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- Ballet Classes
Ages 3.5+ - Pointe Preparation Program
- En Pointe Program Program
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A Word From Your Teachers
The Ballet School of Vermont Class Descriptions
Tiny Ballerinas
through Ballet 3
Noted ages are guidelines only. First month is placement month when the staff will place the student in their most beneficial class/level. Clean technique comes by muscle memory, which happens with slow and steady repetition. Training too fast creates empty and sloppy movement. Remember, slow and steady wins the race!Tiny Ballerinas and Pre Ballet
These two classes focus on teaching the love of dance through creative moveme nt, sing song rhymes, fairy tale ballet stories, and imaginary play, while teaching classroom etiquette, body awareness, hand eye coordination, stretching, and basic ballet positions.
Tiny Ballerinas: Ages 3.5 - 5. Pre-Ballet: Ages 4.5 - 6.5
Primary
Students are set up for the classical fundamentals that are standard for ballet training. If under age 6, please register for PreBallet. Ages 5.5 - 7. Recommended: One to two classes a week.
Ballet 1
Students will develop ballet fundamentals including body placement and positions, French terminology, connecting steps, and counting musical signatures. Ballet barre is introduced at this level.
Ages 6 & up. Recommended: One to two classes a week.
Ballet 2
Students will broaden their basic ballet technique. Their age allows them to coordinate more steps together, expanding their ballet vocabulary. Fundamentals of turning begin.
Ages 8 & up.
Program Student: Two classes a week minimum.
Recreational Dancer: One class per week.
Ballet 3
For students beginning the intermediate level. This includes body placement, stretch and strengthening, ballet vocabulary, and becoming aware of why ballet gives dancers a strong foundation in all dance technique. To be placed in B3 and above levels, students must understand and execute proper alignment and pelvis placement.
Year 1 Program Student: Two classes a week minimum.
Year 1 Recreational Dancer: One class per week.
Year 2 & 3 Program Student: Three classes a week minimum.
Year 2 & 3 Recreational Dancer: 1-2 classes per week.
No Flash or Java? View class demonstrations on YouTube
The Ballet School of Vermont is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 8 level program that combin  es high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels.
Primary through Level 3 will be taught by ABT® Certified Teacher, Erika Kline, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Primary through Level 7 & Partnering will be taught by ABT®Certified Teacher, Maryellen Vickery, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 & Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. |
PLACEMENT
The normal progression is two to three years, per level. Suggested placement is based on student's level from previous spring quarter. Due to children maturing or continuing their dance education during summer, placement will be reassessed during first quarter of each new season. This placement will depend on age, ability, number of classes taken per week, and class size. Students moving into the Ballet 3 and above levels must have a clear understanding and execution of proper alignment, core strength, and pelvis placement. For the safety of the child's body, students will not be able to dance in pointe shoes without proper placement.
Returning students receive a suggested class placement in their new season mailing. This is the recommended level for registration. Evaluations are normally completed by mid-October.
Program Students and Minimum Classes Information
Levels B2 and up have a minimum number of classes required per week for all students working on or toward pointe shoes. When taking the minimum number of classes, you are considered a Program Student and receive a Discounted Program Rate. Recreational Dancers have no minimum number of classes, however this may effect placement and tuition is charged at the Per Class Rate. Please see "Recreational Dancers" in this handbook if taking less than the minimum number of classes.
Adult & Teen Classes
Join us for one or both of our new adult and teen ballet classes for beginner and intermediate students perfect if you are returning to ballet after many years or just starting your training. Visit our Adult Teen Classes page for details.
