The Advanced Division builds on the foundations of the Children’s and Student Divisions. While the work is harder, the same caring and careful instruction prepares the dancer to continue on to our Professional Training Program, or to a lifetime love of dance.  The Advanced Division consists of Student Ballet 5, Student Ballet 5+, Student Ballet 6+, and the Professional Training Program. At this point, there is no longer any differentiation between the general classes and the PLUS classes—they are all PLUS classes.  See our Class Descriptions Page for more details or contact Lisa de Ravel, Dean of Students, for information on placement.  See Right Sidebar to Download all Registration Materials.

Student Ballet 5

Student 5 is a twice weekly class available to students with many years of ballet training, solid in their basic technique, and ready to start working on more complicated combinations. This class focuses on retaining clean technique while enjoying moving into the advanced phase of vocabulary and combining of steps. This class is for the general student aiming towards dance as a recreational part of her/his life, or towards a possible career in dance forms other than ballet.

Student Ballet 5 PLUS

Student Ballet 5+ continues to work on integrating energy and strength into movement. The level of difficulty throughout the class greatly increases, from the height and rotation of the legs to the number of turns and refinement of the turning position as well as the presentation, power and beating of the jumps. The students are expected to present and maintain a higher degree of proper line and placement as they move throughout the class.

Dancers at this level are expected to grasp advanced concepts and discern and apply corrections quickly. As well as maintaining a high level of weekly class attendance, students of this level must work very hard physically while staying extremely focused mentally throughout the class. Dancers are allowed one to three years in either of these levels to achieve these goals, depending on their individual ability, attendance, and work.

Student Ballet 6 PLUS

Student Ballet 6+ continues to work on integrating energy and strength into movement. The level of difficulty throughout the class greatly increases, from the height and rotation of the legs to the number of turns and refinement of the turning position as well as the presentation, power and beating of the jumps. The students are expected to present and maintain a higher degree of proper line and placement as they move throughout the class.

Dancers at this level are expected to grasp advanced concepts and discern and apply corrections quickly. As well as maintaining a high level of weekly class attendance, students of this level must work very hard physically while staying extremely focused mentally throughout the class. Dancers are allowed one to three years in either of these levels to achieve these goals, depending on their individual ability, attendance, and work.

Professional Training Program/ARB Workshop

The Professional Training Program is for high school students wishing to pursue a career in dance.  Through its performance wing, the American Repertory Ballet Workshop, students gain experience through increased performance opportunities.

Rider University Dance Program Partnership

Rider University/Princeton Ballet School Dance Program is a unique partnership that allows Rider University dance majors and minors to complete their studio course requirements at ARB’s Princeton Ballet School. Students often do double majors combining dance with Elementary Education, Theater, Communications or Business.