Find the right level for you

Overview of Levels

At Move Through Life Dance Studio, we have developed (or are developing) our own dance syllabus in the dance styles we teach. These syllabi have been designed specifically for adults.

Our syllabi are each divided into 24 levels. Instead of numbering them from 1-24, we have broken them down into three categories, and six main levels. Each main level is further divided into four sub-levels.

Need more guidance?

If you are not sure which level suits you, or if you should go higher or lower than what is recommended based on how much dance experience you have, please get in touch with Anne, our Client Relationship Officer on info@movethroughlife.com.au or call her on 0408 240 772.

Overview of levels. 1 complete beginner (sublevels 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4). Level 2 Experienced Beginner (sub-levels 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4), Level 3 Early Intermediate (sub-levels 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4), Level 4 Experienced Intermediate (sub levels 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4), Level 5 Early Advanced (sub levels 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4), Level 6 Experienced Advanced (sub levels 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4)

Duration of levels

We have a 48 week teaching year, divided into 4 x 12 week terms. There is a four week break from mid-December to mid-January each year.

Level 1

Level 1 can be completed in one year, with dancers progressing a sub-level in each term. In their first term, the class will be Level 1.1. Level 1.1 is usually called ‘Introduction to’ whichever dance style.

Level 1 class’ second term will be Level 1.2, the third will be Level 1.3, and the fourth will be Level 1.4. The sub-level designation will be based on when that class started (as the Level 1.1 introduction course may begin in any of our four terms), not on the term of the year.

Level 2 and above

The higher the main level, the longer it will take to complete each sub-level and the full level. However, we do not put a time frame on it as different adults progress at different rates.

Age groups

Adulthood is a long time, with a range of around 80 years. Younger adults (in their 20s, 30s and 40s) have quite different needs to older adults (aged 50+). The differences are both physical, cognitive, and social. As such, we have ‘regular’ and ‘mature’ classes.

These are a guideline only. Sometimes someone over 50 is better served in the regular stream, and sometimes someone under 50 is more comfortable in the ‘mature’ stream. And sometimes it is simply that the only class they can attend is different to their chronological age.

Regular

The Regular category will be suitable for people who:

are able to participate in the more high impact and strenuous aspects of class, such as jumps and floor work
generally, people aged in their 20s, 30s and 40s participate in these classes, although this is only a guide, and people aged over 50 who have the physical capacity to jump and move in and out of the floor (relevant mostly for contemporary and to some extend jazz) are welcome in the regular classes.

Mature

The Mature category will be suitable for people who:

prefer dancing with other dancers who are aged over 50 years
finds the regular classes too strenuous for their body, for example, if you have knee or ankle problems, the elevation in regular ballet and tap classes may be off putting, but in the gentle class there will be fewer jumps, grand plies, and any movement that puts strain on those joints
want to ease into dance and build up their strength, flexibility and fitness before going into our regular classes
pregnant or returning to dance after having a child

Teen

The Teen category will be suitable for people who:

are aged between 13-17 years (if 18 or 19, you can choose teen or regular)
have not done any dance before, or have not taken dance classes in a particular style
our teen classes recognise that even as young as 13, a dancer may feel as if it is too late to start when their same-age peers have been dancing from a much younger age. The teen classes are therefore at a beginner level.

Move Through Life Dance Studio offers dance classes to adults of all ages in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap. We pride ourselves on offering you a place to indulge your love of dance, whether you’re a complete beginner, had a long break from dance, or danced all your life. Our classes have a broad mix of ages, and our philosophy is that you are never too old to dance, it is never too late to start, and you can dance forever!

If you have any questions, get in touch with Anne on 0408 240 772 or info@movethroughlife.com.au