Young Children’s
Program

Beginning with creative movement at age three, we hope to instill a lifelong love of dance in our students. By age twelve, their curriculum includes ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and hip-hop.

Our experienced faculty focus on age-appropriate skills that provide a solid foundation for growth and development. Among the many benefits of an Uptown dance education, students learn grace, agility, rhythm, focus, posture, spatial awareness, and—most importantly—self-confidence. They also develop self-discipline, a strong work ethic, the ability to work in a group, and a sense of camaraderie. 

We believe children learn best in a positive, safe, and encouraging environment that also consistently challenges them to do their personal best. Our students also have opportunities to experience the thrill of performing on stage each year in our annual productions of The Nutcracker Suite and Recital.

Levels IV and higher students have the option to audition for the Uptown Dance Company‘s pre-professional companies.

Pre-Professional
Training Program

Uptown Dance Centre offers
a superior dance education program for Level VI & VII middle- and high-school-age students who are considering a dance career.

Our pre-professional training program offers the most comprehensive training in the performing arts Houston-wide. The program includes ballet, pointe, variations, pas de deux, modern, hip hop, tap, jazz, choreography, yoga, stretch, and conditioning. Uptown students round out their dance education with classes in other related subjects such as kinesiology, ballet history, nutrition, and music. We help our pre-professional students achieve their own personal goals—whether dancing professionally, attending a college dance program, or becoming a passionate supporter of the performing arts. Our faculty members have had professional performing careers and extensive teaching experience and, therefore, are able to share with the students an inclusive world-view of dance—from Broadway to ballet, and all movement disciplines in between.

In addition to the Uptown Dance Centre training program, students in levels IV–VI have the opportunity to audition for Junior Company, Senior Company, and Company II. These pre-professional companies provide additional performance opportunities and touring.

Boys program

SPORTS JAZZ (ages 4–9)
In a fun and safe environment, children learn basic motor skills, balance, spatial directions, and rhythm. By incorporating dance movements in sport games, boys learn skills in dance, physical endurance, an appreciation for art, and a sense of accomplishment.

BOYS DANCE TRAINING (ages 9–14)
Special ballet class for boys teaches them the basis of ballet and skills necessary to participate in professional level dance productions, including Uptown Dance Company’s productions of The Nutcracker Suite and Spring Recital. Students also receive training in other dance forms such as jazz, tap, and modern/contemporary. As the boys advance, they will integrate with the pre-professional training.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL DANCE TRAINING FOR BOYS (ages 14+)
Uptown Dance Centre offers some of the best pre-professional ballet training for young male dancers in Houston. Students receive training in general ballet technique, male specific ballet technique, and classical and contemporary partnering. Technical classes are offered throughout the week, and pas de deux classes are offered weekly In addition to advanced ballet training, students also receive training in jazz, tap, and modern/contemporary.

Pre-Professional students are eligible to audition to become part of Uptown Dance Company II; they also have the opportunity to advance to Uptown Dance Company.