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Acro: Level 1

Sample Video

Acro: Level 1 Sample/Full Video Description

Everything You Need to Teach Beginner Acro—All in One Course

New to acro or teaching beginners? DTCE’s Acro Fundamentals: Level 1 gives dance educators a structured, beginner-friendly system to introduce acrobatic skills with clarity, confidence, and proper technique. This course focuses on strength, balance, and body control, setting dancers up for long-term success—without overwhelming your students or burning you out in the process.

Perfect for Jazz, Acro, Contemporary, or Recreational classes, this series is all about building clean technical habits from day oneminimizing risk, maximizing results, and giving teachers a clear roadmap for teaching acro the smart way.

Key Features of DTCE’s Acro Fundamentals: Level 1

50+ Beginner Acro Skills that progress safely and logically
2+ Syllabus Guides for step-by-step instruction and lesson planning
45+ Minutes of Expert Tutorials featuring real student demos
Spotting Tips, Correction Cues, and Teaching Strategies built in

Skills That Build a Strong Foundation

Tripod Tuck at the Wall – Introduce head and core control safely
Elephant Swings (Front & Back) – Strengthen shoulder stability and spatial awareness
Army Pulls – Develop upper body strength and coordination
Angel Backbend (Feet Flexed) – Train backbend technique with safe progressions
Bridge Rock – Reinforce back flexibility and controlled transitions

…plus 45+ other essential beginner acro drills that teach proper form and prevent injury.

No Certification Required—Just Real Results

You don’t need to be certified to be qualified—you just need the right tools and a solid system. That’s why this course was created: to help dance teachers launch or upgrade their acro program without relying on expensive certification programs that aren’t built for real studio life.

This progression-based, safety-focused system gives teachers everything they need to lead confident, effective, and well-paced classes—no burnout, no gatekeeping, just results.

Made for Dance Studios—Not Gymnastics Gyms

Most dance teachers don’t have the luxury of a fully equipped gymnastics facility. You’re teaching on Marley or wood floors, often managing multi-level classes and limited space. DTCE’s Acro Fundamentals was designed for exactly that.

Inside this course, you’ll learn how to structure class flow, build engaging obstacle setups, and even fix slippery floors with Kimberly’s go-to trick (hint: it involves a little water and a few jumps). These are real-world solutions you won’t find in generic certifications.

Teach Smarter. Spot Less. Keep Your Sanity.

With the DTCE Method, teachers learn how to train dancers to work independently—stacking progressions strategically, using mats for safety, and teaching proper takeoff angles, control, and body awareness.

You’ll spend less time over-spotting and more time refining technique and building confident movers—without sacrificing your energy or your back.

Classroom Culture That Keeps Students Coming Back

When taught this way, acro quickly becomes your studio’s most popular class. DTCE shows you how to run disciplined, high-energy classes with clear rules, smart pacing, and structure that makes every student feel successful.

Kimberly has seen it over and over again—enrollment goes up, retention improves, and your acro program becomes the class students beg to be in.

Creative Curriculum That Keeps It Fresh

Say goodbye to boring, repetitive drills. DTCE gives you thousands of creative drills, 50+ cartwheel variations, and choreography-ready combos you can blend into jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, and more.

You’ll never run out of material. From Elephant Walks and Tripod Headstands to Valdez Variations, Tick Tock Rolls, and Spider Back Handsprings, this course helps you keep dancers inspired—and progressing.

Never Run Out of Ideas—Ever Again

No more staring at the clock or repeating the same mat circuit. DTCE provides you with lesson templates, syllabi, charts, and tutorial videos all in one place.
This isn’t just about teaching tricks—it’s about building confident, disciplined dancers who love learning and grow every single class.

Your Instructor: A Dance Curriculum Specialist

This course is led by Kimberly Beck Thomson, a certified dance curriculum specialist with 35+ years of experience and the former Artistic Director/Owner of Dance Unlimited Miami—recognized as one of the Top 50 Studios in the U.S. Kimberly served on the Board of Directors for Florida Dance Masters for 25 years, shaping high-quality dance education standards.

Trained by industry legends including Robin Dawn Ryan, the late great Charles Kelley, Susan Lyle, Annette Dubose, Joanne Chapman, Lorraine Susa, and many more top acro instructors, Kimberly was also mentored by her mother, Danie Beck—a celebrated studio owner and dance educator.

She took the best of traditional acro and transformed it into a modern, digital, teacher-friendly system: The DTCE Method. She built it from the ground up—and now empowers others to do the same.

As a third-generation dance educator, award-winning choreographer, and sought-after master teacher, Kimberly has created a system that honors the past and redefines the future of acro training. Her expertise ensures progression-based learning, technical excellence, and teacher confidence at every level.

Add DTCE’s Acro: Level 1 and give your dancers the safe, structured start they need to grow with confidence!

Syllabus

Acrobatic Artistry Complete Genre Series: Levels 1-6, Combined Skills, How-To-Teach,Partner Work, Mixed Level Trendy Tricks, Various Drills, Side & Front Aerial Training, Back Handspring Training Curriculum Description

DTCE’s Acrobatic Artistry Series: The Most Comprehensive Acro Training System Ever Built

There are two types of secrets—the ones you try to keep in, and the ones you don’t dare let out. Well, Kimberly Beck Thomson has finally let hers out. After decades of teaching, choreographing, and creating magic in the classroom, she’s sharing her most effective acro strategies in what is now considered the world’s most extensive and affordable acro dance curriculum: DTCE’s Acrobatic Artistry Series.

This powerhouse training system includes 960+ skills, 45+ structured syllabus guides, and 11+ hours of expert-led video instruction, offering a step-by-step blueprint from beginner foundations to elite-level execution. Built on Kimberly’s proven, no-fluff DTCE Method, this series equips teachers with the tools, structure, and confidence to either launch an acro program from scratch—or completely revamp the one they already have. 

Students begin with foundational drills like Elephant Walks, Tripod Headstands, and Fishbowls, then advance through skills such as Passé Pony Jumps, Valdez Variations, and Tick Tock Rolls. As they progress, they’ll tackle challenging technique like Straddle Press Handstands, Spider Back Handsprings, Handstand Pirouettes, and Aerial Front Walkovers. Tutorials are filmed in a variety of formats—follow-along, student demonstrators, and guided corrections—giving teachers a real-world view of how each skill should look in the classroom.

No outside certifications required. Just one transformative systembuilt for real dance teachers—focused on safe, smart, and successful acro instruction at every level.

Key Features of DTCE’s Acro Dance Complete Genre Series

960+ Progressive Acro Skills | 45+ Syllabus Guides | 11+ Hours of Tutorials
Step-by-Step Spotting & Skill Breakdown
Age-Appropriate Skill Progressions from Beginner to Advanced
✔ Includes Partner Work, Trendy Tricks, Handsprings, Aerials & More

Everything You Need for Acro Success—All in One Place!

This comprehensive acro training system includes:

Acro Levels 1-6700+ skills, 6.5+ hours of training, and 23+ syllabus, focusing on safe progressions, spotting techniques, and strength-building drills.
Acro Combos Series (Beginner-Advanced)50+ skills, 1.5+ hours of training, and 6+ syllabus, featuring choreographed acro sequences that blend technique and artistry.
Acro How-To-Teach Series130+ skills, 2.5+ hours of training, and 3+ syllabus, teaching educators how to properly spot, correct, and guide dancers through essential acro skills.
Acro Partner Work Series30+ skills, 2.5+ hours of training, and 3+ syllabus, covering counterbalances, group stunts, and dynamic partner work.
Acro Full Course: Mixed-Level Trendy Tricks13+ must-know skills, 12+ minutes of training, and 2+ syllabus, featuring today’s most in-demand acro tricks with safe progressions.
Acro Various Drills Series18+ targeted drills, 5+ minutes of expert instruction, and 2+ structured syllabus guides, featuring wall-assisted exercises, strength-building drills, and technical refinements to improve alignment, core stability, and acro execution.
Acro Full Course: Side & Front Aerial Training28+ progressions, 15+ minutes of expert instruction, and 4+ syllabus, teaching step-by-step methods for mastering aerials safely.
Acro Full Course: Back Handspring Training?+ drills, expert-led instruction, and ?+ syllabus, helping dancers build explosive power, proper technique, and safe landings.

