student stretching their neck while sitting on a stage with other students in the background

Theatre and Dance

Children's Dance Classes

A group of children playing under a colored parachute.
Photo by Grace Garrett

Each semester, the UM Dance Program offers children’s dance classes for the community. UM students earn credit for participating as student teachers.  

Children ages 3½–6 are invited to explore classes in creative movement. Our training program provides opportunities for children to express their inherent creativity through their bodies. Children are also exposed to the various elements of movement, learning how their bodies move within different spatial, time, and qualitative structures. UM’s creative movement classes serve as an excellent introduction to dance for all children.

For information, please contact umtheatredance@umontana.edu.

Spring 2026 Schedule

SPRING SEMESTER 2026
January 22–April 2

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN for CREATIVE MOVEMENT II (ages 5-6)!
CREATIVE MOVEMENT I (ages 3½–4) IS FULL. PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN US IN FALL 2026!

Classes offered:

  • Creative Movement I for ages 3½–4 on Thursdays from 4:00–4:30pm
  • Creative Movement II for ages 5–6 on Thursdays from 4:45–5:30pm

  • PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY. THIS INFORMATION MUST BE UNDERSTOOD AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN BEFORE ANY CHILD IS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN A UM CHILDREN'S DANCE CLASS.

    I, the undersigned, wish for my Child (hereafter “Child”) to participate in UM Children's Dance (hereafter “Class”) on the date(s) and location as I indicated on my registration form and, in consideration for my Child’s participation, I hereby agree as follows:

    1. I acknowledge, understand, and appreciate that as part of my Child’s participation in the Class there are dangers, hazards, and inherent risks to which my Child may be exposed. I further realize that participating in the Class may involve risks and dangers, both known and unknown, and have elected to allow my Child to take part in the Class. Therefore I, on behalf of my Child, voluntarily accept and assume all risk of injury, loss of life, or damage to property arising out of participating in the Class.
    2. I understand that 91´ÎÔª accepts no responsibility for the safekeeping of my Child’s personal property.
    3. In the event of an accident or serious illness, I hereby authorize representatives of 91´ÎÔª to obtain medical treatment for my Child on my behalf. I hereby hold harmless and agree to indemnify 91´ÎÔª from any claims, causes of action, damages, and/or liabilities arising out of or resulting from said medical treatment. I further agree to accept full responsibility for any and all expenses, including medical expenses that may derive from any injuries to my Child that may occur during their participation in the Class.

    My electronic submission of the Children's Dance Registration Form constitutes my signature and approval of these terms and acknowledgement of risk.

  • PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY. THIS INFORMATION MUST BE UNDERSTOOD AND ACKNOWLEDGED (OR OPTED OUT OF) BY A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN.

    I hereby grant the UM School of Theatre and Dance permission to use the likeness of my child/children in any and all of its publications, including websites. UM will not publish names, addresses, phone numbers, or other information protected by federal regulations.

    I understand that any and all of these likenesses will become property of the 91´ÎÔª School of Theatre and Dance. I hereby authorize the School of Theatre and Dance to exhibit or publish any likenesses for the purpose of publicizing any and all School of Theatre and Dance activities or any other lawful purpose.

    I hereby release the University, its governing body, employees, and representatives from any responsibility from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, or any other person or persons acting on my behalf or behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.

    My electronic opt-in or opt-out as part of the Children's Dance Registration Form constitutes my signature regarding this release.

More About Our Classes

UM dance, theatre, and education students enroll as student teachers to assist in the classes. The class is an opportunity for your child to be immersed in dance, and also a chance for our students to train to be teachers. The student teachers will plan lessons, which are previewed by a UM instructor, and teach two partial lessons and one full lesson each. UM Children's Dance is a place for everyone to grow together, create community, learn, and make meaning from motion.

As students progress through the class levels, our objectives for their training develop and expand. Each class builds on the skills and experiences developed in the previous class.

Creative Movement (Ages 3 1/2–4)

This playful, imagination-based class introduces young children to movement in a warm, supportive environment. Students explore rhythm, shapes, levels, simple patterns, and expressive movement through games, stories, and creative prompts. The focus is on joy, curiosity, and building early coordination, not perfection! No costume fees. No competitions. Just joyful dance for little ones.

Creative Dance Foundations (Ages 5–6)

This class expands on creative movement with foundational dance skills such as pathways, tempo, shapes, levels, and storytelling. Students also begin learning how to create their own dances, giving them confidence, independence, and a sense of artistic ownership! No costume fees. No competitions. Just creativity, skill-building, and fun.

Where We Are

Classes are held in the UM Performing Arts and Radio/TV Center (PARTV). Please visit . Classes are held in our Ballet Studio (PARTV 035) in the lower level of the building.

Guardians may watch from inside the studio the first day of classes. After the first day, the studio door will be closed during class to eliminate noise and distractions for our students, teachers, and musician. Guardians may watch from the windows outside PARTV. Guardians who wish to wait inside during class are welcome to wait in the PARTV Lobby.

Hourly parking is available in Lot P, closest to the PARTV Center (as well as in every lot except H, J, and K and in the reserved parking areas), via the Passport Parking App. Make sure you look for the Passport Signs and find the correct 4-digit code when you purchase parking on the app. Find lots and more on the .

Tuition

Tuition is $120 per student per semester. Tuition must be paid by the SECOND class session (your student[s] can try the first class for free!). No refunds will be processed after a semester's tuition has been paid.

  • Cash or check payments (checks made to "UM Theatre & Dance") may be made at the first or second class
  • Online advance payment is no longer available for this program—payment will be made in-person
  • If you need to set up a payment plan or have any questions, please email umtheatredance@umontana.edu