The classes at Adagio Ballet are taught according to the Vaganova Method of Ballet instruction.

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

Junior Ballet I (9-11)

In our first class of the Junior Ballet level, the focus is placed on the graceful movements of the dancer’s entire body, as opposed to the solely focusing on footwork and leg action. The development of the fluid por de bras, first through fourth, as well as the  the carriage of the upper body are primary goals.  At this level, fifth position of the feet is introduced for the first time and center combinations develop more complexity by adding three or more elements at a time.  Dancers have experience with the discipline and self-control of ballet by this time. They are motivated to aply self-correction and to demostrate a higher level of self-awareness.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

Movements introduced:  fifth position of the feet, 1st, 2nd, 3rd position arabesque, battement frappe with sur le coup-de-pied, petite battement with sur le coup-de-pied, movements in croise: temps lie par terre, pas de bourree pique, pas de basque, pique turns, pas emboite, petite pas de chat, allegro:  saute, echappe, changement de pieds-grand, pas assemble with glissade, pas jete with glissade, stage sissone, grand allegro.

Junior Ballet II (10-12)

Students continue to work on the harmony of their dancing and on equal emphasis of the arms, body carriage, posture, and leg action.  Greater consistency of turn-out is expected at this level as is a strong understanding of the fundamental rules and theories of ballet.  Students are expected to learn new combinations quickly and be able to extrapolate rules learned at prior levels to new movements that are introduced.  A faster pace of the class and center work is expected.  Turns and spotting technique are introduced and refined.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

Movements introduced:  Forth position of the feet, rond de jambe en l’air, battement fondue on releve, half turn on one foot at the barre, a single pirouette from fifth position en de hors, allegro:  adding grand assemble, pas assemble en tournant, sissone simple and sissone ouverte,  grand allegro: grand jete and sau de chat.  

Junior Ballet III (11-13)

At this level, students learn to understand and pass to the audience the emotional message of dancing in its more complex form.  Dancers are confident and proficient enough to place equal emphasis on technique and performance ability, to express greater emotional nuances on the stage.  Elements from the main Character dances are included in the program for this level to expand the peformance repetoire of our students.  The center part of the technique class is more developed and combines three and more movements in one combination.  Turns and spotting technique are further refined.  Performance opportunities include the winter recital and the annual recital in the spring.

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

Movements introduced:  all prior elements, as well as: attitude position, epaulement ecarte, pirouette from second and fourth positions en dehors and en dedans, sau de chat.