Pre-Professional Ballet training

Our ballet curriculum is based in the Vaganova method, and builds the foundation for many other forms of dance technique. Students are taught a full ballet class beginning at the barre and finishing in the center. Ballet Levels 1 through 6 are designed for circular learning, where students can expect to be in each level for a minimum of two years. Ballet Levels 1 and 2 must take two ballet classes per week. Ballet Level 3 must take three ballet classes per week. Ballet Levels 4 must take 4 ballet classes per week. Ballet Levels 5 and 6 must take 5 ballet classes per week. 

Pre-pointe classes focus on strengthening the feet, calves, and ankles in preparation for pointe work in the future. Dancers are evaluated when ready to move to level 3, and will be invited to pointe only if they are physically ready. One Pre-pointe class per week is required for Levels 1 and 2.

Students build skill level in all aspects of Intermediate Pointe work through such steps as échappés, soussus, relevés, bourrées, multiple types of pirouettes, chainés, piqué turns, hops sur les pointe, sissonne, and Ballonnés sur les pointe.  In this manner, technical strength and aplomb continue their advancement to reach the advanced level of dancing sur les pointe. Dancers must take pointe class 2 times per week minimum.

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is an innovative body-conditioning and strengthening program that has been designed to enhance students' technique by focussing on training the muscle memory required in each exercise in all forms of dance. It is a unique training system using ballet-technique specific exercises to train skill acquisition in a graded and progressive manner from junior through to advanced levels. Dancers must take one PBT class weekly. Read More

Contemporary blends creative dance and artistry with athletic technique found in Jazz or Ballet. Classes integrate various traditional disciplines of modern dance foundations with current contemporary styles and fusion forms. These classes are for dancers who like creative challenges, connecting dance to other mediums, and physical challenges that require persistence and practice. Exercises focus on increasing flexibility and strength, total body connectivity, and creative problem solving. Dancers must take one contemporary class weekly. 

Modern dance is a highly expressive style of dance that challenges the structured dance technique of classical ballet. The focus of modern dance is expression, rather than following a rigid set of postures or technical positions that ballet dancers are trained in. Modern dance movements are considered freeform and fluid, and are often inspired by other dance styles—like African dance, ballet, and folk dance. Though modern dance technique is considered more relaxed and natural than ballet, it can require considerable core work and strength. Modern dancers often perform barefoot, in tight costumes that showcase the shapes of their bodies. Dancers must take one Modern class weekly.