2025 - 26 DANCE SCHEDULE
Classes will be held at the Trumansburg Elementary School Auditorium
MONDAY
3:00-3:45pm Creative Movement
3:45-4:30pm Ballet III
4:30-5:30pm Tap & Jazz III
5:30-6:30pm Ballet III
6:30-7:30pm Ballet IV
7:30-8:30pm Pointe (by permission only)
TUESDAY
4:00-4:45pm Ballet & Tap I
4:45-5:30pm Acro-Jazz I
5:30-6:30pm Adult Intermediate Irish
6:30-7:30pm Junior Intermediate Irish
7:30-8:30pm Adult Ballet
WEDNESDAY
3:45-4:45pm Ballet & Tap II
4:45-5:30pm Kinderdance
5:30-6:15pm Junior Hip Hop
6:15-7:00pm Teen Tap
7:00-8:15pm Acro IV
8:15-9:00pm Adult Tap
THURSDAY
4:00-4:45pm Acro-Jazz I/II
5:30-6:15pm Teen Contemporary
6:15-7:15pm Jazz IV
7:15-8:15pm Elite Team Choreography (by permission only)
FRIDAY
3:00-3:45pm Acro-Jazz II/III
3:45-4:30pm Junior I (debut) Team Choreography
4:30-5:30pm Junior Contemporary
5:30-6:30pm Junior II (intermediate) Team Choreography (by permission only)
6:30-7:30pm Musical Theatre
7:30-8:30pm Acro III
ALL CLASSES MAY BE PAID IN FULL OR ON A MONTHLY BASIS
Class Rates are as follows:
45 minute classes = $12.50/class
60 minute classes = $16.50/class
75 minute classes = $20.50/class
Need-based scholarships are available
PRIVATE LESSONS
Fees are as follows: $30/30 minutes, $40/45 minutes, $50/60 minutes
Course Descriptions
Acro-Jazz I
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 6+
Requirement: Jazz shoes and acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled off the face. Athletic clothes (close-fitting, such as a leotard and convertible tights or leggings)
Description: Students learn beginner Acro and Jazz techniques, steps, terminology, combinations and choreography. Both classical and contemporary jazz techniques. Students also play dance games together and learn basic improvisation! An introduction to acro dance stretch, strength, and tumbling skills like bridges, candlestick, forward roll, handstand kick-up, beginner cartwheel, and mini trampoline!
Acro-Jazz II/III
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 8+
Requirement: Jazz shoes and acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled off the face. Athletic clothes (close-fitting, such as a leotard and convertible tights or leggings)
Description: Students learn intermediate Acro and Jazz techniques, steps, terminology, combinations and choreography. Both classical and contemporary jazz techniques. Jazz builds strong fundamentals like isolations, intricate footwork, and technical skills – including leaps, jumps, and pirouettes. Dancers will work on improving technique, flexibility, and performance quality through stylized, upbeat combinations. Students also play dance games together and learn basic improvisation! An introduction to acro dance stretch, strength, and tumbling skills like bridges, candlestick, forward roll, handstand kick-up, beginner cartwheel, and mini trampoline! …which build to intermediate/advanced strengthening, stretching, and conditioning to build core strength for floor tricks geared towards achieving front and back walk-overs, backbend & standup, limbers, half valdez, roundoff, handspring, leaps and more creative tricks like headstands, elbow stands, tinsica, switch walkovers, roll throughs, mini trampoline, fish flop, back rolls, etc. This class is required for Junior I Team participants.
Acro III
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 9+
Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled back off the face.
A combined level class for students of mixed ages and skill levels. An introduction to acro dance stretch, strength, and tumbling skills like bridges, candlestick, forward roll, handstand kick-up, beginner cartwheel, and mini trampoline! …which build to intermediate/advanced strengthening, stretching, and conditioning to build core strength for floor tricks geared towards achieving front and back walk-overs, backbend & standup, limbers, half valdez, roundoff, handspring, leaps and more creative tricks like headstands, elbow stands, tinsica, switch walkovers, roll throughs, mini trampoline, fish flop, back rolls, etc.
Acro IV
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: By permission only: Dancers must already be able to perform both a front and back walkover.
Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled back off the face.
Description: Technical floor acrobatics combined with jazz dance. All students must have taken acro or gymnastics in the past and have strong knowledge of intermediate/advanced acro skills (must already be able to cleanly execute upon entering class: splits, dive roll, backward roll, fish flop, backbend & stand up, cartwheel, handstand, elbow stand, headstand, roundoff, front and back walkovers). Advanced strengthening, stretching, and conditioning to build core strength for floor tricks, such as, creative cartwheels, creative walkovers (tinsica, switch, windmill), valdez, front and back handsprings, leaps, front and side aerials, front and back tucks, roll throughs, kip-ups, mini trampoline, etc.
Adult Ballet
Instructor: Nancy Kane
Requirement: comfortable studio dancewear or yoga attire. Relatively form-fitting clothing (not necessarily leotard and tights) is best for the sake of safety and for the instructor to be able to give technical corrections. Shoes: leather or canvas ballet slippers.
Description: For adults (of any gender) looking to move more gracefully, hoping to return to dance, wanting better coordination, flexibility, and strength, and/or seeking a friendly studio with supportive classmates and a relaxed instructor, this is your class. You are never too old for ballet class, because modifications for all ages, body types, and physical abilities are possible! Floor barre, barre, center, and combinations across the floor will be part of each class.
Adult Irish
Instructor: Nancy Kane
Description: For adult dancers with little to no experience in Irish dance, this class gives a solid basic technical foundation in hard shoe (sometimes called heavy or jig shoe) technique. Join a warm, supportive class where you can have fun while learning the rhythms and steps of Irish traditional step dance.
Requirement: Comfortable clothing, Irish hard/heavy/jig shoes, preferably with superflexible soles. Tap shoes are allowed if preferred, but most dancers quickly want to switch to the Irish shoes for the deeper sound. See instructor for recommendations if needed for new shoes (warning: sizing can be challenging!); used hard shoes are also available online.
Adult Irish II
Instructor: Nancy Kane
Requirement: Comfortable clothing, Irish hard/heavy/jig shoes with superflexible soles. See instructor for recommendations if needed.
Description: Hard shoe technique only. For adult Irish dancers with at least two years of Irish hard shoe dance, or dancers with tap experience who want to expand their horizons! The class atmosphere is relaxed and non-competitive. Students will focus on mobility and strength training and traditional set dances and choreography. They may compete in online Irish dance competitions with instructor approval.
Adult Tap
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Requirement: tap shoes - black oxford preferred, athletic wear or dance clothes
Description: A fun way to socialize and exercise! Beginners welcome! Tap is dancing done with metal taps on the shoes to the rhythm of, or in absence of, the music, by striking the floor. Variations on tempo and syncopation. Moderate core and lower body workout. Class combines both traditional and contemporary tap techniques. Beginner tap steps lead into an intermediate/advanced level of steps, terminology, combinations and choreography through recital performance (optional).
Ballet & Tap I
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 6+
Requirement: ballet slippers, tap shoes, acro socks or bare feet. Hair must be pulled off the face. Athletic clothes (close-fitting, such as a leotard and convertible tights or leggings) or traditional ballet attire: Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights
Description: Students learn beginner ballet and tap techniques, steps, terminology, combinations and choreography. Students also play dance games together and learn basic improvisation! Ballet is a graceful, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques, requiring discipline, focus, and athleticism. Students learn the first 3 ballet positions, balances, basics of leaps and turns. Contemporary and classical styles will be taught. Tap dancing is practiced with metal taps on the shoes in rhythm by striking the floor.
