Elan Academy of Classical Ballet Class Descriptions:
Pre-Ballet 1: This class is 45 minutes in length, and is an introduction to classical ballet and movement for ages 3-4. Awareness of self and space, music, and the art of story telling through dance will be explored. Basic port de bras, positions, French terminology, and gross motor skills set to classical music will be introduced at an age app
ropriate level. Creative movement exercises will be interspersed throughout the structure of the class to keep it engaging for little dancers. Pre-Ballet II: This hour long class is an introduction to classical ballet for students ages 4-5. Basic positions, steps, French terminology, classical music, basic alignment, and the structure of a ballet class will be introduced. Time will be spent adopting basic class courtesies such as taking turns, raising hands, respecting personal space and listening. There will be an introduction to the art of the story ballet, and some time for some creative movement exercises as well. Story ballets and their corresponding classical music to be introduced include The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, and Swan Lake. Students at this level will have the opportunity to make their stage debut at the end of the school year. Ballet I: This class for ages 6-8 begins the formal classical training of the ballet dancer, introducing more positions, French terminology, music theory, and the basic structure of the classical ballet class. Barre work, and center work including petite allegro, basic turning, and grand allegro will all be introduced at a level appropriate for their development. It is common to spend 2 years at this level, as more steps will be introduced in the second year, as well as a continuance of perfecting steps and technique from the year prior. Ballet II: This class for ages 9-11 continues to expound on the skills acquired in Ballet I. Dancers will be introduced to all 8 formal classical Cecchetti positions in the center, and an increased focus on epaulement, longer combinations, adagio, pirouettes, and grand allegro jumps will be introduced. Dancers at this level should expect to increase their number of classes per week to two by age 10, to develop the strength necessary to continue on to the pre-pointe level. It is common to spend two years at this level or to go on to Ballet II/III after the first year which would increase difficulty as well as length of class. Ballet III/Pre-Pointe: This class will increase in length, and is for the dancer age 11-13 who aspires to dance en pointe. Training will continue to advance as combinations requiring more strength, speed, and stamina are introduced, and time will be devoted to special exercises to increase strength and articulation of the foot and ankle. Dancers at this level should have at least 2 years previous ballet training, and should increase classes per week to at least 2 times per week. Ballet IV: This more advanced level class is for the dancer who has already begun pointe work, and is 1 1/2 hour in length. At this level dancers should be taking a minimum of 2 classes per week, although 3 (or more) is highly recommended. At this level dancers are expected to have a solid understanding of advanced steps, terminology, detailed alignment, and focus will continue on developing artistry through expression and musicality. Pointe: Pointe work in Ballet IV and in separate pointe classes is by invitation only. This class is an extension of the ballet dancers technique class, and is devoted to the art of dancing en pointe. Dancers must have proper alignment, strength, foot articulation, maturity, core strength, have 2-3 years solid classical ballet training, and be taking a minimum of 2 classical ballet classes per week. 3 classes a week is preferred. Variations: This is an advanced level class open to dancers at Ballet IV level and will be taught en pointe. Classical repetoire from important ballets will be taught, focusing primarily on the works of Petipa and Fokine. Participation in the class for students not en pointe is by invitation only. Conditioning for Dancers: This class is a blend of stretching and strengthening exercises designed with the dancer's body in mind. It will incorporate elements of yoga, pilates, floor barre, and Franklin method inspired imagery to help release tension in target areas, improve flexibility, and strengthen core muscles. Tap Option: This half hour class is open to dancers age 6-10, who are taking Ballet I or II, and will include basic tap steps and music theory. Class consists of a warm up, progressions across the floor, and an ending combination.
