Classes
What a dancer takes in a week
Every level takes ballet and contemporary. Each class has a teacher, a level and a length, and the schedule lists the times.
All levelsBallet technique
The core of the week: barre, center work, turns, jumps and traveling steps, taught in order, with live counts in the Foundation level.
Advanced and abovePointe and variations
Pointe work begins when a teacher says a dancer is ready, and not before. Advanced and Pre-professional dancers learn variations from the classical repertoire.
All levelsContemporary
Floor work, release and moving across the room. A second technique that changes how dancers use their ballet.
Foundation to Pre-professionalConditioning and repertoire
A conditioning class in the week, and repertoire classes where a level learns a piece to perform in the spring.
The ladder
Where each class sits
Ages are a guide. Teachers place every dancer at a placement visit, and move them up one level at a time.
- 01
Foundation
Ages 11 to 13SkillsBallet barre and center work in order
First contemporary and conditioning classes
Learning to rehearse: marking, spacing and counts
About seven hours of class a week
Moving upTeachers review every dancer in the spring and talk with the family first. A dancer moves up when class work is steady and the teachers agree.
- 02
Intermediate
Ages 12 to 15SkillsLonger ballet combinations at a steady pace
Turns, jumps and traveling steps
A first repertoire class, learning a short piece
About nine hours of class a week
Moving upThe same spring review, with a written note on what to work on. The family hears the decision in a letter in May.
- 03
Advanced
Ages 14 to 17SkillsPointe and variations, when a teacher says a dancer is ready
Contemporary technique and floor work
Rehearsing a piece for the spring performance
About twelve hours of class a week
Moving upTeachers look at technique, rehearsal habits and how a dancer works with the group, then meet the dancer and family together.
- 04
Pre-professional
Ages 15 to 18SkillsBallet every weekday, plus Saturday technique
Repertoire and audition-style classes
Time with the director on audition choices and a plan for the year
About fourteen hours of class a week
Moving upBy invitation, after a meeting between the teachers, the dancer and the family. It is the highest level here, and ages are a guide, not a rule.
Sample levels.
A first class
Dance a class at the level that fits
A placement visit is a class with our teachers and a talk with the director. We tell you the level in writing.