Academy of Modern Dance

For serious dancers, committed to being the best they can be.
Levels are based on audition (Aug 23, 2020).
The only program in Cincinnati specializing in Modern Dance.
Pre-college add-on for those preparing for college. admission

Our Academy isn't just for kids who want to grow up to be dancers.

It’s about…

Having fun

Working hard

Learning

Growing as a person

Making lifelong friends and memories

Mutual Dance Theatre’s new Modern Dance Academy is intended to nurture, support, and challenge young dancers who want to grow as movers.

We are working to change dance studio culture: we want to throw out elitism and abuse that traditionally runs rampant in the field of dance, we want to empower young people to find the artist in them, and we want dancers’ families to enjoy a welcoming and safe community.

Our academy / training program isn’t just for kids who want to grow up to be dancers.

It’s for young people who are simply ready for more serious environments, more advanced expectations, and taking multiple classes that are designed to work together as a whole.

We don’t tolerate body-shaming. We don’t tolerate racism. We don’t tolerate abuse, including verbal abuse. We value individualism. We value collaboration. We work to empower, not break down.

If this sounds like a community you want to be a part of, we invite you to grow with us!!!

MORE SERIOUS STUDY FOR YOUTH WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT DANCE

Financial aid is available: low-income families are HIGHLY encouraged to apply. Upper levels will form ensembles with mentors/coaches. Please click each tab below to better understand each level. The pre-college program is not required, but strongly encouraged for those wishing to become professionals and/or major in dance (scroll below for more details).

FULL YEAR

September 8, 2020 – May 29, 2021
Register by September 1

PLACEMENT AUDITION IS REQUIRED

We highlight the commitments and expectations for each level in separate “tabs” below. Please click on each level. These expectations may be adjusted based on the group of youth who audition.

PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR LEVEL I

Students who are placed into Level I should ALREADY be able to demonstrate the following. It will be very normal, and should be expected, that a child starting in Level I may stay in Level I for more than a year. Children who do not meet the criteria at the time of the audition are highly encouraged to study in the recreational program until they are ready to meet the following.

  • Able to pay attention for not only a whole 1-hr class, but multiple classes in a row.
  • Listens well and is able to follow verbal directions.
  • Self-disciplined and does not cause distractions to other dancers.
  • Demonstrates a desire to dance, enjoys class, participates without having to be asked to, does not ask for frequent breaks, stays on-task.

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL I

  • Modern – 1 hr – twice a week
  • Ballet – 45 min – once a week
  • African – 45 min – once a week
  • Total: 3.5 hrs per week
  • Tuition: $165/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee (includes costumes for all three classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes)
  • Private lessons, skills, and electives are optional

LEVEL I SCHEDULE

(You may need to mouseover time blocks to see the full text when there is an overlap.)

REQ = required              ELEC = elective            ADD-ON: pre-college is optional

*NOTE* Academy students are welcome to take any recreational classes, including those not listed here. See recreational classes for more options.

Mondays

  • -

    ELEC:
    Beginner/Intermediate Tap (with recreational)
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Intermediate/Advanced Tap (with recreational)
    Studio D

Tuesdays

  • -

    REQ:
    Ballet
    Studio C

  • -

    REQ:
    African (with 1st-5th grade recreational)
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Stretch & Strengthen
    Studio C

  • -

    REQ:
    Modern
    Studio C

Wednesdays

  • -

    ELEC:
    Hip Hop (with 1st-2nd grade recreational)
    Studio D

Thursdays

  • -

    REQ:
    Modern
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Jazz (with 3rd-5th grade recreational)
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Stretch & Strengthen
    Studio D

Saturdays

  • -

    ADD-ON: PRE-COLLEGE (2 Saturdays a month)
    This time will change if Level IIs opt-in
    Studio C

PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR LEVEL II

A dancer placed into Level II should ALREADY demonstrate the following at the time of the audition. There is a significant difference between Level I and Level II, as well as Level II and Level III. It should be expected and normal for a student to stay in Level II for multiple years.

  • All of Level I requirements, plus…
  • Demonstrates knowledge of parallel vs. turned out, both stationary and moving through space.
  • Demonstrates knowledge and usage of pointed feet vs. flexed feet, both stationary and moving through space.
  • Demonstrates correct placement of a pointed foot in retiré (at the knee).
  • Correctly uses right vs. left sides.
  • Demonstrates and identifies correctly chaîné and pirouette turns.
  • Able to use specific arm placements and movements while legs and torso are doing other movements.
  • Able to move to counts of the music.
  • Demonstrates spatial awareness and ability to change formations without instructor assistance.

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL II

  • Modern – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
  • Ballet – 1 hr – once a week
  • African – 45 min – once a week
  • Junior Ensemble – 1 hr 15 min – twice a month
  • Total: 5.5 hrs per week
  • Tuition: $218/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee (includes costumes for all three classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes)
  • Private lessons, skills, and electives are optional
  • Please notify us if you are interested in pre-college, as it will require us to change our current schedule

LEVEL II SCHEDULE

(You may need to mouseover time blocks to see the full text when there is an overlap.)

REQ = required              ELEC = elective            ADD-ON: pre-college is optional

*NOTE* Academy students are welcome to take any recreational classes, including those not listed here. See recreational classes for more options.

Mondays

  • -

    ELEC:
    Beginner/Intermediate Tap (with recreational)
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Intermediate/Advanced Tap (with recreational)
    Studio D

Tuesdays

  • -

    REQ:
    Modern
    Studio A

  • -

    REQ:
    African (with 1st-5th recreational)
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Leaps and Jumps
    Studio A

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Inversions & Acro
    Studio A

  • -

    ELEC:
    Stretch & Strengthen
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Turning
    Studio D

Wednesdays

  • -

    ELEC:
    Hip Hop (with 1st-2nd grade recreational)
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Hip Hop (with 3rd-5th grade recreational)
    Studio D

Thursdays

  • -

    REQ:
    Modern
    Studio A

  • -

    REQ:
    Ballet
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Turning
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Hip Hop (with 6th-12th grade recreational)
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Jazz (with 3rd-5th grade recreational)

  • -

    ELEC:
    Stretch & Strengthen
    Studio D

Saturdays

  • -

    REQ:
    Junior Ensemble Rehearsal (2 Saturdays a month)
    Studio A

  • -

    ADD-ON: PRE-COLLEGE (2 Saturdays a month)
    This time will change if Level IIs opt-in
    Studio C

PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR LEVEL III

Dancers who are placed into Level III should ALREADY demonstrate the following at the time of the audition. There is a significant difference between Level II and Level III. Advancement from II into III is not automatic.

  • Criteria from Levels I and II, plus…
  • Strong awareness of body and line, including alignment and facings of the body.
  • Shows enthusiasm and performance qualities while dancing in class, without an audience.
  • Learns quickly through both aural and visual means.
  • Able to retain and memorize longer phrases of movement.
  • Able to dance on counts throughout entire phrases.
  • Demonstrates and appropriately uses different qualities of movement, including weightedness, lightness, sharpness, accents (impact, impulse, and swing), quick movement, sustained movement, direct, indirect, and others.
  • Demonstrates skill in various types of turns.
  • Demonstrates flexibility and strength, both stationary and in movement, including in leg extensions and in the back.
  • Demonstrates strength and stability en demi-pointe/relevé.

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL III

Levels III and IV take class and Senior Ensemble together.

  • Modern – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
  • Ballet – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
  • African – 45 min – once a week
  • Senior Ensemble – 1 hr 30 min – twice a month
  • Total: 7.25 hrs per week
  • Tuition: $280/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee (includes costumes for all three classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes)
  • Adding Jazz III/IV is encouraged.
  • LEVEL III STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO PERFORM A SOLO CHOREOGRAPHED BY AN ACADEMY CHOREOGRAPHER IN THE YEAR-END RECITAL.
  • Private lessons, skills, and electives are optional
  • Pre-college is encouraged.

LEVEL III SCHEDULE

(You may need to mouseover time blocks to see the full text when there is an overlap.)

REQ = required              ELEC = elective            ADD-ON: pre-college is optional

*NOTE* Academy students are welcome to take any recreational classes, including those not listed here. See recreational classes for more options.

