Monona Academy of Dance provides dance classes for dancers age 3 - 103. We pride ourselves on a nurturing and positive environment focusing on technique and fun. We can help prepare your dancer for the world of hard work, higher education and/or professional dance. Dance teaches much more than steps. The physical movement encompass musicality, creativity, science, mathematics and physics. For the adult student we can provide a happy place to revisit the joys of an artform you learned as a youth or as a new skill.

Registration for 2024-2025 is now open! Read below for class descriptions and visit our registration page for pricing and sign-up.

  • Pre-Ballet I & II

    Introduction to dance and movement, focusing on motor skills, coordination, balance, and preparatory ballet movements and positions.

    Pre-Ballet: AGES 3-4 (Pre-School/4K)

    Pre-Ballet II: AGES 5-6 (Kindergarten)

    Beginning Ballet

    Class focuses on basic ballet technique, proper body alignment, flexibility and muscle control. Students will be introduced to ballet barre exercises and center combinations. 

    AGES: 6 - 8

    Ballet 7-10 yr olds

    Class focuses on basic and advancing to intermediate ballet technique, proper body alignment, flexibility and muscle control. Includes time at the barre both facing and facing away.

    Ballet I, II, III, IV, V

    These classes range from intermediate to pre-professional ballet levels. The focus is on perfecting the student's ballet technique. Pointe work is taught in Ballet IV and V. 

    Placement is by instructor approval only.  Experienced adults can be placed in the Ballet IV/V class

  • Beginning Tap

    Class develops the student’s awareness of musical rhythm, introduces basic tap vocabulary, and explores making and differentiating sounds in tap shoes

    AGES: 5 & UP

    Tap I, II, III, IV, V

    The next levels following the beginning class. Class consists of perfecting the student's tap technique and musicality, building speeds, and creating more complex patterns of steps. 

    Placement is by instructor approval only.

  • Jazz 7-10 yr olds

    Get introduced to the basics, memorizing steps in patterns, and strengthening for future material.

    Jazz I

    Get introduced to the basics, memorizing steps in patterns, and strengthening for future material.

    AGES: 7 & UP

    Jazz II, III, IV, V

    Learn different styles including lyrical, musical theater, jazz and funk.

    Placement by instructor approval only. 

  • The cutting-edge form of street dance, most often characterized by the dancing seen in music videos. Heavily influenced by jazz and break-dancing, emphasis is placed on isolation, rhythm, and individuality. 

    Beginning Hip Hop

    Introduction to basic steps, rhythm, vocabulary, and encourages using their personality in their dancing. 

    AGES 5-7 and 8-10 with no previous hip hop experience.

    Hip Hop I

    AGES 8-10 (previous experience)

    AGES 11-12  (beginners)

    Hip Hop II

    AGES 11-12 (previous experience)

    AGES 13-14 (beginners)

    Hip Hop III

    Ages 13+ with previous experience and or placement by instructor

    MAD City Hip Hop 1

    Placement by audition  

    MAD City Hip Hop 2

    Placement by audition

  • Modern III, IV, V

    Movement is explored through use of concepts of time, space and effort. The use of momentum and gravity, the articulation of the upper body, the use of parallel leg positioning, and weight distribution that is low to the ground.

    AGES: 10 & UP 

    Previous dance experience a requirement. Corresponds to Ballet level. Placement by instructor only. 

  • Teen/Adult Ballet**

    Offering both beginning/intermediate (new to ballet and/or wish for a refresher class with vocabulary), open (able to complete barre and center).

    AGES: 13 & UP

    Teen/Adult Tap**

    Both beginning (new to tap or interested in a review of basic terminology) and open (familiar with terminology for a warm up and combination class) level classes for adults and teens.

    AGES: 13 & Up

    Teen/Adult Jazz**

    Both beginning/intermediate (new to jazz or would like a refresher) and open (familiar with terminology and after warm up a combination class)

    AGES: 13 & UP

    **Teen/Adult classes are available by term or via a drop-in sign-up basis. Link to page here. The best option for those with a busy schedule. Questions?  Email or call the office.

  • Beginning Acro

    Taught by an instructor certified in the Acrobatic Arts technique. Learn proper placement and technique for the foundations of AcroDance including handstands, cartwheels and bridges. Learn transitions from the above into dance steps.

    AGES 8+

    Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)*

    An innovative program developed for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory to achieve their personal best in classical ballet. 

    AGES: 11 & UP

    Yoga*

    A class to help dancers gain more flexibility, strength, balance, and master breathing techniques.

    AGES 11+

    Pilates*

    Mat Pilates to focus on strengthening muscles, lower back, pelvic floor, hips, glutes and abdominals through exercises.

    AGES 11+

    Boys' Classes*

    Class to focus on quality of movement, technique and strength issues that male dancers, 9 to 14 years of age, face.  

    AGES 9-14

    Partnering*

    Pas De Deux class for intermediate to advanced students. Students learn the art and skill of partnering. 

    AGES 14+

    *Indicates class is not on the permanent schedule but will appear as a Pop Up Class sporadically on Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons. Email or call for times and availability. Watch for announcements on social media.

  • Pilates Reformer Private Lessons*

    Taught by a certified instructor.  Geared toward the dancer and developing overall strength. 

