The Fairmount Center's School of Dance helps individual students develop healthy, disciplined bodies, creative minds, and an in-depth knowledge and appreciate of dance as an art form. Our curriculum appeals to a broad range of talents, ages and interests. Whether you're looking to engage an active preschooler, brush up on your own technique, or receive solid, conservatory training, The Fairmount School of Dance has a class to meet your needs.

Our program includes a ballet-based curriculum with additional emphasis in modern, jazz and tap technique, along with such vital and highly articulated dance forms such as Spanish Dance and Hip Hop. Versatility is vital to today's dancers and Fairmount dancers are encouraged to embrace the many dance workshops offered. Our dance workshops, festivals, annual student concert, the Fairmount Spanish Dancers and the Fairmount Dance Theatre encourage students to develop skills in choreography and performance.

The faculty at the Fairmount School of Dance strives to create a nurturing, yet demanding, and concentrated environment where dancers are encouraged to explore their potential as technicians, artists and young adults. Please click here to see our course offerings.

Fairmount Dance Theatre (FDT)
Under the direction of Julie Harmon, the Fairmount Dance Theatre seeks to train well-rounded dancers with a solid technical foundation who are prepared to face the stiff expectations of the professional dance world. FDT offers a progressive curriculum of ballet, modern, jazz, and tap technique. All FDT students are required to take ballet technique and students in Levels III and up are also required to take modern.

In order to focus exclusively on technique during class, The FDT Company Rehearsals are where performance choreography is rehearsed. Please note that company rehearsals are mandatory and more than three absences will result in dismissal from choreography. Company rehearsals are on Fridays from 4:00-9:00 pm and Saturdays from 12:30-5:00 pm on a rotating basis. Rehearsal schedules are handed out at the beginning of the session.

Consistent attendance is imperative for growth as a dancer. Students who miss their designated technique classes are required to make up their classes by attending another level's technique class. Attendance is noted and will determine choreography participation. Please speak to your teacher before making up a class.

Click here to see the Fairmount Dance Theatre course listing.

Fairmount Spanish Dancers
Spanish dance is based on classical, folk and flamenco style with emphasis on castaneting, heelwork, traditional movement and style. Advanced levels include development of choreography and improvisation. Click here to see the course listing for Spanish Dance.

For 40 years Fairmount Center has been the home of the Fairmount Spanish Dancers, the only company in Ohio dedicated to performing the infinite variety of Spanish Dance.

Fairmount School of Dance Dress Code

Ballet
Girls: black leotard (no attached skirt), pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair in a bun
Boys: loose clothing, black ballet shoes

Jazz
Girls: form fitting top, jazz pants, black jazz shoes
Boys: loose clothing, black jazz shoes

Tap
Girls: loose clothing, black tap shoes
Boys: loose clothing, black tap shoes

Hip Hop
Girls and Boys: comfortable clothing and dance sneakers or clean tennis shoes

Fairmount Dance Theatre Dress Code

Ballet
Girls: black camisole spaghetti strap leotard, pink convertible tights and split sole ballet slippers. (Long sleeve black leotards will be permitted for the winter months) Hair must be in a bun and bangs secured away from face.
Boys: white t-shirt, black tights, and black ballet shoes

Modern
Girls: black camisole spaghetti strap leotard, pink or black convertible tights, jazz pants optional, bare feet
Boys: loose clothing, bare feet

Jazz/Tap
Girls: black camisole spaghetti strap leotard, pink or black tights, black jazz shoes & tap shoes (black jazz pants optional). Long hair must be in a pony tail.
Boys: loose clothing, black jazz shoes & tap shoes

Fairmount Spanish Dance Dress Code

Ladies: leotard, skirt, shoes with 2-inch heels, castanets, tennis shoes.
Men: loose pants, t-shirt, boot or heeled shoes and castanets, tennis shoes.

Fairmount Dance Theatre photos courtesy of Lori Harris.