Dance Classes
For technique & grace
Ballet Lessons
The aim of the method is the complete coordination of the entire body in order to achieve artistic dancing. The Vaganova Method involves gradually introducing students to dance techniques that will later be used in performance. Training is progressive and works on building strength and flexibility while minimizing injury.
The Vaganova method highlights understanding the body as a whole. Movements encompass arms, legs, core and facial expressions supporting each other, rather than the legs propelling movement and the rest being purely aesthetic.
As our students progress, our curriculum combines elements from the classic Russian, Italian, French, and American Schools of ballet.
Dancers are provided with a rich knowledge of technique and the ability to adapt to the versatile styles in our ever-changing dance world.
All classes are designed to help dancers develop a strong technical foundation, and a love for the art of ballet. The benefits of classical ballet instruction include an increased awareness of movement, expression, and musicality.
For our youngest dancers
Beginning 1
Students are taught the fundamentals of classical ballet training emphasizing posture, flexibility, foot exercises, basic anatomy and alignment.
Students begin with simple conditioning exercises that have been carefully designed to facilitate muscle strength, correct posture, and proper alignment along with ballet walks, marches and jumps.
Pre-Ballet 1 – ages 3-4
Pre-Ballet 2 – ages 4-5
Beg. Ballet – ages 6-7
Adv. Beg Ballet – ages 7-8
Developing dancers
Beginning 2
There is additional focus on placement of the arms, body and legs. Attention is placed on the development of musical and rhythmic awareness, memory and focus for the training process. Large poses at 90 degrees are introduced and practiced in exercises and in adagio.
Ballet 1 – ages 8-9
Ballet 2 – ages 9-10 (at this level, dancers will attend 2x wk)
Building skills
Intermediate 1
An array of jumps are introduced. Focus is placed on the mastering of these jumps along with introduction to Pre-Pointe exercises in order to build appropriate foot, ankle, and body strength for future pointe work. In order to strengthen the legs, there is an increasing amount of repeated similar movements in a more advanced
musical tempo.
In order to strengthen the feet, a sequence of movements is done at the barre on demi-pointe. There is the introduction of movements en tournant, pirouettes, and grand or “big” poses. The continuing development of coordination of movements are emphasized in all parts of the class, as well as the development of expressiveness in each exercise.
Ballet 3 – ages 10-11 (dancers will attend 2x wk)
Ballet 3B – ages 10-11 (2nd year of the syllabus, pre-pointe may be added)
Pre-teen
Intermediate 2
There is a focus on developing flexibility and cohesiveness in transitions from one pose to another. More difficult forms of grand adagio with different tempos are introduced, and stress is also placed on developing elevation in grand allegro.
In all divisions of the class, attention is devoted to the continued development of coordination in the movement of the legs, arms, and head.
Ballet 4 – ages 11-12 (dancers will attend 3x wk, pointe may be added)
Ballet 4B – ages 11-12 (2nd year of the syllabus, dancers will attend 3x wk)
Pointe: Students usually begin their study of Pointe in the Intermediate Levels. This is determined by age, number of years trained and if the student possesses sufficient strength in their foundation, legs, ankles and feet.
Please note: Promotion to Pointe is not automatic. It is added after the instructor’s careful consideration of the determining factors.
Teen ballet lessons
Advanced
Adagio is expanded into a larger form, much like a small variation. The most difficult forms of adagio are introduced, including adagio with big jumps, and a continuation of polishing the technique of turns and more advanced sections of allegro (such as sissonne with battus and en tournant).
Allegro is further developed, and stress is placed on dancing each combination as if one were dancing a variation. There is also a focus on allegro combinations with traveling (on a straight line and on a diagonal) as well as en tournant, and an even larger focus on the development of exceptional technique and specialties, artistry, and individualism.
Transforming technique into art
Variations
Ballet 5 – ages 12-15 (dancers will attend 3x wk)
Advanced – ages 13-18 (dancers will attend 3-4x wk)
Pointe – ages 12-18 (dancers will attend pointe after each technique class)
Selected dancers will be invited to perform at the Youth American Grand Prix and/or other ballet competitions.
Ballet Conditioning
Exercises have been carefully designed by RSD Artistic Faculty to facilitate muscle strength, correct posture, and proper alignment in a safe, effective manner.
Ballet Basics
Through a beginner ballet barre, center, and across-the-floor work, students will become acclimated to the basics of ballet.
Adult Ballet
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