MPSD focuses on classical Russian ballet, known as Vaganova technique. This method emphasizes core strength, flexibility, extension and artistic expression. Other ballet methods (Cecchetti, and RAD) are also incorporated into higher level classes to give dancers a better overall technical repertoire.

Pre-Ballet
Recommended for ages 5-6, this course will teach basics of proprioception, ryhthym, and gross motor skills. Basic feet and arm positions will be learned, along with introductory ballet steps. This course is designed for students who are not quite ready for the rigors of ballet technique, but want something more substantial than Creative Movement.
Dress Code
Pink tights; pink short-sleeved leotard; pink skirt; split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Ballet I
Recommended for ages 6-8, this class is for the beginning dancer. Focusing on posture, alignment and emerging musicality, students will gain an understanding of basic ballet steps, introducation to barre work, and some center combinations. Ballet I will likely be repeated more than once for younger dancers.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color short-sleeved leotard; no skirt; split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Ballet II
Recommended for ages 8-10, this class will grow those dancers who have mastered the basic concepts of body alignment and placement in Ballet I. Ballet II will allow dancers to explore more intermediate steps in center and introduce petite allegro, adagio, and grand allegro. Dancers will likely repeat Ballet II for one or more years.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color short-sleeved leotard; no skirt; split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Ballet III
Recommended for ages 9+, for dancers who are able to complete intermediate combinations with consistently correct alignment and musicality. Dancers at this level will begin to execute movements without demonstration and communicate using ballet terminology. This class is designed for the dancer who would like to advance and continue their technical ballet skills.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color leotard; no skirt; split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Ballet IV
Recommended for dancers 11+ who are able to complete intermediate/advanced combinations at the barre and in center with consistent alignment, and musicality. This class is designed for the dancer emerging in technique and ready to explore more artists in class. Ballet III is required before advancing into Ballet IV, or with instructor permission. This course will most likely be repeated more than once.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color leotard; no skirt; split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Ballet V
(By audition only) Recommended for dancers ages 13+, this class caters to dancers working toward technical proficiency and advanced artistic expression. Complex combinations at the barre, in center, and across the floor will be will given at a fast pace with attention to details of proper technique. Dancers must have at least four years of previous ballet technique before entering this class.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color leotard; no skirt; split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Teen Beginning/Intermediate Ballet
Recommended for ages 12+ This course is designed for teens who are coming into (or returning to) ballet for the first time. We will focus on proper alignment, and beginning technique at the barre and in center. Dancers in this class may repeat the course more than once.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color leotard; no skirt; split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Pointe I and Pointe Prep
(By audition only) For dancers who are currently on pointe or would like to dance in soft shoes and gain increased ankle strength while working toward dancing on pointe. Pointe dancing requires tremendous strength, proper alignment and excellent tecnhique. All dancers entering this class on pointe must be approved by the instructor and take the previous Ballet IV class as a warm up.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color short-sleeved leotard; wrap-around skirt (optional); split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Pointe II
Dancers may enter this class with permission only. Pointe I is a prerequisite for Pointe II. Pointe II will focus on strengthening advancing articulation of the feet at the barre and combinations in center and across the floor. Dancers should be on pointe for at least two years before enrolling in Pointe II.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color short-sleeved leotard; wrap-around skirt (optional); split-sole canvas or leather ballet slipper. Hair in a ballet bun.

Contemporary I
Recommended for ages 9-13 yrs or beginning/intermediate dancers. Combining the styles of modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet, contemporary dance aims to break away from the restraints of traditional techniques. Dancers will learn improvisation and explore unconventional ways of dancing and making dance.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; beige slip-on jazz shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Contemporary II
Recommended for ages 14+ yrs or advanced dancers. Combining the styles of modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet, contemporary dance aims to break away from the restraints of traditional techniques. Dancers will learn improvisation and explore unconventional ways of dancing and making dance.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; beige slip-on jazz shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Hip-hop I
Recommended for dancers age 7-9. Welcome to our rhythmic adventure where awesome movments meet growing confidence. We will make fun and cool movements to create unique and dynamic choreography together!
Dress Code
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (no jeans). A designated pair of tennis shoes is required for Hip-hop to keep the studio floor in good repair (ie. a different pair of shoes than has been worn during the day).

