LEVELs 1-4

We are building a community of well-rounded dancers with a range of skills across different styles in the hip hop, street dance, & choreo world. At CD, we have developed a unique level system that enhances the quality of our dance classes by tailoring the pace, content, and focus to meet the specific needs of our dancers.

By organizing our classes into these four levels, we provide clarity and set clear expectations for both our instructors and students. This system ensures that each dancer receives the appropriate instruction and support needed to progress effectively on their dance journey. Our level system consists of four distinct levels: Level 1, 2, 3, & 4.

what we look for

Placement isn't about being the best dancer in the room — it's about finding the level where you'll grow the most. Here's what we're paying attention to:

foundations — foundational vocabulary, control, and understanding of movement specific to the style

musicality & timing — how confidently you connect to and understand elements of the music beyond the beat

precision & attention to detail — how sharply you observe and translate what's taught into clean, intentional movement

picking up choreography — how you retain and execute combos as they're taught

performance quality — your control, dynamics, and ability to execute the movement beyond just doing the moves

adaptability — how you take corrections and adjust in the moment

awareness in the room — how you share space and connect to the dancers around you

there's no single "right" answer here — dancers place differently across these categories, and that's normal. the goal is a level where you're challenged, supported, and set up to grow.

PROGRESS takes time!

Please note that each season runs only four months — a great chance to add new tools, but growth doesn't happen overnight. For context- Most of our level 3 and 4 dancers have trained for 10+ years. We recommend staying at each level for at least three seasons before moving up. Some dancers stay at a level they love; some drop back down to rebuild, and others continue to push forward. All are good calls!

Hot tip: Train with a variety of instructors — it's one of the best ways to build range.

  • Beginner. new to the style or building your foundation. this level is all about developing comfort with rhythm and musicality, learning to retain choreography at a manageable pace, and getting familiar with the fundamentals of technique. it's the best place to build confidence before layering on speed and complexity.

  • Beginner/Intermediate. you've got the basics down and you're ready to sharpen them. musicality is more consistent, choreography retention is quicker, and technique is becoming more refined. this level pushes you to bring more performance quality and dynamics into your movement, while still building a strong technical base.

  • Intermediate. technique and retention are solid, and you're ready for more nuance. choreo moves faster and with more complexity, musicality is more textured, and performance quality is expected to carry real intention and dynamics. adaptability matters more here — taking corrections and applying them in real time.

  • Intermediate/Advanced. strong across the board — technique, retention, musicality, and performance all come together at a high level. this is where dancers are expected to bring full artistry: sharp execution, strong stage presence, and the ability to adapt quickly and confidently to whatever's thrown their way.