Our passionate and experienced faculty seek to inspire a sense of excitement in all our curious dancers. Whether you are looking for fun and engaging classes to support the cognitive development of a toddler, recreational classes for a child who wants to “do it all”, a versatile curriculum for the dance obsessed k-12 dancer, or a sense of community and energizing movement for an adult, you will find the perfect class for all ages and stages.
Young Dancers Program Ages 18 Months-6 Years
Creating a strong relationship between Dance & Music right from the start.
Concert Dance Program
Concert dance refers to the tradition of dance performed in theatres and on stages where the audience comes to experience it as an art form. These pieces are often choreographed to express ideas, emotions, or themes, much like theatre or fine art. The focus is on interpretation, artistry, and the relationship between movement, music, and meaning.
Dancers in the concert world are trained not only in technique but also in musicality, improvisation, and the ability to embody complex choreography. Their performances are less about impressing judges and more about connecting with audiences and contributing to the cultural conversation.
Both concert and commercial dance are valid, but they serve different purposes. Training in a concert dance environment gives dancers the space to dive deep, to learn patience and discipline, to develop artistry without the pressure of being judged on a scorecard.
Our dancers perform in theatres, create original choreography, collaborate with professional artists, and engage in the process of making dances. They learn that dance can be a powerful lifelong practice—whether they continue professionally or carry it with them into other areas of life.
We do not dismiss the competitive world, or the dancers in it, but we believe the non-competitive path best supports creativity, inclusivity, and the idea that dance is more than a sport—it’s an art.
By embracing concert dance, we affirm our role as both educators and artists, passing on traditions while also encouraging innovation. And most importantly, we keep the joy of dance alive—not just for a season, but for a lifetime.
Level 2 (ages 7-9) Core Classes include Ballet, Modern, Jazz, & Tap
Level 3 (ages 9-12) Core Classes include Ballet, Modern, & Jazz
Dancers Level 4-6 register for each class separately.
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Acro Dance: Develops the strength, flexibility, and balance to combine classical technique with precision acrobatics
Ballet: Classical training essential to all dancers as it provides correct alignment, fluid use of the body, strength and flexibility, a general understanding of the body’s functions as it pertains to dance, and the specific terminology used in all forms of dance. *Students must bring a theraband
Contemporary: Emphasis is placed on versatility of movement between classical ballet and modern technique
Dancing for Actors: Focuses on the importance of body language in character development. Actors will work on developing strength and coordination as they explore uses of the body in communicating with an audience.
Floor Barre: A strength building class that also teaches dancers which muscle groups are responsible for each kind of movement. *Students must bring a theraband
Hip Hop: Genre of dance originating as a social dance form directly correlating to hip hop music. Includes popping, locking, breaking and krump
Homeschool Dance Explorations:
This class is designed to introduce students to Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Musical Theatre in 4 week segments throughout the term. Open to ages 6-9 and 10-12Horton: This modern technique emphasizes a whole body, anatomical approach to dance that includes flexibility, strength, coordination and body and spatial awareness to enable unrestricted, dramatic freedom of expression.
Improvisation: A tool used to develop a broader range of movement vocabulary and allow the dancer to explore in order to become a better communicator. *Students should bring a notebook
Jazz: Focus on rhythmical patterns of the body as it relates to jazz music while training the body to stretch, isolate, and apply ballet technique to different styles of movement. *Students should bring a yoga mat
Musical Theatre: Dancers learn how to sing, act and dance at the same time.
Pointe: Advanced form of ballet performed on the toes with the use of a specific type of shoe. STUDENTS MUST HAVE PRIOR CONSENT FROM THE TEACHER
Tap: Rhythmical use of the feet that explores the partnership of music and dance. *Students should bring a notebook
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“Look like a dancer, feel like a dancer, dance like a dancer.”
Girls: Solid color leotard or unitard, skin toned tights, or black for modern and jazz.
Boys: Solid color fitted t-shirt, black tights, shorts, or dance pants.
Ballet Shoes- Ballet and Contemporary
Jazz Shoes- Jazz
Tap Shoes-Tap
Bare Feet- Modern, Creative Movement, Foundations of Dance
Hip Hop Sneakers-Hip Hop
Dancers may wear warm up attire at the teachers discretion in the winter months and for Hip Hop classes. Dancers should remember that the body warms up from the inside out, and warm up clothing only helps the body BEFORE the work begins.
**** Dress code is strictly enforced- students attending class without the required clothing will be asked to observe class.***
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Dancers must sign in and out upon entering and leaving the studio.
Food is NOT PERMITTED in the dressing rooms or studios.
Water bottles are recommended for all classes, but no soda, juice, or coffee is allowed in the studios.
Do not wear street shoes in the studio.
Observation weeks are held in November and March for parents to watch class. Outside of those times, we ask that parents and guests wait in the lobby.
Classes must have a minimum of 5 students to run. Any class not meeting this requirement may be cancelled.
Refunds will not be given should you choose to drop a class. A drop fee of $60 will be assessed to all students who drop a class after October 1st.
Annual fees and costume payments are nonrefundable.
Students will not be allowed to perform and/or take home costumes if they have a balance on their account.
If a dancer is more than 10 minutes late to class, they must have permission from the instructor to participate; the teacher may ask them to observe class for the safety of the dancer.
Young dancers and Level I students should line up in the lobby. Their teacher will then escort them to the studio.
