Move and bond with your child in this multi-sensory class. An experienced educator will guide parents and tots through movement explorations that use song and props to encourage expression, body awareness and communication. Benefits include: developing motor skills, enhancing brain development and encouraging socialization. This fun filled class will have parents and tots moving and grooving! Parent participation is required. Classes run in 10 week sessions.

This class is for children who have recently turned 3 and who may have 'graduated' from Toddle Moves and Grooves. Our FIRST dancers will enjoy a playful class that includes imaginative play, experiences that promote gross motor skills, and plenty of opportunity to socialize. This class will prepare students for Creative Ballet by enhancing their ability to follow direction, take turns, and participate in our engaging lessons. Our teachers are experienced educators with knowledge in early childhood education. They will be supported by members of our teacher's in training program. This program is ten weeks.

Creative Ballet introduces students to the world of dance through movement exploration, that sparks the imagination and stimulates creativity. Dancers will explore the basic principles of body, space and rhythm in a nurturing and playful environment that helps develop both gross and fine motor skills. This concept-based approach allows the child to learn the principles of dance while still fostering enjoyment for the art. It is an excellent introduction to their future study of dance techniques. Creative Ballet is grounded in creating a nurturing and creative atmosphere to allow young dancers to explore their artistic abilities.

Creative Movement is a joyful way for children to explore movement through music and dance. Your child will work on developing physical skills, channel energy, stimulate imagination and creativity. In creative movement, students can simultaneously develop motor skills, rhythmic awareness, coordination and balance in a safe environment. It is an excellent introduction to other genres of dance. Creative movement is for any child who loves to dance!

Introduce your dancer to the beautiful art of ballet! This class will enhance your child's coordination, balance and flexibility. Along with an introduction of ballet terminology and technique, dancers will explore imaginative story telling to foster their musicality and creative imaginations. Pre-Ballet prepares dancers for the Junior Ballet program by laying the foundation of beginning ballet principles.

Our ballet program is rooted in safe teaching practices and current dance pedagogy. It is a curriculum not a syllabus, so teachers build their class dependent on the needs of the students. This program focuses on the development and foundational training of young students, embracing sound ballet principles and incorporating elements of the French, Italian and Russian schools of training. Our focus is to train dance students to use their bodies correctly by focusing on kinetics, coordination, anatomy and proper body alignment. With a knowledge and understanding of technical elements students will be given the freedom to investigate and develop their own sense of artistry.

Pre-contemporary/Jazz is our introduction to contemporary and jazz studies. Dancers will be introduced to the creative and exploratory genre of contemporary dance through play and exercises that enhance body awareness, control and expressivity. Rhythm and musicality are fostered through the use of an eclectic mix of music like African drumming, contemporary classical music and popular music. Contemporary dance is an excellent compliment to a dancer's ballet studies.

Combining strength and flexibility, jazz employs movements that are quick, clean, precise and percussive. Dancers will also focus on dynamic turns and jumps, while learning choreography set to jazz and popular music. Many jazz styles are taught from Broadway to current.

Contemporary dance is based in ballet and has its roots in modern technique. Its aesthetics are influenced by modern dance icons such as Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and Lester Horton to name a few. The form also borrows from other genres, such as African dance, jazz, hip hop and martial arts. Some of the cross features are the use of parallel legs, contraction and release, spiral and tilting of the spine, embracing gravity and floor work, and grounding. Contemporary dance encourages the use of expression to enhance performance skills. It is an excellent compliment to a student's ballet studies.

This high-energy class introduces young dancers to the exciting world of tap! Pre-Tap helps children build balance, coordination, and rhythm while boosting their memory and focus through fun, structured movement.

Dancers will learn the basic steps of both Rhythm Tap and Broadway-style Tap, exploring musicality, timing, and sound through playful combinations and routines. It's a fun and dynamic way for kids to stay active, express themselves, and make some noise—on purpose!

Tap dance has many benefits such as improving one’s balance, coordination, mental and muscle memory as well as being a fun way to obtain cardio conditioning. Classes will work on developing rhythm, timing and musicality through learning the core steps of tap and combining these into routines. Both rhythm and Broadway style will be taught using technique drawn from a variety of curriculums.

This beginner-level class introduces dancers to the exciting world of Acro Arts—a dynamic blend of acrobatics and dance. Dancers will build a strong foundation in balance, flexibility, strength, and basic tumbling, all while learning to move with control and grace.

Using safe, age-appropriate progressions, the class focuses on proper technique, body awareness, and creative expression. It’s the perfect way for young dancers to gain confidence, build coordination, and have fun while developing both acro and performance skills!

Acro Arts is a dynamic program that blends the strength and flexibility of acrobatics with the grace and musicality of dance. Designed to build a strong technical foundation, our classes focus on safe progressions, proper alignment, and control while nurturing creativity and expression. Dancers develop skills such as balance, flexibility, tumbling, and strength training —all while enhancing their performance quality and artistic presence.

Horton Technique is dynamic and dramatic. It develops both strength and flexibility, and works with an energy that is constantly in motion. The primary focus of many beginner-level Horton studies is creating length in the spine and hamstrings. There is also an emphasis throughout all levels on developing musicality and performance qualities. As students progress, exercises become longer and more complex. Horton uses flat backs and lateral stretches, tilt lines and lunges, all movements that could be found in a jazz warm-up. Horton technique also incorporates lyrical, circular movements focusing on stretching in opposite directions. Horton Technique is the perfect complement for ballet, contemporary and jazz studies. Experience in ballet and contemporary dance required.

Pilates incorporates low impact exercises designed to improve strength, mobility and alignment. A core-targeted practice with a focus on syncing breath and movement, participants will challenge their balance and coordination. No experience necessary.

Bring a yoga mat and water bottle.

Choreography Lab is reserved for students who participate in both ballet and contemporary studies. Dancers will explore the creative process by creating their own pieces of choreography. The lab will focus on inspiration sources, understanding the elements of dance, along with many opportunities to collaborate. Unique to First City, choreography lab is where students' technique facilitates artistry.

Adaptive Dance is creative movement designed specifically for children with physical and neurological disabilities. This 45 minute class introduces dancers to the foundation of dance in a safe, fun and supportive environment. Dancers will work to develop coordination, rhythmicity, confidence and creativity, while developing social skills with others. Classes are taught by teachers who are trained in Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance program. Classes will take place at our city location,156 Union St., which is fully accessible.  

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Int/Adv ballet is for those students with extensive prior ballet experience. Dancers will focus on their classical ballet technique through a professional class progression that includes conditioning, barre, center work and enchainment work. Students can be expected to be challenged. The curriculum allows for new exercises, on a monthly basis, so dancers stay motivated and can work on goal-setting. With quality and knowledgeable teaching and an encouraging environment, these classes will be a perfect fit for those who aspire to improve their technique and artistry. Dancers are encouraged to attend both the Monday and Wednesday class.

This class is designed for dancers with a strong foundation in classical ballet technique who are ready to expand their skills through more complex movement. Dancers will focus on refining the execution of turns—such as pirouettes, chaînés, and piqué turns—with an emphasis on spotting, with an emphasis on spotting, balance, and control.

Jump work will progress to include petit allegro combinations featuring intricate footwork, as well as grand allegro phrases that challenge strength, elevation, and fluidity across the floor. Students will also continue to develop clarity of line, musicality, and expressive artistry, while building the stamina and coordination required for more advanced choreography.