Mondays

  • -

    REQ:
    Modern
    Studio A

  • -

    REQ:
    Ballet
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Beginner/Intermediate Tap (with recreational)
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Jazz
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Intermediate/Advanced Tap (with recreational)
    Studio D

Tuesdays

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Leaps & Jumps
    Studio A

  • -

    ELEC:
    Stretch & Strengthen
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Inversions & Acro
    Studio A

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Turning
    Studio D

Wednesdays

  • -

    REQ:
    Modern
    Studio A

  • -

    REQ:
    Ballet
    Studio C

  • -

    REQ:
    African (with 6-12th grade recreational)
    Studio C

Thursdays

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Turning
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Hip Hop (with 6th-12th grade recreational)
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Stretch & Strengthen
    Studio D

Saturdays

  • -

    ADD-ON: PRE-COLLEGE (2 Saturdays a month)
    This time will change if Level IIs opt-in
    Studio C

  • -

    REQ:
    Senior Ensemble Rehearsal (2 Saturdays a month)
    Studio A

PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR LEVEL IV

Dancers who are placed into Level IV should ALREADY demonstrate the following at the time of the audition. The difference between Level IV and its prior level is the most nuanced. While Level III is mostly technique/skill-based, Level IV leans more toward masterful artistry. It is expected that not all students will reach Level IV before graduating high school.

  • Criteria from Levels I, II, and III, plus…
  • Shows exceptional strengths in all levels of mobilities and contexts of challenges: floor work, standing movements, gestures, across the floor, in challenging combinations/choreography, and in new movement forms/styles.
  • Exceptionally organized and connected body, able to differentiate a Modern Dance body organization (with African organizational patterns) from a Ballet one.
  • Is able to phrase movement very well — that is, to use flow, accents, and pauses appropriately and with artistry.
  • Differentiates and appropriately uses bound-flow vs. released movement.
  • Applies feedback without consistent direction or in-depth explanations.
  • Demonstrates an ability to “think in movement” — that is, to embody movement ideas in the body fairly quickly with understanding for the teacher/choreographer’s intent without having to stop and think.
  • Is comfortable working without mirrors, having a strong kinesthetic awareness/sense.
  • Takes risks in movement.
  • Is never bored and always finds opportunities to be challenged.
  • Seeks opportunities to help others without superiority; is kind and embodies good sportsmanship.

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL IV

Level III and IV take class and Senior Ensemble together.

  • Modern – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
  • Ballet – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
  • African – 45 min – once a week
  • Senior Ensemble – 1 hr 30 min – twice a month
  • Total: 7.25 hrs per week
  • Tuition: $280/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee (includes costumes for all three classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes)
  • LEVEL IV STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO PERFORM A SELF-CHOREOGRAPHED SOLO IN THE YEAR-END RECITAL.
  • Jazz III/IV is encouraged.
  • Pre-college is strongly encouraged for dancers of this skill and artistic level.
  • Private lessons, skills, and electives are optional

LEVEL IV SCHEDULE

(You may need to mouseover time blocks to see the full text when there is an overlap.)

REQ = required              ELEC = elective            ADD-ON: pre-college is optional

*NOTE* Academy students are welcome to take any recreational classes, including those not listed here. See recreational classes for more options.

Mondays

  • -

    REQ:
    Modern
    Studio A

  • -

    REQ:
    Ballet
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Beginner/Intermediate Tap (with recreational)
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Jazz
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Intermediate/Advanced Tap (with recreational)
    Studio D

Tuesdays

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Leaps & Jumps
    Studio A

  • -

    ELEC:
    Stretch & Strengthen
    Studio C

  • -

    ELEC:
    Inversions & Acro
    Studio A

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Turning
    Studio D

Wednesdays

  • -

    REQ:
    Modern
    Studio A

  • -

    REQ:
    Ballet
    Studio C

  • -

    REQ:
    African (with 6-12th grade recreational)
    Studio C

Thursdays

  • -

    ELEC:
    Skills: Turning
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Hip Hop (with 6th-12th grade recreational)
    Studio D

  • -

    ELEC:
    Stretch & Strengthen
    Studio D

Saturdays

  • -

    ADD-ON: PRE-COLLEGE (2 Saturdays a month)
    This time will change if Level IIs opt-in
    Studio C

  • -

    REQ:
    Senior Ensemble Rehearsal (2 Saturdays a month)
    Studio A

(Before continuing to scroll, please make sure you’ve noticed you can click on all the levels I through IV above.)

