Class Descriptions

First Steps

Creative Movement (Age 3-4) Foster a love of dance in your little one’s life! Students will learn introductory ballet skills through the use of music, creative play, and learning small dance routines throughout the year. We’ll incorporate equipment into our lessons to help our students develop gross motor skills, coordination, and creativity. Your dancer will learn new skills every day, while reviewing steps we’ve learned before to strengthen muscle memory. Dancers taking this class will perform in our Spring Showcase

Discovering Dance (Age 5) & Pre-Ballet (Age 6) Students will learn basic ballet vocabulary through the use of exercises performed at the barre and across the floor. We will begin to focus on proper technique as we develop balance, coordination, and artistry. While there is no prerequisite for the class, dancers can expect a more rigorous lesson plan to ready them for our Progressive Ballet Program. Dancers taking this class will perform in our Spring Showcase.

Our Progressive Ballet Program

Ballet Level I (Grades 1-2) This class’ curriculum is designed to establish a solid foundation in ballet technique. Students will learn body placement, grow their knowledge of ballet vocabulary, and develop their flexibility and strength. Students progress from this level following a yearly evaluation. Dancers taking this class will perform in our Spring Showcase.

Ballet Level II (Grades 3-4) (Prerequisite Level I or director approval) Students continue to learn more complex ballet fundamentals and terminology while growing in strength, confidence, balance, and flexibility. We focus on precision of movement to ready them for Level 3. Students progress from this level following a yearly evaluation. Dancers taking this class will perform in our Spring Showcase.

Ballet & Ballet/Contemporary Technique Level III/IV (Grades 5-8)

Level 3 (Prerequisite Level II or director approval)

Level 4 (Prerequisite Level III or director approval)

This year, we plan to combine both our Level 3 and 4 dancers to ensure a large class size for choreography in our Spring Showcase. These groups are required to meet twice a week for 75 minutes each class. Students will be challenged with intricate combinations, more difficult vocabulary, and a further focus on precision and technical prowess. Our technique class will introduce contemporary ballet skills including floorwork. Level 4 dancers will be challenged to perform more complicated variations of skills and sequences. Students progress from this level following a yearly evaluation. Dancers taking these classes will perform one dance in our Spring Showcase

Ballet & Ballet/Contemporary Technique Level V+ (Grades 9-12)

(Prerequisite Level IV or director approval)

(Prerequisite level V or director approval)

This year, we plan to combine both our Level 5 and 6 dancers to ensure a large class size for choreography in our Spring Showcase. These groups are required to meet twice a week for 75 minutes each class. Students will focus on complicated turns, leaps, and petite allegro exercises. Our technique class will alternate between complex contemporary movements, and pointe training. Level 6 dancers will be challenged to perform more complicated variations of skills and sequences. Students progress from this level following a yearly evaluation. Dancers taking these classes will perform one dance in our Spring Showcase

Character/Variations Level V+ (Grades 9-12)

(Prerequisite Level IV or director approval)

(Prerequisite level V or director approval)

Students will learn variations from classical ballets including: Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Giselle. We will develop artistry and performance skills. During the second half of the season, students will learn solos to be performed individually in the Spring Showcase.

Pointe (Director approval required) Pointe work is for the most experienced dancers. When you have achieved top skills in Ballet, you will be allowed to go en pointe. This is intended for your safety and success.

Must be 13 years old or greater, so as not to stunt a dancer’s foot growth.
Must take at least two ballet classes a week and be in our Level 5 or greater, as a great deal of ballet technique is required to maintain the proper skills to dance en pointe.
Must pass instructor’s evaluation prior to going en pointe. This evaluation will assess your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Must go with the instructor for their first pair of Pointe shoes! A very special accomplishment!

Extra Curricular Opportunities

Jazz- This American dance style was developed from Ballet roots and Jazz music. We’ll explore new steps, turns, jumps, and leaps that we do not learn in Ballet. Our Jazz classes follow a progressive, leveled curriculum. Students progress from their level following a yearly evaluation. Classes will utilize traditional Jazz music with modern, age-appropriate songs.

Jazz Level I (Grades 1-2)