Programs
Adult Classes
Fundamentals Ages 5 to 15
Pre-Dance Ages 2 to 4
Adult students can get in shape and build confidence in a variety of dance styles. No matter your experience level, we have classes that emphasize the true artistry of dance.
Pre-Dance Ages 2 to 4
Fundamentals Ages 5 to 15
Pre-Dance Ages 2 to 4
Helping preschoolers build a love for dance in a preparatory program that emphasizes learning classroom skills and having fun.
Fundamentals Ages 5 to 15
Fundamentals Ages 5 to 15
Fundamentals Ages 5 to 15
New students learn the fundamentals of ballet, tap, and jazz in engaging, age-appropriate programs that focus on establishing a strong foundation.
Youth Levels 2 to 5
Pre Professional Division
Fundamentals Ages 5 to 15
From late beginner through intermediate/advanced levels, students develop technique and artistry as they progress with Piedmont School of Music & Dance.
Pre Professional Division
Pre Professional Division
Pre Professional Division
Piedmont School of Music & Dance is proud to be home to private music lessons for all ages. Instruments offered include piano, voice, violin and guitar,
Music
Pre Professional Division
Pre Professional Division
Piedmont School of Music & Dance is proud to be home to private music lessons for all ages. Instruments offered include piano, voice, violin and guitar,
Performances
Step into the spotlight with Piedmont School of Music & Dance. Join us for regular performances such as our annual Student Dance and Music Recitals or our original production of The Nutcracker.
Dance Fundamentals Ages 5 To 15
Building a Strong Foundation
In the Piedmont School of Music & Dance's Fundamentals program, new dancers ages 5 to 15 learn the dance technique, terminology, and skills that provide a strong foundation for future learning. Classes are a combination of ballet, tap, and jazz. Click below to get started with a two-week trial that includes an intro lesson and free dance shoes!
Ballet
Ballet is the foundation of dance training. Students develop strength, coordination, flexibility, and balance by practicing ballet. All dance styles will refer to ballet technique and terminology. Fundamentals classes devote 50% of their instructional time to ballet training.
Tap and Jazz
The remaining class time is divided between tap and jazz dance. In tap classes, students develop rhythm and precision as they learn to move their feet to the beat. Jazz dance training helps students build expression and artistry in their movements.
Youth Dance Levels 2 to 5
Beg/Int to Int/Adv Training
After mastering the fundamentals of dance, youth continue to develop their skills and have additional training opportunities as they progress through higher level classes. New students with previous dance experience may also be accepted to more advanced level classes after being evaluated by an instructor.
Leadership
Youth accepted to a Level 2 or above program are also considered part of the Piedmont Dance leadership team, charged with supporting the positive, character-building community we've worked so hard to build at the studio.
Level 2
Level 2 students add additional skills and training to the foundation established in their fundamentals class. Classes meet twice a week and are a combination of advanced beginner ballet, tap, and jazz.
Level 3
At the Level 3 or late beginner stage, students devote additional time to each style, having the opportunity to enroll in up to 4 different classes in a program devoted to training in ballet, jazz, and more. Students at this level also become eligible to participate in Piedmont Dance Theatre's The Nutcracker and Piedmont's Performing Company.
Levels 4 and 5
Intermediate and Int/Advanced dancers at Levels 4 and 5 become more focused on their ballet training, still have the options to add additional technique, jazz, and contemporary classes and begin developing the strength for advanced ballet technique in pre-pointe or pointe classes. Level 4 and 5 dancers may also be invited to dance with Piedmont's Performing Company and receive additional leadership experience by assisting with pre-dance or fundamentals classes.
Pre Dance Ages 2 to 4
Nurturing a Love of Dance
Preschoolers love dancing with Piedmont School of Music & Dance! Pre Dance classes combine ballet and tap technique in fun, age-appropriate classes that introduce our youngest dancers to dance basics and let them express their natural love of movement. Click below to get started with a two-week trial of classes!
Ages 2 and 3
2 and 3 year old students dance in a once-a-week, parent-assisted class that uses props, games, and music to teach coordination, counting, dance and pre-acrobatic skills while focusing on important classroom behaviors like listening to the teacher, following directions, and taking turns!
Ages 3 to 4
When ready to take class independently, 3 to 4 year-old dancers continue to practice their ballet and tap basics and begin learning simple choreography as they prepare for their first performances with Piedmont School of Music & Dance in the annual student recital.
Pre Professional Division
Preparing for a Future in Dance
Whether your dancer is aiming for a professional career, a college major in dance, Broadway, or dance team, Piedmont’s Pre-Professional Division provides a comprehensive curriculum and abundant performance opportunities, including The Nutcracker and Performing Company.
Dancers train up to 15+ hours per week, focusing on ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, conditioning, hip hop, and more, ensuring they are well-prepared for any dance path they choose.
Alumni Success
Piedmont alumni have achieved remarkable success in the dance world. They've performed with prestigious companies like Boston Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and have made their mark on Broadway in shows like Wicked. Our graduates have also attended top college dance programs, including The Juilliard School, USC's Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, and Boston Conservatory.
Click below for a complete list of alumni affiliations.
Music
Piano
Our Charlotte music school offers piano lessons for students of all abilities and ages. PSMD offers every style of piano lesson from jazz and classical to Gospel and pop. We have students who want to play for fun and others who wish excel at the collegiate level. Because PSMD has multiple piano instructors on staff, we are able to match students' needs with a faculty member who works best with their particular age, interest and skill level. Our instructors recommend starting piano lessons no earlier than 5 years of age. PSMD’s private piano lessons are one-on-one instruction and lesson lengths are offered in 30-minutes, 45-minutes and 1-hour increments. For advanced level piano students, PSMD has instructors with their master’s degrees in piano who can prepare students for university auditions.
Voice
Voice lessons or singing lessons are popular among all ages at our Charlotte music school. Students are encouraged to sing their favorite songs from pop artists to classical arias. PSMD’s voice instructors all have university training and performance backgrounds in music, specializing in voice, and they sing everything from musical theater and jazz to opera. Our private, one-on-one voice lessons are offered in 30-minutes, 45-minutes and 1-hour increments. During a voice lesson students will learn about proper pitch, how to project and perform, proper breathing techniques and how to increase their range. Our schools offer 2 optional performance opportunities each year with our Winter Music Recital in January and Spring Music Recital in mid-June. PSMD’s music recital package includes a professional accompanist for our voice students.
Guitar
Private guitar lessons at our Charlotte music school are offered in 30-minute, 45-minute and 1-hour increments. Due to hand size, our typical student is 8 years of age before beginning guitar lessons, but some students start even earlier with a junior sized guitar. PSMD’s excellent guitar staff provides lessons in acoustic, electric and bass guitar in all styles ranging from rock to jazz, classical to pop and Spanish to chording. Our guitar instructors have university training and or are professional musicians, so they understand the proper theory and technique regardless if a student is interested in metal or classical. PSMD has the teachers to help you and or your child become a successful guitar musician.
Violin
Violin lessons are one-on-one instruction and offered in 30-minute, 45-minute or 1-hour increments. Being that the violin is one of the smallest string instruments, our instructors can begin violin lessons as young as age 5. Our faculty offers violin and viola, as well as private fiddle lessons for students of all ages ranging from young children to adults. Our violin instructors have university training or are professional musicians and many perform regularly with local orchestras or bands.