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.

Primary 1 & 2 meet for 45 minutes; Primary 3 meets for 1 hour.

Ballet Level 1

Ballet Level 1 introduces young beginners 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 8-10. Students who are 8 years old should have a prior ballet background to enroll; 9-10 year olds need no prior ballet experience (beginner 8 year olds should enroll in Primary 3).

Ballet 1 meets for 1 hour.

Ballet Level 2

A continuation of Ballet Level 1 for advanced beginners and those moving towards more intermediate level work with development of complex movement patterns. This level is most appropriate for ages 10-13. Students who are 10 years old should have a prior ballet. background to enroll; students 11-13 should be at the beginner or intermediate level (beginner 10 year olds should enroll in Ballet 1).

Ballet 2 meets for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Ballet Level 3

A continuation of Ballet Level 2 for intermediate/advanced 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 13+ who have gained mastery of Level 2 skills. Beginners over the age 13 should enroll in either Teen/Adult Ballet or Ballet Technique and 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 a 30 minute class for intermediate and advanced students to develop the strength and alignment required for pointe work. Permission from the instructor is necessary.

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.

Modern/Contemporary Dance

This class will focus on foundational elements of Modern dance such as fall and recovery, use of core, floor work, and personal somatic exploration. Then we use those principles in a contemporary performance practice that includes the athletics of Jazz and the control of Ballet. This class is for all levels and most appropriate for ages 12+.