Youth Dance at Weehawken
Jazz, Tap & Lyrical Dance Classes in Montrose
Weehawken Dance offers Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical classes for children and teens in Montrose, Colorado, with additional seasonal options for families in Ridgway and Ouray County.
These styles help dancers develop musicality, coordination, technique, confidence, artistry, and expressive performance skills.
Three Styles—Three Different Ways to Grow
Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical each offer something different. Dancers may focus on one style or combine classes to develop greater versatility, musicality, coordination, and confidence.
Jazz
Jazz is energetic, expressive, and grounded in strong dance technique. Classes combine warm-ups, progressions, choreography, and performance skills.
- Turns, leaps, and jumps
- Strength and flexibility
- Rhythm and musicality
- Stylized movement
- Performance quality
Tap
Tap teaches dancers to create rhythm and musical phrasing with their feet. Students learn to listen, coordinate movement, and produce clear, intentional sounds.
- Timing and rhythm
- Sound clarity
- Coordination and balance
- Tap vocabulary
- Musical expression
Lyrical
Lyrical combines technical dance training with expressive, fluid movement and storytelling. Ballet and jazz foundations help dancers develop control and artistry.
- Emotional storytelling
- Musical phrasing
- Fluid transitions
- Turns, leaps, and extensions
- Control and expressive movement
Which Style Is Right for My Dancer?
There is no single correct choice. The best class depends on what your dancer enjoys and which skills they would like to develop.
Choose Jazz If...
Your dancer loves upbeat music, dynamic movement, turns, jumps, personality, and energetic choreography.
Choose Tap If...
Your dancer enjoys rhythm, making music, detailed footwork, coordination, patterns, and learning how sounds fit together.
Choose Lyrical If...
Your dancer loves expressive music, storytelling, flowing movement, emotional connection, and combining artistry with technique.
Why Take More Than One Style?
Training in more than one dance style helps students become adaptable, musical, and expressive performers. Each discipline develops different skills that support the others.
- Jazz develops power, turns, leaps, stage presence, and dynamic movement.
- Tap develops rhythm, listening skills, coordination, and musical precision.
- Lyrical develops control, storytelling, musical interpretation, and expressive quality.
- Ballet supports alignment, balance, placement, foot articulation, and technique across all three styles.
Dancers do not have to take every style, but combining classes can create a strong, well-rounded foundation.
What Makes Weehawken Different?
Weehawken is a connected performing-arts program where students can train, create, perform, and grow with teachers and classmates who know them.
Performance Is Part of the Learning Process
Most youth Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical classes participate in Weehawken’s winter and spring productions at the Montrose Pavilion.
Dancers learn choreography with their class and become part of a larger theatrical production. These experiences help students develop confidence, responsibility, teamwork, resilience, stage presence, and artistry.
Experienced students may also audition for additional featured roles, solos, small groups, and specialty sections.
Class Levels and Schedules
Available Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical classes vary by age, experience, location, and season. Some classes are combined styles, while others focus on one discipline.
Weehawken serves families from Montrose, Olathe, Delta, Ridgway, Ouray County, and surrounding Western Colorado communities. Visit the current schedule pages to see which classes are available for your dancer’s age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dancer need previous experience?
Not always. We offer beginner-friendly options at several ages. More advanced classes may require previous training or instructor approval. Contact us if you are unsure where your dancer should begin.
Does Lyrical require Ballet experience?
Ballet training is strongly helpful because Lyrical uses ballet alignment, extensions, turns, leaps, and control. Requirements vary by class level, so review the listing or ask the instructor before registering.
What shoes and clothing will my dancer need?
Jazz classes generally use black jazz shoes. Tap classes generally use black tap shoes. Lyrical footwear may vary by class and choreography. Students should wear fitted dance or athletic clothing that allows the instructor to see alignment.
Can my dancer try a class first?
Youth dance classes with available space may be tried during the first week of the session. This applies to new students and current students considering a new style.
Do Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical classes perform?
Most youth classes participate in Weehawken’s winter and spring productions. Check the individual class listing because certain technique or specialty classes may be non-performing.
Ready to Find a Class?
Explore the current youth schedule, review tuition, or contact Weehawken for help choosing between Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, or another dance style.
