Parent Resources

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At Madison Contemporary Dance, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to dance, create, and belong.

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We offer studio dance classes at 549 Zor Shrine Place, Madison, WI, conveniently located behind the West Towne REI. We also provide after-school dance programs at schools throughout the Madison area, making quality dance education accessible to more children.

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About After-School Dance Programs 

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• Elvehjem Elementary — Madison

• Glacier Creek Middle School — Cross Plains

• Lapham Elementary — Madison

• Lori Mann Carey Elementary — Madison

• Marquette Elementary — Madison

• Mendota Elementary — Madison

• Park Elementary — Cross Plains

• Southside Elementary — Madison

• Winnequah Elementary — Monona

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Preschool Daytime Dance Programs

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• Jungle Bilingual Preschool — Middleton

• Wildflowers Preschool — Madison

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Starting the week of Sept 7. Registration opens July 15​​​

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Whether your child dreams of performing on stage, developing strong technical skills, or simply wants to build confidence, make friends, and have fun, our classes are designed to help every student succeed. We also offer dance for adults! 

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Our students receive high-quality dance training from experienced professional teaching artists in a positive, encouraging environment where every child is challenged to grow. We believe excellent dance education should be both inspiring and accessible, balancing strong technique with creativity, artistry, and confidence.

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No previous dance experience is required. Many of our students begin with their very first dance class, while others come with years of experience. Our teachers meet each dancer where they are, helping beginners feel welcome while providing experienced dancers with opportunities to continue developing their skills.

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With our new Studio and After-school Program, Madison Contemporary Dance provided an exceptional dance education while making the arts accessible through scholarships and community partnerships. Last year, more than 300 children participated in our studio and school programs, learning from professional artists who are passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers.

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Ready to get started? We can't wait to welcome your family and help your child discover the joy of dance.

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Register for Holiday Choreography Camp (for students taking studio classes)

Register for Studio Classes (ages 3-Adult)

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Register for After-school Dance Teams (grades K-8)

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Meet Our Teachers

Our professional teaching artists are passionate about helping children grow through dance. Each instructor brings a unique experience while creating a positive and encouraging classroom.

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Teachers - Bios

• Naomi Brown

• Papa Kobina Brewoo

• Ella Larson

• Tyra Lex

• Sara Rohs

• Jaycelie Stewart

• Peyton Yang

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​New to dance? 

We would be happy to help you choose a class. Please email us at info@madisoncontemporarydance.com. 

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What are the Styles?

• Creative Movement (Ages 3–5)

• Our youngest dancers discover the joy of movement through music, imagination, storytelling, and creative play. Classes nurture coordination, listening skills, confidence, creativity, and social development while building a lifelong love of dance in a welcoming and positive environment.

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• Street Styles/Hip-Hop

• Discover the energy and creativity of street styles through hip-hop, breaking, popping, locking, house, krump, freestyle, and more. Dancers build confidence, musicality, coordination, and performance skills while developing their own unique style in an encouraging, high-energy environment. Classes focus on creativity, teamwork, and fun while learning the foundations of street dance.

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• Jazz

• Build strong technique while dancing to energetic, age-appropriate music in an exciting and supportive atmosphere. Dancers develop turns, leaps, flexibility, musicality, and performance quality through engaging combinations that inspire confidence, precision, and stage presence.

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• Contemporary

• Explore movement as a form of expression by blending contemporary dance with ballet, modern dance, improvisation, and creative exploration. Dancers develop strength, flexibility, artistry, and emotional storytelling while learning to move with confidence, authenticity, and creativity.

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• To help dancers grow safely and confidently, students taking Jazz + Contemporary also enroll in Technique. Technique provides the ballet and modern foundation that supports success in Jazz and Contemporary. Students are also welcome to take the Technique class by itself.

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• Technique (Ballet & Modern)

• Create a strong technical foundation through ballet and modern dance principles taught in an encouraging, age-appropriate way. Dancers improve posture, balance, flexibility, coordination, turns, leaps, and body awareness while developing the skills that support success in every dance style. ​

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• Breakdancing & Tumbling

• Learn exciting breakdancing skills alongside safe tumbling progressions in a fun, supportive class. Dancers develop floorwork, freezes, footwork, rolls, cartwheels, balance, strength, coordination, and body control while building confidence through achievable challenges and creative movement.

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• Our Classes

• At Madison Contemporary Dance, we believe every child deserves to experience the joy of movement. Our classes focus on building community, creativity, confidence, and strong technical skills in a positive, inclusive environment where every dancer can grow. Whether your child is dancing for fun or dreaming of performing, our experienced instructors help every student feel welcomed, challenged, and inspired.​

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Boys and Girls Hip-Hop Crew

All Madison Contemporary Dance classes are co-ed and open to dancers of all genders, with the exception of some of our Hip-Hop Crew classes.

