levels and placement class FAQs
As many of you get ready to register for next term we have had a lot of discussions and questions coming in from across the community regarding levels and placements. We have compiled a few of the most recurring questions below for your review. If you have further questions about levels, please review the progress information page on our website. You can also review our Placement and Preview class schedule on our website if you wish to register for a class and be assessed for a level change.
REGARDLESS OF LEVEL.. every student in our Progress program is appropriately challenged in many areas of the Luminesque experience.
let’s start with a review of our levels...
What are levels?
We have 3 core levels in the PROGRESS program: the KITTEN HEELS, the PUMPS, and the STILETTOS.
We created a level system to ensure everyone receives the training, support, and show choreography that will help them shine in their best light in studio and onstage in their performances. Although our levels have cheeky high-heel inspired names, these aren’t literally the shoes you’ll wear when you’re dancing in class or onstage.
How are levels decided?
While the 3 levels roughly translate into Beginner (Kitten Heels), Intermediate (Pumps), and Advanced (Stilettos), we consider a number of factors when deciding the level that’s right for you. These include but aren’t limited to:
How much energy (focus, stamina, attention, etc.) do you have to give your class?
How familiar are you with performing heels dance onstage and in-studio?
How consistently do you demonstrate good injury prevention in heels?
How familiar are you with heels dance technique and vocabulary?
How much individual attention and/or constructive critique do you desire (if any)?
How self-aware are you regarding your own artistry, embodiment, and limitations?
How committed are you able to be in class and outside of class time (to practice, etc)?
How dedicated are you to your team’s development (or are you focused on your own journey)?
Our levels aren’t like grades in school, where after a certain period of time you move to the next one. Many students choose the level that’s right for them and dance with the same group year after year. Our teachers work hard to ensure everyone - regardless of level - receives new challenges and learns new skills with every new term.
In order to join a PUMPS or STILETTOS course, you must attend a PLACEMENT CLASS. This includes if you took a 1st Term Pumps/Stilettos course, and want to move into a Returning Pumps/Stilettos course.
If you want to join a KITTEN HEELS class (1st term or returning), no placement class is required! Feel free to attend a COURSE PREVIEW if you’d like a taste of the experience before signing up.
the kitten heels
The Kitten Heels are students who just want to have fun! They may be brand new to dance, or have some experience - but ultimately they’re here to develop foundational technique, feel confident in their performances, become comfortable with expressing sexuality, and receive loving support from their teachers and fellow students. They receive the most guidance from our team, and students in Kitten Heels are able to succeed without much out-of-class-time commitment. If you’re a beginner dancer or just a busy bee, Kitten Heels is an excellent level for you.
the pumps
The Pumps are experienced dancers who are looking to further develop heels dance technique, strength and performance quality. They have a solid foundation of heels dance injury prevention and skills, and are looking to challenge themselves to take on more difficult choreography and performance prompts. They desire direct feedback from their teachers and are committed not only to their own journey but to their teammates’ success as well. They’re getting comfortable with expressing sexuality and storytelling, and are committed to practicing outside class time.
the stilettos
The Stilettos are advanced or professional dancers with years of experience, who desire a nurturing place to build upon their existing foundation of technique, artistry, and performance. They are extremely familiar with heels technique, and consistently demonstrate injury prevention, even during challenging moves. They’re super self-aware about their own goals and limitations, and desire to be challenged by teachers. They understand the value of collaboration over competition in a team, and are confident enough in their abilities to make room for others to shine.
frequently asked questions
Are the 3 levels (Kitten Heels, Pumps, Stilettos) in line with being beginner, intermediate and advanced?
1st Term Kitten Heels is our introductory class for beginners to build a foundation of Heels dance technique and learn our Luminesque curriculum. Returning Kittens requires previous Luminesque experience, and therefore ranges from Beginner to Intermediate. Similarly, Returning Pumps range from Intermediate to Advanced, and is where many of our long-term dancers stay for their entire journey with Luminesque. Returning Stilettos range from Advanced to Professional level, and most dancers in this level work in the dance industry, cross-train consistently in other dance styles at an advanced level, and/or train in dance for multiple hours a week outside of their course.
