How Placement Works
Age provides a helpful starting point, but the best class placement also considers previous training, technical readiness, maturity, consistency, and instructor recommendation.
- Placement in classes and workshops is determined by Weehawken’s teaching staff.
- New students generally begin with the class that best matches their age and previous experience.
- Some classes have prerequisites or require instructor approval before registration.
- Teachers may recommend a different class when another level would better support the student’s development.
- Dance Levels 4, 5, and 6 require previous training and instructor approval.
What does a mixed level such as Ballet 2/3 or Aerial 1/2 mean?
Students from both levels train together, with instruction and progressions adjusted for their experience, development, and readiness.
Not sure where to begin? Explore the pathways below or contact our team before registering.
Dance Level Placement
Our dance pathway supports students as they progress from early movement exploration to advanced technical and artistic training.
Pre
Ages 3–5
Preschool-aged dancers
Students develop movement fundamentals, musicality, coordination, classroom independence, following directions, and positive group participation.
Performance experience: One developmentally appropriate class piece during each semester’s fully staged production.
Primary
Ages 4½–8
Approximately kindergarten through second grade
Students continue developing movement fundamentals, musicality, coordination, classroom independence, and foundational dance skills, with increased expectations for focus and participation.
Performance experience: One developmentally appropriate class piece during each semester’s fully staged production.
Level 1
Ages 8–9½
Approximately second through fourth grade
Students develop foundational technique, dance vocabulary, musicality, coordination, classroom discipline, and performance skills.
Performance experience: Level 1 classes perform once during each semester’s fully staged production.
Level 2
Ages 9–10½
Approximately fourth through fifth grade
Students continue developing technique, dance vocabulary, musicality, coordination, and performance skills with increased complexity and expectations.
Performance experience: Level 2 classes typically perform once each semester. Mixed Level 2/3 classes may perform once or multiple times, depending on the class and production.
Level 3
Fifth grade and up
Previous dance training required
Students develop increased technique, vocabulary, musicality, consistency, independence, and classroom discipline.
Performance experience: Expanded production participation with the possibility of multiple performances and auditions for featured or lead roles. Placement and participation require instructor approval.
Level 4
Seventh grade and up
Previous training and instructor approval required
Students build on Level 3 foundations with greater technical complexity and increased expectations for artistry, musicality, consistency, independence, and classroom discipline.
Performance experience: Expanded production participation, typically including multiple performances and opportunities to audition for featured or lead roles.
Level 5
High school
Advanced training and instructor approval required
Students continue with an emphasis on advanced technique, artistry, musicality, performance quality, independence, and consistency.
Performance experience: Expanded production participation, typically including multiple performances and opportunities to audition for featured or lead roles.
Level 6
High school
Advanced training and instructor approval required
Our most advanced level for experienced dancers, with high expectations for technique, artistry, musicality, performance quality, independence, and consistency.
Performance experience: Expanded production participation, typically including multiple performances and opportunities to audition for featured or lead roles.
Aerial Level Placement
Aerial placement considers age, previous training, strength, technical readiness, consistency, and comfort working with the apparatus.
Intro to Aerial
Ages 5+
No previous aerial experience required
Using aerial fabric in a knot, students develop foundational strength, coordination, flexibility, body awareness, and comfort with the apparatus. Ground-based movement supports mobility, balance, and spatial awareness while students explore beginner shapes, skills, and sequences.
Aerial 1
Ages 7–9
Introductory experience recommended
Students transition from fabric in a knot to open fabric while developing foundational technique through climbs, hangs, shapes, transitions, and beginner sequences. Depending on location, students may focus on fabric or explore both fabric and lyra.
Aerial 2
Ages 9–11
Prior aerial experience recommended
Students refine their technique while developing greater strength, flexibility, control, and body awareness on aerial fabric and lyra. Training may include more complex wraps, transitions, introductory drops, dynamic movements, and connected sequences.
Aerial 2/3
Ages 9+
Prior aerial experience required
This intermediate mixed-level class prepares experienced students for more advanced work on aerial fabric and lyra. Students explore increasingly complex wraps, transitions, drops, dynamic movements, and connected sequences, with progressions adapted to individual readiness.
Silks 1/2
Ages 10+
Beginner through developing-level silks
Students develop essential silks technique through inversions, climbs, foot locks, wraps, poses, transitions, and introductory drops. Progressions are adapted for older beginners and students continuing their silks training.
Silks 2/3
Ages 11+
Prior silks experience required
Students with a strong foundation in climbs, inversions, foot locks, wraps, and introductory drops develop greater strength, endurance, control, and aerial awareness through more complex transitions, drops, dynamic movements, and connected sequences.
Silks 3/4
Ages 13+
Advanced experience and instructor approval required
Experienced students refine advanced wraps, controlled inversions, drops, intricate sequencing, and fluid transitions while developing endurance, precision, artistry, and creative expression. Students should demonstrate consistent climbs, inversions, foot locks, and connected sequences with control.
Lyra (Aerial Hoop)
Ages 10+
Beginner through experienced levels
Students explore mounts, poses, transitions, beats, spins, and connected movement sequences while building strength, control, flexibility, and artistry. Partner and doubles work may be introduced when appropriate.
Adult Silks
Ages 18+
Beginner through experienced levels
This mixed-level class welcomes adults of varying experience. Beginners develop foundational climbs, wraps, poses, and transitions, while experienced students receive progressions that expand their technique, sequencing, and aerial vocabulary. No previous aerial experience is required.
Need Help Choosing a Level?
Ages provide a helpful starting point, but placement also considers previous training, technical readiness, maturity, consistency, and instructor recommendation. Our faculty regularly reviews placement to support each student’s continued growth.
- Explore our dance class descriptions.
- Learn about the ABT National Training Curriculum that informs our ballet training.
- Learn about Paper Doll Militia, whose aerial education philosophy and progressions inform our aerial curriculum.
