Ballet

Ballet A (ages 6-8)

Foundations for Ballet A bridges a students transition from the Children’s Program into a more structured class environment. They are introduced to a higher level of formal training consisting of barre and centre work. Posture, placement, precise technique and comportment of classical ballet will be emphasized. The exercises introduced at this level focus on alignment, flexibility, and coordination to develop a strong foundation of physical and cognitive understanding necessary for Classical Ballet training. Pantomime is added as a creative enhancement to the dancers Classical training.

Ballet B (ages 7-9)

Ballet B continues to enhance the techniques emphasized in Ballet A. Posture, placement and comportment are stressed while expanding the students vocabulary. The students keep a journal with the correct terminology, spelling and definition of each of the exercises presented at the barre and centre work. Patterns and combinations increase in intensity and there is more focus on balance, flexibility and agility. Technique continues to be emphasized as new steps are introduced. Pantomime is enhanced and expanded upon by developing and encouraging students to perform story telling ballets. This is a 2-3 year course.

Ballet 1

Ballet 1 is a two year course that underscores the seriousness of a child’s commitment to study and progress in the Art of Ballet. This class focuses on building a solid Ballet Technique with an emphasis on proper body placement to ensure safe execution as the skill levels advance. Ballet 1 is much more structured and intense. It is the first time young aspiring dancers are made to understand the dedication necessary to achieve their goals bearing in mind that BALLET IS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL DANCE GENRE.

We require an interview with the student and parent to determine if the child is technically AND mentally prepared for this challenge. It is a big step requiring 2 – 3 classes per week. Students who are ready must comply with comportment, dress code and regular attendance policies.

Ballet (Level 2-5) Program

This curriculum encourages and empowers the student towards artistic expression while emphasizing technique, musicality, balance, stamina and strength. Step by step the curriculum provides age-appropriate progressions that work cohesively with the development of the young dancers body. Level 2 is when a dancer is carefully evaluated for pointe work. Imbedded in classical tradition the curriculum is derived from the French, Russian, and Italian systems of training that has been adopted around the world by professional schools. This syllabus prepares the dancer to continue to pursue dance as a professional or a gifted viewer. The dancer is expected to be taking 4-8 classes a week to qualify for these levels.

An audition/interview is required for level 2 and higher.

Pointe Program

The Student should have completed 3 years of intensive training, before attempting to dance on pointe. Our Pointe classes teach advanced students the classical ballet techniques involved in pointe work, in which a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet within pointe shoes. A dancer is said to be en pointe when the dancer’s body is supported in this manner, and a fully extended vertical foot is said to be en pointe when touching the floor, even when not bearing weight. Pointe work is performed while wearing pointe shoes, which employ structural reinforcing to distribute the dancer’s weight load throughout the foot, thus reducing the load on the toes enough to enable the dancer to support all body weight on fully vertical feet. All dancers must be assessed before going on pointe.

Beginning Pointe is for the dancer to prepare and strengthen the body, with very specific exercises, before going on pointe. When the dancer is ready for pointe work this class is designed to help the dancer to slowly acclimate to wearing their pointe shoes. As the student gains strength, she begins to perform a wider range of movements on pointe. Eventually, she will learn to perform on pointe almost all movements in Classical Ballet.