AUDITION INFORMATION

DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020

TIMES:

5th Grade and Under: 1:00-3:00pm
6th Grade and Up: 3:00-5:00pm

LOCATION:

Mutual Dance Theatre & Arts Center
8222 Monon Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45216

DRESS CODE: NONE! ALL ARE WELCOME. Wear comfortable clothing. The audition will be conducted barefoot.

Please email us if you cannot make this day/time at hello@mutualarts.org.

REGISTER FOR THE AUDITIONS, FOR 5TH GRADERS AND UNDERREGISTER FOR THE AUDITIONS, FOR 6TH GRADERS AND UP

SKILLS ADD-ONS

There often isn’t enough time during class to fine-tune many specific skills that are challenging. For the advanced academy, offer a number of additional 30-minute add-ons to address very specific skills that class time may not allow. Whether a dancer has a weakness or simply wants to excel in these areas, these skill sessions are very useful! Each add-on is $190 or $22/month. These meet weekly as part of the normal class schedule.

Turns

Inversions and Acro

Leaps and Jumps

Stretch and Strengthen

Please click through the different levels above to see the schedule and skills available to each.

Once your child is placed in a level, you can then determine which skills meetings will work for their schedule. Let us know and then we’ll include it in their registration package.

PRE-COLLEGE ADD-ON

Is your dancer interested in dancing in college or having a career in dance? We always encourage young dancers to get a college degree before signing on with a performance opportunity — too many dancers have chosen this latter path believing that their body’s time to dance was short, then were unable to accept positions teaching due to a lack of a college degree. On top of this, we believe that the college experience is invaluable: college provides intensive and in-depth training, as well as condensed opportunities during one’s formative years to develop life and professional skills, make lifelong connections with influential people in the field, and gain new experiences.

The Mutual Dance Theatre Pre-College Program works to prepare your student for college admissions and study by offering more than just movement classes.

CONTENT / BENEFITS OF PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM

  • Mock auditions with university faculty members.
  • Assistance with college applications and essays.
  • Senior showcase (live and video form) to present graduating seniors to university panels for scholarships and recruitment.
  • Focuses primarily on Modern Dance, the most common emphasis for dance majors.
  • Guidance on and resources regarding various university programs, including collected resources for different colleges and their admissions requirements, scholarship opportunities, and insider tips from faculty members who adjudicate placement for their programs.
  • Audition skills workshops.
  • Group work/feedback on college application solo.

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR PRE-COLLEGE

  • Pre-college add-on is just an additional $216 for the year or $24/month.
  • PRE-COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO CHOREOGRAPH THEIR OWN SOLOS (WITH FACULTY GUIDANCE) FOR THE RECITAL. The fee for this activity is $164 and it includes two 30-minute sessions with a coach and a costume fee. Additional private lessons/coaching sessions may be required depending on the development of the solo.
  • We strongly encourage low-income families to apply for financial aid: we want these opportunities to be available for EVERYONE who desires them!
  • Students must be enrolled in the academy (at any level) to participate in pre-college. It is currently available for open registration now; students who are not placed into the academy will be refunded.

Pre-college is currently scheduled to meet every 1st and 3rd Saturday (except for September and January which will meet the 2nd and 4th Saturdays) from 10:00am-11:15am.

Because this conflicts with Level II’s Junior Ensemble rehearsal time, we will change the time if Level IIs opt-in to Pre-College.

We will notify parents if any of the following dates change. They are currently:

9/12/20
9/26/20
10/3/20
10/17/20
11/7/20
11/21/20

12/5/20
12/19/20
1/9/21
1/23/21
2/6/21
2/20/21

3/6/21
3/20/21
4/3/21
4/17/21
3/1/21
3/15/21

REGISTER FOR PRE-COLLEGE NOW

PRIVATE LESSONS AND SOLOS

Private lessons and solos provide dancers with time to deepen their practice.

Choreographed solos

Self-choreographed solos

Private lessons

Private studio time

(as low as only $5/hr)

READ MORE ABOUT PRIVATE LESSONS & SOLOS