What class is right for me?
Choosing the right class is the first step in a dance journey. We look at more than just age: interest, intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development all play a role in finding the best fit.
Our goal is to help every dancer feel confident, supported, and excited to grow.
Dance Program Overview
Foundational
Wee Dance (Preschool-Aged Children)
A playful, imaginative introduction to movement, musicality, and classroom routines.Ballet & Tap Combo Class 1 (Kindergarten)
Bridges Wee Dance and the regular program. Ballet and Tap provide foundations in posture, rhythm, and musicality, while also giving dancers and families an early sense of which styles they may wish to pursue later on.
Ballet & Tap Combo Class 2 (Grade 1 & Grade 2)
Bridges Wee Dance and the regular program. Ballet and Tap provide foundations in posture, rhythm, and musicality, while also giving dancers and families an early sense of which styles they may wish to pursue later on.
Technical
Level 1 (Grade 2 & Grade 3)
Begins standard technique training across styles in a supportive and encouraging environment. Dancers may begin to explore more than one style.Level 2 (Grade 4 & Grade 5)
Deepens technique, alignment, and musicality.Level 3 (Grade 6 & Grade 7)
Builds independence, artistry, and discipline, ideal for dancers beginning to specialize or expand training.Level 4+ (Grade 8 and up)
Advanced training with emphasis on performance, expression, and personal artistry across multiple styles.Adult
Classes designed for adults with a focus on movement and community.
Special Programs
Company Class
For advanced dancers dancers. By invitation only.Performing Group
For dancers Level 1+. Designed for dancers who want to take their training seriously, grow their performance skills, and work as part of a dedicated team.Six-Week Adult Beginner Sessions – Short, accessible sessions designed for adults who are brand new to dance or returning after a long time, with a focus on enjoyment, movement, and building confidence. Offering include ballet, jazz and modern.
Age Groupings
You may notice that our age groupings overlap. That’s intentional. Every child develops at a different rate, and development includes intellectual, emotional, social, and physical factors.
Placement is based not only on age but also on experience and readiness. For dancers who are brand new, we often recommend starting at a level slightly below their age group so they can build confidence and catch up on fundamental technique.
We’re also mindful that children’s physical literacy has been impacted in recent years by COVID, and those effects are still working their way through. Our goal is to make sure every dancer is supported at the level they need, without pushing anyone beyond their capacity.
Wee Dance
Our Wee Dance classes are specially designed for preschool-aged children (ages 3–5) and offer a joyful introduction to the world of dance. Using a creative, play-based approach, these classes focus on basic dance technique, gross motor skills, classroom etiquette, and imaginative movement.
We aim to spark creativity and nurture self-expression through music, storytelling, and movement. Our lively and experienced instructors bring an early childhood focus to every aspect of class, creating a safe and encouraging environment for your little one’s first dance experience.
Wee Dance classes run from September to June and culminate in a delightful year-end recital.
Combo Class
Combo Class is designed to bridge the gap between Wee Dance and our regular dance program. It’s a gentle introduction to more structured skills and expectations, while still keeping the classes fun, creative, and expressive.
In Combo Class, dancers explore both ballet and tap. These introductions not only build strong posture, coordination, and musicality, but also give dancers an early sense of what styles they may want to pursue as they grow.
Why Technical Training Begins at Level 1
In Wee Dance and Combo Classes, our focus is on helping young dancers build coordination, rhythm, physical cross-patterning, balance, and spatial awareness. These early skills are essential for healthy child development and provide the foundation for a lifetime of movement.
Introducing formal technique too early can be overwhelming, may increase the risk of injury, and in some cases, discourage children before they’ve had a chance to develop confidence and joy in dance. By beginning technical training in Level 1, we ensure dancers are ready, both physically and emotionally, to take on the demands of structured technique in a safe and positive way.
New to dance?
Check out our information for new dance families link below.
Dance Styles at LPD
Wee Dance and Combo Class are foundational programs. Technical training begins at Level 1, where dancers build upon those early skills. It is at this point that dancers choose a specific technical style. Although not required, most students choose to train across multiple styles: ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and more. This cross-training nurtures versatility and expression, resulting in multi-dimensional dancers who are both technically strong, artistically expressive, and deeply adaptive.
WeDance – An imaginative and playful introduction to dance for preschool and kindergarten children.
Ballet & Tap Combo – A foundation class that blends ballet’s structure with tap’s rhythm, giving young dancers strong technical basics while keeping classes fun and varied.
Ballet – A structured, classical form of dance focused on posture, technique, and precision. Builds strength, alignment, discipline, and artistry.
Tap – Rhythm-based dance using the feet as percussive instruments. Develops musicality, timing, coordination, and focus.
Jazz – Energetic and expressive movement often set to popular or upbeat music. Improves stamina, expression, flexibility, and performance skills.
Latin Jazz – A vibrant fusion of jazz technique with Latin rhythms and movement styles. Builds rhythm, flair, and musicality.
Modern – Grounded, expressive movement that emphasizes creativity and emotional connection. Encourages fluidity, strength, and exploration of personal artistry.
Musical Theatre – Dance that blends jazz and theatrical performance, often inspired by Broadway and stage musicals. Builds storytelling, stage presence, and character work.
Hip Hop – Street-style movement rooted in rhythm and groove. Develops coordination, confidence, and a sense of personal style.
Pointe and Pre-pointe - Pointe work is an aspect of classical ballet technique where a dancer supports their full body weight on fully extended feet in pointe shoes. In order to do pointe work dancers must demonstrate excellent ballet technique, strength, discipline, maturity, and a knowledge of one’s body. In a recreational dance school setting pointe work should be challenge, but it should not be painful.
Some students take to pointe work with ease, other struggle. Some do not have the natural facility, foot structure, and/ or ankle strength to “go on pointe” safely. Therefore pointe shoes are recommended on a case by case basis.
Six-Week Adult Beginner Sessions – Short, accessible sessions designed for adults who are brand new to dance or returning after a long time, with a focus on enjoyment, movement, and building confidence. Offering include ballet, jazz and modern.
Performing Group
The Performing Group replaced our former Competition Team and is open to all Lynn Panting Dance (LPD) students in Level 1 and above. It’s designed for dancers who want to take their training seriously, grow their performance skills, and work as part of a dedicated team.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held on:
Mondays from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
There is also the potential for an additional rehearsal on Wednesdays from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM for soloists and small groups
Company Class
Company Class is by invitation only and is designed for advanced students and staff who have been with Lynn Panting Dance for many years. This program offers an intensive environment where dancers refine technique, build stamina, and push the boundaries of their artistry.
6-Week Beginner Sessions for Adults
We offer classes for adults that run September-June in our dance program. But, for those seeking less commitment LPD offers 6-Week Beginner Sessions for adults throughout the year.
