BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CREATIVE DANCE: AGE 3
Creative dance is designed for children ready to be in class without a parent or care-giver and able to follow a teacher. The class introduces developmentally appropriate movement, music, number and rhythm in a playful structured way. This class runs in 8 week sessions during the year and 6 weeks in the summer with pre-registration required for each session, first come first served enrollment, class size limited. (forty-five minutes)

PRE-BALLET: AGE 4
Pre-ballet children learn pre-positions and develop coordination and balance with a variety of movement and turning patterns. Different instruments develop clarity of rhythm as well as listening skills. These children are old enough to dance in our June performance, usually with assistants. We require an adult care-giver to remain available in our waiting area, though not in the studio. Pre-registration required, first come first served enrollment, class size limited. (forty-five minutes)

BALLET ONE: AGE 5 AND 6
Children do a brief barre, including first and second positions, as well as exercises in flexibility and balance, and exploration of creative themes. The curriculum includes basic steps, including polka, chasse, jumping, turning, skipping, etc., and partner patterns. (fifty-five minutes)

BALLET TWO: AGE 7 TO 9
These young dancers are introduced to third, fourth and fifth positions, port de bras, the concept of turn-out, and musicality. We balance technical elements with expressiveness, as well as the joy in dancing and physical competence that comes with learning ballet.

BALLET THREE: AGE 9 TO 11
These children are ready to do a higher level of barre work, start linking steps, jumps and pirouettes in elementary classical form. Clarity of movement and musicality are increasingly important. Two classes a week are recommended. (class is one hour)

BALLET FOUR: AGE 11 AND UP
Dancers at this level range in age, depending on training and readiness for the more varied and advanced material of the class. Some dancers may be considered for pointe, which is a separate class, with its own requirements. Two classes a week recommended. (class is one hour and ten minutes)

BALLET FIVE/SIX:
Dancers are teens through adults, using a full vocabulary at the barre and in the center, including pointe. Adagio and allegro work increase in depth and complexity, and many different pirouettes, enchainments and jumps are introduced and explored. Musicality and artistry increase with the technical level of the dancers. Two classes per week are the minimum, with more recommended. (an hour and a half class)

POINTE ONE:
Introduction to pointe includes a barre using soft slippers, an introductory pointe barre and center work that develops with the strength and readiness of the dancers. Permission required for this class, and the minimum age is eleven.

POINTE TWO:
Upper level pointe, starting with a barre with soft slippers, including more advanced pointe barre and center. Permission required.