Classical Ballet Curriculum & Dress Code Storybook Pre-Ballet Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7-8 Ballet A & B
Ballet is a skill-based art form, and placement is based on a dancer’s ability above all other considerations. Arts Ballet strives to place dancers in the optimal level for their progression. Class placement is at the discretion of the instructors.
Young Dancers Program - Early Childhood Movement and Music Storybook Ballet: Ages 3 to 5 – Preschoolers – 45 minute class
The structure of a classroom environment is introduced and the children learn to take simple direction from the teacher. Children become familiar with parts of the body, dancing in a circle, and the five parts of our class routine. Musicality and rhythm are taught through clapping, singing, and improvising to music. Imagination, pantomime, rhymes, and storytelling are used to help the children’s responses to music and movement. Basic movement themes and gross- motor skills such as jumping, balletic runs and walks, spinning, skipping, and galloping are explored as an introduction to classical ballet steps.
Storybook Ballet is offered on Tuesday from 3:30-4:15 p.m. and Wednesday from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Young dancers usually take one of the classes but are welcome to take both for enrichment and extra practice.
• Additional Class Options for Dancers Ages 3-4: o Monday: Creative Jazz, Tap, and Acting from 3:30-4:15 Dress Code – Storybook Ballet Girls: lavender leotard, no skirt, pink tights and black ballet shoes with elastic. Boys: white t-shirt, black shorts or leggings, white socks, black ballet shoes.
Young Dancers Program - Early Childhood Movement and Music Pre-Ballet A & B: Ages 5 to 7 – 1 hour class
Progressing from Storybook Ballet, children explore more basic ballet vocabulary, increasing complexity in patterning, and longer ballet combinations. Basic movement themes such as stretching, jumping, balletic runs -walks, spinning and skipping are explored as an introduction to classical ballet. Students continue to work as a group and with partners to facilitate a sense of teamwork. Expression, creativity, and musical awareness are taught through guided and free
movement, pantomime, and storytelling.
In Pre-Ballet B (and into Level 1a), movements learned previously are given more complexity with the addition of skips forward, backward and simple jump combinations. Coordination and control of the body, arms, hands and head are improved.
Pre-Ballet A is offered Thursday from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Pre-Ballet B is offered Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Additional Class Options for Dancers Ages 5-6: o Tuesday: Pre-Jazz, Tap, and Acting from 4:30-5:15 • Additional Class Options for Dancers Age 7: o Monday: Musical Theater 1: Voice & Choreography from 4:15-5:15 o Monday: Jazz & Acting 1 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. OR Tuesday: Pre-Jazz, Tap, and Acting from 4:30-5:15 p.m. o Tuesday: Family Yoga from 6:30-7:30 p.m. o Thursday: Open Dance Expression from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Dress Code – Pre-Ballet A & B Girls: pink leotard with no skirt, pink tights and black ballet shoes with elastic.
Classical Ballet Curriculum & Dress Code Storybook Pre-Ballet Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7-8 Ballet A & B
Boys: white t-shirt, black shorts or leggings, white socks, black ballet shoes with elastic.
Level-Based Classical Ballet Program Sky Blue Ballet – Level 1a & Level 1b Ages 7-11
Level 1 introduces students to beginning barre work in order to develop proper alignment and classical technique. Students continue to work on traveling steps with an introduction to grand allegro. At this level an emphasis is placed on slow, precise foundational ballet exercises and beginning turns, jumps, and linking steps. Character work and free movement study provide students with an avenue for self-expression and artistry. Students are expected to show awareness of basic technique and musicality. Level 1 students develop the ability to retain basic movement combinations and repeat them to gain strength and skill.