Ballet & Tap II
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 7+
Requirement: ballet slippers and tap shoes. Hair must be pulled off the face. Athletic clothes (close-fitting, such as a leotard and convertible tights or leggings) or traditional ballet attire: Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights
Description: Students learn intermediate ballet and tap techniques, steps, terminology, combinations and choreography. Students also learn basic dance improvisation. Ballet is a graceful, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques, requiring discipline, focus, and athleticism. Students learn all 5 ballet positions, balances, across the floor and center exercises including beginner petit allegro, grand allegro, and adagio. Contemporary and classical styles will be taught. Tap dancing is practiced with metal taps on the shoes in rhythm by striking the floor to encourage rhythm and connection to music, and intermediate steps including shuffle ball changes, flaps, buffalos, time steps, etc. will be taught.
Ballet III
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 9+
Requirement: Traditional ballet attire: ballet slippers, hair pulled off the face; Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights
Description: Students learn intermediate/advanced ballet terminology, steps, transitions and choreography. A strong knowledge of beginner ballet steps is encouraged prior to entering this class. Classes include barre warm up, petite allegro, grand allegro, across-the floor and center exercises. Steps include all 5 ballet positions, body positions, pirouettes, changements, tour jetes, grand jete, pique and chaine turns, etc. Ballet is a graceful, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques, requiring immense precision, focus, and athleticism. Contemporary and classical ballet styles and techniques taught including historical background will be taught. This class is required for Junior II (Intermediate) Team participants.
Ballet IV
Instructor: Nancy Kane
Ages: 12+
Requirement: Females: leotard and tights (leg warmers, close-fitting dance sweaters, and ballet skirts are allowed). Males: White t-shirt, black ballet tights, dance belt, white socks. Ballet slippers with sewn elastics are required: generally, pink for females and black for males. Hair: in neat bun with hair net if long enough; otherwise, secured off face and neck.
Description: For advanced ballet dancers only, this class includes specialized training in technical strength, balance, speed, and mobility, as well as enhanced focus on performance and musicality. Students need self-discipline, a commitment to improvement, and a desire to challenge themselves to achieve new heights in ballet. This class is required for Elite Team participants.
Creative Movement
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 3-5
Requirement: ballet slippers, tap shoes (January), hair pulled off the face; athletic wear or traditional ballet attire: Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights. One parent/guardian is required to stay in the room for the entirety of class time.
Description: A pre-dance class for our youngest dancers. Students learn many song-dances through play. Basic beginner stretch, balance, rhythm, movement and classroom instruction, ballet and tap steps. Dance exploration games. Class starts Littlest Tap in January.
New Title
Elite Team Choreography (by permission only)
Instructors: Samantha Johnson, Ravyn Schriewer
Ages: By permission only, ages 12+
Requirement: Must have completed one (1) week of the Junior/Elite Competition Team Intensive over the Summer 2025. Must be currently enrolled (2025-2026) in three (3) weekly TCFA dance classes, specifically: Ballet IV, Jazz IV, and Elite Team Choreography.
Leotard or dance top and dance shorts/pants, tights. Ballet shoes and Jazz shoes. Hair must be pulled back off the face. Please be ready before the start of each class.
Description: TCFA’s competitive dance team for advanced dancers. Prior dance experience is required. Permission is required. There are many additional requirements, tuitions and fees that apply in order to participate on the Team, please see the invitation letter. This class is required for Elite Team participants.
Jazz IV
Instructor: Ravyn Schriewer
Ages: Ages 12+
Requirement: Leotard or dance top and dance shorts/pants, tights. Jazz shoes. Hair must be pulled back off the face. Please be ready before the start of each class.
Description: This high-energy class builds strong jazz fundamentals like isolations, intricate footwork, and technical skills – including leaps, jumps, pirouettes, and a la secondes. For advanced students only. Dancers will work on improving technique, flexibility, and performance quality through stylized, upbeat combinations. This class is required for Elite Team participants.
Junior I (Debut) Team Choreography
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 8+
Requirement: Must have completed one (1) week of the Junior/Elite Competition Team Intensive over the Summer 2025. Must be currently enrolled (2025-2026) in three (3) weekly TCFA dance classes, specifically: Ballet (any level or combo), Acro-Jazz II/III, Junior I (Debut) Team Choreography.
