Classes
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
CLASSICAL BALLET
SMARTY PANTS DANCE & MUSIC, Ages 20 months - 3yr olds (We do take some from 18+ months)
This class has been specially designed for 20 months – 3yr olds who are not yet comfortable being in a class alone, each child is joined in the class by a parent or caregiver who will be the child’s “dancing partner”. Through movement exercises, games and other activities, the very young are introduced to the joy of creative movement in a fun, musical setting.The elements of creative movement will be introduced by sequence-related exercises; floor formations that teach children to remember their “place” in the room; movement exercises that emphasise straight legs and pointed feet, posture, placement, stretches and basic ballet concepts such as 1st position. Practice gross motor coordination and work on simple locomotion, enhancing the development of both their bodies and their minds!
LEVEL 1, FOUNDATION BALLET, Ages 4-7yr olds
Foundations of Ballet 1 bridges a student’s transition from 'Smarty Pants Dance and Music', into a more structured class environment. They are introduced to an increased level of formal training consisting of barre and centre work. The posture, placement and comportment of classical ballet will be emphasised. The practice exercises introduced at this level for alignment, flexibility, and coordination will develop a strong foundation of physical and cognitive understanding necessary for Classical Ballet training. 2nd position, plié, relevé and petite allegro will be introduced.
FOUNDATION LEVEL 2, Ages 8-9yr olds
Building on the foundation level 1, level 2 continues to work on posture, placement and classical ballet vocabulary. Increasing the child's knowledge and ability ready for level 3.
Requirement: Two ballet classes per week
LEVEL 3, Ages 10 and up
For students who have completed Foundations of Ballet 2 classes; new students entering Level 3 from another school are expected to be familiar with the posture,placement and comportment of classical ballet. Level 3 is the first year of dedicated vocational training. It builds upon the work mastered in the Foundations of Ballet 1 and 2 classes, reinforcing the basic elements of correct postural alignment, weight transitions, all of the small, medium and large poses of ballet, concluding with the basic steps of jumping (allegro). This very important level sets the foundations for all of the levels that follow, and is vital in establishing a firm base on which future training will be based.
Requirement: Two ballet classes per week, Pilate's and stretch.
LEVEL 4, Ages 11 and up
The range of basic steps is continued, with more emphasis on linking steps together, with more repetitions.There is added emphasis on the coordination of all of the parts of the body. The tempo for many basic steps is gradually increased.
Requirement: Two technique classes, one pointe classes, Pilate's and stretch per week.
LEVEL 5, Ages 12 and up
For students who have completed Level 4. Level 5 continues work on the basics of posture,transference of weight, with an increased use of the demi-pointe. At this level, pirouettes are introduced both en dedans and en dehors, after the preparatory work of Level 3 and 4. Level 5 also introduces the study of exercises on pointe for female students. The concept of beating the legs together in allegro, batterie is also begun at this level.
Requirement: Two technique classes, two pointe classes, Pilate's and stretch per week.
From level 5 students with potential in classical ballet are selected for an additional weekly ballet class.
LEVEL 6 INTERMEDIATE, Ages 13 and up
At this level students are prepared for the IDTA, ISTD & RAD Major examinations syllabus work.There is an increased emphasis in Level 6 of thorough knowledge of classical ballet vocabulary, anatomical knowledge & the physics of dance, secure placement of the legs and feet, turning both on the demi-pointe and en l’air in allegro steps and the flow of movement and port de bra from the various learned poses. Steps begin to be linked in more complex and expressive ways.
Requirement: Two technique classes, two pointe classes, Pilate's and stretch per week.
Examination entry - Majors
Once students have completed all of the levels they will be recommended for examination entry. Only those who have a strong technical ability will progress to classical ballet exams.Students who are training in modern jazz dance are expected to have completed all levels in ballet, but examinations in ballet are not compulsory.
MODERN JAZZ & TAP
FOUNDATION LEVEL 1, Ages 4-7yr olds
FOUNDATION LEVEL 2, Ages 8-9yr olds
LEVEL 3, Ages 10 and up
LEVEL 4, Ages 11 and up
LEVEL 5, Ages 12 and up
LEVEL 6 INTERMEDIATE, Ages 13 and up
At this level students are prepared for the IDTA, ISTD Major examinations syllabus work.There is an increased emphasis in Level 6 of thorough knowledge of modern jazz & tap vocabulary also the history of dance. Anatomical knowledge & the physics of dance, music theory & glossary. Steps begin to be linked in more complex and expressive ways. The young dancer should understand the 'Elements of Composition'.