Sky Blue Ballet – Level 1a Required Core: 1 hour of ballet/week Ballet Level 1a on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Additional Class Options for Level 1a Dancers: o Monday: Musical Theater 1: Voice & Choreography from 4:15-5:15 o Monday: Jazz & Acting 1 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. (ages 7-9) OR Tuesday: Pre-Jazz, Tap, and Acting from 4:30-5:15 p.m. (ages 5-7) o Tuesday: Contemporary/Modern 1 after their ballet class from 5:30-6:30 p.m. o Tuesday: Family Yoga from 6:30-7:30 p.m. o Thursday: Open Dance Expression from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Sky Blue Ballet – Level 1b Required Core: 2 hours of ballet/week (Contemporary/Modern 1 is also recommended) Ballet Level 1b on Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Ballet Level 1b on Thursday from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Additional Class Options for Level 1b Dancers: o Monday: Musical Theater 1: Voice & Choreography from 4:15-5:15 o Monday: Jazz & Acting 1 from 5:15-6:15 o Tuesday: Contemporary/Modern 1 before their ballet class from 5:30-6:30 p.m. o Tuesday: Family Yoga from 6:30-7:30 p.m. o Thursday: Open Dance Expression from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Friday: Ballet Kaleidoscope from 4:15-5:30 p.m. (offered in 6-week sessions, or as an enrollment) Dress Code – Sky Blue Ballet 1 Girls- light blue leotard, pink tights and black ballet shoes with elastic. Boys- white t-shirt, black shorts or leggings, white socks, black ballet shoes with elastic.
Classical Ballet Curriculum & Dress Code Storybook Pre-Ballet Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7-8 Ballet A & B
Level-Based Classical Ballet Program Cobalt Ballet – Level 2 Ages 8-12
Students at this level are given extended barre exercises with increasing demi-pointe work, stretching, and strengthening. Classical ballet lines should be established along with a new vocabulary for traveling steps, jumps, and pirouettes. The graceful use of arms and upper back builds on the free movement from the previous levels. Students at this level have a strong understanding of classical vocabulary and can now adequately demonstrate combinations with appropriate lines and musicality.
Required Core: 3 hours of ballet/week (Contemporary/Modern 2 is also recommended) Ballet Level 2/3a on Wednesday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. and Ballet Level 2 on Thursday from 5:30-7:00 p.m., which includes Pre-Pointe for the last half-hour of class.
• Additional Class Options for Level 2 Dancers: o Monday: Musical Theater Voice & Choreography . Level 1 –Ages 7-9 from 4:15-5:15 p.m. . Level 2 – Ages 10-12 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. o Monday: Jazz & Acting . Level 1 – Ages 7-9 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. . Level 2 – Ages 10-12 from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Tuesday: Family Yoga from 6:30-7:30 p.m. o Wednesday: Contemporary/Modern 2 after their ballet class from 6:15-7:30 p.m. o Thursday: Open Dance Expression from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Friday: Ballet Kaleidoscope from 4:15-5:30 p.m. (offered in 6-week sessions, or as an enrollment) Dress Code – Cobalt Ballet 2 Girls- cobalt/royal blue leotard, pink footed or convertible tights and pink canvas ballet shoes. Boys- white t-shirt, black shorts or leggings, white socks, black full sole ballet shoes with elastic.
Classical Ballet Curriculum & Dress Code Storybook Pre-Ballet Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7-8 Ballet A & B
Level-Based Classical Ballet Program Mint Ballet – Level 3a & Level 3b Ages 10+
Students continue to build their ballet vocabulary with a new set of specific exercises at the barre and in the center. At this level an emphasis is placed on detail and artistry, increasing stamina, concentration, discipline, and phrasing. Dancers will learn to communicate expression and feeling in their movement. Dancers MUST attend 3-4 classes per week to insure the proper strengthening in preparation for pointe shoes.
Mint Ballet – Level 3a Required Core: 3.25 hours of ballet/week (Contemporary/Modern 2 is also recommended) Ballet Level 2/3a on Wednesday from 4:30-6:00 p.m. and Ballet Level 3/4 on Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., which includes Pre-Pointe/Pointe for the first half-hour of class.
• Additional Class Options for Level 3a Dancers: o Monday: Jazz & Acting Level 2 – Ages 10-12 from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Monday: Musical Theater Voice & Choreography Level 2 – Ages 10-12 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. o Tuesday: Family Yoga from 6:30-7:30 p.m. o Wednesday: Contemporary/Modern 2 after their ballet class from 6:15-7:30 p.m. o Thursday: Open Dance Expression from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Friday: Ballet Kaleidoscope from 4:15-5:30 p.m. (offered in 6-week sessions, or as an enrollment) Mint Ballet – Level 3b Required Core: 3.5 hours of ballet/week (Contemporary/Modern 3 is also recommended) Ballet Level 3b/4 on Wednesday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and Ballet Level 3/4 on Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., which includes Pre-Pointe/Pointe for the first half-hour of class.
• Additional Class Options for Level 3b Dancers: o Monday: Jazz & Acting Level 2 – Ages 10-12 from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Monday: Musical Theater Voice & Choreography Level 2 – Ages 10-12 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. o Tuesday: Family Yoga from 6:30-7:30 p.m. o Wednesday: Contemporary/Modern 3 before their ballet class from 4:45-6:15 p.m. o Thursday: Open Dance Expression from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Friday: Ballet Kaleidoscope from 4:15-5:30 p.m. (offered in 6-week sessions, or as an enrollment) o Saturday: EVSPA Ballet Classes for Levels 3 Recommended Dress Code – Mint Ballet 3 Girls- mint or seafoam green leotard, white elastic belt, pink tights, pink canvas ballet shoes with ribbons for pre-pointe. Boys- white t-shirt, black tights/shorts/leggings , white socks, black ballet shoes.
Classical Ballet Curriculum & Dress Code Storybook Pre-Ballet Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7-8 Ballet A & B
Level-Based Classical Ballet Program Turquoise Ballet – Level 4 Ages 12+
Students who have progressed to pre-professional level now have an extensive ballet vocabulary. Because of their strong posture, and at the discretion of the teachers, students can now begin to train en pointe. At this level, articulate footwork and proper use of legwork is crucial. Class continues to improve the dancer’s spacial awareness and orientation of the body. Dancers continue to work on coordination of the whole body with the addition of fluidity, artistry, grace, and musicality. Added steps include multiple pirouettes and beating jumps. Students at this level are required to attend 3 to 5 classes per week in order to maintain the strength needed for dancing en pointe.
Required Core: 3.5 hours of ballet and 1.5 hours of Contemporary/Modern 3 each week Contemporary/Modern 3 on Wednesday from 4:45-6:15 p.m. Ballet Level 3b/4 on Wednesday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and Ballet Level 3/4 on Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., which includes Pre-Pointe/Pointe for the first half-hour of class.
• Additional Class Options for Level 4 Dancers: o Monday: Jazz & Acting Level 2 – Ages 10-12 from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Monday: Musical Theater Voice & Choreography Level 2 – Ages 10-12 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. o Monday: EVSPA Level 3/4 Ballet Technique Class o Tuesday: Family Yoga from 6:30-7:30 p.m. o Thursday: Open Dance Expression from 4:15-5:15 p.m. o Friday: Ballet Kaleidoscope from 4:15-5:30 p.m. (offered in 6-week sessions, or as an enrollment) o Saturday: EVSPA Saturday Ballet Classes for Levels 3/4 Recommended Dress Code – Turquoise Ballet 4 Girls: Turquoise or Teal leotard, black elastic belt, tights, ballet shoes, pointe shoes. Boys: White t-shirt, black tights/shorts/leggings, white socks, black ballet shoes.
Advanced Ballet – Levels 5 -8 – Pre-Professional Ages 14+
Students at this level have a vast knowledge of classical ballet vocabulary and have passed the previous levels. Having achieved this high standard students are now working on advanced curriculum. Pirouettes in open positions, batterie, and extended combinations on pointe are now included in class work. Refining technique continues to challenge as students are now expected to perform at a pre-professional and professional level. As such, the endurance needed to maintain that standard requires students to attend no fewer than 5 classes per week. These levels will be added to Arts Ballet offerings as our school grows and our students become ready for these challenging classes.