Leotard or dance top and dance shorts/pants, tights. Ballet shoes and Jazz shoes. Hair must be pulled back off the face. Please be ready before the start of each class.
Description: TCFA’s competitive dance team for debut dancers. Prior dance experience is recommended but not required. There are many additional requirements, tuitions and fees that apply in order to participate on the Team, please see the invitation letter. This class is required for Junior I (Debut) Team participants.
Junior II (Intermediate) Team Choreography (by permission only)
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: By permission only, ages 9+
Requirement: Must have completed one (1) week of the Junior/Elite Competition Team Intensive over the Summer 2025. Must be currently enrolled (2025-2026) in three (3) weekly TCFA dance classes, specifically: Ballet III, Tap & Jazz III, and Junior II (Intermediate) Team Choreography.
Leotard or dance top and dance shorts/pants, tights. Ballet shoes, Tap shoes, and Jazz shoes. Hair must be pulled back off the face. Please be ready before the start of each class.
Description: TCFA’s competitive dance team for intermediate dancers. Prior dance experience is required. Permission is required. There are many additional requirements, tuitions and fees that apply in order to participate on the Team, please see the invitation letter. This class is required for Junior II (Intermediate) Team participants.
Junior Contemporary
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 8+
Requirement: Leotard or dance top and dance shorts/pants. Turners or bare feet. Hair must be pulled back off the face. Please be ready before the start of each class.
Description: Rooted in modern dance, this class explores the foundations of emotional expression, organic movement, and creative storytelling. Dancers will engage in beginner improvisation, contemporary partner work, and floor work that encourage artistry and connection.
Junior Hip Hop
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 8+
Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, sneakers (clean, not street shoes)
Description: Learn popular party dances, choreography and how to improvise/cypher in a dance circle! Beginner/intermediate hip hop warm ups, steps, combinations and choreography, including brief histories of steps. Street dance styles, including basic beginner breaking, primarily to hip hop and pop music. “Old school” and “new school” variations.
Junior Intermediate Irish
Instructor: Nancy Kane
Ages: 10+ or by permission
Requirement: white polo top or longsleeve black leotard, black or green shorts, skort, or skirt over bike pants. Footwear: ghillies and hard shoes; poodle socks (optional, but recommended for protection of lower legs and feet). Contact instructor for recommendations if needed for online Irish dance merchants. This year, students may participate in online Irish dance competitions with instructor permission, if desired.
Description: This class is for young students who have progressed to hard shoe technique. Hard and light shoe dances will be learned in each class. Students with intermediate ballet and tap experience but no Irish experience are welcome to try this class.
Kinderdance
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 4-6
Requirement: ballet slippers, tap shoes, hair pulled off the face; athletic wear or traditional ballet attire: Girls: leotard, tights; Boys: t-shirt, boys tights.
Description: Students play fun song-dances, explore movement, and will learn basic beginner ballet and tap terminology, rhythm, steps and choreography taught through games, warm ups, and combinations. Ballet is a graceful, classical, theatrical art form of unique traditions and techniques. Tap dancing is practiced with metal taps on the shoes in rhythm, by striking the floor. First full classroom experience, no parent/guardian required!
Musical Theatre
Instructor: Dona Roman
Choreography: Samantha Johnson
Ages: All ages
Requirement: athletic wear or dance clothes, tap shoes, and jazz shoes or character shoes.
Description: the course focuses on developing skills in acting, singing, and dancing, with the goal of performing in solo and group numbers. This course is for the singer-dancer and provides focused instruction in musical theatre performance skills including character development and audition skills.
Pointe
Instructor: Nancy Kane
Ages: By permission only
Requirement: Participants must also be currently registered for Ballet IV. Clothing and hair: same as for Ballet IV. Shoes: pointe shoes are getting ever more expensive, and need to be professionally fitted for each dancer. Students may need more than one pair per year. Students may use Jet pointe shoe glue to extend the life of their shoes. Contact Miss Sam or instructor for advice on nearby dance store fittings if needed. For demi-pointe: Bloch Tensus, Sansha DP801, or Wear Moi demi-pointe shoes.
