Ballet

Ages: 5-18

Shawl-Anderson offers a unique ballet program for children and teens. Our ballet classes are fun and challenging. The ballet program focuses on the language of the ballet form, proper alignment, and musicality. Ballet is a wonderful style to learn because it is a foundation for so many other styles of dance. The Shawl-Anderson ballet program and its teachers reflect contemporary ballet aesthetics. Read more about our Youth Ballet Program.

Attire: Girls - black leotard, pink tights, and ballet slippers; long hair must be kept back in a neat bun. Boys - white t-shirt, black tights, white slippers. Teens may wear any color leotard.

Modern

Ages: walkers-18

Modern Dance is where the Shawl-Anderson story began as the major form practiced, performed and taught by our co-founders Frank Shawl & Victor Anderson. Our Youth program offers classes for ages 1.5 to 18, including a pre-professional track. Modern dance explores the concepts of space, time, and energy. Using much of the basic vocabulary of ballet, modern dance is a style that requires strong technique as well as creativity.

Attire: Leotards, tank tops, tights, and exercise pants are all clothing options. No street clothes (e.g. Jeans), and no baggy tops that cover the waistline. Hair should be up.

Creative Dance Classes
at Live Oak (ages 3-5)

We are pleased to announce a partnership with the City of Berkeley Parks and Recreation Department.  The following classes take place at LIVE OAK RECREATION CENTER (1301 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley).  Register at Shawl-Anderson or online. 

NEW! Modern Dance for Boys

We are now offering three new modern dance classes for boys. Taught by our longtime beloved teacher, Maurice Charrière, and our fabulous new Julliard graduate, Troy Macklin, these classes will introduce 3 age groups to modern dance in a setting that is comfortable and welcoming, as well as age appropriate for boys. See flyer here.

Jazz & Hip Hop

Ages: 9-18

Our teen jazz class helps students build a strong dance foundation and encourages them to bring the spirit of jazz dance alive through a connection with the music. Each student is given the opportunity to find a way to express themselves through dance while accomplishing a higher level of dance training. Hip Hop classes begins with isolations, stretching, and alignment of the body and are full of movement, free style, and fun. Students work on picking up choreography and developing performance presence. The more advanced twice a week teen class builds the students’ knowledge of hip hop aesthetics, the body and how it moves, attention to musicality, and performance skills.

Attire: Leotards, tank tops, tights, and exercise pants are all clothing options. No street clothes (e.g. jeans), and no baggy tops that cover the waistline. Hair should be up.