The City's Only Academy for Modern Dance
For serious dancers, committed to being the best they can be. Levels are based on audition (Aug 5, 2023). The only program in Cincinnati specializing in Modern Dance.
Other programs you might be looking for
23-24 ACADEMY PLACEMENT AUDITIONSSATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2023
For ages 7-18email hello@mutualarts.org if you have any questions!
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.
Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers’ Academy for Modern Dance 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. Please click each tab below to better understand each level.
AUDITION INFORMATION
DATE:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2023
TIMES:
5th Grade & Under: 3:00-4:00pm
6th Grade & Up: 4:30-5:30pm
RECOMMENDED ACADEMY AGES:
7 – 18 years old
LOCATION:
Mutual Dance Theatre & Arts Centers HARTWELL
8222 Monon Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45216
DRESS CODE: NONE! ALL ARE WELCOME. Wear comfortable clothing that facilitates movement. The audition will be conducted barefoot.
CAN’T MAKE BE THERE? Send us an email to set up a make-up audition. hello@mutualarts.org
By clicking this button, you will be asked to make an account before registering! If you are a new dance family, you will need to make an account. For or returning families- this is the account you have been using all year!
ACADEMY LEVELS
CLASSES AND COMMITMENT
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.
**This is info from the 22-23 class season, subject to change for the upcoming year**
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 – 1hr – twice a week
- Total: 4 hrs per week
- Tuition: $177.60/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee.
- Tuition includes costumes for all classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes.
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 – twice a week
- Ballet – 1 hr – twice a week
- Jazz – 45 min – once a week
- Total: 4.75 hrs per week
- Tuition: $216.80/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee.
- Tuition includes costumes for all classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes.
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 together.
- Modern – 1 hr – twice a week
- Ballet – 1 hr – twice a week
- Jazz – 45 min – once a week
- Total: 4.75 hrs per week
- Tuition: $216.80/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee.
- Tuition includes costumes for all classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes.
- LEVEL III STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO PERFORM A SOLO CHOREOGRAPHED BY AN ACADEMY CHOREOGRAPHER IN THE YEAR-END RECITAL.
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
Levels III and IV take class together.
- Modern – 1 hr – twice a week
- Ballet – 1 hr – twice a week
- Jazz – 45 min – once a week
- Total: 4.75 hrs per week
- Tuition: $216.80/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee.
- Tuition includes costumes for all classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes.
- LEVEL IV STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PERFORM A SELF-CHOREOGRAPHED SOLO IN THE YEAR-END RECITAL.
Our kids/teen full-year class dates will start on
September 6, 2022
Final class date is
May 12, 2023
September 5, 2022 - Labor Day
November 20 - 27, 2022 - Fall Break
December 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023 - Winter Break
January 16, 2023 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
March 26 - April 2, 2023 - Spring Break
September 6, 2022 - Classes Start!
October 25-31, 2022 - Costume Dress Up Week
November 14-19, 2022 - Bring a Friend Week
December 12 - 17, 2022 - Parent Watch Week
January 31, 2023 - Last day to register for any class
April-May, 2023 ALL CLASSES MANDATORY to prep for recital
MAY 13, 2023 - Mutual Arts Dance Recital: Road Trip

Looking for new dancewear and/or dance shoes? We highly recommend our friends at Northern Kentucky Dancwear!
Northern Kentucky Dancewear
3974 Alexandria Pike
Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076
(859) 512-2578
nkydancewear@gmail.com
PRIVATE LESSONS AND SOLOS
Private lessons and solos provide dancers with time to deepen their practice.