Pre-Professional Level Dance Training
The Academy of Dance offers non-credit, pre-professional and recreational dance classes for ages 3 to adult on TJC’s central campus.
The TJC Academy of Dance offers pre-professional level training in a progressively graded program of ballet and other dance forms to students of all ages and levels; ranging from three to adult.
Our students have gone on to dance in professional dance companies around the United States, as well as receive scholarships to study dance in major universities.
Emphasis is placed upon correct body alignment, discipline, strength development, coordination, and flexibility through knowledge of proper technique, terminology, musical awareness and artistry. We offer classes in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Pilates and Dance Conditioning.
Enrollment and Registration
Fall 2024 registration is now open!
All dance classes begin in the fall and progress through the spring session. Students should register for the same dance class for the entire academic year. For beginner and lower-level classes, new students should enroll according to the age requirements stated in the schedule. All new students with questions about placement level or schedule should email us at dance@tjc.edu for more information.
Returning students will be advised by email before a new session regarding class assignments or should email the address above. Please do not call the Registrar’s Office for placement information. Enrollments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Classes are in the Ornelas Center for Band, Apache Belles & Dance, formerly the Ornelas Healthy and Physical Education building (OHPE). Parking is available on adjacent streets or in student lots. Permits for student parking lots can be mailed upon request. Please call our Continuing Studies offices at 903-510-2900 for more information.
Pre-Professional Division
The pre-professional program, housed in the Academy of Dance, is a rigorous training and performing program designed to prepare students for a professional dance career or to obtain a higher education in dance. Through multiple weekly classes and additional performance opportunities, students gain first-hand knowledge of the physical and mental strength needed for their future goals. The TJC Academy of Dance pre-professional program is the only program in East Texas to provide the training and performing opportunities needed for students to continue their dance education and career beyond TJC. Students may begin the pre-professional division around age eight and graduate the program at age eighteen.
Schedule – Spring 2025 (1/21 – 5/8)
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:30-6:00 p.m. Ballet 1 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 4:30-6:00 p.m. Ballet 4/5 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 4:30-6:00 p.m. Ballet 1 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 4:30-6:00 p.m. Modern 2 Ms. Shurrell Studio 3 |
| 4:30-6:15 p.m. Modern 5 Ms. Shurrell Studio 3 | 4:30-6:00 p.m. Ballet 3 Ms. Carolyn Studio 3 | 4:30-5:45 p.m. Jazz/Open Mvmt Ms. Shurrell Studio 4 | 4:30-6:00 p.m. Ballet 3 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 |
| 6:15-7:45 p.m. Ballet 4/5 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 6:00-7:00 p.m. Int. Pointe Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 6:00-7:45 p.m. Ballet 4 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. Conditioning 4/5 (Levels 4 & 5) Ms. Sarah Studio 1 |
| 6:15-7:45 p.m. Modern 1 Ms. Shurrell Studio 3 | 6:00-7:00 p.m. Adv. Pointe Ms. Carolyn Studio 3 | 6:00-7:45 p.m. Company Class Ms. Carolyn Studio 3 | 6:00-7:30 p.m. Modern 3 Ms. Shurrell Studio 3 |
| 7:45-8:45 p.m. Int./Adv. Pointe Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 6:15-7:15 p.m. Conditioning 3 (Levels 3 & 3/4) Ms. Sarah Studio 1 | 6:30-7:15 p.m. Conditioning 1 (Level 1) Ms. Sarah Studio 1 | 6:00-7:30 p.m. Ballet 2 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 |
| 7:45-9:15 p.m. Modern 4 Ms. Shurrell Studio 3 | 6:30-8:00 p.m. Ballet 2 Ms. Elexis Studio 4 | 7:45-8:45 p.m. Beg. Pointe Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. Conditioning 2 (Level 2) Ms. Sarah Studio 1 |
| 7:00-9:00 p.m. Modern 4/5 Ms. Carolyn Studio 3 | 7:45-8:45 p.m. Variations Ms. Carolyn Studio 3 | 7:30-9:00 p.m. Modern 3/4 Ms. Shurrell Studio 3 | |
| 7:15-8:45 p.m. Ballet 3/4 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 | 7:30-9:00 p.m. Ballet 4/5 Ms. Thereza Studio 2 |
Enroll in classes or call 903-510-2900. If there’s no answer, leave a message.
These classes are exclusively for members of our Pre-Professional Division, which requires invitation and/or level placement. For more information, please contact Pre-Professional Division Director: Shurrell Wiebe | swie@tjc.edu | 903-705-2882.
