Adagio Ballet's classes are taught according to the Vaganova Method of Ballet. 

The structured ballet syllabus at these levels requires special placement in classes according to previous ballet experience and skill, based in part by evaluation by the teacher and the discretion of the studio.

Beginning Ballet I (6+)

Beginning Ballet I students will reach beyond the fun of fairytales into a more self-reflective and serious stage of development.  Class structure and discipline are emphasized, with students adhering to a dress code and following proper ballet etiquette in the classroom.  Students develop self-esteem by being challenged to dance the classical technique and feeling pride in a sense of accomplishment, with positive encouragement from their teacher.  Students learn to dance for the first time with one hand on the barre and can demonstrate a variety of ballet movements independently.  Other skills learned at this level are how to give and receive appropriate feedback from their peers, how to self-correct their own technique, and memorization of ballet combinations with correct musical timing.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

Movements introduced: first por de bras, ballet reverance, plies and grand plies, battement tendus en croix, battement tendu jete, grand battement en croix, cou de pieds, rond de jambe par terre, barre stretch, sautes from first through third, pas balance, polka step, intro to waltz step, greater strength in big leaps (grand jete).  

Beginning Ballet II (7+)

These students build on the strength of their prior ballet experience and continue to develop as confident and capable dancers.  Combinations at the barre become more complex and complete, with emphasis on head and arm position as well as consistent turn-out of the legs.  Dancers learn a variety of combinations at the barre, as well as in the center in allegro and adagio sections of the class.  A Beginning Ballet II student consistently demonstrates an understanding of proper ballet technique and poise, as well as the self-control necessary to progress through the ballet program.  Cooperation with partners is encouraged and demonstrating choreography of their own choosing are elements at this age.  Musicality and expression are being developed in these dancers to encourage the artistic expression of dance.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

Movements introduced: first and second por de bras, ballet walks with large poses, proper plies and grand plies with one hand at the barre,battement tendu en croix with passe par terre, fast battement tendu jete, battement fondu, ronde de jambe par terre en dehors and en dedans, rond de jambe elevated, petite battement (preparation), soutenou en tournant in the center and at barre, grand battement en croix, passe, changement, sous-sous, pas glissade, pas assemble, pas chasse, grand jete, stage sissone, waltz step.

Beginning Ballet III (8+)

The culminating class of our beginning ballet program builds upon the prior levels to produce dancers with a balance between the technical and artistic elements of ballet.  Beginning Ballet III dancers integrate their arms, legs, head positions with artistic expressions in all movements to produce a strong quality of dancing.  Before graduating to the next level of our program, these students must exhibit a consistent understanding of the material from the prior levels and have a degree of mental focus and physical technique that will allow them to join our advanced ballet program safely.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

Prior to students graduating to the Junior level of our program, a strong understanding and demonstration of the skills learned at the Beginning Ballet level must be exhibited to their teachers. 

Movements introduced: all prior elements, as well as:  preparation for pirouette, passe en releve, frappe en croix with sur le cu de pied, battement frappe, cambres, pique turns with spotting, pas de bourree, waltz step turning, pas de basque par terre, temps lie forward and back, echappes on releve, travelling jete.