Class Descriptions

Primary Ballet 1, 2 & 3

Primary class instills the love of dance and allows for creative expression. Primary 1 is best for age 4 and beginner 5 year olds. Primary 2 is best for returning 5 year olds and those ages 6-7. Primary 3 is best for returning 7 year olds and new 8 year olds.

All primary classes meet for 45 minutes.

Beginner Ballet for Children

Beginner Ballet is an introduction to ballet for dancers ages 9-12 or for dancers transitioning from Primary to Ballet classes. Beginner Ballet focuses on basic ballet fundamentals to prepare students for Ballet 1. Students who are 8 with a ballet background may take this class with permission of the instructor.

Ballet 1

Ballet Level 1 introduces young students to proper alignment while starting to work on arm/head coordination with a concentration on smooth transitions throughout the exercises. This level is most appropriate for ages 9-12 with some dance/ballet experience. Students who are 8 years old should have a prior ballet background to enroll and will require permission from the instructor.

Ballet 2

A continuation of Ballet Level 1 for those moving towards more intermediate level work with development of complex movement patterns. This level is most appropriate for ages 12-13. Students who are 10-11 years old will be required to have a sufficient ballet background and will need to obtain the permission of the instructor to enroll.

Ballet 3

A continuation of Ballet 2 for intermediate level dancers. Musicality and quality of movement is emphasized as students develop strength, flexibility and stability. Further progression is expected with the coordination of head, arms, legs, and torso. This level is most appropriate for ages 12-13+ who have gained mastery of Ballet 2 skills. Students age 11 require technique at the intermediate ballet level as well as instructor permission to enroll. Beginners over the age 13 should enroll in either Adult & Teen Ballet or Ballet Technique and Stretch.

Ballet 4 (formally Level 3)

A continuation of Ballet 3 for intermediate and advanced dancers ages 14-adult. Musicality and quality of movement is emphasized along with increasing complex steps and combinations as students develop artistry and expression. 13 year old students who are at the intermediate/advanced level will require instructor permission to enroll. Beginner level students over the age of 13 should enroll in either Adult & Teen Ballet or Ballet Technique & Stretch.

Pre-Pointe

Pre-pointe is a strength and flexibility pointe preparation class for students who are almost ready to start pointe work. For this class, students should wear regular ballet slippers; no pointe or demi-pointe shoes are allowed except for Level 3 students who have cleared pointe assessment. This class is appropriate for Level 2 and 3 students. Permission from the instructor is necessary. In most cases, pre-pointe is a prerequisite to starting pointe work.

Pointe

Pointe is for intermediate and advanced students to develop the strength and alignment required for pointe work. Permission from the instructor is required.

Ballet Technique & Stretch Class (formerly Stretch & Drills)

Ballet Technique & Stretch Class is for students ages 12-adult. It is perfect for absolute beginners through professional dancers looking for a class to focus on improving turnout, extensions, alignment, ankle placement and feet (pointing toes), as well as strengthening and working on flexibility. Dancers from other genres are welcome! Class consists of 45 minutes of technique basics and drills at the barre (simple exercises to focus on technique as opposed to choreography/complicated patterns) and 15 minutes of targeted conditioning and stretching.

Ballet Technique & Stretch meets for 1 hour.

Adult & Teen Ballet

Adult & Teen Ballet is for students at the beginner or advanced beginner level who are 14+. Class is also appropriate for more advanced dancers looking to come back to dancing or for a class that focuses on the basics.

Adult & Teen Ballet meets for 1 hour.