BALLET: ages Kindergarten-18

The study of Ballet is a gradual process as the student must learn to control his or her movements and postures from tiny little-used core muscles while retraining the larger muscles that we already use every day. Excellent Ballet training requires the opposite of almost any other athletic endeavor in that it must be focused and disciplined from the beginning of its study, gradually increasing the abilities and movement vocabulary, making sure that the student has a clear understanding before continuing on. To become a professional Ballet dancer requires many years of training and preparation, sometimes longer than the dancer’s actual career. While not all dancers continue on to a career in Ballet, its highly structured rigorous technique gives any dancer the confidence, strength and control to excel in other styles while helping develop impulse control, a respect for process and an appreciation of long-term goals.

Classes are informed by the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) teaching method and introduce stylistic elements from the French, Balanchine (American), Cecchetti (Italian), Vaganova (Russian) and Bournonville (Danish) styles in the upper levels. Care is taken not to overwhelm the student with immediate demands for perfection, rather a carefully gradated system of learning is utilized. Students who wish to go on pointe (minimum level-Ballet V) must attend multiple classes, preferably starting in Ballet III and mandatory in Ballet IV. This ensures that the student is physically ready to not only maintain and improve her technique but to learn how to adjust that technique to pointe shoes. Students who do not wish to dance on pointe may continue their Ballet technique once a week but may not improve as quickly.

Ages listed below are suggestions only and assume the child has been with the school since FUNdamentals, the preschool dance program. New students will be evaluated and placed in the class appropriate for their skill level at the discretion of the instructor and directors. Older students placed in lower levels are encouraged to simultaneously train in the level above theirs until age parity is achieved. This is to ensure the safe development of the child and the uninterrupted flow of the class curriculum.

Ballet I & II: 5-8 years old, 1x/week

This class starts the many years of formal Ballet training. Only children who are enrolled in Kindergarten and above may attend ballet levels I and II. This class is more detailed and disciplined in class structure and child’s ability than FUNdamentals. Turnout is introduced and used moderately, basic skills are perfected in anticipation of more advanced skills and musicality is stressed. Dancers are encouraged to try other styles of dance as well as Ballet.

Ballet III & IV: 7-11 years old, 1-2x/week

Completion of Ballet II or evaluation of instructor is required before enrolling in this level. Ballet III/IV is the level in which basic technical skills are overlaid with artistry. Turnout is used consistently and elemental skills such as spotting, port de bras and small poses are introduced while perfecting those skills previously learned. Ballet IV students who wish to dance on pointe must take 2 technique classes a week for at least 1 year to prepare them for pointe (must be in Ballet V). It is suggested that dancers study at least one other style of dance, as well as Ballet.

Ballet V & VI: 10+ years old, 1-3x/week

Completion of Ballet IV or evaluation of instructor is required before enrolling in this level. More advanced skills are more rapidly introduced as is simple partnering. Dancers who are ready may go on pointe at this level and attend separate pointe classes after the technique classes. Those dancers who do not wish to go on pointe may attend 1 class a week. Dancers are strongly encouraged to study at least 2 other styles of dance and encouraged to audition/apply to summer dance workshops/intensives, even if just for the experience.

Ballet VII & VIII: 13+ years old, 1-3+x/week plus other styles

Completion of Ballet VI or evaluation of instructor is required before enrolling in this level. Pointe is expected but not required. More advanced skills are introduced at an accelerated pace, previous skills are expected to be perfected. Dancers receive more intricate partnering and longer pointe work during class. Dancers are expected to study at least 2 other styles and attend dance workshops and intensives.

Ballet I/II for Teens: Designed for the beginning older student age 10+. See Teen Accelerated Learning Program description for more details.

Ballet II/III for Teens: prerequisite of Ballet I/II for Teens, or permission of the instructor

Attire for girls: pink tights, pink ballet shoes, any style solid-colored leotard, hair in bun, no jewelry. short flowy skirt ok. No tutus or puffy skirts.

Attire for boys: black tights or leggings, plain white shirt, white socks, white ballet shoes. Dance belt for older boys.

CHARACTER: ages 10+

The class is patterned after the Moiseyev Dance Company, the premiere Character Dance company in the world which incorporates ethnic dance styles with extensive ballet training to create vibrant theatrical pageantry. Students will learn the intricate rhythms and patterning of Character Dance barre and center work as well as traditional dance styles, new choreography and repertory from many countries and cultures around the world. Character Dance I & II requires the student to have taken or be enrolled in Ballet III or higher or the equivalent at another dance school.

Character I: ballet experience strongly suggested

Character II: prerequisite of Character I or permission of the instructor

Attire: ballet attire and full-circle character skirt and heeled ballet shoes or low-heeled hard sole ballet shoes.

_

CONTEMPORARY: ages 7+

Contemporary blends Ballet and Jazz technique with a focus on inner expression. Designed for the dancer with experience in Ballet and/or Jazz.

Intro to Contemporary: ages 7-9

Beginning Contemporary: ages 9+ (with previous experience in ballet and/or jazz)

Contemporary I: prerequisite of Beginning Contemporary or permission of the instructor.

Contemporary II: prerequisite of Contemporary I or permission of the instructor.

Contemporary III: prerequisite of Contemporary II or permission of the instructor.

Attire: tighter leggings or bike shorts and tighter fitting plain top, any color, hair in ponytail or bun. Footpads preferred but ballet shoes or bare feet ok in a pinch. Hair off face, preferably in a bun, no jewelry. NO LOOSE SHORTS OR T-SHIRTS.