Ballet

Ballet

Ballet began in the 15th century in Italian Renaissance courts. In the 17th century, King Louis the XIV furthered the development of ballet from a court dance to a performance style of dance, which is why most of the terminology is in French. Ballet is danced all around the world and has developed into 3 major styles, Classical, Neoclassical, and Contemporary. This genre of dance is very hard to master and requires much practice.

Ballet is a highly technical dance form which is the foundation for most other dance techniques. Students at A Step Above Dance & Music Academy follow our age-appropriate curriculum which teaches proper ballet technique and vocabulary. Students who are at least 11 years old and are approved by the director may also begin Pointe technique.

To ensure proper technique and strength necessary for all dance styles, dancers who are 8 and under are required to take ballet along with any other dance styles they choose.

A Step Above Dance & Music Academy offers many levels which are based on age, technique ability, and the director's recommendation. All of our ballet classes are invited to perform in our annual Spring Performance. Please contact our office to see which level will be best for you.

A Step Above Ballet Classes

Creative Movement is a 30-minute class for children age 2-3 years old. Class size is limited to 6 dancers. This class will foster the physical and cognitive development of each child through dance, music, props, rhymes, and stories. Our program will capture your child's attention while providing them with movement basics and the structure of a dance class.

PreBallet is a 30-minute class for children age 4-5 years old. Class size is limited to 8 dancers. In addition to instilling a love for dance, the PreBallet class is designed to develop the skills that will help young children progress more quickly and adjust easily to the more traditionally structured beginning ballet levels. PreBallet class enhances the student's natural rhythmic and musical capabilities and creativity. Basic coordination, body awareness, and learning basic dance class etiquette are large components of this class.

Beginning Ballet is a 45- to 60-minute class for children 5-10 years old. Class size is limited to 10 dancers. Our Beginning Ballet classes have 3 different levels based on age, years of experience, and director's placement. These classes are more traditionally structured ballet classes which continue to work on basic coordination and body awareness. These levels also introduce more ballet terminology and movement. Simple barre work is introduced and students continue to progress in center and across the floor work.

Elementary Ballet is a 60 minute class for children 9-12 years old with 0-3 years of experience. Class size is limited to 12 dancers. This class teaches ballet terminology and movement to older beginning students. Classes are traditionally structured and the curriculum is geared to incorporate the students into our intermediate curriculum.

Teen Ballet is a 60-minute class for students 12-18 years old and with 0-6 years experience. Teen Ballet is offered in 2 levels and teaches ballet terminology and movement to older beginning students. Classes are traditionally structured and the curriculum is designed to challenge all dancers, whether they are returning after several years or have never taken ballet before.

Intermediate Ballet levels range from 60-minute classes to 90-minute twice/week classes. Students are 8-18 years old and placement in one of our 5 levels is determined by the director. Intermediate classes teach from our age-appropriate curriculum which enables the student to build their technique and ballet vocabulary as they work towards more advanced work. Students who are interested in Pointe will be evaluated for readiness in our Intermediate III level. Students who wish to take ballet 3-4 times a week have this option beginning in our Intermediate II level.

Advanced Ballet is a 90-minute class that meets twice a week with an option to take class 3 to 4 times a week. Placement is determined by the director only. Students are introduced to advanced concepts and techniques of ballet and movement for advanced development of their locomotive and body isolation skills.