Ballet

BALLET is a genre of dance founded on technique and artistry. The beginnings of ballet began in the 1500’s in Europe, and has evolved over time into the structured art form it is today. It is important that dancers progress through a structured program in order to ensure proper technical training. Strong ballet technique supports other genres of dance including jazz, lyrical and contemporary.

Pre-ballet: (Ages 2-3yrs) Pre-ballet is a 30 minute class where dancers work on coordination, basic dance motor skills, and basic ballet vocabulary. This class is a great introduction to dance for young children. Students will use themed activities and music, props, and imagination games to facilitate their learning. Dancers will learn to stand in a straight line, be good listeners and follow directions.

Ballet/Tap: (Age 4-5) This is a 55 minute class that works on two styles of dance. In the ballet portion, dancers are introduced to basic ballet exercises and concepts. They will work on stretching, center floor exercises and traveling across the floor. In tap they will learn basic tap steps and sequences. Dancers will be introduced to rhythm and dancing to a beat with and without music. Instruction is through creative lessons and themed activities and music. Dancers will also learn proper performance etiquette and gain confidence on stage. These dancers already know how to stand in a straight line, be good listeners and follow directions.

Fairytale Ballet (Age3-5): This is a 45 minute class that incorporates imaginative play, creative dance, and ballet basics. Instruction is through creative lessons based on popular stories and fairytales.

Ballet/Tap/Jazz: (Kindergarten) This class is a 90 minute class that explores 3 styles of dance. In the ballet portion, dancers are introduced to exercises at the ballet barre and will learn about body control and alignment. Dancers explore proper ballet technique at the barre, in center floor and across the floor. In tap dancers continue to learn basic tap steps center floor and across the floor. They will learn various tap sequences and rhythms. During the jazz section dancers focus on flexibility, musicality, body awareness, coordination, and style.

Teen Ballet/Jazz (6th grade and up): This is a 90 minute beginning level class for middle and high school students. Dancers will be introduced to foundational skills and concepts in both genres of dance. Students will also be challenged to increase their strength, flexibility, coordination, and ability to learn choreography quickly. This is a great class for the older student who is interested in trying dance for the first time or has limited dance experience.

Ballet 1: (First Grade and up) Level 1 is a 45 minute technique class that introduces classical ballet technique and class structure. Dancers will spend time each week on ballet barre exercises, center floor and across the floor. Dancers are introduced to ballet fundamentals such as proper turn out, placement, and basic alignment. The class emphasizes dancing and performing with rhythm and poise. This class is for the beginning ballet dancer or a student coming out of a combination class.

Ballet 1/2: (Age 7-10) This is an hour long continued introduction to classical ballet technique and class structure for the more experienced dancer. This class will move faster through skills than the Level 1 class and continue to build the dancer’s ballet vocabulary. The dancers will learn fundamentals of ballet and apply them to more complex sequences. This class is for dancers who have completed Level 1 or an older beginner.

Ballet 2: (Teacher recommendation) Level 2 is an hour long class that is a continuation of the skills taught in Level 1 and 1/2.. In this class dancers continue to build upon the fundamentals of ballet and apply them to more complex combinations at the ballet barre and in center floor. The dancer will be introduced to more advanced vocabulary and movement. This class is for the experienced beginner who has had at least one year of classical ballet.

Ballet 2/3: (Teacher recommendation) Level 2/3 is an hour long class designed to introduce the dancer to an intermediate level of technique and performance. The class will build upon the skills that were taught in the beginning levels by learning longer combinations in all areas of the class, dancing to more complex rhythms, and performing more difficult skills. This class is for the dancer who has successfully completed the beginning ballet levels.

Ballet 3: (Teacher recommendation) Level 3 is an hour long class that is a continuation of intermediate skills and concepts taught in 2/3. In this level there is an increased expectation to apply technical concepts that have been mastered at the barre to center and cross floor work. Dancers are also taught more challenging steps and vocabulary.

Ballet 3/4: (Teacher recommendation) Level 3/4 is an upper-intermediate leveled class. Dancers should have a strong technical foundation and consistently apply technique to complex phrases and choreography. This class is taught at a quicker pace than the lower level intermediate classes. A thorough understanding of ballet vocabulary is expected.

Ballet 4: (Teacher recommendation) Level 4 is an introduction to advanced level work. Dancers must consistently demonstrate an ability to apply ballet fundamentals and technique to center and cross floor combinations and choreography in order to participate in this class. While continuing to build upon the skills taught in the intermediate levels, more attention is given to body lines, epaulment, and style. Dancers perform longer and more difficult center floor combinations that include multiple turns, batterie in jumps, and directional changes. This class is also designed to increase the dancers’ overall strength and flexibility.

Level 4/5: (Teacher recommendation) Level 4/5 continues instruction on advanced ballet concepts that were introduced in Level 4. Dancers are challenged and introduced to differences in various ballet methods (Vaganova, Cecchetti, French, Balanchine, etc.). An ability to pick up combinations and choreography quickly is required in this level.

Pointe 1 (Age 11 and up, audition required): Pointe 1 is a beginning introduction to pointe work for the serious advanced ballet dancer. Dancers must be a minimum of 11 years old and enrolled in a level 4 or higher ballet technique class. Placement into this class is through invitation and audition only. Dancers are required to take multiple ballet classes during the week to increase strength and muscle memory. Dancers will learn the fundamentals of pointe work and pointe shoes through many barre and some center and cross floor exercises. Dancers will work to increase their strength and stamina throughout the class.

Pointe 2 (Teacher recommendation): This class is a continuation of the skills and concepts taught in Pointe 1. Dancers must be enrolled in a level 4/5 ballet technique class and are required to attend multiple classes each week. Placement into this class is through invitation only. Dancers will continue exercises at the barre to strengthen and train the ankles and feet. They will also perform longer and more difficult combinations center and cross floor.

Pointe 3 (Teacher recommendation): Pointe 3 is an intermediate/advanced level class. Dancers are expected to have mastered the concepts and skills taught in levels 1 and 2. Dancers must be enrolled in Level 5 ballet and are required to take additional ballet classes throughout the week.