LOWER SCHOOL
Our Lower School provides instruction specifically tailored to the special needs of young developing dancers, ages 3 to 12 years. Classes introduce students to skills necessary for classical ballet training. Gentle discipline and encouragement are combined to nurture each child’s natural creativity. Terminology and basic technique are gradually introduced. Students are made aware that movement is a gift from the Lord and can be used to bring Him glory. Positive group relationships are encouraged through a brief prayer before each class. Class placement for the lower school is generally according to age based on the birthdate cut-off of September 1st.
CREATIVE DANCE
· Students must be 3 years old by September 1st. Unless approved by the Lower School Director.
· 30 minute class once a week.
· A class specifically tailored for 3 year olds that introduces the alphabet of movement through creative expression.
. Skills are learned in their most basic form to initiate the process of building a solid foundation helpful in future dance study.
MOVEMENT
· Students must be 4 years old by September 1st. Unless approved by the Lower School Director
· 45 minute class once a week.
· A class specifically tailored for 4 year olds that introduces the alphabet of movement through creative expression. Following a class syllabus each week.
. Skills are learned in their most basic form to initiate the process of building a solid foundation helpful in future dance study.
PRE-BALLET
· Students must be 5 years old by September 1st. Unless approved by the Lower School Director.
· 45 minute class once a week.
· Uniquely designed for 5 year olds, the class provides an excellent foundation for students wanting to pursue the study of ballet. Following a class syllabus each week
. These classes are designed to help each child develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
. Exercises enhance flexibility, coordination, strength, and muscle tone.
. Introduction and experimentation with movement in various styles of music helps develop musicality, rhythm, and creativity.
Creative Dance
· Students must be 3 years old by September 1st. Unless approved by Miss Tasha, the Lower School director.
· 30 minute class once a week.
· A class specifically tailored for 3 year olds that introduces the alphabet of movement through creative expression. Skills are learned in their most basic form to initiate the process of building a solid foundation helpful in future dance study.
MOVEMENT
· Students must be 4 years old by September 1st.
· 45 minute class once a week.
· A class specifically tailored for 4 year olds that introduces the alphabet of movement through creative expression. Skills are learned in their most basic form to initiate the process of building a solid foundation helpful in future dance study.
PRE-BALLET
· Students must be 5 years old by September 1st.
· 45 minute class once a week.
· Uniquely designed for 5 year olds, the class provides an excellent foundation for students wanting to pursue the study of classical ballet, taking the special characteristics of this age level into consideration. These classes are designed to help each child develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. Exercises enhance flexibility, coordination, strength, and muscle tone. Introduction and experimentation with movement in various styles of music helps develop musicality, rhythm, and creativity.
BALLET I-A
· Students must be 6 years old by September 1st. Unless approved by Lower School Director.
· 1 hour class once a week.
· This class is tailored to the beginning dancer age 6 to 10 years old. Following a class syllabus each week, correct placement and body alignment are now of utmost importance.
. Barre work is introduced at this level, emphasizing a focus on class etiquette/structure.
. Flexibility becomes priority and students are encouraged to stretch at home.
BALLET I-B
· Approval is needed by the Lower School Director
· 1 hour class once a week.
· This is a follow-up class to Ballet I-A following a new class syllabus.
. The fundamentals of correct body placement and alignment are reinforced as well as musicality.
. Students are challenged with different combinations at barre and in center.
. Flexibility is of high priority and students are encouraged to stretch at home.
. Students will be apart of exams during the month of May to determine their grade level for the following ballet year.
BALLET I-C
· Approval is needed by the Lower School Director
· 1 hour 15 minute class once a week.
· This is a follow-up class to Ballet I-B following a new class syllabus.
. The fundamentals of correct body placement and alignment are reinforced as well as musicality.
. Students are challenged with different combinations at barre and in center.
. Flexibility is of high priority and students are encouraged to stretch at home.
. Students will be apart of exams during the month of May to determine their grade level for the following ballet year.
UPPER SCHOOL
Upper School consists of students ages 8 to adult, unless approved by the school directors. In order to help each student develop to their fullest potential as a dancer, students are placed according to their physical ability, level of commitment, attitude, and technical achievement. Based on these factors, a student may be moved up or down a level during the year, at the discretion of the school owner and school directors.
Advancement in the Upper School is based solely on technical ability and not on age or number of years in a specific level. Parents should instruct students to commit themselves to the discipline involved in the art of ballet. It is expected that students pay close attention to their teachers, applying all corrections given in class, and focus on what is asked of them. All classes will begin with prayer and school curriculum for that ballet year.
GRADE I
· For new students with approval from school director. This is the next step for students moving up from the Lower School.
· Navy blue leotard, classical pink ballet tights, and pink split sole ballet slippers are required.
· 1 hour and 15 minute classes 2 days a week.
. Students follow a class syllabus and are also introduced to non-syllabus classes.
GRADE II
· Student must pass the Grade I exam or be approved by school director in order to be in Grade II
· Navy blue leotard, classical pink ballet tights, and pink split sole ballet slippers are required.
· 1 hour and 30 minute classes 2 days a week.
. Students follow a class syllabus with non-syllabus class days incorporated throughout the week.
GRADE III
· Student must pass the Grade II exam or be approved by school director in order to be in Grade III.
· Maroon leotard, classical pink ballet tights, and pink split sole ballet slippers are required.
· 2 hour classes 3 days a week
. Students follow a class syllabus with non-syllabus class days incorporated throughout the week.
· Students have the opportunity to begin pointe work upon approval of instructor and school director.
GRADE IV
· Student must pass the Grade III exam in order to be in Grade IV.
· Black leotard, classical pink ballet tights, pink split sole ballet slippers, and pointe shoes (if applicable) are required.
· Dance 2-3 hours a day, 4-5 days a week.
. Students follow a class syllabus with non-syllabus class days incorporated throughout the week.
GRADE V
· Student must pass the Grade IV exam in order to be in Grade V.
· Black leotard, classical pink ballet tights, pink split sole ballet slippers, and pointe shoes are required.
· Dance 2-4 hours a day, 4-5 days a week.
GRADE VI
. Student must pass the Grade V exam in order to be in Grade VI.
. Black leotard, classical pink ballet tights, pink split sole ballet slippers, and pointe shoes are required.
. Dance 2-4 hours a day, 4-5 days a week.
POINTE
. Not all students will be permitted to start pointe. Eligibility is determined by the following:
1. Amount of natural stretch and bend of ankle.
2. When the foot is pointed, it needs to create a straight line from the knee to the tarsal arch.
3. Back, core and thigh muscles are strong enough to lift the body out of the hips and off the feet.
4. Knees completely straight on rise.
5. General body structure is aligned correctly to ensure proper body placement over the box of the shoe.
6. Students overall technical ability is advanced enough to begin pointe work.
. Each student is considered individually, according to this criteria. We are concerned with providing the best training for all our students, and must be conscientious when it comes to placing a student en pointe. Damage caused by attempting pointe work too early, can result in injury.
CONTEMPORARY
· Offered for levels III-VI
· Ballet class dress code with warmups over top may be worn.
adult ballet
. A class tailored for beginners ages 15 and up
. Learn the basics of ballet while getting a total body workout.
. Any color leotard and tights are encouraged, but other workout apparel is also acceptable. Ballet slippers are required.
. Dance 1 hour and 15 minutes, 1 day a week.