 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
This is an introduction to ballet for young children. It teaches the basic steps, movements and positions. This level is taught using a combination of exercises, games and short dances. It also encourages lots of imagination on the part of the students. Children learn to have fun and experiment with movement. At this level, students combine ballet and worship dance into one forty-five minute class.
Primary
This is a one hour class and builds on the previous knowledge gained from Pre-Ballet and Pre-Primary. It focuses on more complex exercises and requires greater use of technique and presentation. Aspects such as posture, turnout of the legs and a flowing carriage of the arms are worked on in more depth. Performance ability is enhanced as students work on communicating with the audience. Again, ballet and worship dance are combined into one class.
Grade 1
This is a significant jump from the Primary level and requires increased technique, presentation and style. Students are also introduced to free movement and character dancing. Free movement is a relaxing, free flowing style of dance. Character dancing introduces students to dance styles from around the world. In Grade 1, they focus on the Hungarian style. Students build on their previous knowledge of ballet and are introduced to barre work. At this level, it is important that one class be reserved solely for ballet so students can focus on the technique needed for worship dance. As they progress with ballet, they will move to higher levels which will require extra classes, so that the level of technique they have achieved may be maintained and improved. Students in Grade 1 have now progressed to the level where they participate in two dance classes per week: one ballet class and one worship dance class.
Grade 2-Grade 5
In these grades dancers continue to progress through higher levels of technique and presentation. Through each grade, technique is built on previous knowledge and ability. The steps become more complex and require greater strength. Free movement and character dance present greater challenges as well. In Grade 3, students learn a Russian style of dancing and change to a Polish style in Grade 5. During Grade 5, girls who have appropriate strength and technique will begin pointe work.
Grades 2-5 require two ballet classes per week. Students also continue with a separate worship dance class. This incorporates more difficult steps, reflecting their work in ballet.
By Grade 2, students may participate in other types of technical classes besides ballet. Ballet is an extremely demanding form of dance and requires the dancer to be in excellent physical condition. Students 10 years of age or older are encouraged to participate in a stretch and strengthen class.
In Grade 3 there is an additional class offered to supplement the worship dance classes.
"Performance technique" includes elements of jazz, modern and other forms of dance. There is a special discount package available for students enrolled in all available classes.
Vocational levels
These are the professional ballet levels. They are extremely difficult and require great control, stamina, technique and presentation skills. For girls, there is an increased amount of pointe work. Boys require a great amount of strength and control to perform the difficult moves required. Depending on the level, students participate in at least three ballet classes a week. They are also encouraged to attend the stretch and strengthen classes offered so the strength needed for these levels is in place. Students continue with the worship dance class, and the performance technique class is again available but at a much harder level. An extra class is also offered for girls focusing specifically on pointe work.