Pittsburgh Dance Classes for Teens Ages 12-18 Elevate Your Dance Skills with Starlight Dance Academy
Starlight Dance Academy offers technique-based dance classes for students in 6th-12th grade, designed to build strong foundations while encouraging artistic growth. From Ballet and Pointe to Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, and more, dancers are supported in a safe, structured environment that prioritizes technique, confidence, and overall dancer wellness.
Get more information about our classes and schedule on the next page!
More Than Dance Classes, A Place to Grow
Build strong technical foundations through focused instruction that emphasizes proper alignment, clean execution, and safe movement practices. Our classes help dancers improve performance quality while supporting long-term dancer health.
Dancers gain confidence and resilience as they work toward new goals and master challenging skills. Each class encourages personal growth, helping students develop discipline, determination, and self-belief that extends beyond the studio.
Be part of a supportive, encouraging dance community where students learn and grow together. At Starlight Dance Academy, dancers build meaningful connections, teamwork skills, and a strong sense of belonging in every class.
Built for Growth at Every Level
Our technique-based classes support continued growth and progression for dancers in 6th-12th grade at every stage of their training. Through structured instruction that builds strength, artistry, and confidence, dancers develop clear pathways in each style while also gaining access to opportunities such as the Opening Number, additional performances, Shining Stars recognition, student assisting, work study, and for grades 9-12, participation in the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
Build strong technical foundations through classical ballet training focused on alignment, control, and artistry. Ballet provides essential support for growth across all dance styles.
Build power, precision, and performance quality through dynamic movement and musicality. Jazz classes strengthen technique while encouraging confidence and versatility on stage.
Enhance rhythm, coordination, and musical awareness through progressive tap instruction. Dancers develop clarity of sound, timing, and control as skills advance.
Explore style, strength, and individuality through high-energy choreography rooted in foundational hip hop techniques. Classes focus on performance skills while encouraging self-expression.
Improve strength, flexibility, and coordination through structured tumbling progressions. Instruction prioritizes safe skill development and body awareness.
Refine power, balance, and control with focused training on turning technique and traveling skills. This class supports dancers looking to elevate technical clarity across styles.
Combine athletic movement and artistic expression through contemporary and modern technique. Dancers explore musicality, dynamics, and emotional storytelling while building strength and versatility.
Designed for eligible dancers, Pointe focuses on strength, stability, and proper technique under careful instruction. Emphasis is placed on safe progression and readiness to ensure long-term dancer health.
Why Families Choose Starlight Dance Academy
We offer thoughtfully scheduled classes that make it easier for families to balance dance with school, activities, and everyday life.
Our studio provides a structured, nurturing space led by experienced instructors who prioritize proper technique, dancer wellness, and injury prevention.
Starlight Dance Academy is a supportive community where dancers and families feel connected, encouraged, and valued every step of the way.
What Sets Starlight Dance Academy Apart
At Starlight Dance Academy, teen training goes beyond learning choreography. Our programs are intentionally designed to support technical growth, personal development, and dancer wellness, creating a meaningful and sustainable training experience for students in 6th-12th grade.
Many studios provide basic and rigid instruction without personalized feedback, limiting growth and increasing injury risk.
Some dance classes can become monotonous, leading to a lack of engagement and progress.
Many studios lack a strong sense of community, missing opportunities for connection and support.
While important, a singular focus on technique can overlook overall dancer well-being.
Dancers receive intentional, technique-driven instruction that supports strength, precision, and safe progression at every stage of training.
Classes offer variety and challenge, helping dancers stay motivated while developing versatility across multiple styles.
Our studio fosters a positive, encouraging environment where teamwork, respect, and confidence are built alongside technique.
We prioritize dancer health and longevity through conditioning, alignment, and mindful training practices that support long-term success.
Refining Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Acro
As dancers move through 6th-12th grade, training becomes more intentional, layered, and technique-driven. Classes are designed to help students progress beyond basics by strengthening execution, control, and artistic awareness across multiple styles.
Each style plays a specific role in a dancer’s overall development:
- Ballet builds alignment, balance, and technical clarity that supports all movement
- Jazz develops precision, strength, and confident performance quality
- Modern and Contemporary encourage musicality, control, and expressive movement
- Acro and Tumbling improve flexibility, coordination, and body awareness
Instruction is structured to meet dancers where they are while guiding them forward through clear skill progression. With consistent feedback and thoughtful corrections, students gain a deeper understanding of how technique connects across styles, supporting long-term growth and performance readiness.
This foundation prepares dancers for more focused training, goal setting, and intentional practice as they continue to advance.
Precision, Focus, and Intentional Progress
Strong technique is built through more than repetition. It requires focus, discipline, and purposeful training. Our teen classes emphasize structured instruction that helps dancers understand not just what they are learning, but why it matters.
Through consistent training, dancers learn to:
- Break down movement with clarity and control
- Apply corrections with intention and follow-through
- Set personal goals and track measurable progress
This approach supports stronger skill retention and cleaner execution in both class and performance. As dancers gain focus and discipline in the studio, these habits naturally carry into academics, time management, and personal responsibility.
This level of intentional training builds confidence and prepares dancers to handle challenges with patience and persistence.
Building Resilience Through the Training Process
Progress in dance includes challenges, setbacks, and meaningful growth. Our program encourages dancers to view challenges as part of the learning process, not obstacles to success. With supportive instruction and consistent expectations, students learn how to work through difficulty with confidence.
Through progressive training, dancers develop:
- Resilience when learning new or advanced skills
- Confidence in receiving and applying feedback
- A growth mindset rooted in effort and improvement
This resilience supports dancers as they move through higher levels of training and prepares them for performance opportunities, auditions, and leadership roles. The ability to stay motivated and focused through challenge benefits dancers both inside and outside the studio.
