In all my programs, classical ballet discipline is established in my students. Young students ages 2-6 must first learn how to move-involving coordination, focus and a love of movement. My pre-ballet classes I-III introduce students to dynamics in movement, spacial patterns, their body in space, rhythms and levels of movement, learning how to utilize space and time.
Upon reaching 7 years of age, focus must be tuned to learn what is correct body placement, how to accomplish it, and how to establish correct muscle strength to maintain proper alignment in each movement. Achieving body awareness and alignment before teaching higher level skills is of utmost importance. As dancers gain skills, artisty of putting our movements in space to create expressive dances evolves.
It is important to begin your dancer in the class at your dancer's current age level to be sure they are placed correctly. Instructors can move them up at any time if appropriate.
All first time dancers age 7 and up must begin in Level I to gain the knowledge of proper placement. Beginning classes for students over age 11 are available at Front Range Classical Ballet Academy.
My progression is based on years of study and recommendations by professional instructors on how to train a child in classical technique. My levels are based on what the student has mastered correctly rather than age. I have studied from various schools of ballet and will introduce these differences to my students while maintaining the Vaganova Technique as priority.
Ballet enhances all other dance genres and makes your dancer stand out in their performance and art.
Baby Ballerinas/Mini Movers Ages 2-3 This is a pre-dance class and parents must attend with their child. We move to music, discovering how body parts can move and how we feel the music guiding our movements.
Pre-Ballet I age 3-4.5 Imagination and Creativity are used to explore movement skills utilizing props & stories while students gain coordination and a love for dance. This class is for new 3-5 year olds if Pre-Ballet II is not available in a certain location.
Pre-Ballet II age 4.5-5 Dancers continue in their creative exploration as they learn specific skills to strengthen their body awareness and introduce them to more ballet specific movement. This class is for second year 4 year olds in my program and first time 5 year olds. It is also a place for first time 6 year olds if Pre-Ballet III is unavailable in a certain location.
Pre-Ballet III ages 5.5-6 Dancers increase their locomotor skills, coordination and body awareness with correct placement of their bodies for use in ballet steps. This class begins to teach basic ballet vocabulary and steps. This class is for second year 5 year olds in my program and first time 6 year olds.
Pre-Ballet Summer Workshops ages 3-6 Dancers age 3-6 dancing in a themed summer workshop will get all of the skills discussed above in a class focused on a certain subject. Focus is not taken off of their developement of movement. It is a fun different way to learn and play in the summer!
Intro to Ballet age 6.5-9 (Petite Ballet I North Aztlan ages 7-11) Dancers begin their classical training at the ballet barre with growing focus and attention to body awareness and placement. This class is the transition class from Pre-Ballet into Classical Ballet training. It is important for dancers to complete this class before moving into any Leveled classes.
Ballet I age 7-11 Dancers learn French vocabulary terms and Level I technique based on Vaganova Classical Training as they establish good muscle memory in execution of beginning steps while continuing to tune in to body awareness and proper placement. This class is for dancers who have completed Intro to Ballet or are age 10+ as the beginning class in their Classical training.
Ballet IIage 8-12 Dancers complete Ballet I, establishing a good base before moving into Ballet II. Vocabulary increases a little and execution becomes more controlled as body awareness and control of movement continues to flourish. Option to come twice a week to classes.
Ballet III age 9-13 (FRCBA Advanced Beginner Ballet age 10+) Dancers now begin attending 2 classes a week if their intentions are to progress and eventually dance en pointe. Dancers may still come once a week but will not progress as quickly.
Ballet IV age 11+ (FRCBA Intermediate Ballet I) Dancers now begin attending 2 classes a week. Once they are 11 and have attended 2 technique classes for 2 consecutive years, they are eligible for Pre-Pointe for at least 1 year. Dancers are not required to attend Pre-Pointe if they are not ready or interested.
Pre-Pointe ages 11+ Dancers 11 and up who have attended 2 technique classes for the past 2 consecutive years are eligible for Pre-Pointe for at least 1 year. In my program, we have 4 levels of testing to pass with homework exercises. Specific skills in strength and alignment as well as balance must be accomplished in this year before pointe shoes are purchased. Cost of pointe shoes are $80+ and commitment to 3 technique classes a week must be made to continue in pointe class. To buy pointe shoes in my program, we as a group travel to Assemble Dancewear in Castle Rock to be fitted by a professional long-time pointe shoe fitter.
Ballet V age 12+ (FRCBA Intermediate Ballet II) Dancers complete Pre-Pointe and move into Pointe I, 1-2 times a week en pointe. Dancers en pointe are expected 3 times a week in technique class. The more times a dancer comes to class at this point, the more they will learn and can come to 8+ classes a week to work into the Pre-Professional Program. Dancers do not have to do pointe class to be in this level. Dancers can begin Pre-Pointe at anytime when a class is beginning if they have attended 2 years of consecutive ballet classes twice a week.
Pointe Levels I and up ages 12+ Dancers go through levels of classes specific to pointe work maintaining a minimum of 3 additional technique classes a week.
Ballet VI age 13+ (FRCBA Intermediate Ballet III) Dancers are now coming 3+ times a week to technique classes and are in Pointe II/III, 2-4 times a week.
Ballet VII/VIII ages 14+ (FRCBA Advanced Levels Ballet) Dancers are working at Advanced levels of ballet and are now eligible for the Pre-Professional Program if that is their desire. The Pre-Professional Program requires 8+ classes a week including Pointe classes.
