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Move + Elevate

Move + Elevate: A Pre-Professional Dance Development Program

Developed by Tricia Grace | In partnership with Art in Motion Dance Studio

The core concept: Move + Elevate is an intensive pre-professional development program for committed dance students (ages 9 and up) ready to take their training beyond weekly technique classes.

Meeting every other Friday for two hours and fifteen minutes, dancers receive supplemental training in strength and conditioning, specialized technique, choreography and performance, artistry, audition preparation, confidence, leadership, and introductory dance pedagogy.

This program will run twice monthly for 4 months.

Program Mission

Move + Elevate exists to bridge the gap between recreational dance education and pre-professional development by giving committed young dancers access to supplemental training, meaningful performance opportunities, artistic mentorship, and real-world dance education. Through diverse movement experiences, choreography, performance, leadership, and introductory pedagogy, dancers develop not only stronger technique, but the confidence, versatility, artistry, and professional skills needed to take their next steps in dance.

Program Vision

To develop confident, versatile, thoughtful young dance artists who understand that a future in dance extends beyond mastering technique—empowering students to become performers, creators, educators, leaders, and lifelong participants in the arts.

Who is Move + Elevate for?

Move + Elevate is designed for dedicated dancers interested in advancing their training, expanding their performance experience, and exploring what it means to pursue dance at a pre-professional level.

Minimum age: Students 9 and up

Training requirement: Currently enrolled in 3+ weekly dance technique classes.

Attendance: Because choreography is involved, students need to commit to the program schedule and performances.

Mindset: Students should be willing to receive corrections, try unfamiliar movement styles, collaborate and challenge themselves.

Program Format listed in detail below.

The Nitty Gritty – Registration and Tuition

This program will run twice monthly for 4 months. The total program price is $300 if paid in full prior to start or in (4) four monthly payments of $80 billed automatically.

Interested in signing up? Want to learn more? Please fill out this form and we will be in touch!

Sign up here and learn more!

Move + Elevate Intensive Format

BLOCK 1 — TRAIN

75 minutes | Strength, Conditioning + Expanded Technique

This block develops a stronger, safer and more versatile dancer. Classes rotate throughout the program and are taught by Art in Motion faculty, Tricia Grace (and listing out other artists who are involved and at the studio), and invited guest artists.

Possible experiences include Pilates, yoga for dancers, pre-pointe preparation, flexibility and mobility, dance-specific strength and conditioning, acrobatics, jumps/leaps/turns, injury-prevention practices and guest master classes across genres.

BLOCK 2 — CREATE

30 minutes | Choreography + Performance

Dancers work with program developer and dance artist Tricia Grace to develop an original contemporary work over the course of the program. Students will not just be “learning choreography”; they will learn about:

choreographic intention → musicality → dynamics → emotional connection → ensemble awareness → storytelling → performance quality → professionalism

The students are learning how to turn technique into artistry. SUPER EXCITING! They actually perform the work. Students will experience multiple community performance opportunities each year.

BLOCK 3 — ELEVATE

30 minutes | The Developing Dance Professional

Technique alone doesn’t prepare someone for a future in dance. So this block asks: What does it actually mean to become a dance artist?

You can rotate through several mini-units.

Performance & Artistry

  • Stage presence
  • Performing beyond the steps
  • Confidence
  • Musicality
  • Improvisation
  • Connecting emotionally to choreography
  • Receiving and applying corrections

Audition Readiness

  • What happens at an audition?
  • Picking up choreography quickly
  • Audition etiquette
  • How to introduce yourself
  • What to wear
  • Headshots/resumes
  • Handling rejection
  • Staying professional under pressure

Dance Leadership

  • Being a strong ensemble member
  • Communication
  • Accountability
  • Giving and receiving feedback
  • Supporting younger dancers
  • Professional behavior backstage and in rehearsal

Junior Teaching Artist

  • What makes a great dance teacher?
  • Basic dance pedagogy
  • Age-appropriate instruction
  • Creating a warm-up
  • Breaking down a movement
  • Demonstration vs. explanation
  • Giving constructive corrections
  • Classroom management
  • Creating a short lesson plan

TRAIN. CREATE. PERFORM. ELEVATE.

TRAIN your body and expand your technique.
CREATE meaningful artistic work.
PERFORM beyond the studio.
ELEVATE your artistry, confidence, leadership and professional skills.

Student dancers performing a modern choreography