Description: For more advanced ballet dancers (of any gender) only, by permission or placement. Students concentrate on the strength and understanding of technique needed for pointe work in classical ballet. Barre and centre work will be done in each class. All bodies develop differently, so after consultation with the dance director (Miss Sam) or the instructor, it is recommended that younger students seek orthopedic medical advice as to whether their feet are ready for full pointe work. If not, this class can accommodate demi-pointe dancers who want to develop strength and skills in preparation for future pointe work.
Tap & Jazz III
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Ages: 9+
Requirement: Tap shoes and Jazz shoes. Hair must be pulled off the face. Athletic clothes (close-fitting, such as a leotard and convertible tights or leggings).
Students learn intermediate tap and jazz techniques, steps, terminology, combinations and choreography. Students also learn basic dance improvisation. Contemporary and classical styles will be taught. Tap dancing is practiced with metal taps on the shoes in rhythm by striking the floor to encourage rhythm and connection to music, and intermediate steps include shuffle ball changes, flaps, buffalos, time steps, etc. will be taught. Jazz builds strong fundamentals like isolations, intricate footwork, and technical skills – including leaps, jumps, and pirouettes. Dancers will work on improving technique, flexibility, and performance quality through stylized, upbeat combinations. This class is required for Junior II (Intermediate) Team participants.
Teen Contemporary
Instructor: Ravyn Schriewer
Requirement: Leotard or dance top and dance shorts/pants. Turners or bare feet. Hair must be pulled back off the face. Please be ready before the start of each class.
Description: Rooted in modern dance, this class explores emotional expression, fluid movement, and creative storytelling. Dancers will engage in improvisation, contemporary partner work, and floor work that encourage artistry and connection.
Teen Hip Hop
Instructor: Ravyn Schriewer
Requirement: Dance top/t-shirt and dance shorts/pants. Clean sneakers (not street shoes). Hair must be pulled back off the face. Please be ready before the start of each class.
Description: Learn the foundation of hip hop through groove-based movement and key fundamentals, like the bounce, rock, and body rolls. This class incorporates classic steps while exploring musicality, freestyle, and tricks to build confidence and personal style.
Teen Tap
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Requirement: tap shoes - black oxford preferred, athletic wear or dance clothes
Description: A fun way to socialize and exercise! All levels welcome! Tap is dancing done with metal taps on the shoes to the rhythm of, or in absence of, the music, by striking the floor. Variations on tempo and syncopation. Moderate core and lower body workout. Class combines both traditional and contemporary tap techniques. Beginner tap steps lead into an intermediate/advanced level of steps, terminology, combinations and choreography through recital performance.
Junior & Elite Competition Team Summer Intensive
(ALL competition students planning on registering for Team, Season 2025-2026, are REQUIRED to attend ONE of the following weeks:)
Monday - Friday. 12-2:30pm
August 18-22 (informal performance 8/22 @2:30-3pm)
August 24-29 (informal performance 8/29 @2:30-3pm)
Location: Trumansburg High School Auditorium
Instructor: Samantha Johnson
Requirements: Leotard. Ballet slippers. Turners.
Description: Students (both Junior & Elite) together will receive a well-rounded dance conditioning class, including a ballet barre, across the floor turns and leaps, center adagio, abdominal/core work, standing turns, and acro practice. Dance improvisation, mirroring, lifts and partner work will also be part of our process. Solos/duets/trios will be briefly discussed and planned. We will use the remaining time to work on choreography for our together group number (musical theatre). This class will help transform and motivate our dancers as we prepare for an amazing season together! The intensive will end with an informal (free) performance on Friday at 2:30pm, family and friends are welcome to attend.
Cost: $200 per week:
REGISTER HERE
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST YEAR
starquest regional dance competition
Celebrating 30 years, StarQuest Dance is one of the foremost quality dance competitions in North America. TCFA’s Elite and Junior Competition Teams competed at the Regional Competition held in Syracuse, NY on May 23 and 24.