Hip-hop II
Recommended for dancers ages 9-13. Hip Hop II is an awesome adventure in movement where dancers will gain personal confidence, and learn dope movement. Hip Hop culture will be introduced and students will be pushed to identify their own style while learning the basics of hip hop technique.
Dress Code
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (no jeans). A designated pair of tennis shoes is required for Hip-hop to keep the studio floor in good repair (ie. a different pair of shoes than has been worn during the day).

Hip-hop III
Recommended for dancers ages 14+. For dancers with previous dance training. This class will combine the level I and II movements and explore all forms of street dance such as tutting, whacking, vogueing, breaking, locking and popping, waving, and more. Dancers should be able to successfully execute unplanned personal “battle” movement in this class.
Dress Code
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (no jeans). A designated pair of tennis shoes is required for Hip-hop to keep the studio floor in good repair (ie. a different pair of shoes than has been worn during the day).

Adult Hip-hop
Recommended for adults of any skill level, no experience required. Professor Bird will build on each student's movements to create unique and dynamic dance moves! This class is focused on confidence-building and fun.
Dress Code
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (no jeans). A designated pair of tennis shoes is required for Hip-hop to keep the studio floor in good repair (ie. a different pair of shoes than has been worn during the day).

Jazz I
Recommended for ages 6-8, this class will allow students to begin to build the foundations of jazz technique. Class will begin with technique warm up and lead into progressions across the floor with upbeat combinations that introduce terminology.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; beige slip-on jazz shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Jazz II
Recommended for dancers ages 8-10, this class will continue to build on the foundations of jazz technique and expand terminology. Class will begin with a warm up focused on flexibility and core strength. Students will learn progressions across the floor and choreography introducing intermediate level technique.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; beige slip-on jazz shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Jazz III
Recommended for dancers ages 10-12, this class will cater to dancers who have an intermediate knowledge of terminology, and a solid foundation of jazz technique. Class will begin with a technical warmup to prepare student's bodies for intermediate/advanced technique. Students will begin to explore a broader scope of jazz styles while learning more complex combinations and advanced choreography.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; beige slip-on jazz shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Jazz IV
Recommended for dancers ages 12+, students in this class will be expected to have an advanced knowledge of terminology and a solid technical foundation. Jazz IV will focus on tecnhical advancement and conditioning, preparing the body for more complex combinations. Students will work on their personal stylistic expression and incorporate advanced skill elements into their class performace.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; beige slip-on jazz shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Lyrical I
Recommended for ages 9-13 yrs or beginning/intermediate dancers. Combining the technique of ballet and the fluidity of jazz, dancers will learn how to dance using emotional connection and storytelling brought to life by song lyrics and melody. Dancers will also be introduced to lyrical dance technique.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; beige slip-on jazz shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Lyrical II
Recommended for ages 14+ yrs or advanced dancers. Combining the technique of ballet and the fluidity of jazz, dancers will learn how to dance using emotional connection and storytelling brought to life by song lyrics and melody. Dancers will continue to master lyrical dance technique and be introduced to more advanced lyrical dance concepts.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; beige slip-on jazz shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Modern
Recommended for ages 14+ yrs or advanced dancers. Dancers will learn the body placement, movement qualities, and choreographic composition of various modern dance styles. Such modern dance styles include Graham, Cunningham, Limon, Horton, Trisha Brown, and more.
Dress Code
Flesh-colored tights; solid color leotard; bare feet. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Pre Tap
Pre Tap is for our youngest dancers who have an interest in trying rhythm through tap dance, but are not of age for a full length class yet. Get ready for a FUN, exciting dance experience!
Dress Code
Any comfortable clothing

