A Note About Proper Ballet Training
Ballet class is the training a student needs to maintain and improve his/her skills, or technique.
In the beginning years, it is sufficient for students to take one ballet class per week (train for one day per week). As students get older, their bodies and minds become stronger, enabling them to take on more challenging technique.
In order to acquire the level of skill (technique) that is needed for a student to advance, it is necessary to increase the number of classes taken per week.
The class structure listed below should clarify the requirements of proper ballet training so that parents and students can clearly understand the development of a student's training.
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Mother Goose Ballet Pre-Ballet Advanced Pre-Ballet |
\ \ Creative lessons to prepare the 3 ½ - 6 year old student / for structured ballet classes. / |
A Level classes: First 3 yrs. of structured training. Attend 1 class per week.
B level classes: Next level- technique becomes more challenging. Students should attend 2-3 classes per week.
C level classes: At this level students should take 3-4 classes per week in addition to their pointe classes.
Int/Adv- Professional- A minimum of 3 classes per week can maintain technique, but to continue to excel, students at this level should attend 5 or more ballet classes per week.
Pointe work is a serious endeavor and a student must be strong enough in body and mind before this training can be safely begun. A student must have attended 2-3 ballet classes per week for at least 2 years, and be about 12 years old, before pointe work can be considered. These are general guidelines to follow; each student is evaluated individually since every child develops at their own rate.
Students in B or C levels that choose not to take the number of classes needed to maintain and advance their technique will not advance to higher levels.
Students are welcomed and encouraged to attend lower level classes as additional training to build strength and technique.
Intermediate and Advanced pointe students are encouraged to take lower level technique classes en pointe, and to wear their pointe shoes for part of their own level technique class as well.
MotherGoose
Body awareness and discovery; individual attention; group interaction; accomplishment of dance skills; MOVEMENT - joyful, fun, and free! These are just some of the enthralling events these 3 ½ year olds delight in! Sometimes they are princes and princesses - animals, clouds, or snow flakes! Above all, they are encouraged to be their own dancing selves.
Pre-Ballet
The above type of class is continued with the 4½ and 5 year olds. The exercises and movement games are developed with gently expanding complexity and challenge. Preliminary ballet skills become more and more accessible to the students as they grow and develop over the year.
Advanced Pre-Ballet
At six years old or fast approaching, the students still love to engage their sense of play and imagination in the dance class., and creative, improvisational experiences are always part of the class. At the same time, many young dancers at this age can strike a stunning arabesque at the barre, present a tendue side at the sound of the words; and all can do their plies with rounded arms and turned-out toes. Their experiences in this class provide the students with strong and supportive preliminary skills and abilities that prepare them for the next level of training and growth, Beginning Ballet.
"A" level classes for the 6 ½ - 10 year old:
A1 Ballet
A1 Ballet breaks into the more traditional ballet class, gently incorporating discipline with a class structure of warm-ups, and very basic barre and center work.
A2 Ballet
A2 Ballet continues the structure of the beginning ballet class, but more is expected from the students as their attention span and physical strength develop. Rhythms, patterns, and expanded basic techniques are taught through repetitive combinations and musical awareness.
A3 Ballet
A3 Ballet and discipline on a stricter and more challenging level. Students at this level can begin to understand and learn about turn-out and correct body placement. The length and difficulty of barre work is increased, and center work becomes more complicated.
Classes for the Intermediate student:
B and C Level Ballet
Once a student has completed A3 Ballet, they are ready and
encouraged to take 2 ballet classes per week, eventually working up to 4
and 5 classes per week as their physical and mental capacities
increase. Ballet classes are now longer than an hour to accommodate a
full barre and center work. Students learn to be focused and to develop
a strong body awareness. Emphasis is placed on teaching the student how
to work on improving their technique safely and within their own body
placement.
Teen/Adult Basic Ballet
Ballet technique is beneficial to body, mind and spirit, and is the foundation of all other dance forms. This class, offered to teens and adults, introduces basic ballet technique to new students, and allows more experienced students to slow down and work on strengthening their own basics.
Ballet for the Advanced Student
Teenagers and adults who have achieved a high level of training, pre-professionals and professionals are welcome to attend the Int/Adv, Advanced and Advanced/Professional level classes offered at the Saugerties Ballet Center.
Pointe:
Pointe work is a very serious step in ballet training and it is extremely important for students to be technically and physically ready to avoid injury. Students are generally not allowed to go "en pointe" until they are about 12 years old. They must have been taking at least 2 ballet classes per week for at least 2 years to build the needed strength and technique to begin pointe work safely. Students at the Saugerties Ballet Center are evaluated at the end of the year as they approach the age to begin pointe work. They are told what areas of their body and technique are weak and need to be strengthened so they can focus on this during their regular classes.
Beginning Pointe
BEGINNING POINTE begins with an emphasis on foot strengthening exercises and alignment. A slow, thorough, and careful approach assures a safe and solid foundation that allows the student to be in control and at ease as she dances on pointe. Students are encouraged to take Beginning Pointe for a second year to augment their Intermediate Pointe studies.
Intermediate Pointe
INTERMEDIATE POINTE is for the student that has completed one or more years of beginning pointe. The technique is faster, more demanding and focus is on building stamina and skill.
Advanced Pointe
ADVANCED POINTE is for advanced students that have completed 2 or more years of pointe work. The technique is very fast and very demanding; students must have acquired the proper level of strength and ability to safely participate in this class.
Tap Dance:
Tap is taught in the traditional Broadway style, emphasizing the development of individual technique. The curriculum is a comprehensive program beginning with simple rhythms and moving systematically through to advanced complicated footwork. Children's classes include a jazz warm-up. The music is an eclectic mix from popular jazz to African beats to Broadway and movie tunes. Students have fun while learning rhythm, coordination and musicality.
Tap/Jazz 1 and 2
These classes, offered to students ages 6-9 begin with a jazz warm up to introduce movement and coordination to the entire body. The second half of class time is devoted to tap technique, teaching simple rhythms, dancing to the beat of the music and staying together as a group. Children learn to enjoy dance while learning the discipline of proper dance etiquette, manners and safety.
Tap/Jazz 3, 4 and 5
At these levels, offered to students ages 10-13, the jazz portion of the class gets incorporated into the tap dance and students begin to combine upper body styles with more complicated tap rhythms. Intermediate tap techniques increase the students' speed and stamina to allow them to perform with faster and more varied musical tempos. The waltz clog, soft shoe, shim sham and rhythm time steps are some of the routines that are introduced. Students are encouraged to practice regularly outside of the class.
Teen/Adult Tap
This class is geared toward learning a wide variety of tap steps and techniques. Unique combinations as well as traditional routines are put together to create a dance at the end of every class. The students can participate at their own level of ability. Whether students come for a great aerobic workout or to increase their dance vocabulary, it's fun for everyone!
Intermediate/Advanced Tap
Students must have experience in the broadway/theatre styles of tap dancing. This class follows a strict curriculum and each student is required to execute steps and routines clearly, rhythmically and with style. Included in the curriculum are various time steps, pull backs or pick ups, wings, and tap turns.
Modern Dance
This classical ballet technique class incorporates the elements and style of modern dance, using an eclectic mix of alternative music. Open to C level ballet students.
Creative Dance
Ages 8-11, Come play with us! This up beat class is aimed at broadening movement horizons and increasing spacial and physical awareness through the use of props, movement games, and diverse music. Dancers will have the opportunity to create and share individual and group dances. This class is suitable for dancers of any level. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and be prepared to let your creative side run wild!