We do recognize though that every dancer is different, and this is why we are committed to offering free assessments and require certified Luminesque placement team recommendations to register for Pumps or Stilettos. Please note placement is not an audition and every student is let into the Progress Program at the level our experts assess to be the best fit for them at the time. This helps us adhere to our program’s commitment to injury prevention and safety, and place students on an individual level with others who align with their skills, expectations, and goals.
Can I enroll in a 1st term course even if I have taken Luminesque Progress program before?
Yes. If your focus is on deeply developing Heels dance foundations and solidifying your understanding of the Luminesque curriculum, or if you're looking for a lower cost and lesser time commitment option, you may rejoin a 1st Term class. Many 1st Term Kittens will desire a second round of this course to feel fully prepared and comfortable in entering the full program experience in a Returning Kittens level. This is also a great option for anyone who missed a significant portion of the course or wasn't able to perform. Placement class assessment and a recommendation from our Placement Team are still required for anyone entering a 1st Term Pumps or 1st Term Stilettos course.
Which classes require a placement class?
Any Pumps or Stilettos level class (1st term OR returning) requires a placement class with one of our trained faculty members.
Does being in a 1st term Pumps or 1st term Stilettos level guarantee me access to a returning pumps/stilettos next term?
No. 1st Term Pumps and 1st Term Stilettos courses focus on developing important Luminesque and Heels dance foundations at an Intermediate/Advanced level. They require previous dance experience, vocabulary and technique, and are designed to "fill in the gaps" for students new to Luminesque who may have missed certain skills or vocabulary in their other training that is needed to succeed in a Returning Pumps or Returning Stilettos course. While the 1st Term curriculum is designed to fill in these gaps, every dancer progresses at their own pace, and it's likely that one 1st Term course isn't enough time for a dancer to get up to speed and be able to succeed alongside long term Luminesque Pumps/Stilettos dancers. Transitioning from a 1st Term to a Returning Pumps or Stilettos course still requires a placement class between terms. Many dancers complete multiple terms in the same level before they feel comfortable moving elsewhere.
How do you determine entry into a level? Is there a specific curriculum you assess against?
Yes, every level in our program has an expertly designed curriculum that incorporates foundations, technique, mobility, injury prevention, body awareness, performance expression and more. Our curriculum goes far beyond a "swimming lessons checklist" - it is multidisciplinary, multidimensional, and proprietary to Luminesque, so it is not publicly documented. Our Placement Team is trained in depth in all aspects of our curriculum, and in how to assess which level is the right fit for each individual dancer. In the case of Returning students, the team also considers feedback from your former Luminesque teachers and past class videos/show performances to make the best assessment possible. In the past year, we have also standardized the placement class modules to help us assess specific skills and foundations with a consistent series of activities.
Why do you require assessment before moving someone to a new level?
We want to be clear that a placement class is not an audition. We are not comparing dancers seeking a specific role with only so many spots available. Everyone is welcome into the program, and we make sure there are enough spaces at every level for students to have a chance to dance at their given level. Placement classes are created to holistically assess individual dancers' education, experience, skills, and goals to ensure all dancers in all levels have success and joy within their courses. Our curriculum combines decades of experience operating Heels dance programs, formal training in several dance intersections (pilates, physio, yoga, dance, etc), and dozens of perspectives, including a J.E.D.I. committee. We strive to create the most comprehensive and inclusive level structure so all dancers can thrive, feel empowered, build connections, and be adequately challenged. We are also fiercely committed to injury prevention, and thus must ensure the curriculum aligns with the physical capabilities in every course and cohort.
We are proud to say that since creating and curating these levels, assessments and curriculum, we have seen a massive increase in current student retention, progression and growth, and have documented a substantial decrease in dance-related injuries and program drop-out rates.
Is there a way to receive a private assessment if I don’t feel comfortable in a group setting?
Many people in our community have their own valid personal reasons why they may not feel comfortable in a placement class. If this is the case, you can email to request a discussion with our program director about being assessed directly in your class and show experience. We cannot guarantee you will receive as much feedback or as specific of a recommendation as being assessed by a Placement class though. You are also able to purchase a private lesson with one of our trained faculty members, which will provide not only a level assessment but a chance to review your specific goals and set you up with clear feedback and take-home tools to keep you on track to achieve them.
