Adult Dance Classes
Have you been wanting to learn how to dance? Or do you want to refresh your skills? Learn from our favorite, award-winning choreographers in this 10-week course!
Buy one class for $25 or all ten classes for $150.
Attend 8 out of the 10 classes and get a free ticket to our upcoming production of A Chorus Line!
Class Descriptions
Movement 1
February 3, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Kat Baker
This introductory class focuses on foundational body awareness, coordination, and creative exploration through movement. Students will learn basic techniques to express themselves physically and build confidence in their motion. Ideal for beginners or those new to dance.
Movement 2
February 10, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Kat Baker
A continuation of Movement 1, this class deepens body mechanics and introduces more complex movement patterns. It challenges participants to refine their technique and develop expressive storytelling through dance. Designed for those with some prior movement experience.
Jazz 1
February 17, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Izzy Arrieta
Jazz 1 introduces students to the high-energy style of jazz dance, covering basic steps, isolations, and rhythm work. Emphasis is placed on learning dynamic choreography and improving flexibility and strength. Suitable for dancers with little to no jazz experience.
Jazz 2
February 24, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Izzy Arrieta
Building on Jazz 1, this class focuses on faster-paced choreography and more advanced techniques, including turns, leaps, and style nuances. Students will refine their skills and explore the expressive flair of jazz performance. Recommended for dancers with prior jazz training.
Music Theater 1
March 3, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Izzy Arrieta
Building on Movement 1 & 2, this class merges dance, acting, and musicality to teach the basics of performing in musical theater. Students will learn simple routines inspired by Broadway choreography while developing stage presence. Perfect for aspiring performers and beginners alike.
Music Theater 2
March 10, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Ben Roeling
Building on Movement I & 2 and Music Theater 1, this class delves deeper into storytelling through dance, with more intricate choreography and character-driven routines. Participants will enhance their performance skills, focusing on connecting movement with emotion and music. Best for those with some theater or dance experience.
Contemporary 1
March 17, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Ben Roeling
This beginner-friendly class explores contemporary dance’s fluid and expressive nature, blending classical and modern techniques. Dancers will focus on grounding, flow, and basic improvisation to create personal artistry. No prior experience is necessary.
Contemporary 2
March 24, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Ben Roeling
A progression from Contemporary 1, this class challenges students with more sophisticated choreography and emphasis on improvisation. It encourages creative exploration and honing technical precision. Recommended for those comfortable with foundational contemporary dance.
Tap 1
March 31, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Kat Baker
Tap 1 introduces rhythm, timing, and basic tap steps to develop coordination and musicality. Students will practice simple combinations and start building confidence in tap technique. Designed for beginners eager to explore this rhythmic style.
Tap 2
April 7, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm
Instructor: Kat Baker
A more advanced tap class, Tap 2 teaches intricate rhythms, faster combinations, and greater precision. Participants will refine their musical ear and footwork while building endurance and style. Best suited for dancers with prior tap experience.
Meet Our Instructors
Kat Baker
Movement 1 & 2
Tap 1 & 2
Kat is a native San Diego girl and moved to Utah back in January 2020. Back in California she was the resident choreographer for 3 different high schools, several community theaters, and professional theaters as well.
She performed and choreographed all over San Diego county, specializing in musical theatre, but also taught lessons and private dance studios in Temecula, Oceanside, and Escondido.
She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with her and has continued to build her resume since moving to Salt Lake City. She has performed at the Hale Center Theatre, with Hart Theater Company, and can currently be found on stage and choreographing at The Desert Star Playhouse.
Kat is thrilled to team up with West Valley Arts and the theater community here in Salt Lake City as much as possible. She hopes to meet some new friends and help local performers hone their dance skills and build confidence for upcoming auditions!
Izzy Arrieta
Jazz 1 & 2
Music Theater 1
Izzy Arrieta is a passionate director and choreographer with a deep love for the art of theater. Venezuela born and Utah raised, Izzy's journey in the performing arts began as a male dancer at Utah Valley University, where he discovered the magic of storytelling through movement.
Along with dancing and performing, he also began to pursue choreography professionally. After attending UVU, he went on to join Salt Contemporary Dance for a few seasons and is now a professional performer for musical theater productions at West Valley Arts, Pioneer Theater, Sundance, Hale Orem, Hale Sandy, and Arizona Broadway theater.
Izzy had the privilege of choreographing West Valley Arts’ vibrant production of In The Heights where he sought to bring his unique perspective to the choreography, infusing the show with energy and emotion.
In a heartwarming and nerve-wracking moment, Izzy made his directorial debut here at West Valley Performing Arts with Little Shop of Horrors which turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Though it was his first time directing, the journey was a tremendous learning opportunity, and he is eternally grateful for the talented cast and crew who brought the show to life.
Throughout his career, Izzy has remained humbled by the support and encouragement of the theater community. His love for storytelling, dedication to the craft, and the collaborative spirit of theater have been the driving forces behind his creative endeavors.
Ben Roeling
Contemporary 1 & 2
Music Theater 2
Ben is a choreographer, teacher, actor, and dancer originally from Colorado. He previously choreographed Beauty and the Beast at West Valley Arts as well as West Side Story which received the Broadway World Award for best choreography in Utah last season.
Other choreography credits include Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, Paint Your Wagon, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Jackson Hole Playhouse as well as choreography for Off-Square Theatre Company, Tanner Dance, and Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids.
After graduating from the University of Utah with a BFA in dance Ben moved to New York City and went on to perform at various regional theaters around the country. Favorite performing credits include Bright Star, Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia, Sister Act (Arvada Center for the Arts); The Little Mermaid, Joseph…Dreamcoat, The Wizard of Oz (Tuacahn Amphitheatre); West Side Story (Music Theatre West); A Chorus Line (Act II Puerto Vallarta); Swing! The Musical, Legends in Concert(Norwegian Cruise Lines).
Ben is currently a full-time faculty member at the University of Utah as part of the Tanner Dance Program.
Our Vision
Around West Valley Arts, we’re committed to inclusion, diversity, and creating equitable opportunities for everyone. Every student deserves a chance to shine.
We aim to provide a high-quality education that will give every student the techniques necessary to excel at their chosen area of theate artistry.
Students will leave our classes feeling supported and seen, and they will leave our program prepared to meaningfully contribute to their theater community.
We use empathy, authenticity, and safety as the basis for all instruction and learning.