Weekly Class Requirements
LEVEL 1 : LAVENDER BLOCH LEOTARD
- Ballet: Ballet 1 Pre-Pro on Mon/Wed
- Modern: Modern 1 Pre-Pro on Mondays
- Optional: Conditioning 1
LEVEL 2: AUBERGINE BLOCH LEOTARD
- Ballet: Ballet 2 Pre-Pro on Tues/Thur
- Modern: Modern 2 Pre-Pro on Thursdays
- Optional: Conditioning 2, Jazz/Open Movement, *LL
LEVEL 3: NAVY BLOCH LEOTARD
- Ballet: Ballet 3 Pre-Pro on Tues/Thur
- Modern: Modern 3 Pre-Pro on Thursdays
- Optional: Conditioning 3, Jazz/Open Movement, *LL
LEVEL 3/4: NAVY/BURGUNDY BLOCH LEOTARD
- Ballet: Ballet 3/4, Thur Ballet 3 or Wed 4 (determined by Dir.)
Pointe classes determined by Ballet Mistress - Modern: Modern 3/4 Pre-Pro on Thursdays
- Optional: Conditioning 3, Jazz/Open Movement, *LL
LEVEL 4: BURGUNDY BLOCH LEOTARD
- Ballet: Ballet 4 Pre-Pro on Wed, two Ballet 4/5 classes
Pointe classes determined by Ballet Mistress - Modern: Modern 4 Pre-Pro on Mondays
- Optional: Conditioning 4/5, Jazz/Open Movement, Modern 4/5 determined by Director, *LL
LEVEL 5: BURGUNDY BLOCH LEOTARD
- Ballet: Take two level 4/5 pre-pro ballet classes
Company Class, Variations
Pointe classes determined by Ballet Mistress - Modern: Modern 4/5 Pre-Pro, Modern 5 Pre-Pro
- Optional: Conditioning 4/5, Jazz/Open Movement, *LL
*LL = Levels 2-5 are encouraged to take additional lower level classes, as available, each week.
Pre-Professional Division Director: Shurrell Wiebe | swie@tjc.edu | 903-705-2882
2025 Academy of Dance Schedules & Info
- File type: PDF
- Size: 7.66 MB
Recreational Division
Schedule – Spring 2025 (1/21 – 5/8)
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:30-5:30 p.m. Pre-Ballet 2 Ballet Basics, Ages 4-5 Ms. Anne Studio 1 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. Pre-Ballet 3 Ballet Basics, Ages 5-6 Ms. Sarah Studio 1 | 10:00-10:45 a.m. Pre-Ballet 1 Ballet Basics, Ages 3-4 Ms. Anne Studio 1 | 4:30-5:15 p.m. Pre-Ballet 1 Ballet Basics, Ages 3-4 Ms. Sarah Studio 1 |
| 4:30-5:30 p.m. Hip Hop Ages 7-12 5:30-6:30pm Ms. Justice Studio 4 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. Combo 2 Ballet/Tap/Jazz, Ages 5-7 Ms. Katie Studio 4 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. Combo 1 Ballet & Tap, Ages 4-5 Ms. Anne Studio 1 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. Pre-Ballet 3 Ballet Basics, Ages 5-6 Ms. Katie Studio 4 |
| 5:30-6:30 p.m. Combo 1 Ballet & Tap, Ages 4-5 Ms. Anne Studio 1 | 5:30-6:15 p.m. Pre-Ballet 1 Ballet Basics, Ages 3-4 Ms. Sarah Studio 1 | 4:30-5:45 p.m. Intro to Ballet 1 Pre-Pro Prep, Ages 7-8 Ms. Carolyn Studio 3 | 5:15-6:15 p.m. Pre-Ballet 2 Ballet Basics, Ages 4-5 Ms. Sarah Studio 1 |
| 5:30-6:30 p.m. Pre-Ballet 4 Ballet Basics, Ages 6-7 Ms. Elexis Studio 4 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. Combo 2 Ballet/Tap/Jazz, Ages 5-7 Ms. Katie Studio 4 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. Combo 2 Ballet/Tap/Jazz, Ages 5-7 Ms. Kristi Studio 1 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. Combo 3 Ballet/Tap/Jazz, Ages 7&Up Ms. Katie Studio 4 |
| 6:30-7:30 p.m. Differently Abled Dance Ms. Anne Studio 1 | 5:45-6:30 p.m. Pre-Ballet 1 Ballet Basics, Ages 3-4 Ms. Anne Studio 4 | 6:30-7:45 p.m. Intro to Ballet 1 Pre-Pro Prep, Ages 7-8 Ms. Ana Studio 4 | |
| 6:30-7:45 p.m. Rec Ballet 1 & 2 Recreational, Ages 8&Up Ms. Ana Studio 4 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. Musical Theater Rec/PrePro Ages 8-12 Ms. Kristi Studio 4 |
Enroll in classes or call 903.510.2900. Leave a message, if no answer.
