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Class Scheduling and Placement
2023 - 2024 school year schedule starts August 28th
Class level is determined by ability & attention span. Age is a guideline. Some classes are by instructor approval only.
Don't see a class that works with your schedule? Visit our sister studio Flying Colors Dance for more options: www.flyingcolorsdance.com
Ballet Level Class Descriptions
Class level determined by ability & attention span. Age is a guideline. Some classes are by instructor approval only.
BALLET 1
Ages 3-5; exploratory movement discovering spatial and body-awareness, following directions, learning classroom expectations and ballet decorum, learning basic ballet vocabulary (feet & arm positions, basic movement names)
BALLET 2
Ages approx: 5 - 7. Dancers learn basic, elementary ballet movements, as the instructor teaches proper French vocabulary for the skills, defined in traditional order for ballet class. Elements of imaginative play, musical interpretation, as well as classroom discipline and order are incorporated. Class components include building coordination, strength and core muscles.
BALLET 3
Ages Approx: 7 - 12. Elements of imaginative play, musical interpretation, and classroom discipline and order are still incorporated while dancers begin to broaden ballet vocabulary. Class components include building strength and core muscles, elementary movements are defined, and flexibility and stretching are taught. Dancers are ready to apply corrections to their dance development, memorizing choreography, and are encouraged to practice outside of class.
BALLET 4
Ages Approx: 9 - 13. Advancement of learning and expanding curriculum content to include new moves and vocabulary, following the flow and decorum of a classical ballet class, focusing on technicality of body and spatial-awareness, learning to apply corrections and add arm structure to coordinate upper and lower body movement
BALLET 5
Ages approx: 12 - 15. Difficulty of skills and exercises increase, with added vocabulary of new skills and positions of the body. Guided note-taking and written skills are still an integral part when learning new vocabulary and refining technical skills. Dancers learn to describe movement by writing exercises in proper French vocabulary. Emphasis on barre and classroom etiquette is stressed in the maturing dancer. Spatial awareness and relationship to fellow dancers is taught. Dancers are encouraged to relate to their audience and are introduced to concepts furthering performance technique. Petit allegro expands from elementary jumps to include slightly more complex footwork. Pre-Pointe exercises are introduced. Preliminary pointework begins with 15-20 minutes at the barre in newly-awarded shoes, once dancers come of age, prove adequate technical training, and are checked by a podiatrist. Those not en pointe will continue pre-pointe exercises demi-flat.
BALLET 6
Age Approx: 12 and up. All dancers are en pointe. They have a broadened ballet vocabulary. Adagio combinations further test balance in skills formerly performed only at the barre. New leaps are incorporated into grande allegro as well as more complex petit allegro sections of class. An emphasis on timing and musicality is stressed during routine barre exercises. Technique at the barre is honed, and center-floor combinations and floor passes become more technical and fast-paced. Spatial awareness is key in dancing with others as well as knowing how to modify for varying amounts of performance space, and some partnering may be introduced. Note-taking of combinations and exercises becomes routine and independent from instructor guidance. Performance technique and polishing become a larger focus. Strengthening and conditioning become a focus in combination with ballet technique. Dancers are expected to independently apply corrections during class time, and stretch at home. A half hour of pointework is given, mostly at the barre. Dancers are carefully instructed and guided through two-handed barre exercises, learning to break in shoes and further develop muscles to support their body en pointe. Once stability and good-practice of body posture, balancing technique, and safe practice have been instilled, pointe dancers graduate to one-handed exercises. After extensive barre exercises and strengthening, elementary center-floor exercises are taught and repeated to gain confidence and instill good technique.
BALLET 7
Ages Approx: 14 and up. The difficulty of skills greatly increases, as ballet vocabulary further expands. Combinations increase in length and complexity. Variations are taught and expected to be remembered independently. Dancers are encouraged to find their inner creativity in expressive performance. Technical focus turns to pointe exercises, strengthening and further readying the body for pointe work centerfloor. Partnerwork increases, as dancers develop bodily-awareness in relationship to other dancers. While technique is still reinforced en demi-pointe at the barre, center-floor exercises graduate to pointework. Skills formerly executed only en demi-pointe are now executed en pointe. Adagio, petit allegro, across-the-floor combinations, variations, leaps, turns, and grande allegro combinations are given at a higher skill level. Performance technique and methodology is stressed, and personal style, creativity, and solo performances increase. Partnering en pointe occurs.
Beginner Ballet Tech.
Ages Approx: 12 and up. For the individual (beginner or returning dancer) who is wanting to build their dance experience in a mature context. Technique is taught with a focus on proper execution of basic exercises. The pace of the class progresses quickly, as basics are built upon progressively in a structured curriculum that older minds capture fairly quickly. Once barre and center-floor skills progress in vocabulary and dancers are ready for further complexity, competent dancers can be transferred to a leveled-class that appropriately suits developing capabilities.
