PRE-BALLET

Students must have 1-2 years of dance training (from 6 years old)

This level is designed specifically for six-year-olds to help make a smooth transition from the pre-school quality of Creative Dance to Ballet. We will continue some of the same activities from Creative Dance but will add introductory ballet concepts. Students will learn a few French words from ballet vocabulary, positions of the feet and arms, tendu, and other ballet basics.

BALLET I

Students must have 2-3 years of dance training

In this level students will begin to learn basic concepts of ballet technique such as turn out, proper alignment, and barre work. We combine these essentials with exercises in movement quality, rhythm, tempo, balance, and coordination. The children learn basic steps including polka, chasse, saute, turning, skipping, hopping and partner patterns. We emphasize the understanding of how music works with dance.

BALLET II

Students must have 3-4 years of dance training

In this level, students will begin to develop more ballet technique and less creative dance material. More positions are taught; ballet vocabulary is increased, with a longer barre and beginning work on crossed positions. Many new steps and patterns are learned, as well as combinations of elements. Musicality becomes increasingly important in dancing at this stage. We continually work to balance technical elements, with expressiveness and joy in dancing.

BALLET III-IV

Students must have 4-5 years of dance training

In these levels, the student will begin to study ballet technique exclusively. The first half of class is spent working at the barre. The second half of class is for working in the center and across the floor. We begin exploring pirouettes and an increasing vocabulary of jumps and connecting steps. The dancers work on the quality of movement, musicality, and clarity of form. Students will work on developing muscles carefully and safely to support their technique. A student will need to build up "muscle memory" by taking ballet classes several days a week.

BALLET V-VI

Students must have 5-6 years of training & up

In these levels, students will continue to study ballet technique with a strong emphasis on understanding anatomical concepts and how to work best and most safely within their own bodies. Students will be expected to know ballet vocabulary and use it as communication. Dancers should be able to maintain their turnout and have strong ankles and feet in preparation for pre-pointe and pointe work. Steps will increase in difficulty and combinations will grow in length and complexity. Adagio, multiple pirouettes, grand allegro (leaps) and petite allegro will be introduced and increase in difficulty.

* Classes are subject to change or be canceled based on studio enrollment and teacher requirements. Enrolled participants of changed or canceled classes will be provided with alternative class options.