OUR CLASSES

Monona Academy of Dance provides dance classes for dancers age 3 - 103. We pride ourselves on a nurturing and positive environment focusing on technique and fun. We can help prepare your dancer for the world of hard work, higher education and/or professional dance. Dance teaches much more than steps. The physical movement promotes musicality, creativity, motor skill development, coordination, body awareness, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. For the adult student we can provide a happy place to revisit the joys of an artform you learned as a youth or as a new skill.

Registration for 2026-2027 is now open! Read below for class descriptions and visit our registration page for pricing and sign-up.

  • Pre-Ballet I & II

    Introduction to dance and movement, focusing on motor skills, coordination, balance, and preparatory ballet movements and positions.

    Pre-Ballet: AGES 3-4 (Pre-School/4K)

    Pre-Ballet II: AGES 5-6 (Kindergarten)

    Beginning Ballet

    Class focuses on basic ballet technique, proper body alignment, flexibility and muscle control. Students will be introduced to ballet barre exercises and center combinations. 

    AGES: 6 - 8

    Ballet I, II, III, IV, V

    These classes range from intermediate to pre-professional ballet levels. The focus is on perfecting the student's ballet technique. Pointe work is taught in Ballet IV and V. 

    Placement is by instructor approval only.  Experienced adults can be placed in the Ballet IV/V class

    Ballet for 7-10 yr olds

    This class is taught at an introductory pace and build at an appropriate speed catered towards the students. No prior knowledge is needed. Only available at our Sun Prairie location.

    AGES: 7-10

    Ballet for 11-14 yr olds

    Perfect for beginners or for students that danced at a much younger age and are looking to return to ballet. No prior knowledge is required. Only available at our Sun Prairie location.

    AGES: 11-14

  • Beginning Tap

    Class develops the student’s awareness of musical rhythm, introduces basic tap vocabulary, and explores making and differentiating sounds in tap shoes

    AGES: 5 & UP

    Tap I, II, III, IV, V

    The next levels following the beginning class. Class consists of perfecting the student's tap technique and musicality, building speeds, and creating more complex patterns of steps. 

    Placement is by instructor approval only.

  • Jazz I

    Get introduced to the basics, memorizing steps in patterns, and strengthening for future material.

    AGES: 7 & UP

    Jazz II, III, IV, V

    Learn different styles including lyrical, musical theater, jazz and funk.

    Placement by instructor approval only. 

  • The cutting-edge form of street dance, most often characterized by the dancing seen in music videos. Heavily influenced by jazz and break-dancing, emphasis is placed on isolation, rhythm, and individuality. 

    Beginning Hip Hop

    Introduction to basic steps, rhythm, vocabulary, and encourages using their personality in their dancing. 

    AGES 5-7 and 8-10 with no previous hip hop experience.

    Intermediate Hip Hop

    AGES 8-10 (previous experience)

    AGES 11-12  (beginners)

    Advanced Hip Hop

    Ages 12+ with previous experience and or placement by instructor

    MAD City Hip Hop I

    Placement by audition  

    MAD City Hip Hop II

    Placement by audition

    MAD City Hip Hop III

    Placement by audition

  • Modern III, IV, V

    Movement is explored through use of concepts of time, space and effort. The use of momentum and gravity, the articulation of the upper body, the use of parallel leg positioning, and weight distribution that is low to the ground.

    AGES: 10 & UP 

    Previous dance experience a requirement. Corresponds to Ballet level. Placement by instructor only. 

  • Drop-in classes are available on a weekly basis. Allows flexibility for the busy adult or teen; just sign up and attend on weeks you are available!

    Open Teen/Adult Ballet

    An intermediate level class meant for adults with past ballet experience and an existing vocabulary in Ballet. Madison location on Tuesday evenings (7:15-8:30 PM).

    AGES: 13 & UP

    Open Teen/Adult Tap

    An intermediate level class for adults or teens familiar with Tap terminology. Class consists of a warm up and then various combinations in center and across the floor. Sun Prairie location on Monday evenings (6:30-7:15 PM) or Madison location on Thursday evenings (7:30-8:15 PM).

