MEET OUR DANCE INSTRUCTORS

Meet our Dance Program Director Assistant- MADISON MCCLAM. Ms. Madison is a Rutgers graduate from New York City, NY. Madison, a professional dancer and choreographer, has been dancing for over 18 yrs. Madison trained at Broadway Dance Center, The Ailey School and was a member of Generation X at Brickhouse Studios Timesquare. Having been trained in Commercial Hip Hop, Popping, Afro Beats, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Modern & Contemporary, Madison has performed with Princess Nokia, Bell Biv Devoe, Babyface, Cece Peniston, a host of other artists, and has assisted with choreography for the Brooklyn NETS dancers, as well as the Philadelphia 76’ers dancers.  She has had the liberty of performing in notable venues such as Madison Square Garden, Afro Punk, Radio City Music Hall and the Infamous SOB’s. Madison also performed in the NYC Pride Parade, Time Square Open House and Good Morning America’s Running Man Challenge.

YES Dance Academy

This program allows students to explore emotional expression and creative movement. YES Dance enhances students' physical well-being, cultural awareness, and personal identity through theatrical, social, and cultural dance experiences.

YDA DANCE ACADEMY PROGRAMS

5-7 Years Old

Our YES Dance program offers a variety of classes, including Ballet, Tap, and Hip Hop. Each class is designed to nurture the creativity of young dancers while helping them build strong foundational skills for future dance training. We encourage parents to consider enrolling their children in multiple dance styles, as this exposure supports well-rounded growth and enhances their development as dancers.

8-12 Years Old

Our YES Dance Level 1–2 classes provide a diverse range of styles, including Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Acro, Afro-Caribbean, and Pointe. Each class is designed to build strong foundational skills within its discipline. To maximize progress and overall growth, we recommend that students train at least four days per week across multiple styles.

13-17 Years Old

Our YES Dance Level 3–5 classes provide an extensive selection of styles, including Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Acro, Afro-Caribbean, Variations, Pointe, Horton, and Broadway Dance. At this level, students train five to six days per week, allowing them to refine their technique, expand their versatility, and build advanced proficiency across multiple styles. We encourage this level of commitment as it prepares dancers for higher-level training, performance opportunities, and potential pre-professional pathways.

ALL DANCE CLASSES

Hip Hop & Afro

This high energy class combines the best of Hip Hop and Afro-Caribbean dance, giving students a space to celebrate self expression, build confidence, and challenge themselves physically.

Students will explore Hip Hop styles such as popping, locking, waving, gliding, and freestyling, while also diving into Afro Caribbean Fusion that draws from traditional West African movement and Caribbean dance vocabulary. Each class begins with a dynamic warm up, continues with movement across the floor, and builds toward weekly choreography and freestyle circles that encourage creativity and individuality.

Set to upbeat, rhythmic music, this hour long class emphasizes style, musicality, and cultural appreciation, while developing strength, coordination, and endurance. To support a well rounded dance foundation, it is strongly recommended that students also take Ballet and Tap alongside this class.

By blending the athleticism of Hip Hop with the cultural richness of Afro Caribbean dance, students gain not only technical skills but also a deeper appreciation for the power of movement and rhythm.

DATES: 9/15-5/15. TIME: MON,TUES,THURS 3:50PM-4:40PM / WEDS 3:50PM-4:35PM / SAT 11AM-2PM IS

(REHEARSAL & MISSED CLASS MAKE UP)

Tap

This beginner/intermediate Tap class introduces students to the art of creating rhythm with their feet while developing coordination, balance, and strong musicality. Students will explore the hoofing style of Tap dance, focusing on foundational technique and building confidence through rhythmic patterns, timing, and movement combinations.

Tap dance is both athletic and artistic, offering students a fun and engaging way to spark creativity, imagination, and self expression. Classes encourage students to listen deeply to music, respond with precision, and develop a strong sense of rhythm that benefits all forms of dance.

To build a well rounded foundation, students are encouraged to pair Tap with Ballet, which enhances posture, alignment, and overall dance technique.

DATES: 9/15-5/15. TIME: MON,TUES,THURS 3:50PM-4:40PM / WEDS 3:50PM-4:35PM / SAT 11AM-2PM IS

(REHEARSAL & MISSED CLASS MAKE UP)

Ballet Level 1

This foundational class introduces young dancers to the beauty of ballet through imagination, storytelling, and creative exploration. Students begin learning proper alignment, posture, and movement principles inspired by the French, Italian, and Russian schools of ballet training. Teachers use age-appropriate methods that blend discipline with play, encouraging students to connect technical skill with artistry.

To support a well rounded foundation, it is strongly recommended that Ballet Level 1 be taken alongside Hip Hop Afro Caribbean and Tap. Together, these classes build rhythm, coordination, and a versatile movement vocabulary.

Ballet Level 2

At this stage, students deepen their classical training with an emphasis on strength, alignment, and precision. Dancers are expected to demonstrate sustained use of turnout, a refined sense of body direction, and a growing awareness of line and musicality. Instruction focuses on expanding ballet vocabulary, developing coordination, and building artistry through nuanced expression.

As students progress, they are challenged to sustain movements en l’air, refine port de bras with elegance, and coordinate allegro with épaulement. They will also explore more complex repertory and begin cultivating independence, maturity, and performance quality.

For optimal growth, it is strongly recommended that Ballet Level 2 students take four to six ballet classes per week. This intensity helps build the technical foundation, artistry, and confidence needed for advanced training.

DATES: 9/15-5/15. TIME: MON,TUES,THURS 3:50PM-4:40PM / WEDS 3:50PM-4:35PM / SAT 9AM-11AM

(REHEARSAL & MISSED CLASS MAKE UP) SAT 11AM-2PM

Acrobatics 2

Acro 2 introduces students to the exciting blend of dance and gymnastics while focusing on proper technique, safety, and body awareness. Dancers develop strength, flexibility, balance, and concentration through progressive exercises that build muscle control and discipline.

Skills at this level include splits, bridges, forward rolls, handstands, cartwheels, round offs, and introductory walkovers. Each class emphasizes correct body alignment, clean transitions, and beginning and finishing positions, giving students the foundation to advance with confidence.

Acrobatics 3

Acro 3 builds on the skills developed in Acro 2, introducing more challenging acrobatic vocabulary with an increased focus on precision, endurance, and artistry. Students refine their strength, flexibility, and coordination while mastering controlled transitions and more complex movement combinations.

In addition to enhancing their tumbling skills, students will deepen their ability to connect acrobatics with dance performance, bringing fluidity and expression to their movement. For a well-rounded foundation, it is strongly recommended that Acro 3 students also study Ballet and/or Hip Hop Afro-Caribbean to improve musicality, body awareness, and overall technique.

DATES: 9/15-5/15. TIME: MON,TUES,THURS 3:50PM-4:40PM / WEDS 3:50PM-4:35PM / SAT 11AM-2PM IS

(REHEARSAL & MISSED CLASS MAKE UP)

HEAR WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY