Syllabus

Creative Movement

One 45 minute class per week for preschool children ages 3 to 5. With a focus on encouraging creativity and developing coordination, rhythm and a joy in movement, the class introduces children to elementary dance, stretching, gymnastics and acting in a structured environment. An informal program is held at the end of the year at the studio for parents and friends.

Pre-Ballet

One 1 hour class per week for ages 5 to 6. Class expands upon the concepts introduced in creative movement and adds elementary ballet positions and steps. Students wear ballet attire and increased attention is focused on posture, balance and class decorum. Students perform a short, 1 to 2 minute piece as a group in the Spring Showcase.

Ballet 1

One 1 hour class per week for approx. ages 6 to 7. Class is structured into elementary barre work, floor stretches, center work, en diagonale and reverence. Increased attention is given to correctness, discipline and ballet terminology. Students are often sent home with coloring information sheets to reinforce what is taught in class. Students perform a short, 1 to 2 minute group piece in the Spring Showcase.

Ballet 2

One 1 hour class per week for approx. ages 7 to 8. Class is structured into elementary barre work, floor stretches, center work, en diagonale and reverence and builds on concepts introduced in Ballet 1. Growing attention is given to combining steps and learning and remembering combinations. Students are often sent home with coloring information sheets to reinforce what is taught in class. Students perform a short, 1 to 2 minute group piece in the Spring Showcase.

Ballet 3

One 1 hour class per week for approx. ages 8 to 9. Class is structured into basic barre work, floor stretches, center work, en diagonale and reverence and further builds on concepts originally introduced in Ballet 1. Focus is given to port de bra, correctness of execution, and learning and remembering lengthened combinations. Students are often sent home with coloring information sheets to reinforce what is taught in class. Students perform a short, 1 to 2 minute piece as a group in the Spring Showcase.

Ballet 4

Two 1 hour classes per week for approx. ages 9 to 10. Class is structured into more advanced barre work, floor stretches, center work, en diagonale and reverence. Students begin study of croisé and effacé, devant and derrierre, basic petit allegro and pirouettes. Placement, turnout are emphasized and feet are strengthened in preparation for pointe work. Many study and information sheets are distributed to reinforce classroom work. . Students perform a 2 to 3 minute piece as a group in the Spring Showcase.

Ballet 5

Two 1 ½ hour classes per week. Age becomes less important than ability and maturity of the dancer. All of the studies from Ballet 4 become more rigorous. Students learn to work in all the positions of the body. Focus is on building strong technique, epaulement, and combining steps. Pointe work is done at the end of class and students begin studies with guest teachers. Students perform a 2 to 3 minute piece as a group in the Spring Showcase. Students at this level may consider auditioning for a place in the Jr. Company.

Ballet 6

Two 1 ½ hour classes per week. Age continues to become less important. The maturing dancer concentrates on building strong, clean technique with the added challenge of quickly learning combinations and reversing them. Increased physical effort and mental focus is expected. Students must adapt to different teaching styles as they are given numerous opportunities to work with guest teachers. In addition to the pieces in the Spring Showcase, dancers may audition for roles in Company performances.

Ballet 7

Two 1 ½ hour classes per week. This class is structured for the serious student who dances a minimum of 4 days per week. Students are challenged with advanced combinations of adagio, pirouettes, petit and grand allegro and turns across the floor. The desire to work correctly, intensely and with a pleasant class demeanor is expected. Connecting steps, energy and musicality become more instinctual to the dancer. Most of these students perform with Andalusia Ballet as well as in the Spring Showcase.

Variations

Students learn short variations from well known ballet repertoire. For the self motivated student, this class is fun, builds stamina, encourages artistry and knowledge of the art of ballet.

Conditioning

Stretching, strengthening and flexibility are combined with aerobic exercise and tips of how to take care of the dancer’s body.

Boys Class

One 1 hour class per week. Class begins with elementary barre work, floor stretches, center work, en diagonale and reverence. Focus is on masculine stance, strength, coordination and attack. Basic Gymnastics

Jazz

Classes begin with center isolations, stretch and warm up which prepare students for across the floor progressions and center combinations. These classes offer a broad range of jazz styles from Broadway to funk and focus on energetic movement, upbeat music, and ability to outwardly portray various, yet specific attitudes to an audience. All jazz classes participate in a jazz suite in the spring performance.

Modern

Classes focus on the combination of free and controlled movement, beginning with floor work and center warm-up, building toward across the floor patterns and finishing with center combinations. Modern classes lead students on an exploration of various movement dynamics and also touch on improvisation and choreography, giving students and opportunity to express personal creativity. Modern classes participate in a modern suite in the spring performance.