    AGES 12+

    Ballroom*

    Learn the waltz, foxtrot, swing, polka & cha-cha for weddings or just for fun and fitness at any age or experience level. 

    *Indicates class taught as a private lesson. Email or call to learn specality instructors availability as it is always changing.

  • Mini, Junior, and Teen MAD City Company

    These groups learn teamwork through the competition experience. Dancers are required to study ballet, tap, and jazz. Optional classes are Modern and Hip Hop. Rehearsing on Saturday mornings they learn small and large group dances that are competed at local and or regional competitions.

    MAD City Dancers also open and close the two annual Monona Academy of Dance recitals along with performing their competition experience pieces.

    Placement into teams is determined by an annual audition in May.  Inquiries always welcome. Check out our COMPETITION page for more info.

Schedules 2024-2025

GIRLS

Pre-Ballet I - LIGHT PINK leotards
Pre-Ballet II - LAVENDER leotards
Beginning Ballet - CANDY/HOT PINK leotards
Level I - LIGHT BLUE leotards
Level II - ROYAL BLUE leotards
Level III - MAROON/BURGANDY leotards
Level IV - AUBERGINE/PURPLE leotards
Level V - BLACK leotards Teen/Adult - Athletic clothes or leotard of choice

Skintone tights and matching leather/canvas ballet shoes are to be worn in ballet class. Please speak with a consultant at La Boutique to further understand skintone options such as pink, tan/cashew, almond, hazelnut and black. Wrap skirts may be worn if they match the leotard color. 

Hair must be up and secured in a bun if long enough. If hair is not long enough for a bun, hair must be tightly secured up away from the face, eyes, and neck. No ponytails, please. Barrettes are not enough by themselves!

BOYS

Well-fitting white t-shirt or tank top, dance belt, black tights or leggings, and black ballet shoes. For jazz and tap classes, wear a well-fitting plain t-shirt or tank top, dance belt, jazz pants or athletic shorts or black tights, and black jazz or tap shoes.

Dance belts are a necessary accessory for boys/men in dance to ensure proper support and protection when jumping and lifting. A consultant at La Boutique is happy to assist.

 

ADULTS

For ballet, wear active wear or a leotard, skintone tights and matching ballet shoes for women; well-fitting tee or tank top with black leggings/shorts and black ballet shoes for men.

ALL DANCER GENRES

Jazz shoes are to be worn for jazz class. Tap shoes are to be worn for tap class.  

Hip Hop class can be leggings, semi fit pants and t-shirt. Footwear for Hip Hop class should be tennis shoes worn only in the dance studio. Please no shoes that are worn out of doors which can bring in dirt and rocks which harm the Marley floors.


No bulky warm-ups or sweats in class. No dangle earrings or necklaces in class. If obstructing a teacher may ask you to remove it.

 

Students not adhering to the dress code will not be allowed
to enter or participate in class.  No exceptions!

ATTENDANCE

Progress in dance depends on regular and consistent participation in class. Absences will ultimately hinder your child’s progress. Please report all absences to the school in advance. If the student must miss class, make arrangements to participate in a make-up class.

Tuition is non-refundable after the start of the academic year except in the case of written medical excuse for injury or extreme illness. Poor attendance is not grounds for a refund.

PICKUP

It is the policy of Monona Academy of Dance that all dancers 10 years of age or younger should not be allowed to exit the building unattended by an adult. Parents or the responsible adult they send to pick up their dancer should enter the waiting area of the Stoughton Road building or the Sun Prairie Ice Arena, inside the studio portion inside Cardinal Rink, to gather their student. Monona Academy of Dance will not be held responsible for dancers who exit the building on their own without adult accompaniment.

WITHDRAWAL

Written notification must be submitted to the main office in writing (email). Term 2 begins January 6, 2025. Withdrawal must be submitted on or before December 10, 2024. No refunds on payments made prior to written withdrawal.

CLASS RULES

  • Chewing gum, eating, and/or drinking are not allowed in the dance studios, except for water.

  • Students are expected to arrive to class on time and will not be allowed to participate in class if they are more than 15 minutes late (due to risk of injury from missing warm-ups).

  • Quiet noise levels must be maintained in the halls and dressing rooms while classes are in session.

  • Monona Academy of Dance reserves the right to eject, suspend or dismiss any student whose attitude, attendance, or behavior is disruptive, distracting, or otherwise unsatisfactory.

  • Students may not leave class or the studio facility early without written permission or instructor notification.

  • Parents of dancers in Pre Ballet, Pre Ballet 2 and Beginning Ballet/Tap classes are expected to remain in the waiting room of the studio to ensure participant safety and assist their child with bathroom needs.

NOTE TO PARENTS

It is very important for you as parents to take an active role in your child’s dance education by making sure that you stay up-to-date on policies and procedures. Visit the home page of the website often. Watch for newsletters and emails. Subject lines of emails will be in full capital letters to grab your attention.

Please make an effort, at least once a week, to physically walk in to the studio, if your dancer is over the age of 10. Check in with administrative staff and/or your child’s instructor.


Thank you for the opportunity to teach your children and being a part of the Monona Academy of Dance Family.