Competing in the Soloist, Duet, Small Group, and Large Group categories, all dancers received awards and recognition with the following receiving Platinum and Platinum Plus awards:
Abby Arco, Jania Fang, Kimberly Fang, Raelynn Hyer, Zafira Ferrari, Ruby Feenan, Jane Warner, and Violet Kraus.
Special Judges” Awards also went to Raelynn Hyer for "Pure Commitment” and Gabriella Rubacky & Natalie Schaefer for "Perfect Partners”.
In the Small Groups category, TCFA’s Elite Team received a Platinum Plus award, 2nd Overall and Special Judges' Award for "Purely Professional”. The Large Group dance, in which both teams danced together, received a Platinum award and 3rd Overall.
An enormous round of applause to all of our dancers. Their dedication is inspiring, and we are very proud of their achievements.
TCFA Receives Awards & Honors at
East Coast Elite’s Regional Dance Challenge
We are thrilled to announce the results from East Coast Elite’s New York Regional Dance Competition held in Syracuse on April 26-27! Our dedicated competition teams truly shined this weekend, showcasing their incredible talent and passion for dance.
We are especially proud to announce that TCFA was awarded the esteemed Studio Spirit Award, recognizing our team's outstanding enthusiasm and camaraderie over all participants! Additionally, Ruby Feenan stole the spotlight by winning the Best Choreography award for the competition, highlighting her creativity and talent.
Our Junior Competition Team also had an amazing performance, securing the 1st Overall, Spotlight Star Award for their Large Group number, "Hard Knock Life” from the musical Annie. Ruby Feenan continued to impress, earning the Platinum, 2nd Overall, Spotlight Star Award, Judges Choice Award and Violet Kraus took home the High Gold, 2nd Overall, Judges Choice Award. These were for their solo performances.
Congratulations also go to Abby Arco, Jania Fang, Kimberly Fang, Zafira Ferrari, Kestrel Graham-Lavine, Raelyn Hyer, Gabriella Rubacky, Natalie Schaefer, Jane Warner, Kimberly Wi, Emma Vann, and Julie Zausmer in achieving Solo and/or Duet High Gold Overall awards. Additionally, Emma Vann earned the TCFA Premiere Star Award, an honor presented by the judges of the competition.
We couldn't be more proud of our dancers and their hard work! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey in the world of dance. Go TCFA!
On January 10-11th,
TCFA's Competition Team dancers attended:
Access Broadway dance competition in Hanover, NJ!
Congratulations to all dancers and families who participated! Here are the results.
Soloists:
Violet Kraus - High Gold, 8th overall (ages 11-12)
Jane Warner - High Gold, 7th overall (ages 11-12)
Raelynn Hyer - High Gold, 6th overall (ages 11-12)
Zafira Ferrari - Platinum 2nd overall (ages 11-12)
Ruby Feenan - High Gold, 6th overall (ages 13-14)
Abby Arco - Hight Gold, 2nd place tie overall (ages 15-16)
Groups:
Elite Team Contemporary Group - High Gold, 3rd overall (ages 13-19)
Elite Jazz Group - Hight Gold, 2nd overall (ages 13-19)
Our next competition will be in Syracuse, NY with the New York State Dance Challenge on April 25-27!
Congratulations to our dancers!
September 19, 2024: MASTER CLASS: SERGEI MALI
Sergei Mali was born in Leninsk, Kazakhstan. At the age of ten, he was enrolled in the Moscow School of Ballet, where he studied ballet, Russian folk dance classes, character dance, dance history, and partnering. He joined the corps de ballet in the world-renowned Bolshoi Theater. He was selected to join a group of Soviet dancers who would perform for several years in Elmira, New York, in the Mark Twain Musical Drama. With his powerful stage presence, brilliant technique, and sense of humor, he quickly became a favorite with audiences and returned to that production each summer for years. He later emigrated and danced with the St. Louis Ballet Company for four years, starting from the corps de ballet and finishing as a principal dancer. Afterward, he founded his own dance company, sharing his knowledge and experience with a new generation of dancers in St. Louis.
