CLASSICAL BALLET CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

CLASSICAL BALLET

Pre-Primary Ballet (Ages 3-4)

The Pre-primary class is an introduction to dance by teaching basic ballet steps and ballet terminology through creative movement. Students meet once a week for 45 minutes. During class they experience the foundation of ballet, musical rhythms, preliminary spatial awareness, and coordination in a fun and creative environment. The child’s (and parent’s) first experience with dance should be a lasting, nurturing, and positive impression. Creativity and imagination is used within the class to teach the basics of ballet steps.

Primary Ballet (Ages 5-8)

Primary ballet is a continuation but more in depth of the pre-primary class. Taught once a week for 60 minutes, students develop preliminary ballet techniques that increase development of motor skills and coordination. Students continue to build strength through creative movement, learn more extensive musical rhythms, refine motor skills, and continue to explore artistic expression. Students learn and gain additional muscle memory within steps and are encouraged to demonstrate knowledge of terminology and how that connects to their movement and body. More ballet repertoire is learned and previous steps learned are expanded upon and refined. Additional body positions are learned and spatial awareness, structure of lines, and terminology are encouraged. 

Ballet 1 (Ages 8-9 or by placement)

Ballet 1 is a beginner ballet class that works on the foundations of technique and principle ballet steps. A 60 minute class once a week that works through the structure of a customary ballet class. This class emphasizes correct placement and posture; teaching the dancers to connect mind and body and awareness of this working simultaneously. Through working with a more comprehensive curriculum, dancers will continue to progress throughout the year on proper classroom etiquette and focus on their technique and body positions. 

Ballet 2/3 (by placement)

Ballet 2 and 3, dancers combine previous years classwork and progression for two, one and a half hour long classes a week. At this age and level dancers are encouraged to take their work more seriously, and understand a commitment to exemplary and admirable personal best with their dance. An emphasis in classical ballet technique, coordination, alignment and musicality is continued.This class is a preparation for pointe work and stamina, strength, and injury prevention is intertwined within the class to help prepare the dancers best for pointe work. A new sense of self-discipline is encouraged within the curriculum for this class and faculty works closer with the dancers at this level to build on each student's individual natural abilities. 

Ballet 4/5 (by placement)

Ballet 4 and 5 is a structured ballet technique class that places emphasis on the personal and level emendation of their technique and artistry. When dancers reach a certain level of strength, proper alignment, knowledge of body, and class etiquette they are placed into pointe work. There is a strong emphasis on coordination, muscle memory, anatomy, use of core, and injury prevention that is added onto their technique, artistry, and musicality that they have built and continue to improve upon from previous training. Placing attention on these elements prevents dancers from getting injured as they start beginning pointe work within the class. The class is structured to focus on pointe work and how to safely administer their bodies on pointe. This class also encourages a focus on working with different speeds, and clear accuracy with combinations and steps.

Ballet 6/7 (by placement)

Ballet 6 and 7 is an advanced technique class that combines all elements within ballet technique and artistry. This is where dancers work on the precise and small details in their technique, and growth of their own virtuosity within ballet technique. Dancers continue to expand and refine their alignment, strength, health of their bodies, and stamina. There is an attention to performing the more intricate combinations and steps that dancers learn to pick up on quickly. A more sense of responsibility is placed on the dancer to maintain and take care of their bodies and understanding of dance outside of our own studio. We encourage dancers at this age to pursue dance and what they have learned within the classroom and place it further into their lives.