Academy Director: Carolyn Hanna | chan3@tjc.edu
2025 Academy of Dance Schedules & Info
- File type: PDF
- Size: 7.66 MB
Class Guide
Ages 3-4
All 3 year olds and younger 4 year olds are encouraged to start with Pre-Ballet 1. This class teaches ballet basics and meets developmental needs of littles with social and spatial awareness, creative play for gross motor skills; and even lessons in counting, colors, shapes and anatomy.
Ages 4-5
For students who have already taken two semesters of Pre-Ballet 1 or who will turn 5 before May 2025, we have two class options: Pre-Ballet 2 OR Combo 1. Pre-Ballet 2 is an age-appropriate continuation of coursework in skills and ballet basics. Combo 1 offers similar skill work, but technique work is split between ballet and tap. Combo students will need both ballet 5:30-6:30pm slippers & tap shoes.
Age 5-6
For students who have already taken two semesters of Pre-Ballet 2 or Combo 1 or who will turn 6 before May 2025, we have two class options: Pre-Ballet 3 OR Combo 2. Pre-Ballet 3 is an age-appropriate continuation of coursework in skills and ballet basics. Combo 2 offers similar skill work, but technique work is split between ballet and tap. Combo students will need both ballet slippers & tap shoes.
Age 6-7
For students who have already taken two semesters of Pre-Ballet 3 or Combo 1 or who will turn 7 before May 2025, we have two class options: Pre-Ballet 4 OR Combo 2. Pre-Ballet 4 is an age-appropriate continuation of coursework in skills and ballet basics. Combo 2 offers similar skill work, but technique work is split between ballet and tap. Combo students will need both ballet slippers & tap shoes.
Age 7-8
For students who have already taken two semesters of Pre-Ballet 4 or Combo 2 or who will turn 8 before May 2025, we have two class options: Intro to Ballet 1 OR Combo 3. Intro to Ballet 1 is recommended for students who wish to join the Pre-Professional Division- it is a longer class with more focus on technique. Combo 3 offers the same technique work with more advanced skills than Combo 2. Hip Hop is also available for boys and girls, ages 7-12. Combo students will need both ballet slippers & tap shoes.
Ages 8 & up
After Intro to Ballet 1, students who are interested, may ask to join our Pre-Professional Division. However, for everyone else, we offer plenty of recreational classes for students who want to dance for fun and continue to learn basic technique. This age group has several options: Recreational Ballet 1&2 (ballet basics), Recreational Modern 1 (modern basics), Musical Theater (jazz and theatrical movement), Combo 3 (ballet, tap & jazz) & Hip Hop.
Differently Abled Population
For students with different abilities and special needs, we offer the inclusive Differently Abled Dance class, open to all ages. This class works closely with our teacher, Ms. Anne, her assistants and parents to create a safe environment that introduces ballet, tap, and jazz technique, in addition to working on gross motor skills, music recognition, social skills & more.
For more information about this program, please contact our Pre-Professional Division Director, Shurrell Wiebe at swie@tjc.edu or call us at 903-510-2483.
Dance Degree Program
Interested in being a Dance major? Find out more about TJC’s Dance Department.
Upcoming Events
Information in Academy of Dance
- The Nutcracker
- Peter Pan
- Academy of Dance FAQ
Dance
Learn the theory, practice and fundamental physical skills required for the amazing form of human expression that is DANCE!
Art
Let us help you discover your creative voice and hone your skills towards creating inspiring, expressive, personal fine art in our 10,000-square-foot art facilities, all while being in close proximity to the Tyler Museum of Art.
Theatre / Musical Theatre
Our program helps you hone your craft and learn significant acting techniques while participating in an exhilarating and stimulating, creative program.
Dance
Learn the theory, practice and fundamental physical skills required for the amazing form of human expression that is DANCE!
Art
Let us help you discover your creative voice and hone your skills towards creating inspiring, expressive, personal fine art in our 10,000-square-foot art facilities, all while being in close proximity to the Tyler Museum of Art.
Theatre / Musical Theatre
Our program helps you hone your craft and learn significant acting techniques while participating in an exhilarating and stimulating, creative program.