Little Elves (2 1/2-3)

Our youngest ballet class introduces our students to the magical world of ballet through fairy-tales, acting, imagination, and costumes.  Your child will learn that the ballet classroom is a special place and that only dancers are allowed to share in these wonderful secrets.  We use a variety of props, such as flowers, wands, crowns and baby dolls to stimulate the students' imaginations and spark their creativity when dancing.  The main goals at this level are learning to listen to the teacher, following directions, and cooperating and sharing with other dancers. 

Movements introduced: first position, straightening legs, pointing toes, point and close (pre-tendu), making a window (pre-plie), rocking the baby (pre-ten lies), walking and running on tippy toes (releve), standing tall, bunny hops.

Little Fairies (3-4) 

Our second level introduces students to more ballet movements, while still encouraging their creativity and imaginations through storytime and costume dances.  We emphasize exploring the student's natural passion for melody, rhythm and movement, as well as listening to the music.  "Free dance" time is important to the students at this level, as it allows them to express themselves and show their love of movement.  Students continue to work on following directions, cooperating with others, and will begin to develop spatial orientation and use basic counting skills.  Students will dance with partners, play ballerina games, and memorize short dance combinations at this level.

Movements introduced: first position with arms, second position with arms, plies in first and second, tendus to the side, piques, straightening legs during stretching, pre-ballet walks, chasses, ballet marches, leaps, bourrees. 

Dancing Princesses (4-5)

This is the youngest level to participate in our annual recital, and the dancers are so excited to finally make their debut on the "big stage!"  These dancers learn proper ballet technique in simple movements in the barre and center and can already repeat the ballet terminology (such as plie, tendu, pique, etc.) on their own.  The class structure is beginning to mimic that of a full ballet class, including por de bras, barre work, small jumps in the center, and diagonal movements.  Students memorize short combinations and their recital dance on their own.  Story time and costume dances are still important elements at this age to stir the dancers' hearts and creativity.

Movements introduced: por de bras exercises, curtsy, ballet walks with oppositional arms, skips with arms, tendus, plies, balancing on releve, demi rond de jambes, arabesque, sautes, spring points (pre-emboite), intro to grande jetes with extended legs.

Tiny Ballerinas (5-6)

At this age, students begin the transition from fairy-tale excitement to the self-awareness and pride of dancing ballet. The class time is extended to a full hour and a dress code is implemented at this level, however, students still hear a story at the beginning of class and wear costumes for a story dance at the end of class.  The students develop basic dance coordination and body alignment through exercises at the barre and in the center.  Students learn ballet terminology, how to identify correct and incorrect movements, and learn how to self-correct themselves while dancing.  Tiny Ballerinas are more confident performers and will again appear in a dance on their own on the "big stage" during our annual recital. 

Movements introduced: first, second and third position with arms, ballet walks with fluid arms, ten lies with arms, bourrees turning, releve lens, tendus en croix, full rond de jambe, barre stretch, coup de pieds, chasses alternating legs, spring points en croix, intro to grand battement, sautes turning, emboites, grand jetes with extended legs.