Qualified Without the Price Tag: DTCE’s Take on Acro Training

Let’s be real—certification is a great asset, but it’s not always in the cards when time and budgets are tight. Kimberly’s philosophy is simple: “You don’t need to be certified to be qualified—you just need the right tools and a solid system.” That’s exactly why she created DTCE’s Acro Course: a comprehensive, safety-focused, progression-based training that gives you everything you need to teach with confidence and run a thriving acro program.

No gatekeeping. No burnout. Just real results.

This program is built to help studios start or completely revamp their acro program from scratchsafely, successfully, and without burnout. Whether you’re new to teaching acro or ready to restructure what you’ve got, DTCE provides the exact support you need to lead confident, well-paced, technique-driven classes—no certification required.

And let’s be honest—most certification programs are either too expensive, too surface-level, or simply not built for real-world dance studios. That’s why DTCE is changing the game. We’re currently developing new and improved Acro Certification Courses that will actually give teachers the tools they need—affordable, practical, and results-driven.

You don’t need permission—just the right training, tools, and a smart system to streamline your acro dance curriculum and keep your students progressing with purpose, precision, and zero gaps.

Built for Dance Teachers—Not Gymnasts

Most dance teachers don’t have the luxury of teaching in a fully equipped gymnastics facility. They’re working on Marley or wood floors, juggling mixed-level classes, and doing everything possible to keep things moving—without injuries. That’s exactly why Kimberly Beck Thomson created this series: to give dance teachers a realistic, studio-friendly system that works in the environments they actually teach in.

Inside the course, educators learn how to structure class flow, keep mat setups creative, and design engaging obstacle course stations so students stay active and focused. Kimberly even shares her go-to trick for slippery Marley floors—a sprinkle of water and a few jumps to create just the right amount of suction.

These aren’t tips you’ll find in generic certifications. They’re real-world strategies, designed by a teacher who’s been in the trenches, for running acro classes that are safe, structured, and genuinely fun.

Teach Smart. Spot Less. Keep Your Sanity.

One of the standout features of the DTCE Method? No over-spotting required. Kimberly teaches educators how to train students to execute skills independently by stacking progressions strategically and introducing 3–5 new skills per week. With bonus drills and mat landings, dancers improve technique and build confidence—without compromising safety.

Teachers also learn how to cue proper takeoff angles, develop height and control, and emphasize quality over quantity. It’s about teaching smarter, spotting safer, and lasting longer in this profession—because let’s face it, you can’t be lifting backs all day for the next 10 years.

Discipline, Class Flow & Student Retention—All Built In

With Kimberly’s approach, acro classes don’t just run smoothly—they become the most in-demand offering at the studio. This series teaches educators how to structure class flow, set clear rules, keep the pace moving, and make every student feel seen and successful, even in a multi-level environment.

The result? Engaged dancers, packed classes, and a noticeable bump in enrollment, retention, and profitability. Kimberly has watched it happen again and again—parents talk, students beg to be in acro, and suddenly, it becomes the studio’s secret weapon. And the best part? You don’t have to burn out to make it happen.

Creative Curriculum That Never Gets Old

Let’s be real—boring acro classes lead to burned-out teachers and checked-out students. But that’s never the case with Kimberly Beck Thomson’s approach. In this series, she shares thousands of drills, 50+ types of cartwheels, and creative acro combinations that can be woven into contemporary, lyrical, jazz, musical theatre, or open-style choreography. From Elephant Walks and Tripod Headstands to Tick Tock Rolls, Straddle Press Handstands, Valdez Variations, and Spider Back Handsprings, this course gives educators endless material for every level.

Kimberly also reveals how to use props, build unique class themes, and choreograph award-winning routines that keep students excited.

Fun fact? More than a few teachers have said she should be choreographing for Cirque du Soleil. But instead, she poured everything into this course—so you can have it too.

Never Run Out of Ideas—Ever Again

No more staring at the clock. No more recycling last week’s mat circuit. The DTCE Acrobatic Artistry Series gives you everything—digital syllabi, video demonstrations, lesson plan templates, skill charts, progressions, and choreographic inspiration—all in one place. But this isn’t just about teaching tricks. It’s about building strong, confident students who learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

The DTCE Method does more than deliver technique—it creates a thriving classroom culture where students can grow.

