Contemporary that says something.
Contemporary blends ballet's control with modern movement, floor work, and improvisation — it's the style where dancers find their own voice. Expect technique, but also expect to be asked what a movement means.
Contemporary at DIDC is part of the Academy program for dancers 7 and up, trained alongside lyrical and grounded in ballet fundamentals. It's a signature style for our competition entries and some of the most memorable pieces in our annual concert, CREATE.
How your dancer starts
The contemporary path.
Ages 7+ — Academy Contemporary
Leveled classes combining technique, floor work, improvisation, and artistry.
Ages 4–18 — All-Star Competition Team
Contemporary is a cornerstone of our competitive repertoire each season.
- Builds artistry and musicality, not just steps
- Floor work, partnering concepts, and improvisation
- Strong crossover with ballet and lyrical training
- Featured heavily at competitions and in CREATE
Questions parents ask
Contemporary FAQ.
What's the difference between contemporary and lyrical?
They're close cousins. Lyrical stays tied to the lyric and emotion of a song with flowing, sustained movement; contemporary ranges wider — floor work, improvisation, and more abstract movement vocabulary. Many DIDC dancers train in both.
What age should a dancer start contemporary?
Contemporary classes start at age 7 in our Academy program. Younger dancers build the ballet and jazz foundations first — that base makes contemporary click much faster.
Does my dancer need ballet to take contemporary?
It helps enormously. We recommend pairing contemporary with a ballet class — the control and alignment from ballet are what make contemporary movement look effortless.
Can we try a contemporary class first?
Yes — trial classes are available. Reach out at (951) 419-4910 or through the contact form and we'll set one up.
Curious about another style? See all classes or ask us directly.