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To create the best learning environment, Hip-Hop Crews are divided into the following groups:

Boys Hip-Hop Crew (Ages 4–7)
Boys Hip-Hop Crew (Ages 8+)
Girls Hip-Hop Crew (Ages 4–7)
Girls Hip-Hop Crew (Ages 8–10)

Your first class is FREE! 

All our classes, except the holiday choreography camp, include a free trial. We believe you will enjoy the class, but if the class is not for you can cancel online. 

What to Expect at Your First Class

You or your child will be welcomed by one of our friendly teachers and introduced to the class.

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Classes include:

• Fun warm-ups and movement games

• Dance technique and new skills

• Creative movement and choreography

• Strength, coordination, and flexibility activities

• Confidence-building and positive encouragement

Our goal is for every student to leave smiling and excited to return.

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What Should Students Wear?

Hip-Hop & Breakdancing

• Comfortable athletic clothing

• Clean indoor tennis shoes, hip-hop shoes

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After-school Dance Teams, Creative Movement, Contemporary, Jazz, Technique Classes

• Comfortable dance clothes or athletic wear

• Jazz shoes

• Tights can be worn for classes and are required for concerts

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Do not wear hip-hop tennis shoes or jazz shoes outside. No outside shoes in studio rooms. 

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Don't worry if you don't have everything on the first day. We're happy to help. Contact info@madisoncontemporarydance.com if you need donated shoes or tights. 

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More info on costumes and dancewear below. 

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What Should We Bring?

• Water bottle

• Hair tied back if long

• Comfortable clothing

• Lots of excitement!

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Studio Drop-Off & Pick-Up

• Parents are welcome to walk younger dancers to the classroom during their first visit. Please arrive about 10 minutes early for your child's first class.​

• Parents may watch the class at the studio or drop off. ​

• Parents should return promptly at the end of class for pick-up.​

• There is a large parking lot available at the studio. 

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After-School Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Students will go directly from their last class to their designated room for dance. You will receive an email about the exact room for your school. 

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At the end of the class, teachers will walk students to the on-site after-school program or to the front of the school for pick-up. Parents will let us know where to bring their child during registration. 

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How Will I Receive Updates?

We keep families informed through:

• Email

• Text messages

• Band App (invitation will be emailed after registration) 

Please make sure your email address and phone number stay up to date in your account.

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After You Register

• Receive your confirmation email.

• Purchase dancewear if needed.

• Watch for your welcome email before classes begin.

• Come to your first class and have fun!

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Tuition & Scholarships

We believe finances should never prevent a child from dancing.

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Monthly Tuition

Once a week, classes are:

• $50-$65 a month 

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Scholarship Options ​

We are grateful for every bit of support that helps keep our programs running. Your child’s joy, confidence, and growth in class are what matter most to us.

At Madison Contemporary Dance, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to dance. If your family needs financial support, please use one of the scholarship options below.

Shared Support Scholarship — 50% Off

Use Coupon Code: MCD_50

Full Scholarship — 100% Off

(For families who qualify for free or reduced lunch at school)

Use Coupon Code: SUPPORT

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Payment Schedule

Tuition is charged monthly throughout the dance season. Families can view and manage payments anytime through their online account.

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Automatic Enrollment for Returning Students

All families must register for the 2026–2027 dance season.

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Beginning with the 2027–2028 season, returning students will be automatically enrolled in the same class(es) for their age group. This helps reserve your dancer's spot, as many of our classes fill quickly, and ensures returning families don't lose their place from one season to the next.

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If your plans change, you can easily cancel your enrollment online before the new season begins. We'll send an email reminder before automatic enrollment, giving you plenty of time to make changes or cancel if needed. If you need assistance updating or canceling your enrollment, please contact us at info@madisoncontemporarydance.com

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Want to Help a Neighbor's Child Dance?

Many families ask how they can help. Your tax-deductible donation allows children to participate regardless of financial circumstances.

Donate to the Scholarship Fund

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Business Sponsorships

Local businesses help us provide scholarships, performances, and community arts programming.

Businesses can sponsor:

• Student scholarships

• Community performances

• Concerts

• Educational programs

Contact info@madisoncontemporarydance.com. 

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​Costumes and Classwear

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Most studios charge between $80 and $100 per costume per class. Because of our new Costume Lending Library, we are charging a $25 rental per costume per class.
 

Studio Classes 

$25 Holiday Concert Costume Rental (charged during Summer Camp registration)

$25 Spring Concert Costume Rental (charged during Fall registration)

Costume rental fees are charged per performing class. No fee for Breakdancing + Tumbling, and Technique. 