This Is the Acro Curriculum That Changes Everything

Whether you're teaching wild three-year-olds or prepping elite competitors, the DTCE Acrobatic Artistry Series is your complete solution. You’ll be able to train safely, choreograph creatively, teach efficiently, and run a successful acro program with confidence. You’ll never run out of ideas. Your classes will never be boring. Your students will never stop progressing.

So don’t keep this to yourself. Spread the word. These secrets were meant to be shared.  Let’s build your acro program—and blow the roof off your studio while we’re at it.

Teaching by the Syllabus: What Teachers Need to Teach and What Students Should Master at Each Level

DTCE’s Progressive Syllabus/Interactive Curriculum provides a structured guide for teachers, outlining what to teach at each level and ensuring students master essential skills before moving on.

This system eliminates guesswork and training gaps, allowing teachers to focus on hands-on corrections while ensuring students progress safely and effectively.

Key Skills & Techniques for Strong Acro Dance Technique Fondations

DTCE’s Progressive List gives teachers a clear reference for which drills, exercises, and progressions to teach at each level.

With course descriptions, timestamps, and 900+ downloadable syllabus materials, this roadmap makes it easy to navigate lessons, structure classes, and reinforce technique—promoting high-quality instruction at every level.

The Ultimate Library for Acro Dance Teachers – Built for Real Progress

Acro requires strength, control, coordination, and technical understanding. The DTCE method makes sure teachers never rush the process.

With clearly defined levels, you can assess readiness, build muscle memory, and prevent injury—while helping dancers grow with confidence and consistency.

Who Is It For?

Perfect for dance teachers, studio owners, school programs, or competitive teams. No prior acro experience needed! Especially helpful for teachers who want a reliable system without the high cost of certification.

Why Choose Dance: The Cutting Edge (DTCE)?

Teacher Training Tutorials + Matching Syllabus
Dance: The Cutting Edge’s (DTCE) affordable, accredited curriculum streamlines lesson planning and enhances your studio’s offerings. Every lesson is progression-based and age-appropriate, ensuring students build a strong foundation for long-term success.

DTCE’s Complete Curriculum for All Styles & Levels
With 95+ courses, 4,000+ tutorials, and 900+ syllabus across 16+ genres, DTCE is the ultimate all-in-one solution for dance educators.

Why Stop Here? Shop DTCE’s Best Add-On Courses!

Conditioning Series – Strength, power, endurance for acro success
Flexibility Series – 175+ skills to increase range and extension
Acro Warm-Up Series – 60+ exercises to prevent injury and prep bodies

Your Instructor: A Dance Curriculum Specialist

This course is led by Kimberly Beck Thomson, a certified dance curriculum specialist with 35+ years of experience in training teachers and developing progression-based dance education. She is the former Artistic Director/Owner of Dance Unlimited Miami, recognized as one of the Top 50 Studios in the U.S., and served on the Board of Directors for Florida Dance Masters for 25 years, shaping high-quality dance education standards.

Kimberly was mentored by her mother, Danie Beck—a celebrated studio owner and dance educator—and trained under industry icons including Robin Dawn Ryan, the late Charles Kelley, Susan Lyle, Annette Dubose, Joanne Chapman, Lorraine Susa, and many more elite acro instructors. She has also trained extensively at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Millennium Dance Complex.

A third-generation dance educator, award-winning choreographer, and sought-after master teacher, Kimberly has choreographed for NBC’s Orange Bowl Parades, judged major national competitions, and developed teacher-training systems that enhance technique, movement quality, and lesson planning across multiple dance styles.

Many of her former students have gone on to Broadway, major television productions, and international tours with artists like Beyoncé and Britney Spears.

She took the best of traditional acro and transformed it into a modern, digital, teacher-friendly system: The DTCE Method. She built it from the ground up—and now empowers others to do the same. Her expertise ensures progression-based learning, technical excellence, and teacher confidence at every level.

Start training smarter—add DTCE’s Acrobatic Artistry Complete Genre Series to your curriculum today!