DANJ dancers have consistently demonstrated high performance levels at conventions and competitions.
The 'Company Team' is a group of dancers ages 7-18 who train, rehearse, and perform in a supportive, inspiring, and fun environment. They are advanced to semi-professional and train 3 to 5 days per week. DANJ Company dancers focus on being the best version of themselves in class, choreography, and on stage. They work hard, growing their skills in a safe, steady manner! View Team Achievements.
Company dancers train 5-15+ hours per week. In addition to ballet (required for team members), dancers can choose their curriculum from the following: jazz/musical theater, contemporary, modern, tap, lyrical, hip hop, stretch, leap & turn, and more! These school year "advanced classes" are described on the Advanced Classes Page. Company dancers also attend Summer Intensives and Ballet Bootcamp.
Company dancers select the styles of dance they are interested in competing in as well as the number of groups, solos, and duo/trios. Choreography and rehearsals are conducted as separate sessions (not in classes), generally on weekends.
Competitions provide dancers a fun and inspiring way to perform on stage for family and friends, and to receive professional feedback. Conventions enable dancers to train with their peers outside the studio with top industry professionals. The Company attends four local competitions, a national competition, and performs in the DANJ annual recital and benefit concerts. Company dancers may attend additional optional competitions and conventions.
Dancers are invited to join the team based on faculty observations in class, and/or auditions. Anyone interested in joining the DANJ team should contact the studio office to set up a meeting. Younger dancers are welcome to join the Mini Team.
Mini Team dancers have the unique opportunity to have these experiences at a very young age. Their confidence and skills are growing at a rapid rate. Just watch the dancers below in The Name Game and Risky Business. They were minis only a few years ago!
The 'Mini Team' is a group of young dancers ages 5-7 who train, rehearse, and perform in an inspiring and fun environment. Mini Team dancers train between 2.5 & 3.5 hours per week and perform in three local competitions during the school year. View Team Achievements.
School Year Classes - Mini Team dancers are required to train in ballet, tap, and jazz and, if interested, acro. The 2026-27 school year classes are Tuesdays (4:45-5:30 Tap & 5:45-6:30 Jazz); and Wednesdays (4:30-5:30 Ballet & 5:30-6:30 Acro).
Summer Classes - Mini Team dancers can attend Ballet Bootcamp as well as weekly ballet, tap, acro, and special programs.
Mini Team dancers learn two group dance routines- tap and jazz - for presentation at competitions and at the recital. The choreography and rehearsals for these pieces are held on Saturdays from 11:00-12:45.
The Mini Team attends three regional, local competitions where they perform their tap and jazz routines. Mini Team members can attend additional 'optional' conventions and competitions.
Dancers are invited to join the Mini Team based on faculty observations in class and/or auditions. Anyone interested in joining the DANJ Mini Team should contact the studio. Once you have finalized your decision and choices, click on the register links below or use the Portal to enroll in the following classes for Mini Team dancers:
Tap Dancers Only is a program for dancers ages 7-18 who are interested in training and/or competing in just tap. The same tap classes are open to dancers on the team and those not on the team.
Tap classes are listed at => Class Page. Tap dancers may take more than one tap class per week, depending on their level and train in other styles of dance. Team choreography and rehearsals are not done in the technique training classes.Class placements are skill-based.
DANJ choreographers create original tap works for Tap Only team members. Choreography and rehearsals are on weekends, outside the regular weekly technique classes.
The competition team attends four regional and one national competition. Tap Only dancers on the team are required to attend these events. Dancers may attend additional conventions and competitions.
Anyone interested in joining the Tap Only program for just training or as a member of the competition team should contact the studio office to set up a meeting with the director.
Hip Hop, Jazz, and Lyrical Crew are for children ages 7-13 interested in training in Hip Hop, Jazz, and/or Lyrical, and performing at local competitions.
Crew is a lighter commitment than the Company Team. Unlike the Company Team, Crew dancers are not required to train in ballet. They only have to train in the style(s) of dance they choose to compete in (Hip Hop, Jazz, and/or Lyrical). The Crew competes at a level commensurate with the training regimen (e.g., Intermediate, Level 2, etc.) as compared to the Company Team that competes at advance levels.
Crew members attend a weekly classes to learn hip hop, jazz, and/or lyrical technique (one weekly class per style of dance). The classes also include choreography and rehearsals for the performance pieces that will be presented in competitions and at the annual DANJ recital.
Competitions provide a fun and inspiring way for the Crew to perform on stage for family, friends and for professional feedback. Crew dancers attends three local competitions and performs in the DANJ annual recital. Interested crew members may attend additional, optional dance conventions and competitions.
Anyone interested in joining Crew (Hip Hop, Jazz, and/or Lyrical) should contact the studio for more information.
"It is clear that DANJ Company dancers are well prepared for the professional dance world. Their technique is beyond their years."
Terk Lewis, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Western Michigan University Asst. Professor
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Private lessons for young children are a fast and focused way to become proficient in dance fundamentals. A private lesson is a “one-on-one” lesson with an instructor where you will receive individualized attention, learning specifically what you want to work on. The pace at which your instructor teaches is entirely based on your needs and you can feel comfortable asking questions and taking your time to learn. Private lessons are beneficial for:
Private lessons are a fast and focused way to become proficient in your dance skills. A private lesson is a “one-on-one” lesson with your instructor where you will receive individualized attention, learning specifically what you want to work on. The pace at which your instructor teaches is entirely based on your needs and you can feel comfortable asking questions and taking your time to learn. Private lessons are beneficial for:
Private lessons are a focused way to refine and advance your dance skills. A private lesson is a “one-on-one” lesson with your instructor where you will receive individualized attention, learning specifically what you want to work on. The pace at which your instructor teaches is entirely based on your needs and you can feel comfortable asking questions and taking your time to learn. Private lessons are beneficial for: