Classical Ballet
We offer classes from baby ballet to advanced levels starting from 18 months to adults. EXAMS Please click here for details about our EXAMS. Classes for ballet run on Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday; please see timetable below. Please read underneath our timetable for details on each class to find out what is involved within each level. Timetable Tuesday Barnwell Leisure Centre Ballet Technique (Level 2 and above attendance only) 18:30 - 19:30 PBT is an innovative programme for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet. This class helps our ballet dancers increase muscle memory, improve flexibility and strengthen technique. Using equipment such as fitness balls and flex bands students learn a range of exercises to compliment their regular ballet work. Wednesday Barnwell Leisure Centre Pre-ballet 3-5yrs 16:30 - 17:20 Primary Ballet 5-6yrs 17:30 - 18:20 Saturday Barnwell Leisure Centre Pre-ballet 3-5yrs 9:00 - 9:50 Primary Ballet 5-6yrs 10.00 - 10:50 Classical Ballet Level 1 (grade 1 & 2) 11.00 - 11:50 Classical Ballet Level 2 (grade 3 & 4) 12.00 - 12:50 Classical Ballet Level 3 (grade 5 & 6) 13.00 - 13:50 Classical Ballet Level 4 (grade 7 & 8) 14.00 - 15:00 Classical Ballet Level 5 (grade Adv 1 & Adv 2) 15.00 - 16:00 BABY BALLET For those little tots walking and able to understand simple instructions 18month- 4years. Using nursery rhymes and simple ballet tunes the little dancers will learn the very basic steps of ballet, positions and movements such as hops, skips, good toes & naughty toes and actions to music. Props are used for imagination and learning co-ordination. Uniform Any colour and style leotard/dress and ballet tights with ballet shoes to match your skin tone. PRE-BALLET The young dancers will be twinkling on their tip toes to familiar music they know and love, learning the basic techniques to classical ballet and dancing to storylines with occasional props to encourage their creative skills and imagination. The infants will start with some barre and centre work at the beginning of each class to increase their strength and improve placement and balance. They will then perform a dance scene taught to them, which will be a scenario from a well known story, such as Cinderella, and they will use their imagination and dancing skills to perform their character's role. This class is for all abilities and for children aged 3-5 or young beginners. The children have a chance to perform their dance pieces at our end of year show on stage and again in our bi-annual summer show. The dancers' aim in this class is to learn all the basics for preparation of Primary Ballet. Uniform Girls - Any colour choice ballet leotard with skirt, ballet socks with ballet shoes to match your skin tone. Boys - Shorts and T-shirt of any colour and black ballet shoes. PRIMARY BALLET This class is to prepare ballerinas for their Level 1 exam class. Still keeping the fun essence in the class for their age such as imaginative acting an dancing, the ballerinas will have more concentration on their feet and leg alignments in this class. Exercises are specific designed to strengthen and improve the dancers posture so that they can are able to correctly place themselves for the exam grades. No exam will be placed at this stage however once ready to move onto Grade 1 they will receive a certificate of achievement for completing their Primary. We believe that the correct technique needs to be taught straight from a young age to give the dancers a chance to make a career as a professional dancer, if they choose to. Dancers will only be put through to the exam at the teacher’s discretion when the dancer is technically ready. It is important not to rush the children at this stage as this will affect their physical results. Uniform Girls - Light Blue leotard with skirt and ballet socks, ballet shoes to match your skin tone. Boys - Navy blue shorts, Light blue plain t-shirt, black ballet shoes and white ballet socks. CLASSICAL BALLET LEVEL 1 (GRADE 1 & 2) This class is the beginning of your child becoming a professional dancer. Two grades are implemented into our exams so we cover more syllabus work in our classes. Dancers will start by learning basic pirouettes, arabesques, pas de chats and many more. This is the most important class for your child to understand ballet and for them to improve to the next level. The class starts with our syllabus barre work and centre work, following through to travelling and Allegro. They are taught their exam dance which will be performed solo at the end of their exam. We believe that the correct technique needs to be taught straight from a young age to give the dancers a chance to make a career as a professional dancer, if they choose to. Dancers will only be put through to the exam at the teacher’s discretion when the dancer is technically ready. It is important not to rush the children at this stage as this will affect their physical results. Uniform Girls - Pink leotard with skirt and ballet shoes and ballet socks to match your skin tone. Boys - Navy blue shorts, white plain t-shirt, black ballet shoes and white ballet socks. CLASSICAL BALLET LEVEL 2 (GRADE 3 & 4) Balance and structure of positions are corrected for the dancers to gain strength in the correct muscles. Learning new repertoire at this stage is the most important thing. More complex moves are introduced with both levels 2 & 3. Uniform Girls - Lilac leotard with skirt and ballet shoes with ballet socks or tights to match your skin tone. Boys - Black shorts, white plain t-shirt, white ballet shoes and white ballet socks. CLASSICAL BALLET LEVEL 3 (GRADE 5 & 6) The class involves a more complex syllabus including movement such as Attitudes, Jetes and high legged developes and arabesques all above 90°. Students will need to be able to hold their posture securely throughout and co-ordination of arms and legs must be fluent. This class is not only about learning the next steps but developing the dancer’s technique, strength, turn out and control. By this stage you should be able to perform an exam piece alone with high ability and elegance. Uniform Girls - Navy blue leotard with ballet tights and canvas ballet split sole shoes to match your skin tone. Boys - Navy blue stirrup tights, white short sleeved/sleeveless leotard and white ballet shoes with white ballet socks. CLASSICAL BALLET LEVEL 4 (GRADE 7) This class is the beginning of pointe work but only at the teacher’s discretion will you be allowed to start pointe work. This class is for more advanced dancers and all new moves learnt are aiming towards becoming a professional ballerina. We only offer this class as one grade due to the complexity and work to cover. This class introduces pointe work at the beginners’ level. All students are required to perform articulated footwork and secure use of legs, demonstrate line and placement of arms and body, developing a sense of performance and artistry and working towards strong pirouettes and elevation. We recommend that dancers take two classes a week at this level to be ready for the exam. Uniform Girls - Burgundy leotard with ballet tights and canvas ballet split sole shoes to match your skin tone. Pointe shoes for beginners to match your skin tone (at discretion). Boys - Navy blue stirrup tights, white short sleeved/sleeveless leotard and white ballet split shoes with white ballet socks. CLASSICAL BALLET LEVEL 5 (GRADE 8) Dancers will learn how to pirouette on pointe and show a full repertoire of pointe work. Pointe work will be at an intermediate level before the exams can be taken. Higher allegro work involved especially for male dancers. It is crucial that technique is correct before advancing. Exams will involve more pointe work repertoire and a vast amount of complex allegro and adage. Uniform Girls - Black leotard with ballet tights and canvas ballet split sole shoes/demi pointes and pointe shoes (at discretion) to match your skin tone. Boys - Black stirrup tights, black/white short sleeved/sleeveless leotard and black ballet split shoes. ADVANCED CLASSICAL BALLET Students at this stage should be around the ages of 17 + and at a professional standard. This class does involve an exam and those who wish to take their dancing further as a career will have our support and advise to audition to a professional full time dance school in which they can obtain their A levels and a Degree which will lead them to a professional career. The advanced class is about developing pointe work to a professional level and increases your vocabulary and strength in all areas. Pa de deux will be introduced which is male and female partner work. Complex ballet pieces will be taught to the highest level and you will be expected to perform your chosen piece in your final exam. Students at this level are required to attend at least 3 times a week to keep up the strength for this level. Uniform Girls - Any leotard choice with ballet tights and demi pointes and pointe shoes to match your skin tone Boys - Any colour choice and clothing desired with ballet split shoes Support and advice will be given to dancers who wish to pursue Classical Ballet or any other styles of dance as a career. Ballet is the base of all dance styles and with it you can achieve anything. With any professional performance school, having a highly trained ballet background is important not only to obtain a position within the school but to achieve your highest potential in your success. |
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