Tap I
Recommended for students age 6-8, Tap I will allow students to explore rhythm, musicality and motor skills through simple exercises and basic tap techniques. Exercises focus on building flexibility and strength of the knee and ankles, and growing coordination skills.
Dress Code
Pink, black, or flesh-colored tights; solid-color leotard; black tap shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Tap II
Recommended for students age 8-10, Tap II will allow students to build on their foundation of tap skills. They will learn more complex rhythms and tap skills, while expanding their understanding of rhythm and musicality. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap technique and producing clear tap sounds.
Dress Code
Pink, black, or flesh-colored tights; solid-color leotard; black tap shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Tap III
Recommended for students age 10-12, Tap III will expect students to have a solid foundation in tap; they will be pushed to learn more complex skills and vocabulary. Students should have a good foundation for rhythm and musicality so that they can become more creative in their movement and master harder tap skills.
Dress Code
Pink, black, or flesh-colored tights; solid-color leotard; black tap shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Tap IV
(By audition only) Tap IV is for students who already have rhythm, musicality, and a strong foundation in tap skills. In this class they will learn complex movements and rhythms, and explore different styles of tap and tap improv, to help them develop a creative style of their own, as well as work together to create advanced, cohesive percussive movement.
Dress Code
Pink, black, or flesh-colored tights; solid-color leotard; black tap shoes. Shorts or leggings at the teacher's discretion. Hair pulled off the face.

Adult Tap
Adult Tap will focus on the basics of tap technique and, most importantly--FUN! This class will meet for 8 weeks beginning Sept 10 and ending Oct 29th. Energetic Music, rhythms and movement give a great workout while providing a stress reducing end to your week!
Dress Code
You're Grown. You wear what you want. (Tap shoes recommended)

Acro-tumbling
Designed for students ages 5+ who are interested in gymnastics, advancing flexibility and presentation!
Dress Code
Form-fitted clothing, hair pulled back.

Creative Movement
Recommended for 3 and 4 year olds. These classes are designed as a first experience into the dance world! Students will learn how to participate in group classes while gaining knowledge of rhythm, coordination, and proprioception. Dancers’ learning occurs through games, and imaginative play!
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color leotard; skirt (optional); ballet slipper. Hair pulled back off the face.

Ballroom
Ballroom classes can be taken as an individual dancer or with a partner. This class meets for one semester on Mondays. Designed for dancers who have little to no ballroom experience and are ready for fun!
Dress Code
Ladies: Skirt or dress preferred but not required; clean heels. Men: Clothing to allow movement; clean leather or soft-soled non-marking shoe.

Mini Movers
This class is for 4 and 5 year olds who have had some prior classroom experience, dance or otherwise. These dancers will be able to sustain attention for 45 minutes and engage in learning through imaginative play, and games. Basic concepts of rhythm and proprioception will be introduced along with beginning dance steps and names.
Dress Code
Pink tights; solid color leotard; skirt (optional); ballet slipper. Hair pulled back off the face.

Musical Theater I
Musical Theater I will use music from staged musicals focusing on theatrical stage dance. Instruction may incorporate the use of emotive voice and expression as appropriate to the piece. This class is designed for students ages 8-12 with or without previous experience.
Dress Code
Tights; sold color leotard; skirt requested, but not required; beige character shoe (1.5-2" heels)

Musical Theater II
Musical Theater II will focus on pieces from well-known musicals, challenging students to learn more involved stage dance routines while incorporating voice and minor acting. Students ages 12 and over with previous dance/musical theater experience will be invited to attend this class.
Dress Code
Tights; sold color leotard; skirt requested, but not required; beige character shoe (1.5-2" heels)

Special Needs
Dance is for EVERYBODY! Special needs welcomes dancers ages 5 + who are differently abled physically and mentally. There is no age ceiling for this class! Classes will be based on dancer interest and movement comfort based in music and expression!
Dress Code
Any comfortable clothing

Turns/Jumps/Leaps
This class is designed for dancers ages 10+ who are enrolled in a technique class and want to push themselves to learn more "exciting" skills!
Dress Code
Form-fitting clothing. Leggings, sports bra, tank top, or leotard.