Ballet, Tap, & Hip Hop

Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop is one of our most popular dance classes at Robert Crown. This class provides an introduction to dance technique covering the fundamentals of ballet, tap, and hip hop, giving students a chance to learn a broad range of dance skills and find what interests them.

This class provides a particular focus on developmentally appropriate topics for ages 4 to 7, including introducing students to the fundamentals of coordinated movement and how to take a dance class. Tap and hip hop introduce the basics of rhythm and movement sequencing, while ballet provides a strong foundation in balance, basic jumps, and body positioning.

Who is Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop Designed for?

Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop is a dance class best suited for early primary-school-age children who love to move and dance or who have demonstrated an interest in expressive movement. Prior dance experience is not required.

Ages: 4 to 7 years.

Class Structure

This hour-long class is typically divided into four segments: warm-up followed by ballet, tap, and hip hop (typically in that order).

Class Length, Location, & Schedule

This class meets once weekly for one hour on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to noon during the session for which the student is registered. A typical session lasts between four to six weeks depending on the season and other scheduling factors. Ballet, Tap, & Hip Hop meets in the dance studio on the second floor of the Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois.

Class Attire

Clothing should be comfortable, non-obstructive, and support dynamic movement in all spatial planes. Full coverage of undergarments is required; this requirement applies to shorts, skirts, lower-body wraps, etc.

Shoes

Footwear requirements and recommendations:

• Tap shoes are required for the tap portion of class.^*
• Ballet can be done in socks or ballet slippers.
• Hip hop requires comfortable, non-marking sneakers, ideally with low grip or worn-down treads to facilitate turns and pivots.

It is recommended that students practice taking their dance shoes on and off before attending their first class meeting to assist with smooth transitions during our time together. Students who are still learning to tie laces independently may want to consider slip-on options where available.

We take short breaks between segments to switch shoes as necessary and to grab a sip of water, so bring a water bottle.

Common Questions

Are parents, guardians, and family members allowed in the studio during class?

Yes, parents, guardians, and family members are welcome to sit in the seats along the side of studio at the instructor's discretion and pending space availability. For the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and all visitors at Robert Crown, all attendees must abide by the Robert Crown Community Center code of conduct and follow all staff instructions.

Parents and guardians of students who may need additional in-person support during class should contact the instructor by email at brendan@brendanbehan.dance to discuss support coordination prior to the beginning of the first class meeting or as soon as they become aware of such needs. I want to help ensure that our shared use of the studio space supports safety, well-being, and accessibility for all participants. Given the dynamic nature of a dance class and our use of space, coordination helps to facilitate these goals.

Accessibility & Inclusivity

We strive to make all our dance classes at Robert Crown Community Center accessible and inclusive. This is both my personal commitment as a professional educator who cares deeply about equity and inclusion and is also a part of the City of Evanston's accessibility commitment.

As part of this commitment, I include sensory check-ins with students to make sure music volume levels are appropriate. One thing to note is that since we practice in tap shoes in this class, some strong auditory stimuli can occur. Students are encouraged and empowered to take sensory breaks as needed.

City of Evanston Accessibility Statement

The City of Evanston is committed to promoting a city-wide culture of accessibility and inclusivity. To request an accomodation for a program, service, or activity, please call 847-866-2919 to make an ADA service request or fill out a request form online at evanstonil.qscend.com/311.