Youth Dance Ensemble
YDE is a group of dedicated dance students from Ann Arbor Dance Classics who are interested in pursuing an intensive study of dance, and more performance opportunities than traditional dance classes allow. All YDE dancers perform annually in December, March, and the June AADC recital. As preparation for these performances, all YDE members rehearse on Saturdays between 9:00am and 3:30pm, with a maximum of two absences per semester permitted. Beyond the requirements for all members, there are five levels of participation in YDE, which are explained below. Please contact us for the full YDE Participation Requirements booklet.
Level One
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Open to all AADC members
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Dancers must be 5 years old by September 1st
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Must be enrolled in at least 1 ballet class or 1 dance class
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December performance
Level Two
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By invitation only
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Dancers must be 6 years old by September 1st
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Must be enrolled in at least 1 ballet class, 1 jazz class, and 1 elective class
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December & March performance
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Complete a minimum number of hours of summer study
Level Three
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By invitation only
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Dancers must be 6 years old by September 1st
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Must be enrolled in at least 2 ballet classes, 1 jazz, 1 modern, 1 conditioning, 1 drills class and additional level-specific classes as required
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December & March performances & 2 competitions
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Attendance at 1 convention
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Complete a minimum number of hours of summer study
Pre-Company
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By invitation only (for mini, petite, and junior dancers)
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Dancers must be 6 years old by September 1st
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Must be enrolled in at least 2 ballet classes and additional level-specific classes as required
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December & March performances & 2 competitions
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Attendance at 1 convention
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Complete a minimum number of hours of summer study
Tap Company
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By invitation only
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Dancers must be 9 years old by September 1st
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Must be enrolled in at least 1 tap technique class and 1 ballet, jazz, or modern class
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March performance & 2 competitions
The Nutcracker
All YDE members participate in the annual performance of “The Nutcracker” or an alternative fall production. Participation in this ballet is also open to non-company members; audition required.
Spring Benefit Concert
All YDE members participate in an annual benefit concert. This concert provides the company with the opportunity to perform selected works intended to expose dancers to a broad array of dance styles, techniques, and to the works of different choreographers.
We value this performance as an opportunity to give back to the community which support us. Recent benefit concerts have donated proceeds to local organizations such as the Ozone House and the Interfaith Hospitality Network and to national organizations such as the Arms Wide Open Foundation.
Competition Option
Level two and three YDE members may be invited to participate in pre-company or competition groups at their respective technical levels. Competition is offered in jazz, lyrical, and tap.
Solos, duets, and trios are also available to those who are interested and may also include ballet and pointe technique.
