COVID-19 UPdate: At this time, SF Dance Space will open to full in- person classes this fall with masks.
Due to the unpredictable climate, and to best serve the needs and safety of our students, SFDS reserves the right to make schedule adjustments as circumstances change.
Please note that classes with low enrollment are subject to cancellation.
Class Descriptions
San Francisco Dance Space offers both weekday and weekend classes. All classes at SFDS are drop off and not open to viewing. Observation classes are scheduled as part of the curriculum and those dates are available on our calendar. This is to limit student distractions, and so that students may get the most out of instruction time. All of our students are invited to perform in our annual dance performance in June.
Fall 2021 Observation week is TBD. While we are BEYOND THRILLED to be hosting classes in person, the safety of our students is our priority.
Classes with less than 5 students enrolled are subject to cancellation. New students should contact SFDS to schedule an assessment for placement. SFDS maintains the right to hold students back in a level if they have not met the technical requirements necessary to build on in the following level regardless of age.
Pink Pre-Ballet Program
Pink Pre-K Ballet
(Must be 3-5 years of age by 9/1/23)
Mondays 4:30-5:30pm| Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm| Saturdays 9:30-10:30am
The goal of the Pre-ballet classes is to introduce your child to the world of dance in a positive and nurturing atmosphere. Your tiny dancers will learn classical ballet steps, participate in fun strengthening/stretching exercises, travel like a butterfly and create a dance landscape with their imaginations. Musicality, shapes and lines, directional awareness and class etiquette will also be a focus of the Pre-K program. Musical accompaniment for this class varies from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker to Disney’s the Little Mermaid. To enroll, students MUST be 3 years of age by the first day of the session.
Blue Level II (Ages 5-7 Kindergarten- 2nd grade)
(must currently be enrolled in Kindergarten or completed two years of pink level)
Mondays 5:30-6:30pm | Saturdays 10:30-11:30
The Blue level is the final level in our pre-Ballet program and is a transitional level. We continue working on vocabulary they have acquired in our Pre-K levels and more class time is dedicated to strength and technical detail.
Ballet Program Lower Division
Mint Level onward, students begin working with one arm on the barre with more focus on alignment and transfer of weight. Classes are designed to work with the body's needs, building on alignment, balance, strength and flexibility, as well as beauty and precision. Classes follow a traditional format: barre work, stretching, center work, and across the floor combinations.
Mint Level III
Tuesdays 5:30-6:30pm TBD| Thursdays 4:30-5:30pm | 10:00-11:00am
Berry Level V
Thursdays 4:30-5:30pm | Saturdays 9:30-10:30am
Aqua Level VI
Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm | Saturdays 10:30am-11:30am
Purple Level VII **
**Students in this level who will be 11 years by June of 2024 and wish to be assessed for Pointe I the following fall (2025) MUST begin attending 2 Ballet classes/week minimum at the Purple level. Please note that this is NOT a guarantee of eligibility for Pointe. SFDS requires students interested in pointe to complete a minimum of 2 years of technique classes 2x week and 1 year minimum of pre-pointe (at Royal level) in addition to technique classes and demonstrate preparedness at a scheduled assessment.
Mondays 5:30-6:30pm | Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm
Royal Level VIII/IX **
Students who completed a full year of the previous Purple /Royal levels (2x/week) and wish to continue on the Pointe track are required to enroll in BOTH Royal class options for the full 1.5 hours (1 hour technique PLUS 30 min. pre- pointe) each for future eligibility.
Not offered Fall/Spring of 2023-2024
Burgundy w/ Pre-Pointe and/or beginner pointe **
Not offered Fall/spring of 2023/2024
Ballet Program Upper Division
Navy Level IX/X**
Tuesdays 5-6:45 w/ Pre-pointe | Tuesdays 5:30-7:15 w/ Pointe 1 Thursdays 5:30-7:15 w/ Pre-pointe | Fridays 5:30-7:15 w/ Both Pre-pointe and Pointe 1
Pointe Only Mondays 6-6:30pm
( Navy Pointe 1 students may also enroll in Pointe on Mondays from 6-6:30pm prior to Rep class as an additional pointe class option, if enrolling in REP, it is part of the 1.5 hour class and does not need to be signed up for additionally)
Pointe with Repertory Mondays 6:00-7:30pm
(must be on pointe to enroll)
Company
(Ages 14+ with Director Approval)***
If you are a Company level member and have questions about best schedule for you, reach out and we’ll advise!
Tuesdays 6:45-8:15 Technique
Thursdays 6:45-8:15 Technique
Pointe with Repertory Mondays 6:00-7:30pm
Contemporary Classes
This class offering takes Ballet and fuses it with modern, jazz and lyrical forms. This class is designed to teach the dancer how to incorporate the fluidity of the whole body and graduate from pure classical shapes. By performing these exercises both center and off center, on the floor and with the freedom of the torso, hips, and legs, the ballet dancer best transitions from barre and floor to full body expression and to the stage. It is important that students already have a sense of center and vocabulary prior to enrollment. Therefore, our Contemporary classes are open only to students Lilac Level and above (3rd grade) as a supplement to ballet technique. Placement in these classes is at discretion of faculty. Please contact us prior to registering.
Contemporary 1/2 Mondays 4:30-5:30
New and returning Contemporary 1 Level students - Aqua, Purple levels
Contemporary 3 Fridays 4:30-5:30 Navy+
Navy level students and above with 2 years of contemporary experience
Contemporary 4 Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm
Company students enrolled in Contemporary 3 last year
Contemporary 5 Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Company students enrolled in Contemporary 5 last year
Repertory (pointe class)
Mondays 6-7:30
In Repertory class students will learn both solo variations from the classical Ballets as well as group choreography. This class will continue to develop the young artist as a performer with focus on character, intention, and artistic choices. This offering provides the advanced dancer with additional time to work on choreography outside of technique class. This year, we will be adding Modern /Contemporary material as well. Repertory class is open as a third class option to students enrolled in 2+ technique classes/week due to the level of material presented and level of focus and artistry required. Subject to instructor approval.
Open to all Company & Navy students currently on pointe.
Strength and Flexibility
Work with our instructors in a smaller group setting to build on strengthening your core, feet and legs while learning new flexibility exercises to achieve better extension. This class will incorporate dance stretches, Yoga, therabands and yoga blocks for a 45 minute class which will target the muscles needed to get that beautiful arabesque and develop your functional flexibility. Students should wear dance attire and bring a theraband to class.
This class is intended for students enrolled in a minimum of 2 technique classes per week (levels Aqua - Jr. Company).
* Enrollment in 2 classes per week is encouraged starting at this level
** Enrollment in 2 technique classes per week is required at this level; a 3rd class is encouraged. Please reach out for alternate if you have a scheduling conflict.
*** Enrollment in 3 classes per week and instructor recommendation is required for these classes. Please reach out for alternate if you have a scheduling conflict.
