Lower School Courses

Pre-Ballet
Starting ballet early gives a child the best possible chance to develop coordination, balance and flexibility. Classes are designed to enhance a child's overall physical development. Music and imagery are used to encourage rhythmic skills, body awareness, expression and creativity.
Your child will develop gross and fine motor skills while learning musicality (interpretation, rhythm, timing) class etiquette, socialization skills (cooperation, self-control) counting, and directional awareness (left-right, forward-back, up-down). Basic ballet movements are introduced. There is no need for any prior dance background, as we welcome all to experience the joy of dancing.

Ballet 1 - 2
Children are introduced to basic ballet stretches and alignment. These classes introduce more structure, correct placement, and fundamental ballet movements. Children also learn how to follow instruction and class etiquette. They continue to develop strength, flexibility and focus before moving on to Ballet 3 in the Upper School.

Upper School Courses

Ballet 3
Dancers develop strength, coordination and flexibility through simple barre and center work. Emphasis is on correct posture, body placement, grace, focus and fun!

Ballet 4 - 6
These classes offer a stronger emphasis on technical vocabulary. The program stresses an accurate understanding of correct placement and execution. This training develops both flexibility and strength. Emphasis is on articulate footwork, allegro, and pirouettes.

Pointe
Pointe work is an exciting and essential part of a ballet student's training. Our students begin preparing for pointe work during Level 4, when they may add 30 minutes after their normal class time to pointe class. (If a student is not yet ready for pointe, then during this time they may work in ballet slippers to learn pointe technique and combinations, and to develop the strength they will need to dance on pointe.

Female dancers who are aspiring to dance on pointe should understand that a dancer is not placed on pointe according to age or previous training. Placement is based on the Director's evaluation of the ability, anatomical development, and strength of the dancer. Dancers need to take a minimum of two ballet technique classes for consideration to begin pointe work.