Student Division:

Once a student has the basics of ballet technique under their belt, the program moves on to a more focused study of ballet. Safe work habits, personal responsibility, and concentration are emphasized.  See our Class Descriptions Page for more details or contact Lisa de Ravel, Dean of Students, for classes about placement.  See Right Sidebar to download all registration materials.

The PLUS Program:

The PLUS program is an enrichment program for young dancers aspiring towards a professional career. Students continue on to the Advanced Division which builds on the foundations of previous divisions.

Student Ballet 1

Student Ballet 1 marks the beginning of a more serious approach to classical dancing than that taken in the Children’s Division. Here, we polish and perfect the basics, laying the foundation for future adventures. A lot of attention is paid to correct alignment, not only of the torso, but also of the leg, ankle and foot, and to correct understanding of the turnout.  We also spend a lot of time working on the coordination of the head and arms, which is basic to future progress. It usually takes one to two years to accomplish these goals.

Student Ballet 2

Student Ballet 2 is a very challenging level. We teach many new steps, and expect a much more sophisticated level of form and fluency. Technique is very important to strengthen muscles and ligaments in order to avoid future injuries. Small misplacements of ankles and other joints need to be corrected at this level, so that the dancers may be ready for pointe shoes in Student 3.  Coordination and timing of arm gestures, head movements, and legwork is also emphasized.  It usually takes one to two years to accomplish these goals.

Student Ballet 3

Student Ballet 3 initiates the study of pointe work, for the girls, and continues the acquisition of many more jumps and turns. Alignment is honed and barre work becomes more complex. The syllabus for this level adds beats to the jumps, which increases the demand for concentration, strength, and stamina. It usually takes one to two years to accomplish these goals.

Student Ballet 4

Student Ballet 4 is for students who know all of the basics of the ballet vocabulary, and who have had at least one year of pointe study (generally more). Student Ballet 4 builds the mental and physical stamina to learn and perform more complex and longer combinations of steps with a higher degree of accuracy.  We also spend a lot of time working on the coordination of head and arms, to take the dancers to a higher level in this area as well. In a larger sense we focus on the flow of energy through the body and limbs, which create the harmonious lines while moving through space that are the hallmark of ballet.