As confidence grows, dancers naturally begin to connect more deeply with their peers and their training environment.
A Supportive Training Community
At Starlight Dance Academy, training takes place within a positive and encouraging community where dancers grow alongside peers who share similar goals. Effort, progress, and teamwork are consistently valued, creating an environment that supports both personal and artistic development.
Our classes promote:
- Mutual respect and encouragement
- Collaboration and peer support
- Confidence built through shared experiences
This supportive culture opens the door to meaningful opportunities, including participation in the Opening Number, additional performances, Shining Stars recognition, student assisting, and work study programs. For dancers in 9th-12th grade, involvement in the National Honor Society for Dance Arts further supports leadership, commitment, and achievement.
As dancers train, rehearse, and perform together, they build strong connections that enhance confidence, motivation, and readiness for the next step in their growth, whether through advanced training, performance experiences, or leadership roles within the program.
Hear from Our Dancers and Families
Families and dancers share their experiences training at Starlight Dance Academy, offering insight into the supportive environment, quality instruction, and personal growth they experience each season. These reviews highlight the positive impact of our technique-focused training, strong community values, and commitment to dancer development.
Their stories reflect what matters most to new families: confidence built through progress, meaningful connections, and a studio culture where dancers feel encouraged, challenged, and supported.
Amazing experience for my daughter. Ms. Kathy is beyond great with the kids and my daughter has such a great time every single class. Beautiful studio, great environment, really reasonably priced. I would highly recommend this studio!
My daughter has been taking ballet since 4 years old and just recently started at Starlight this year. She has progressed so much in just a couple months here i am so pleased with this studio.!
We have been going to Starlight since my daughter was in preschool. The staff is great, studios are all well maintained, and most importantly my daughter loves going (she is now in 4th grade). She has made some wonderful friendships in addition to learning great dance skills.
We love Starlight!! Will recommend this dance studio to everyone! 🌟
My daughter has been dancing at Starlight for 7+ years! We love the friendly, safe atmosphere and knowledgeable teachers who make learning fun. Always encouraging, never intimidating. Dance is my daughter’s favorite extracurricular activity because of her experiences at Starlight.
We just started our third class at Starlight. My daughter loves coming to class! She asks me almost everyday if it’s dance class day. Ms. Kathy is so patient and kind with 2-3 year olds who aren’t the best listeners at times. The facility is very clean and I highly recommend it.
We love Starlight! Such a wonderful and friendly atmosphere. The teachers are wonderful and encouraging. My daughter has danced here for 6 years and I could not recommend it more.
We love Starlight! Owners and teachers are awesome!
Thankful to have a well organized, thoughtful dance studio so close to home!
My 7 year old daughter has been dancing at starlight for almost 5 years. We love the friendly atmosphere. The staff is great with little ones. Recitals are very well organized. They put on a great show!
My girl definitely love to go there and always excited. And her dance teacher Ms.Veronica is such a sweet person.
My daughter Ava is new to ballet and tap and she LOVES it thanks to Ms Kathy! I cant say enough about the staff they are so friendly and helpful!
My daughter has taken several classes here since she was 2. She is 6 now and in tumbling. The variety of classes is great, teachers are all really sweet/patient, especially with the really little ones! The recitals are always fun to watch from the tiniest dancers to the talented older dancers! (They break them up into multiple sessions so you aren’t there for hourssss!)
My daughter danced there for many years and now her 5 year old niece (my granddaughter) is in her 3rd year. Lessons are age appropriate and fun. The discipline and life lessons that become a part of the experience are great as well.
Starlight is exactly what I was hoping for in a dance school for our daughter. It is not too intense, but there is an option to compete when they're older if your child is interested. I feel that staff is highly qualified and she is learning proper dance technique, but they also mix in a lot of fun.
My daughters love dancing at Starlight! The teachers are wonderful and my girls love all of the new friends they have made.
Starlight Dance Academy make you feel like family. They care about their dancers and provide a great environment to learn and dance. All of the teachers have been fabulous!
Get more information about our classes and schedule on the next page!
FAQs
Our teen program is designed for students in 6th-12th grade, typically ages 12-18. Classes are structured to support dancers at different stages of training while providing clear opportunities for growth and progression as skills advance.
Prior experience is helpful, but not always required. Placement is based on skill level, age, and readiness, ensuring dancers are placed in classes that support safe progression and confidence. Our instructors guide each dancer based on their individual training background.
Training focuses on technique development, consistency, and intentional progression across multiple styles. Classes are structured to build strong foundations first, then advance strength, control, and artistry through focused instruction and ongoing feedback.
Teen dancers train in a variety of technique-based styles, including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Modern and Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tumbling, and Leaps and Turns. This well-rounded training supports versatility and progression while also opening the door to opportunities such as the Opening Number, additional performances, Shining Stars recognition, student assisting, work study programs, and for dancers in 9th-12th grade, participation in the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
Yes. Dancers may have opportunities to participate in Opening Numbers, additional performances, Shining Stars, student assisting, and work study programs. High school dancers in grades 9-12 may also be eligible for the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
Additional Benefits That Support Well Rounded Growth
Dancers explore multiple styles and movement qualities, encouraging creativity, self-expression, and confidence both in and out of the studio.
Training improves balance, coordination, and motor skills through precise movement, helping dancers develop strong physical awareness.
Learning choreography strengthens concentration, memory, and the ability to process and apply information efficiently.
Dance provides a healthy outlet for emotions, supporting emotional awareness, stress relief, and personal growth during the teen years.
Get more information about our classes and schedule on the next page!