    AGES: 13 & Up

    To sign-up for a drop-in class: Link to page here.

    Questions?  Email or call the office.

  • In 2026-2027, Monona Academy of Dance is offering Beginning and Continuing Teen/Adult Ballet in 5 and 10 week sessions. These classes are intended to help dancers new (or newer) to Ballet build their vocabulary and learn the basics.

    Beginning Teen/Adult Ballet: 5 weeks

    For the teen or adult who has always dreamed of trying Ballet but has no past experience. We will start with the basics and over the 5 weeks work up to a Ballet barre and some steps in center. New steps and the technique behind them will be explained in-depth. Madison location, Wednesday evenings (6:00-7:00 PM).

    Session I: Sept. 16th - Oct. 14th, 2026

    Session II: Oct. 21st - Nov. 18th, 2026

    Continuing Teen/Adult Jazz: 5 weeks

    A beginning to intermediate level class. Starts with stretching and then moves into across the floor and combinations. Madison location, Thursday evenings (6:45-7:30 PM).

    Session I: Sept. 17th - Oct. 15th, 2026

    AGES: 13 & UP

    Continuing Teen/Adult Ballet: 10 weeks

    For the teen or adult who has some ballet experience but wants to continue to build vocabulary and stamina before trying out an Open Level class. Over the 10 weeks, we will work up to a full Ballet class with a barre, center, and across the floor. New steps and the technique behind them will be explained in-depth.

    Session I: Sept. 14th - Nov. 16th, 2026

    To sign up for one of these sessions, please visit our registration page.

  • Beginning Acro

    Taught by an instructor certified in the Acrobatic Arts technique. Learn proper placement and technique for the foundations of AcroDance including handstands, cartwheels and bridges. Learn transitions from the above into dance steps.

    AGES 8+

    Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)*

    An innovative program developed for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory to achieve their personal best in classical ballet. 

    AGES: 11 & UP

    Yoga*

    A class to help dancers gain more flexibility, strength, balance, and master breathing techniques.

    AGES 11+

    Pilates*

    Mat Pilates to focus on strengthening muscles, lower back, pelvic floor, hips, glutes and abdominals through exercises.

    AGES 11+

    Boys' Classes*

    Class to focus on quality of movement, technique and strength issues that male dancers, 9 to 14 years of age, face.  

    AGES 9-14

    Partnering*

    Pas De Deux class for intermediate to advanced students. Students learn the art and skill of partnering. 

    AGES 14+

    *Indicates class is not on the permanent schedule but will appear as a Pop Up Class sporadically on Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons. Email or call for times and availability. Watch for announcements on social media.

  • Pilates Reformer Private Lessons*

    Taught by a certified instructor.  Geared toward the dancer and developing overall strength. 

    AGES 12+

    Ballroom*

    Learn the waltz, foxtrot, swing, polka & cha-cha for weddings or just for fun and fitness at any age or experience level. 

    *Indicates class taught as a private lesson. Email or call to learn specality instructors availability as it is always changing.

  • Mini, Junior, and Teen MAD City Company

    These groups learn teamwork through the competition experience. Dancers are required to study ballet, tap, and jazz. Optional classes are Modern and Hip Hop. Rehearsing on Saturday mornings they learn small and large group dances that are competed at local and or regional competitions.

    MAD City Dancers also open and close the two annual Monona Academy of Dance recitals along with performing their competition experience pieces.

    Placement into teams is determined by an annual audition in May.  Inquiries always welcome. Check out our COMPETITION page for more info.

Please click below to learn more about Monona Academy of Dance’s schedules, dress codes, and academy policies.

NOTE TO PARENTS

It is very important for you as parents to take an active role in your child’s dance education by making sure that you stay up-to-date on policies and procedures. Visit the home page of the website often. Watch for newsletters and emails. Subject lines of emails will be in full capital letters to grab your attention.

Please make an effort, at least once a week, to physically walk in to the studio, if your dancer is over the age of 10. Check in with administrative staff and/or your child’s instructor.


Thank you for the opportunity to teach your children and being a part of the Monona Academy of Dance Family.