What are my options if I cannot attend a placement class before I register for the program?
We always recommend enrolling in a course that you are guaranteed entry into, this would mean the same level you are currently in, or a Kitten Heels course. Upon receiving a new recommendation, you can then email us and we will manually transfer you to the new level. Sometimes these recommendations occur in the first couple weeks of the course with your teacher, who would have consulted our Program Director before advising you to move levels. Should you enrol in a level you have not received an assessment and recommendation into, we reserve the right to remove you and refund your course registration.
What do I do if my schedule only allows for a different level than what I've been placed in?
We are very committed to our assessment process and completely trust our faculty experts in their decisions to offer entry and recommend the correct levels for each dancer. We do not take the decisions lightly. If you are not placed into the Pumps or Stilettos level, and cannot attend a Kitten Heels level, then you will need to wait until the new term or adjust your availability to join the program. We strive to offer weeknight and weekend options at all levels to accommodate a variety of schedules. We know conflicts happen and apologize for any disappointment. We encourage students in this situation to take advantage of drop-in classes, workshops and intensives until they can find a Progress course that works for their level and schedule.
Since there are only 3 levels, won’t that mean there will always be a wide variety of dancers within my level?
Absolutely… and we do that deliberately! We believe dancers (and humans in general) from all backgrounds can learn from each other with the right attitude. We are all about building a diverse community at Luminesque, and have seen the incredible impact of having varied dancers train and perform together. If a dancer is in a course alongside you, we truly believe they also have what they need to succeed personally, and to contribute to the team in alignment with the goals of the group and the choreography focus for that term.
This means that it may be someone's first term in that level and they may have some specific goals/skills they are working on. These will be different than someone who has been in this level for multiple terms/years. In every course, you'll find dancers have their own abilities, strengths, struggles, and energy. We believe that every dancer is always learning, and brings their own unique experience to the table. Please be respectful of our decisions regarding who is in the group, and respectful of one another's individual journeys. It will never be a perfect system, but it can be a collaborative and community-oriented one if we all work together and support each other.
How long does the average dancer stay in one level before moving to another level?
This completely varies depending on the dancer, their personal goals and their commitment to their progression. There is no “ladder to climb”, or right vs wrong way to continue in the program. The only exception is that it's common for 1st Term dancers to join a Returning course at the same level after completing their first term.
We encourage and support every dancer in our community to continue to focus on what they need out of the program. One term it may be a lower-pressure, less commitment course. In one term it may be a more challenging and progression-focused course. Many of our long-term dancers stay in the same level for years, and we ALWAYS recommend moving between different teachers in a level before trying to change levels. Every faculty member brings a unique perspective and their own challenges to their courses.
If my goal is to eventually progress to a higher level, how can I get there?
Luminesque is dedicated to creating the most high-quality education experience we can, however, your commitment is essential! Taking advantage of the free and paid resources available to our community can massively increase your progression. You can find free tools like our course workbook, blog posts, Instagram reels and free workshops in our portal and throughout the term. Paid offerings that specifically help progression are things like our LumiTV subscription of virtual dance lessons, our Virtual Heels Tech Foundation workshop (available once per term, and includes a replay), intensives, workshops and our Heels Tech drop-in classes. We encourage you to speak to your teacher 1:1 if you have a certain goal or want to ask for feedback on your journey. Booking a private lesson with one of our Progression experts can also give you some personal feedback and tools to take your progression to the next level. We've standardized pricing for privates to make booking with your desired faculty accessible.
We are here to help, so feel free to ask us if you desire some guidance on this!
How can I find ways to challenge myself within a level, without moving to a different one?
This is one of our FAVOURITE questions. The truth is, there are endless ways! Focusing on small and specific foundation goals, taking good care of your physical mobility, and really pushing yourself to execute the intentions of your teachers and choreographers go a long way. Switching teachers each term can help you experience unique perspectives, and crosstraining with extra hours can really help. You wouldn't expect to go to the gym and immediately lift a 100 lbs weight! Small and consistent commitments make a big difference. We encourage you to discuss in your check-in circles, or 1:1 with your instructors what you desire so we can help you obtain it.
And don’t forget... PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS!
Written by Vanessa Lalonde, Luminesque Founder
(+ the LumiHQ Team)
