Tot Ballet and Tot Ballet/Tap
3-4 year olds
45 minutes
Our young ballet student is introduced in these classes to the joy of dance and movement through age appropriate stretching to begin class, introduction to French ballet terms and creative expression through dance/storytelling and tempo, shapes and speed of movement. If a Ballet/Tap class, then approximately a third of each class is an introduction to Tap dance including basic rhythm patterns.
Creative Ballet/Tap and Creative Ballet/Tap
4-5 year olds
45 minutes
This class explores both creative and physical expression, as well as introduction to ballet. The student gains awareness of music, rhythm and movement. Activities are designed to develop strength, coordination and creative thinking. If class is a Ballet/Tap class, then approximately a third of each class is an introduction to Tap dance-highlighting patterns, sounds and terminology.
Intro to Ballet and Intro to Ballet/Tap
5-7 year olds
45 minutes
The warm up period of class encourages socially appropriate behavior in a structured environment. There is an emphasis on the growing knowledge of French terms for ballet. Gross motor skills that challenge both left and right movement are encouraged. If a Ballet/Tap class, then approximately a third of each class is Tap work introducing shuffle, flaps and rhythmic marching. Many students are ready to begin work at the ballet barre by the end of the school year.
Ballet I
7-9 year olds
1 hour
This class emphasizes the development of classical ballet skills with a focus on proper placement and posture, alignment and coordination of port de bras with leg and footwork. Flash cards are incorporated into the classroom to assure proper learning techniques for movements and French ballet terms. Since ballet vocabulary is used in all dance forms, it is highly recommended that all youth division students take a ballet techniques class in addition to another dance discipline.
Ballet II and Ballet II-B
9-14 year olds and up
1 hour
In these levels, the student uses the barre for tradition ballet technique both facing the barre and with one hand on the barre to begin the understanding of arms coordinating with leg movement. Turns across the floor are introduced as well as small combinations of steps to encourage memory and retention. Ballet II-B acts as a bridge between the introductory movements of ballet and more advanced and challenging steps and concepts.
Ballet III
By placement
1 ½ hours
This is the first level of ballet that has a one and one half hour time period. The student is encouraged to warm up before the class begins to foster responsibility for the instrument of dance- the body. A comprehensive barre makes up at least half of each session. The introduction of steps that are more difficult, terms and combinations make for a challenge to the Ballet III student.
Ballet III-B
By placement
1 ½ hours
This level acts as a bridge between the upper levels of ballet at the Academy. The focus for these students is more than technique. The emphasis begins to be on the connection between class work and performance quality so that the students will excel with an understanding of musicality.
Ballet IV
By placement
1 ½ hours
Ballet IV begins to teach students that a “diverse student” develops into the greatest of dancers. Here each student begins to perfect the more difficult steps and combinations while remembering to perform them…beginning the transformation from the student to the dancer.
Ballet V
By placement
1 ½ hours
Ballet V is an advanced ballet class challenging proficient dancers to develop their versatility, stamina, and performance ability. Not only are the students perfecting the most difficult of steps and combinations, they are now able to dance and perform with grace and elegance!
Introduction to Pointe
By placement
45 minutes
This exciting class focuses on the education and instruction of proper technique for students in their first year of demi-pointe and/or pointe work. It is of equal importance for the student to understand body placement, changes in the feet, use of their shoes in the proper fashion, and adequate strength necessary to prevent injury for such a physically demanding class.
Pointe I
By placement
1 hour
Pointe I is a continuation of beginning level pointe work, emphasizing correct pointe technique and strength-building exercises while working to build the dancer's vocabulary and performance quality. Center floor work begins to take up a larger portion of each class.
Pointe II
By placement
1 hour
This class begins to introduce more physically demanding elements of pointe with the primary focus on center floor work. These students have already mastered the understanding of pointe and have the strength to work majority of the class without the barre.
Pointe III
By teacher placement
1 hour
Pointe III is an advanced class challenging proficient dancers to develop their versatility, stamina, and performance ability. Not only are the students perfecting the most difficult of steps and combinations, they are now able to dance and perform with grace and elegance!
Advanced Ballet Intensive
By invitation
1½ hours
This program focuses on providing our most dedicated students the chance to excel as ballerinas. Over the course of each school year the students may study with a variety of instructors who each bring a different emphasis. Classical variations will be taught.
