Academy en l'Air program and levels

Ballet Program ongoing throughout the year

The cohesive program at the academy brings together the methodolgies its teachers have studied over several years.  The largest influence in our background is Russian technique, especially Vaganova training.  Some of the graded approach to movement from Royal Academy of Dance is employed as well as Cecchetti technique.  Serious and recreational study of ballet benefits from repetition and regular attendance for the recommended numbers of classes.  Each individual responds differently to frequency of attendance and his/her effort in class.  Dancing en pointe is directly connected to the student's amount of time and effort in class and the teacher's discretion--see pointe page.

Preballet      31/2 -5 year olds     (light pink)

  • Stretching, visualization, position, modified ballet barre, creative center dance exploration, props--45 min. class, once/week

Level I          5-7/8 year olds    (light blue)

  • Enhanced stretching techniques (intro to "splits", balance, and single-footed work and shifting, structured ballet barre, adapted ballet center exercises and across-the-floor exercises ("turns") based on progress of students in class--1 hour class, once and twice/week options

Level II         8-10 year olds    (royal blue)

  • 1/2 hour barre and 1/2 hour center;  more dance movements and exploration of musicality, strengthening exercises--1 hour classes, twice/week;  twice/week attendance is required for serious students

Level III      9 years and older, teen beginners   (navy)

  • longer classes with longer combinations and complexity further developing steps and expression with musical awareness--1 hour to 1 1/2 hour classes, twice and three times/week options; three times/week required for serious students planning pointe work

Level IV      10-11 years and older       (burgundy)

  • students with serious plans in dance can progress quickly at this level and usually are candidates for pointe work after consultation with instructor;  longer classes allow further study of complexity, balance, coordination, speed, and execution of steps with artistry--1 1/2 hour classes three times/week;  three times/week required for pointe work students and four times/week recommended

Level V/VI    14 years and older    (black)

  • further complex movement and music explored at this level for technical achievement and artistic improvement; at least two classes a week may be taken en pointe at this level;  three time/week for minimum involvement; three times/week required for pointe work students and six times/week recommended for pre-professional students--1 1/2-2 hour classes offered 6 days/week (sometimes combined with adult classes for enrollment/registration)

Boys      many levels

  • boys may occasionally join regular programs at levels discussed above for enrollment/registration--every effort is made to design special classes to focus on the male dancer, especially techniques for jumps and turns and some partnering specifics--1 hour class, once/ week specialty class

Adults

  • focus is on stretching and strengthening exercises, ballet barre sequences, and center floor matte exercises, some modified center combinations, 1- 1/1/2 hour classes offered twice/week

Summer Intensive

Held each year in August--focus is given to varieties of dance forms like Flamenco, lyrical, Indian, Hawaiian, etc., choreography experience, and movie archives of historic performances.  Stretching techniques also explored.