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Wednesday Studio Classes Without Costume Fees
There is no costume fee for:

Breakdancing + Tumbling

Technique Class

Adult Classes

Breakdancing students are also encouraged to take Hip-Hop.
Technique is a required support class for Jazz + Contemporary students.​

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After-school Dance Teams will have one $25 rental for the holiday show costume and one $25 rental for our spring concert costume. All Mendota and Southside school costume rental fees, Glacier Creek Middle School Holiday costume rental, will be covered by Madison Contemporary Dance. 

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*We ask all families to contribute the $25 costume rental fee. If this is difficult for your family, please email info@madisoncontemporarydance.com with the subject line: “Costume Rental Fee Support.” We will be happy to send you a refund. 

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EVERYONE Dance Shoes & Tights
After registering for fall classes/after-school teams, you will be directed to a page where you can purchase dancewear items as needed:

Jazz Shoes (After-school Dance Teams, Jazz + Contemporary + Technique): $35

Tights: (After-school Dance Teams, Jazz + Contemporary + Technique): $15

Hip-Hop / Breakdancing Tennis Shoes: $35

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We are asking all dancers to have a clean pair of dance-only shoes to help keep our dance spaces safe and clean. The shoes will also be used in concerts. 

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If you need support for these items, use the coupon code SUPPORTGEAR. 

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Purchase shoes and tights needed here. (Students will be measured in class, and then items will be given out in class)

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After-school Dance Program Notes  

​​Elementary Students will study Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop/Street Styles, and Tumbling! Students will meet for class directly after dismissal.  After class, they will be walked to the front of the school for pickup or to their After School Program. Wear comfortable clothing, have your hair up, and wear gym tennis shoes. Bring a water bottle and a snack. 

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Glacier Creek Middle School Students will study Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Poms, Hip-Hop/Street Styles, and Tumbling, with a focus on preparation for the Middleton High School Dance Team. Students will meet in the cafeteria for a snack, then move to the gym for class. Students should wear comfortable clothing, have their hair up, gym tennis shoes, and skin-tone jazz shoes. We have some jazz shoes that dancers can borrow if needed. ​

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Glacier Creek Middle School Dance Team - Please join us for the August 10, 11, 12 Holiday Choreography Camp if you plan to take fall studio classes on Wednesday nights. GCMS season will start with the Dance Team in mid-October and run through December. Registration on MyPayment Plus. After the holiday break, we will have an after-school dance until May. Register Now!  ​​​​​​

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Frequently Asked Questions

My child has never danced. Can they still join?

Absolutely! Many of our students begin with no previous dance experience. Our classes are designed to help beginners feel successful from day one.

My child is shy.

That's perfectly okay. Dance is a wonderful way to build confidence. Our teachers create a welcoming environment where every child is encouraged at their own pace.

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Can we try a class first?

Yes! We offer a free trial class so your child can experience the class before payment.

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What if we miss a class?

We understand that families have busy schedules. Please let us know if you'll be absent. 

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How do performances work?

One of the highlights of the dance season is performing on stage! Throughout the year, dancers work toward exciting performance opportunities where they celebrate their hard work, build confidence, and share what they've learned with family and friends.

Families receive all performance information well in advance, including rehearsal schedules, costume details, performance dates, and ticket information, so there's plenty of time to prepare.

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We encourage all students to participate in performances whenever possible, as they are an important part of the dance experience. However, we understand that every family has different schedules and commitments. If your dancer is unable to perform or chooses not to participate, please let us know by emailing info@madisoncontemporarydance.com as early as possible so we can plan accordingly.

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Performance Tickets: $10 for students • $15 for adults
Supported tickets are available.

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Concerts 2026-2027

• Holidays Collide December 5-6

• Spring Concert May TBA 

Safety & Inclusion

Every student belongs at Madison Contemporary Dance.

Our classes focus on:​

• Building confidence

• Respect and kindness

• Creativity

• Age-appropriate instruction

Our teaching artists have experience working with children of many different backgrounds and abilities. Last year, we served over 300 children, including 89 who participated with scholarship support.

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Why Families Choose Madison Contemporary Dance

Families choose Madison Contemporary Dance because we believe dance should be accessible, welcoming, and inspiring.

• Over 300 children participated last year.

• Programs in multiple elementary schools, middle schools, preschools, and our studio.

• Professional teaching artists.

• Scholarship opportunities for families.

• Positive, confidence-building classes.

• Affordable tuition.

• Welcome to beginners.

• Performances that celebrate every child​

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Not sure which class is right for you/your child? We'd be happy to help! Email us at info@madisoncontemporarydance.com before registering.