joyful, and rigorous without the pressure of competitions.

No. We focus on friendships, personal growth, and life skills. While we maintain high technical standards, we prioritize a "whole-person" approach where confidence and resilience are just as important as dance skills

It depends on their interest!

• Kids in Motion is a survey of many styles (ballet, jazz, contemporary) and is great for high-energy explorers.

• Mini Ballet is storybook-themed and focuses specifically on the foundations of ballet.

These are 15-minute "rhythm boosts" designed to be paired with our Mini Ballet or Kids in Motion classes. They are a low-cost, low-pressure way for dancers ages 3–6 to try tap shoes and learn basic rhythm skills. These classes will also prepare them to move onto tap 1 if they want!

This is a non-recital class focused on tumbling, flexibility, and core strength. It’s designed to help dancers safely learn tricks like cartwheels, handstands, and walkovers to enhance their performance in other styles like Jazz or Contemporary.

Our schedule is built on child development and exercise science. Shorter sessions for younger dancers (ages 3–9) respect their attention spans and physical stamina, while our older "Level 2" dancers move into 60–75 minute sessions for deeper technical work.

We offer two primary ways to save:

1. Sibling Superstars: Save $5 per class when siblings register using the same email address.

2. You can redeem this discount by using code "SIBS" at checkout

3. Triple Threat: Save $10 per class when one student takes three different techniques. Triple Threat dancers also get priority access to solo/duet opportunities and a special shoutout in our recital program!

4. You can redeem this discount by using code "STAR" at checkout

It’s our big celebration in May! Unlike high-pressure competitions, our recital is a supportive performance where students show off what they’ve learned to friends and family. Participation is optional, and we work hard to keep it affordable with no recital fees, low ticket prices, and reasonable costume costs.

No! We believe in keeping performance accessible. While there are reasonable costume costs and low-priced tickets, we do not charge a separate recital fee to participate in our end-of-year show.

For Ballet, traditional dancewear is encouraged. For Jazz, Contemporary, or Acro, form-fitting activewear is great. Specific shoes (Tap, Ballet, or Jazz) are required for their respective classes to ensure safety and proper technique

We never want clothing to be a barrier to dancing, so we have "dance wear swap bin" above our cubbies where people can leave pre-loved dance wear they no longer use, and others can take what they need.

If it is your first few classes, jazz or ballet shoes are not required.

You can read the full dress code for each dance style on page 10 of the Handbook. Linked Here

We group classes by age and experience to ensure the best developmental fit:

• Ages 3–6: Start with Kids in Motion (creative play & survey of styles) or Mini Ballet (storybook-focused). Don't forget the Tap Add-on if they like making noise!

• Ages 7–9: This is "Level 1" territory. They can choose between Ballet 1, Jazz 1, or Contemporary 1.

• Ages 10–16: "Level 2" or Teen classes. For those wanting a challenge, Ballet 2/Pre-Pointe is our most rigorous technical offering.

• Still unsure? Contact us for a placement recommendation!

Absolutely! We welcome dancers of any gender in all of our programs. While we see boys in every style, our Tap and Acro classes are particularly popular because they are high-energy and physically demanding. These classes—along with Jazz—incorporate "heavy work" and complex balance challenges that are fantastic for building athletic strength and grounding "hyperactive" brains.

Because our curriculum is aligned with NDEO standards and exercise science, we prioritize progressive learning. By committing to a full session, you build a relationship with your teacher and classmates, and your body learns skills in a safe, logical sequence. This reduces injury risk and creates a much more rewarding experience than a one-off drop-in.

We are located inside the Black Mountain Center for the Arts at 225 West State Street.

When you arrive, enter through the top floor, left hand door, to access the studio the fastest.

There is street parking available directly in front of the building on State Street. Additionally, there is a public parking lot located behind the center and along the side streets. Please allow an extra 5 minutes during peak afternoon hours (3:15–5:00 PM) as the area can get busy!

You have several great options! We know our dance families are busy, so we invite you to use this time however you need it most—whether that’s running errands, grocery shopping, or just enjoying a moment of quiet time.

• Enjoy Black Mountain: Because our indoor waiting space is limited, we encourage you to enjoy our town! The Dripolator (right next door) is a local favorite for a coffee break, and the Kids Quest playground across the street is a great spot for siblings to burn off energy.

• Explore BMCA: You are always welcome to browse the BMCA Gallery, which features new art exhibits every month.

• Stay Close: If your child isn't yet potty independent or you just want to stick close by, you can wait in the foyer (between the studio and the gallery) or on the balcony (weather permitting).

If you want your dancer to get the most out of their time at BMCA, they definitely should! While every class stands on its own, we’ve intentionally scheduled "sister classes" back-to-back. This allows your dancer to build a broader skill set in one visit while you minimize your drive time.

While you are welcome to mix and match any classes within your dancer’s age and skill level, here is what we recommend based on our 2026–2027 progressions.

The Triple Threat Perk: Any dancer who takes three or more different styles automatically qualifies for our Triple Threat Discount!

Ages 3–6

• Mini Ballet/Kids in Motion + Tap Add-ons: You should pair these together. The 15-minute tap bursts are a low-pressure, playful way to explore rhythm right after their creative movement or ballet class.

Level 1 (Ages 7–9)

• Jazz 1 + Contemporary 1: Dancers should take these together. These styles share a technical language but offer different creative outlets for self-expression. (can add acro 2 for dancers 8+)

• Acro 1 + Tap 1: This is where you should put the student with endless energy. It’s a high-energy combo that builds coordination and athletic strength through "heavy work" challenges.

• Jazz + Contemporary + Ballet + Acro: The student who loves every style should aim for this well-rounded experience. It covers all the bases and automatically triggers that Triple Threat discount.

Level 2 & Teen (Ages 10–16)

• Tap 2/3 + Musical Theater/Jazz 2: Students who love performance should pair these for a deep dive into character work and complex rhythms.

• Ballet/Pre-Pointe + Contemporary + Acro: Dancers should focus here for a focus on strength and fluidity. This combination uses cross-training to help teens feel confident and capable in their bodies.

The "One-Stop" Advantage: Dance + Music

Because we are a multi-arts hub, you should consider coordinating your dance schedule with our music faculty. It’s the easiest way to give your student a rich creative experience while giving you a solid window of time to run errands or enjoy downtown Black Mountain.

• Tuesdays:  Voice lessons with Alison.

• Thursdays: Piano lessons with Joel.