Weather related closings will be posted on the website. No refunds will be given in the event of a weather related closing, but students may attend another class to make up the missed class with the permission of the teacher.
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Core Class once a week $690
Core Class twice a week $912
Core Class 3 times a week $1368
Core Class 4 times a week $1824All other classes $480 each (32 weeks)
*Pricing includes all fees and costumes for the Spring Concert
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1 ½ Hour Classes $930
1 ¼ Hour Classes $675 (or 2nd/3rd class)
1 Hour Classes $555 (or 4th/5th class)
All other classes $480*Pricing includes all fees and costumes for the Spring Concert
Adult Classes
Year round opportunities for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level adults. We offer fun classes to benefit your mind and body, and create social connections. Do something creative for yourself this season! Click on the button to go to the Adult Classes page.
2026/27 Calendar
August 2026
August 3-8 Junior Company Rep Week
August 10-15 Corps Company Rep Week
August 17-22 Principal Company Rep Week
August 22 Berrien County Youth Fair Performance Noon
September 2026
September 8 5:30-7:00 “The Citadel Spectacular!” Auditions Ages 13+
September 9 5:30-7:00 “The Citadel Spectacular!” Auditions Ages 7-12
September 12 Fly Me to the Moon- Annual Fundraiser, Lake Michigan College
September 14 Classes Begin
October 2026
October 5-10 Bring Your Friend to Dance
October 10 Noon Dance Showing
October 24 Dance, Music, & Dessert
October 31st Halloween at the Citadel Trick-or-Treat
November 2026
November 24-30 Closed for Thanksgiving
November 27-30 CDC NYC Trip
December 2026
December 5 Musical Theatre Cabaret
December 14-19 The Citadel Spectacular!
December 21-January 3 Closed for the Holidays
January 2027
January 4 Classes Resume
February 2027
February 8-13 Bring Your Dad to Dance
February 13 Noon Dance Showing
February 20 Citadel Dance Companies Chicago
March 2027
March 15-20 Junior Musical Production
March 28-April 4 Spring Break
April 2027
April 10 Citadel Dance Companies Gala
April 26-May 1 Young Dancers Showcase
May 2027
May 3-8 Spring Concert of Dance
June 2027
June 1-July 3 Teen Musical Production Oak Room at the Citadel
June 15-17 Young Dancers, Musicians, & Artists Camp
June 22-24 Young Dancers, Musicians, & Artists Camp
July 2027
July 12-24 Junior Musical Production
July 27-29 Young Dancers, Musicians, & Artists Camp
Citadel Dance Companies
It is the goal of the Citadel to provide the opportunity for its intensive dancers to further their training toward a life in dance in a supportive, professional, and challenging environment. Dancers in The Citadel Dance Companies are passionate, dedicated, and committed to dance. Some may be moving toward a professional career, while others are purely driven by their passion for dance and strive to graduate from our program.
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Designed for advanced dancers, the principal company will work with guest artists, travel to master classes, performances, and conventions, and have an opportunity to showcase their own choreography. Each member will have a faculty advisor from the time they are accepted into the company, until they graduate from the program. Should the dancer be interested, the advisor will assist them with college prep, and help them navigate the audition process.
Dancers may begin auditioning the spring before entering high school.
Required classes
All Intensives, Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap
Rehearsals
Monday Evenings 7:30-9:00
The following Saturday mornings 9:30-11:30
January 16, 23, 30
February 6, 13
March 13 -
Designed for intermediate dancers, the corps company will work with guest artists, travel to performances, and participate in all performances. Faculty members will work with dancers on goal setting to help them plan a path to achieving those goals.
The Corps Company is open to dancers ages 12-15
Exceptions may be made based on ability.
Required classes
All Intensives, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Tap
Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:15
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Designed for the beginners, this company will work with guest artists and participate in all performances. Much emphasis will be placed on team building. Dancers can expect to build strong friendships, be creatively engaged, and have FUN!
The Junior Company is open to dancers ages 8-11
Exceptions may be made based on ability.
Required classes
Company Intensives, Core 2 or 3 twice per week, and Tap
Rehearsals will be held Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:30
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Attire:
Please have the following in working order at all time. Black jazz shoes, skin toned ballet shoes, black tap shoes, black character shoes, black tights, skin toned tights, nude leotard, solid black leotard, current company apparel.
Policies
All members must show respect for each other, company directors, and guest artists at all times.
All members should have a positive attitude, high level of energy, and willingess to learn at EVERY rehearsal/performance.
BE ON TIME: Coming in late will NOT be tolerated. Example: If rehearsal begins at 9:00, that means you should be in the studio, warmed up and ready to begin dancing at 9:00.
All members of the Principal company MUST have Facebook messenger to be included on the group chat, AND you must check it daily. All members of the Corps and Junior companies should have a parent with Facebook messenger to be included on the group chats and are strongly encouraged to check it daily. Dancers must have access to this feed for information and rehearsal videos.
In the studio, all dancers are assigned a mailbox for take home information. There is also a company bulletin board where rehearsal schedules are posted. Dancers must check these areas every time they come into the studio.
REHEARSAL ABSENCE REQUEST FORM
Being a member of any one of the companies is a responsibility not unlike having a job. You must request time off. Please fill out the rehearsal absence request form AT LEAST 2 weeks in advance. If you do not follow this policy, you will no longer have a role in the work you missed. Dancers may be dismissed from their company if this policy is not observed.
Hierarchy of Importance
Family
Academics
Company Rehearsals
Everything else.
