Pre-Professional Ballet 

She has been accepted into many summer programs including Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Met, Burklyn Ballet, Blue Lake Fine Arts, The Rock School, Ballet Internationale, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet. During her training, she performed many principal roles in ballets including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, and Cinderella, as well as Symphony in C by George Balanchine.

Those interested and invited to attend the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) are required to attend two 90-minute ballet technique classes, as well as one 90-minute YAGP class per week. Those participating are responsible for all additional costs associated with participating and attending YAGP.

Students missing more than 2 ballet technique classes throughout the year are required to make up the missed classes prior to attending the YAGP, in a class recommended by the instructor.

This is where the basic building blocks of ballet are introduced, and classes become more structured. Students start to learn the vocabulary of ballet and develop strength.

Building on what was learned in ballet 1, the number of steps is increased, as well as developing proper placement of torso, hips, and legs without exceeding anatomical limitations. Turns are introduced, and steps are combined to form new ones, and when appropriate turn out is increased.

Proper placement is refined, and big jumps are introduced. The coordination of arms and head are developed with a concentration on smooth transitions throughout the exercises.

A more mature sense of musicality and quality of movement is emphasized. Students develop strength and stability in the demonstration of the pirouettes and grand allegro. Suppleness and smooth graceful movements are developed in these levels along with the increased coordination of head, arms, legs, and body.

Students who have progressed to pre-professional level now have an extensive ballet vocabulary. At this level, articulate footwork and secure use of legs is crucial. Classwork continues to improve the dancer’s spatial awareness and orientation of the body. Dancers continue to work on coordination of the whole body with the addition of fluidity of movement. Added steps include multiple pirouettes and beating jumps. At this level, the emphasis is placed on detail and artistry, therefore, increasing stamina, concentration and discipline are required.

Students at this level have a vast knowledge of classical ballet vocabulary and will have passed the above levels. Pirouettes in open positions and batterie are now included in classwork. Dancers will learn to communicate expression and feeling in their movement. Refining technique continues to challenge as students are now expected to perform at a professional level.

Students interested in the performance ballet class will be required to attend at least one 90-minute ballet technique class per week. Dancers will perform a dance in our annual recital at the end of the season.

Students interested in taking a pointe class will be carefully evaluated prior to being invited. Having developed a strong posture and at the discretion of the teachers, students can now begin to train en pointe. Those dancers participating in pointe classes will be required to attend two 90-minute ballet technique classes per week. Dancers will perform in our annual recital at the end of the season.

Students will learn how to properly sew ribbons and elastics, in addition to learning how to correctly tie and care for their shoes. Dancers will work on strengthening the entire foot and ankle as well as perfecting the proper body placement, which is essential for going en pointe. Dancer must be enrolled in level 3.

Dancers have a clear understanding of body alignment and proper technique. Center and across the floor pointe work will be explored.

*Students will carefully be evaluated prior to being placed in one of our ballet technique, pointe, and YAGP classes. Please call the studio to schedule an evaluation.

Parents and students should not anticipate annual level advancements. Ballet classes do not progress at the same pace as traditional academic grades. It is common for students to repeat levels of study. Because the range of the criteria for promotion is so diverse, it may be two or more years before a student is ready for advancement to the next level of study.

Advancement through the ballet program is based on many factors including a student’s strength, commitment, attendance, maturity, mastery of syllabus at grade level, and artistic development as assessed by the teachers. A student’s ability to execute the required material is considered above all else, including age.

Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair pulled back off the face and firmly secured, black ballet skirts are permitted at this level.

Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair pulled back off the face and firmly secured in a bun. Skirts/shorts/street clothes are not permitted.

Black leotard, pink tights, pointe shoes, hair pulled back securely in a bun, ballet skirts are permitted in the practice of pointe work.

Students' hair must be worn in a traditional ballet bun at the crown of the head. No bangs allowed. If a female student has short hair, all hair including bangs must be clipped away from the face. The goal is to have the hair off the neckline to create an elegant line in a style that cannot move around.

Warm-up clothing will be allowed before class and at the teacher's discretion during class in the cold weather. Only fitted "dance" sweaters and fitted leg warmers are allowed. No loose or baggy clothes (including t-shirts) permitted under any circumstances.

No Jewelry (except small stud earrings). Dangling earrings/hoops, necklaces, and bracelets are strictly forbidden due to safety reasons.

Regular undergarments are not allowed under tights and leotards beyond Level 1. Tights are dancers' underpants and it is beneficial for all dancers to become familiar with this aspect of a dancer's education as early as possible.