Descriptions • Schedule & Uniforms

The following are basic descriptions of each class but are not all-inclusive. Each student is evaluated and placed by the Director to match skills and technique to the appropriate class. Registrations are accepted year-round as class sizes permit.

(meets once per week)

The goal is to develop listening and social skills and present preparatory work for Level I ballet classes. Kinderdance includes ballet floor stretches, rhythmic exercises, exercises to help enhance coordination and techniques which foster creative ideas and movement. This is intended to be a fun class. There is plenty of time for "serious ballet" when the children are a bit older.

(meets once per week)

This includes the proper stance and alignment, the basic positions of the feet and arms. It also includes demi plie, battement tendu, retire passe, rond de jambe, releve, and grand battement at the barre. In the centre, the class introduces chasse, echappe releve, simple glissade in four counts, simple pas de bouree, sautes in first and second, emboites and chaine tours.

(meets once per week)

This includes the proper stance and alignment, the basic positions of the feet and arms. It also includes demi plie, battement tendu, retire passe, rond de jambe, releve, and grand battement at the barre. In the centre, the class introduces chasse, echappe releve, simple glissade in four counts, simple pas de bouree, sautes in first and second, emboites and chaine tours.

(meets twice per week)

New technique includes the introduction of grand plie, battement glisse, simple fondu par terre, battement frappe, develop and simple stretches at the barre. Simple port de bras and head movements are introduced at the barre. Centre floor exercises are expanded to include temps lie, simple adage, simple waltz, glissade devant, derriere, dessuos, dessus, en avant and en arriere. Simple changements, echappe saute, assemble, jete and sissonne are presented. Greater use of the arms (port de bras) is introduced at this time. Simple tours, both en dehors and en dedans, begin at this level.

(meets twice per week, pointe class is an additional class)

New technique includes the introduction of grand plie, battement glisse, simple fondu par terre, battement frappe, develop and simple stretches at the barre. Simple port de bras and head movements are introduced at the barre. Centre floor exercises are expanded to include temps lie, simple adage, simple waltz, glissade devant, derriere, dessuos, dessus, en avant and en arriere. Simple changements, echappe saute, assemble, jete and sissonne are presented. Greater use of the arms (port de bras) is introduced at this time. Simple tours, both en dehors and en dedans, begin at this level.

(meets twice a week, pointe class is an additional class)

The Intermediate/Level C includes the above as well as introducing fondu (en l'air), double frappes, petit battement, rond de jambe en l'air, and more complex stretches and port de bras. Centre floor work becomes more involved with the introduction of complex port de bras and adage. Pirouettes are expanded to include turning in arabesque, attitude, and a la seconde. Simple batterie (beats) are introduced as well as grand allegro. Tours en manage (in a circle) are introduced.

(meets three times per week, pointe class additional)

At this level, the smooth coordination of head, arms and body movements at the barre and in the centre is emphasized. Mastery of complex adage, petit allegro, grand allegro and beat combinations is accentuated.

(meets once per week)

Teen/Adult ballet is a beginner class for older students. Because the students are older and therefore capable of greater concentration, the class incorporates the technique presented in the Level I & II and elementary levels.