Skill levels are determined by the number of hours a dancer practices per week, including rehearsals and classes. The levels range from Novice (up to 3 hours/week) to Xtreme (10+ hours/week).

Here are Releve’s Skill Level Guidelines, which can help you place your dancers at the correct skill level.

Novice Level:

• Demonstrates fundamental dance movements with a focus on developing technique, coordination, and musicality.
• Works on building strength, flexibility, and body awareness to support basic dance skills.
• Begins exploring artistry and expression, learning to connect movement with emotion and performance quality.
• Trains 1-3 hours per week.
• Dancers at this level generally compete in approximately 2 routines (excluding solos, duos, or trios).
• All skills and placement are subject to the director’s discretion.

Examples of Novice dancer’s turns:

1. Single pirouettes with proper placement, spotting, and controlled landings.
2. Chainé turns with correct alignment and smooth transitions.

A Novice dancer should focus on developing consistency, strength, and confidence in foundational skills while gradually improving artistry and performance quality.

Competitive Level:

• Demonstrates solid technical skills with growing strength, flexibility, and control.
• Begins incorporating more challenging dance movements while refining performance quality and artistry.
• Works on improving transitions, fluidity, and overall stage presence.
• Trains 4-5 hours per week.
• Dancers at this level generally compete in approximately 3 routines (excluding solos, duos, or trios).
• All skills and placement are subject to the director’s discretion.

Examples of Competitive dancer’s turns:

1. Clean double pirouettes with proper spotting, balance, and control.
2. Piqué turns with smooth transitions and proper foot placement.

A Competitive dancer should focus on enhancing technical consistency, performance quality, and endurance, preparing for more advanced skills with confidence and control.

Elite Level:

• Demonstrates strong technical skills with increasing difficulty, control, and flexibility.
• Refines movement quality and incorporates artistry to elevate stage presence.
• Begins executing more intricate transitions and dynamic performance elements.
• Trains 6-7 hours per week.
• Dancers at this level generally compete in approximately 4 routines (excluding solos, duos, or trios).
• All skills and placement are subject to the director’s discretion.

Examples of Elite dancer’s turns:

1. Triple pirouettes with clean spotting, balance, and a controlled finish.
2. À la seconde turns with strong arm coordination, balance, and multiple rotations.

An Elite dancer should demonstrate technical control, artistry, and dynamic performance execution, consistently progressing toward advanced skills with confidence and precision.

Premier Level:

• Demonstrates advanced technical skills with strong control, flexibility, and precision.
• Consistently incorporates artistry and expression to enhance performance quality.
• Executes intricate transitions and complex movement combinations with confidence.
• Trains 8-9 hours per week.
• Dancers at this level generally compete in approximately 5 routines (excluding solos, duos, or trios).
• All skills and placement are subject to the director’s discretion.

Examples of Premier dancer’s turns:

1. Triple pirouettes with clean spotting, stability, and controlled landings.
2. À la seconde turns with multiple rotations, seamless transitions, and precise execution.

A Premier dancer should demonstrate a balance of technique, artistry, and performance quality, preparing for the highest level of execution with consistency and dynamic movement.

Xtreme Level:

• Demonstrates exceptionally challenging dance movements with advanced technical proficiency and flexibility.
• Seamlessly blends artistry and performance, executing complex elements with precision and fluidity.
• Trains 10+ hours per week.
• Dancers at this level generally compete in approximately 6 routines (excluding solos, duos, or trios).
• All skills and placement are subject to the director’s discretion.

Examples of Xtreme dancer’s turns:

1. Multiple consecutive pirouettes (e.g., 4+ clean rotations) with proper spotting, balance, and control.
2. À la seconde turns with strong core engagement, smooth transitions, and flawless execution.

An Xtreme dancer should execute turns with speed, control, and dynamic performance quality, making them appear effortless while maintaining near perfect technique.