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level Placement
Level placements are determined by MDC's faculty to ensure each student is positioned for optimal benefit. MDC is committed to prioritizing the best interests of every student.
Advancing students prematurely may result in missed foundational training, increased difficulty at higher levels, and elevated risk of injury. For this reason, students are assigned to levels that foster their continued growth and development.
Please note that level placements are final and not open to negotiation by students or parents.
It is customary for dancers to remain at the same level for two or more years, even as they demonstrate clear progress and improvement. This is particularly true for Levels 2 and 3, where instructors present an extensive curriculum and expect significant learning and development from the students. Progression through these levels occurs at a pace that supports thorough mastery, and this process cannot be expedited.
MDC has seven levels within the program. Please understand that while age is taken into consideration, MDC places students based on their abilities.
Pre-Dance
Ages 3-6
1 Class Per Week
Level 1
Ages 6-11
2 Ballet Classes Per Week
1 Additional Class (Conditioning or Jazz)
Level 2
Ages 10-18
2 Ballet Classes Per Week
3 Additional Classes (Conditioning, Jazz, Contemporary)
Level 3
Ages 11-18
3 Ballet Classes Per Week
4 Additional Classes (Conditioning, Jazz, Contemporary, Pointe/PrePointe)
Level 4
Ages 13-18
3 Ballet Classes Per Week
4 Additional Classes (Conditioning, Jazz, Contemporary, Pointe)
Pre-Conservatory
Ages 10-13
Audition Only. Introduction to more intense ballet training for younger dancers aspiring to advance to Conservatory training.
Conservatory
Ages 13-18
Audition Only. Weekly curated schedule for committed dancers seeking pre-professional training. Comprehensive classical and conditioning education.
Conservatory
MDC offers advanced training for students (ages 13 and up) pursuing a career in ballet. The Conservatory curriculum consists of technique and pointe, contemporary, pilates, and variations taught by highly experienced and dedicated instructors.
All Conservatory students train six days per week and are given professional guidance customized to their individual needs and goals. Additionally, Conservatory students may be invited to participate in Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP), Universal Ballet Competition (UBC), and other prestigious ballet competitions.
Placement in both Pre-Conservatory and Conservatory levels requires an audition. Request an audition slot here.
In addition to the samples class schedule below, each Conservatory student will have two one-hour duet privates (reformer pilates and ballet technique) each week.
Monday
Pilates
Ballet Technique
Pointe
Tuesday
Ballet Technique
Pointe
Wednesday
Pilates
Ballet Technique
Pointe
Contemporary
Thursday
Pilates
Ballet Technique
Pointe
Friday
Ballet Technique
Pointe
Saturday
Ballet Technique
Pointe
Variations
Nutcracker/Spring Performance Rehearsal
Tuition & Financial Information
A non-refundable Annual Registration fee of $50 per student, regardless of level and not subject to sibling discount, will be charged with the Registration deposit for the Fall Trimester only. Each trimester's tuition may be paid in full or in three installments per trimester. All pricing considers holidays and studio closings. There will be no additional prorations. Registration and payment are carried out through our enrollment portal, Studio Director.
Credit Card Policy
MDC accepts all major credit cards. Please note that a 2.5% surcharge will be assessed on all credit card payments. This represents the fee the credit card companies charge MDC to process payments. MDC has made the decision not to factor this fee into its tuition, as that would not be fair to those families who choose to pay via bank transfer.
Tuition Refund Policy
Monthly tuition paid is non-refundable and non-transferable to another student. Students are eligible for a prorated tuition refund only if they withdraw from classes due to prolonged illness or severe injury, verified by a doctor's certificate. Refunds will be in the form of a credit applied to the student's account, which can then be applied to future invoices. No refunds are given for classes missed because of illness, injury, vacation, or weather.
Costume Fees
All dancers participating in the Spring Showcase will be charged a costume fee of $75 per costume. Any unpaid costume fee will result in the costume not being ordered and the dancer being removed from the Showcase piece.
Withdrawal Policy
Any class may be dropped without penalty within 30 days of the 1st day of class per session. After 30 days, classes may not be dropped until the end of the session and will be billed each month regardless of attendance.
Ballet Uniform
The selected leotards are designed to suit MDC's dress requirement standards and create a uniform appearance in the classroom. New MDC dancers will be allowed up to a two-week grace period after enrolling with confirmation of order. During the grace period, dancers will be expected to wear a black leotard. After the grace period, dancers who do not follow the dress code will not be allowed to participate in class. Leotards can be purchased at Dancer's Dream at 322 W State Street, Suite 104, Geneva, IL.
Note: Male dancers should purchase the Lulli Boys Leggings Emanual in the corresponding leotard color for their level. To be worn with a white leotard.
Adult ballet dancers are welcome to wear a leotard and tights of their choice or tight-fitting workout clothing with hair pulled back away from the face.
Pre-Ballet
Color: Light Pink
Bloch CL5342 Girls Short Sleeve Skirted Leotard
Pink Convertible Tights
Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes
Hair must be pulled back into a clean bun.
Level 1
Color: Sky
Lulli LUB870 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leaotard Julia or Lulli LUB361 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leotard Sofya
Pink Convertible Tights
Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes
Hair must be pulled back into a clean bun.
Level 2
Color: Jeans
Lulli LUB870 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leaotard Julia or Lulli LUB361 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leotard Sofya
Pink Convertible Tights
Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes
Hair must be pulled back into a clean bun.
Level 3
Color: Blue
Lulli LUB870 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leaotard Julia or Lulli LUB361 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leotard Sofya
Pink Convertible Tights
Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes
Hair must be pulled back into a clean bun.
Level 4
Color: Navy
Lulli LUB870 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leaotard Julia or Lulli LUB361 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leotard Sofya
Pink Convertible Tights
Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes
Hair must be pulled back into a clean bun.
Conservatory
Color: Royal
Lulli LUB870 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leaotard Julia or Lulli LUB361 Womens Skirted Cap Sleeve Leotard Sofya
Pink Convertible Tights
Pink Canvas Ballet Shoes
Hair must be pulled back into a clean bun.
Contemporary Uniform
Black leotard of choice, black leggings, and dance socks (optional). Hair must be pulled back from face in a ponytail or bun.
Jazz Uniform
Leotard of choice, black leggings, and nude or black jazz shoes. Hair must be pulled back from face in a ponytail or bun.
Modern Uniform
Black leotard and black footless tights. Hair must be pulled back from face in a clean bun.
Pilates Uniform
Leotard of choice and black leggings or footless tights from class. Hair must be pulled back from face in a ponytail or bun.
Conditioning Equipment & Supplies
Mid to heavy padded mat, magic circle, theraband, lacrosseball/hand ball/pinky ball, 1lb or 2lb hand weights (levels 3 and up), mini loop band/resistance loop band (medium strength for intermediate students and heavy strength for advanced students), extra long resistance band/theraband (9.8 ft/ 3m in length and 6 inches/ 15cm wide, medium strength), fusion ball/soft stability ball/ pilates soft ball (20-23cm in diameter), exercise ball/ swill ball/ fit ball (use dancers height and weight to size ball - under 4'-8" = 45cm ball, 4'-8" to 5'-3" = 55cm ball, 5'-4" to 5'-10" = 65cm ball, 5'-10" to 6'-4" = 75cm ball, children 5 years and younger always use a 45cm ball).