1St-3RD Grade Dance Classes

It depends on your child's interest and your family's schedule. One class per week (45 minutes to an hour) is a great starting point. Many 1st–3rd graders take two or three classes — often combining a style focus like Ballet or Hip Hop with the Triple Threat combo. If your dancer is very committed, adding a technique focus alongside a combo builds skill fastest. Multi-class family discounts apply.

Triple Threat is our most popular 1st–3rd option — it gives your dancer meaningful exposure to jazz, ballet, and tap in a single class, which is efficient and well-rounded. Single-style classes make sense when your dancer has a clear favorite (loves the sound of tap, only wants to hip hop) or when they're taking multiple classes and want deeper technique. There's no wrong answer.

Our Boys Hip Hop class exists specifically to solve this. It's an all-boys environment — your son will be dancing with peers who are just as into (or as skeptical of) dance as he is. The vibe is athletic, powerful, and completely different from what many people picture when they hear "dance class." Many of our Company Boys started in exactly this class.

Absolutely. 1st–3rd grade is a great starting point for children brand-new to dance. Our instructors are experienced at welcoming beginners alongside dancers who've been with us since preschool. Every student learns at their own pace, and we'll never make a new dancer feel behind.

Steps Dance Company auditions are open to dancers in 1st grade and up. If your child is showing serious interest, we recommend building a strong technical foundation first — ideally through Triple Threat plus a technique-focused class like Ballet or Jazz. Our faculty is happy to advise on the best preparation pathway. Learn more on our Auditions page.

Attire varies by class. 

Ballet and Jazz: leotard, tights or leggings, and the appropriate shoes for the style. 

Tap: any comfortable dancewear with tap shoes. 

Hip Hop and Boys Hip Hop: athletic wear (fitted top with shorts or leggings) and non-marking gym shoes. 

Triple Threat: needs leotard, tights, ballet shoes, tap shoes, and jazz shoes. 

Hair pulled back for all classes. 

Full attire guide at shopnimbly.com/stepsdancecenter.

Learn more about dress codes for all classes here.

Yes! 1st–3rd grade dancers perform in our winter Holiday Show and present two routines in the end-of-year recital at Neuqua Valley High School. This is the age where recital becomes a real family event — many parents plan the whole spring around it.

Once your child hits 4th grade, they'll move into our 4th–6th Grade program — where classes go even deeper into technique, lyrical/contemporary becomes available, and competitive dancers start building toward the pre-professional Company track.

We are located at 4054 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora, IL 60504 — minutes from Naperville, Oswego, Montgomery, and Lisle. Just off Route 59 with free on-site parking. Stroller-friendly entrance and a comfortable waiting area for families. Call us at (630) 499-5678 with any questions.