Ballet
Our ballet program is based on the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum developed by Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens along with the Artistic & Medical Advisory Boards for the American Ballet Theatre. This curriculum is rooted in movement fundamentals and incorporates the French, Italian, Danish, and Russian schools of training. We focus on balance, alignment, coordination, and musicality to give students a strong ballet foundation, which can be useful in all styles of dance. We also embrace the professional training and dancing backgrounds of our faculty which have included the School of American Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, New York City Ballet, New York University and Juilliard.
Our ballet classes uphold a “task-involving climate” in which teachers encourage collaborative learning, effort, and positive self-talk ; we view mistakes as part of the learning process. Our teachers strive to be good roles models, set effective goals, and focus on helpful corrections. We feel dance education, specifically ballet, can encompass math, science, art, creative thinking, physical exercise, and A LOT of fun!
Each level has a required amount of classes that each student must take to further their advancement. Please speak to the director of the Ballet Department (Elizabeth Parkinson) for permission to take less than the required amount of classes (this will be on a case by case basis).
For 2022-23: Your dancer may take one ballet class a week at any age! Especially if they are a singer or actor. Our syllabus is structured in such a way to support them. Dancers 13 and older may take a Level 4a or below class once a week. Dancers 12 and younger may take level 1 or 2 once a week!
We have found it especially rewarding for students to take multiple times a week as they advance in level and skill. Dancing on pointe is a special aspect of ballet which takes diligent training to master and proficient technique to perform. The more you practice the easier it becomes!
We encourage students to share what they have learned on stage in our Winter and Spring performances. We find rehearsing and demonstrating dances for the community an exhilarating experience for students, bringing them a sense of mastery, comradery, and confidence.
If you wish to perform in our Winter and Spring Performances you must participate in repertoire class. Additional rehearsals will NOT take place.
*Please note: If you have scheduling conflicts you may fill class requirements with any level below the one you are assigned.
Class Levels
Pre Primary—Ages 3-4
Class is offered on Saturdays; students are welcome to attend the performances as our favorite audience members! *Students must be potty-trained*
Primary Level—Ages 5-6
Minimum of: 1 ballet class per week
*Nutcracker participation optional, rehearsals occur outside of class time*
Level 1A: Ages 7 and up
Minimum of: 1 ballet class per week
*Nutcracker participation optional, rehearsals occur outside of class time*
Level 1B: Ages 8 and up
Minimum of: 1 ballet classes per week, twice a week encouraged.
*Nutcracker participation optional, rehearsals occur outside of class time*
Level 2: Ages 9 & up
Minimum of 2 ballet technique classes per week, plus level 2 repertoire class if you wish to perform
Level 4A: Ages 10 & up
Minimum of: 3 ballet technique, intermediate jazz and/or beg/int. contemporary, and 1 pointe classes per week, plus level 4a repertoire class if you wish to perform
Level 4B: Ages 13 and up.
Minimum of: 3 ballet technique, adv. jazz, adv. Cont. and 2 pointe classes per week, plus level 4b/5/6 repertoire class if you wish to perform
Level 5/6 (PrePro): Ages 14 and up
Minimum of: 4 ballet technique, adv. jazz, adv. Cont. and 3 pointe classes per week, plus level 4b/5/6 repertoire class to if you wish to perform
Repertoire (rep. for short) will be offered again this year! This class will include learning Nutcracker divertissements, Spring Show pieces, classical variations and a chance to explore the creative process of choreographing for the stage. If you want to perform in our Winter and Spring Show or are interested in choreography, this is the class for you!
Dress Code
DRESS CODE
Dance and acrobatics wear can be found at:
La Luna Dancewear (they have a list of our ballet dress code and do pointe shoe fittings!)
33 Bullet Hill Rd
Suite 307
Southbury CT 06488
(203) 262-1829
https://www.lalunadancewear.com
or online at www.discountdance.com
Ballet
Pre-Primary
– light pink leotard or light pink leotard with attached skirt, footed pink tights, pink technique shoes
-boys: black shorts and white t-shirt, black technique shoes
Primary
-light pink leotard or light pink leotard with attached skirt, footed pink tights, pink technique shoes
-boys: black shorts and white t-shirt, black technique shoes
Level 1A/B
-light blue leotard, footed pink tights, pink technique shoes
-black tights, white leotard, black technique shoes
Level 2
-royal blue leotard, footed pink tights, pink technique shoes
-black tights, white leotard, black technique shoes
Level 3
-burgundy leotard, convertible pink tights, pink technique shoes *burgundy or black skirt
-black tights, white leotard, dance belt, black technique shoes
Level 4a
-hunter green leotard, convertible pink tights, pink technique shoes *hunter green or black skirt, black shorts
-black tights, white leotard, dance belt, black technique shoes
Level 4b
-black leotards, convertible pink or black tights, pink or black technique shoes *black skirt, black shorts
-black tights, white or black leotard or t-shirt, dance belt, black technique shoes
Level 5/6
-any color leotard, convertible pink or black tights, pink or black technique shoes *black skirt, black shorts
-black tights, white or black leotard or t-shirt, dance belt, black technique shoes
(*) optional
-form fitting t-shirts and fitness pants are permitted for warm-up
-please wear tights!!!! no yoga leggings
-hair must be worn-up or short off the face for all dancers
