Primary Division

Where young dancers discover the joy of movement and creative expression

For ages 4–7

About the program

Grounded in the National Core Arts Standards for early dance education, Minnesota Dance Theatre’s Primary Division offers creative movement and early childhood dance classes for children ages 4-7.  Our classes introduce young dancers to movement in a safe, inspiring, and welcoming space.

What dancers will learn

Through music, creative expression, and guided exploration, MDT Primary Division students build:

  • Foundational dance and ballet skills and coordination

  • Spatial and body awareness

  • Rhythm and musical responsiveness

  • Confidence and group collaboration

What to expect

In MDT Primary Division classes, young dancers:

  • Learn fundamental dance and ballet positions and foundational steps

  • Listen closely to recognize sound patterns and respond to musical cues

  • Observe movement patterns carefully and respond to visual cues

  • Build confidence through personal, imaginative expression

  • Cultivate teamwork, community connections, and a joyful, lasting love for dance

  • Celebrate growth and achievement with family and friends during two in-studio showcases each school year at MDT’s Marcy-Holmes location

Two young girls and an adult woman on their hands and knees on a wooden floor, possibly doing yoga or exercise, in a room with a speaker and windows.

  • Students ages 4 to 7 on the first day of classes on September 12 are eligible to register.

    Primary Division is split into two sessions and requires separate registrations.

    A registration fee of $35.00 is applied with registration. Fees are non-refundable, and tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable after the first week of classes.

    If you are registering a male dancer, please register them into Primary Boys I or II, depending on their age group. Tuition has been adjusted to encourage male dancer participation.

  • For the Fall 2026 semester:

    Primary I & II: $320 per semester
    Primary Boys I & II: $100 per semester


  • Session I: Saturday, September 12 through Saturday, December 19.

    Session II: Saturday, January 23 through Saturday, May 8

    If you are registering a male dancer, please register them into Primary Boys I or II, depending on their age group.

    Primary I & Primary I Boys
    Ages 4–5
    Wednesdays
    5–5:45 p.m.

    Primary II & Primary II Boys
    Ages 5–7
    Saturdays
    9:30–10:15 a.m.

    • Students must be at least 4 years old for Primary I and 5 years old for Primary II by the first day of the session.

    • Dancers can expect to spend two years at each level.

    • Please note that reaching the minimum age for Primary II does not automatically qualify a student for that level. Our instructors evaluate each student based on their individual progress and mastery of the current level's curriculum.

    • Class placement should not be adjusted between Session I and Session II unless prior approval is received from MDT faculty. Continuity in the learning environment allows for more progress through the curriculum.

    • For boy dancers, please register for Primary Boys. The tuition has been adjusted to a discounted rate to encourage male participation.

    For new dancers:
    Primary I Ages: 4+
    Boys Primary I Ages 4+

    For dancers who have completed at least one year of Primary Division training:
    Primary II Ages: 5+:
    Boys Primary II Ages 5+

    Questions: Please email school@mndance.org 

  • Primary Division is split into two sessions and requires separate registrations.

    Cancellation requests must be made in writing by Saturday, September 19.

    If there are fewer than 8 participants registered, class may be cancelled. An alternative class/level or full refund will be issued.

  • General Guidelines

    • Hair secured up and completely out of the face.

    • Solid neutral color undergarments only (if worn).

    • No skirts, leg warmers, extras, or jewelry.

    Option 1

    Solid color, cap-sleeve or long-sleeve (no skirts). Please purchase the following leotard colors per level:

    • Primary 1 – White 

    • Primary 2 – Light pink 

    Tights – Pink or skin-toned.

    Shoes – Full-soled pink or skin-toned ballet slippers, please ensure shoes and tights match in color.

    Option 2 

    Shirt – Solid white t-shirt (no logos, not oversized)

    Bottoms – Black shorts or leggings

    Socks and shoes – Black socks and full-soled black ballet slippers

  • Session I

    Saturday, September 12: First day of classes

    Thursday, October 15-Saturday, October 17: MEA Break (no classes)

    Saturday, October 31: Halloween (wear your costumes to class/rehearsal!) 

    Wednesday, November 25–Sunday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break (no classes)

    Sunday, December 13: In-studio performance for Primary Division

    Saturday, December 19: Last day of Primary Division Session I 

    Session II

    Saturday, January 23: First day of Primary Division Session II

    Monday, April 5-Sunday, April 11: Spring Break (no classes)

    Monday, April 12: Regular Classes resume

    Friday, May 7-Saturday, May 8: Spring Festival Performances (date subject to change)

    Saturday, May 8: Last day of Primary Division II

  • For boy dancers, please register for Primary Boys I or II, whichever best matches your dancer’s age group. The tuition has been adjusted to a discounted rate to encourage male participation.

Additional Information

A young girl in a pink dress and glasses jumping in the air with her arms outstretched inside a room with wooden floors and large windows, with colorful mats on the floor beneath her, and another child sitting in the background.
Child standing on a wooden floor wearing ballet slippers, with hands touching the slippers.

MDT Primary Division Staff

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with dark hair pulled back, smiling, wearing a black top, against a plain background.

    Alejandra Iannone

    Director of Primary Division, B.F.A from the Fordham University/Ailey School

    Learn more
  • A black and white portrait of a man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a knit sweater, standing in front of a plain wall.

    Jesse Schmitz-Boyd

    Dance educator & performer

    Learn more

School Calendar

FAQs

Answers to frequently asked Primary Division questions.

  • Primary Division is a joyful and age-appropriate introduction to dance for children ages 4–6. Classes emphasize creativity, coordination, rhythm, and self-expression while preparing young dancers for more formal training.

  • Students learn foundational movements in ballet and general movement, with age-specific curriculum designed to support physical, musical, and expressive development.

  • Registration for all MDT’s School offerings take place through ActiveWorks. A link to register will become available in early June 2026 for Session I.

  • Yes! We encourage boys to sign up for MDT dance classes. MDT offers significantly reduced tuition for male dancers through our scholarship program. If you have a male dancer that is interested, please register them for the Primary Boys I or II classes.

  • Registration fees are non-refundable, and tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable after the first week of classes on September 19, 2026.

  • Students typically remain in the same level for the year. Placement changes require faculty approval.

  • A minimum of 8 students is required for a class to run. MDT may cancel classes that do not meet this threshold by the third week and offer alternatives.

  • Yes! Students are invited to perform in one performance per session.

    • Session I: In-studio performance at MDT’s studios on Sunday, December 13.

    • Session II: Professional venue performance on May 7 & 8, 2027. Venue details coming soon!

  • Email the MDT school team at school@mndance.org.