Placement of students is governed by individual potential and technical proficiency, not entirely by the age or the amount of previous training. All students are carefully placed in the class that fits to their level of technique. The placement is decided with a child’s best interest and advancement in mind. During the year if a student shows exceptional progress, he/she may be promoted to a higher level. This promotion will be at the discretion of the director.
BALLET 1, 2, 3 Children learn basic ballet vocabulary and ballet etiquette. In addition to basic ballet steps, folk dance steps are taught with an emphasis on musicality. Children listen to and dance to the music of the classic ballets. They learn the stories of such ballets as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia and Nutcracker.
BALLET 4 Children at this level perform basic ballet barre and center floor exercises. Students learn correct placement of the body and positions of the arms, hands and feet. Children work on special stretching exercises for flexibility and jumping steps for stamina and strength.
BALLET 5 Students focus on the coordination of the whole body. More complex exercises at the barre and center challenge the mind as well as the body. Students with at least two years of training and strong ankles and feet have the opportunity to take Pre-Pointe or Pointe classes.
BALLET 6, 7, 8 All aspects of the student’s training are refined and reinforced. The focus is on strengthening, stability, balance and aplomb in adage and allegro movements. Students learn Pointe Variations from such ballets as Swan Lake, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker.