THE STUDIO, SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL BALLET
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Course Descriptions
Basic Levels
Level I - The Level I syllabus sets the foundation for the basics of alignment, coordination, musicality, preparedness, discipline, stretches, strengthening exercises, focus, as well as the execution combinations of steps that increase memory and understanding as well as physical skills. Level I requires an average of two years of study for a good student with excellent attendance, commitment, and the ability to understand the basic concepts required. Barre and centre work are both practiced.
Level II - The Level II syllabus increases work with one hand on the barre, begins adding head positions with simple exercises and begins to challenge the students further in coordination, strength, alignment, understanding of new concepts, musicality, length of exercises, and retaining corrections from one lesson to the next. Level II students work further on flow between movements and carriage, and demands are placed on them to retain their basic alignment and technical skills as combinations of steps increase in difficulty. Students are introduced to reversing steps and combinations of steps.
Intermediate Levels
Level III - Level III students are challenged further by preparation for pointe work. Boys begin working on men's technique, which differs in its demands from female technique. Concepts mastered in the formative levels are built upon. A greater range of musicality and physical precision is developed. Emphasis is placed on work ethic. Students become familiar with retrograding combinations of steps and work on increasingly difficult coordination challenges.
Level IV - Level IV girls increase hours of pointe training. Boys increase the amount of male-specific technique training (given in co-ed classes as well as Boys Class). Further elaboration of exercises with difficult technical demands, musical choices and nuance, presentation, continuity, strength, flexibility and all manner of challenging skills already mastered are at hand in the classroom. The Level IV syllabus requires work on consecutive turns, multiple pirouettes, and an assortment of battu.
The 2021-2022 Season introduces a Choreography Course for Intermediate level dancers, to further enhance their creativity and musical awareness.
Advanced levels
Level V - Any and all idiosyncrasies of individual alignment or weakness are attended to with great detail and effort. Pointework catches up to work in technique shoes for girls. Boys continue training on tours en l'airs, large jumps, and turns. All students study six days per week, two classes on many days. Further work on everything built in basic and Intermediate levels continues. Students are held to a high standard of work ethic and concentration.
Level VI - The final touches are added to a strong mastery of classical ballet technique. In Level VI, intellects are challenged to act quicker, bodies are challenged to move slower, faster, and with more aplomb. Phrasing and approach is paramount. Presentation, breath, finish, levels of extension, and technical mastery of all difficult concepts and challenges is nurtured. A great level of detail is encouraged and coached in every student. Graduating students with the work ethic, discipline, and physical attributes required will find themselves ready for a career in dance. Individuals are given advice on auditions and applications for college/university dance programs and/or professional ballet companies uniquely suited to each dancer.
Upper level students also have a weekly Modern Dance class taught by Stephanie DaSilva. Modern dance is so important to the success of today's current professional dancers, as the repertoire of all professional ballet companies include a vast array of styles. Pas de Deux classes will return to the curriculum when it is safe to do so. The 2021-2022 season also introduces a new Choreography Course for advanced level dancers.
First class is always free! Students with previous experience are required to taken an evaluation class to determine level. Girls who dance en pointe must take both a ballet technique and pointe class for evaluation.
