Ballet
Ballet is a universe of the imagination, a place of magic and enchantment, beauty and romance. Its many worlds vibrate with graceful dancers, glorious music, and sumptuous costumes.
-TRUDY GARFUNKEL
You can’t put ballet into words. That’s why we dance.
-SUZANNE FARRELL
Pre-School Ballet
For 2.5 – 4 year olds, ballet classes introduce dance in a fun way. Themed classes and story-telling give variation whilst establishing the basics of a dance technique. For these younger pupils dance helps them learn social skills, discipline, co-ordination and motor skills too.
Pre-Primary – Primary
Pre-Primary lessons are for 4/5 year-olds who have started school. Classes follow the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus which is a carefully managed programme of dance to include story-telling and fun elements. Students are entered for RAD Exams from Primary level upwards. This gives structure and a clear goal for the students to work towards. Pupils enjoy the challenges and rewards of achieving graded ballet exams.
Grade 1 – Advanced
These classes continue the development of a ballet technique as well as introducing Character Dance and Free Movement. Older students study pointe-work from around Grade 5/6 at the teacher’s discretion.
Character Dance is the Theatrical Presentation of National & Folk Dance. The basic ideas, music & costumes, of these dances are adapted and refined to suit balletic needs and appear in famous ballets such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Giselle and Swan Lake.
A strong ballet technique is recognised as the cornerstone of most other forms of dance.
