Dancing Levels (Fun Blog)

I have been taking ballet classes since I was three and I thought that describing the different levels of ballet would be a good topic for a blog entry.

Pre-Ballet - 3 to 4.5 years old - 1/2 hour class
The structure of a classroom environment is introduced and the children learn to take simple direction from the teacher. Children become familiar with, and master the use of parts of the body and with groups working in a circle and with partners. Musicality and rhythm are taught through clapping, singing and improvising to music. Creative imagery is used to help the children’s responses to music and movement. Basic movement themes such as jumping, balletic runs and walks, spinning and skipping are explored as an introduction to classical ballet steps.

Primary Level - 5-7 years old - 45 minute class
     Continuing from their first two years of dance, the students learn to work in lines and on the diagonal. Coordination and control of body, hand, arms. Traveling movements, skipping forward, backwards and simple jumps. Music and rhythmical awareness. Expression taught through mime and free movement.

Elementary Level  - 7-8 years old - 45 minutes to 1 hour class
      In this class, students use the ballet barre for their technical exercises. Classical technique is continued, with ever more challenging steps and even more of an emphasis on classical posture.

Elementary Level -  8-9 years old - 1 hour class
      Students continue to develop classical technique via the ballet barre exercises, centrework and performing with co-ordination of the whole body. Elevation and traveling steps will be expanded with the study of pirouettes.

Beginner’s Intermediate -  10-12 years old - 1 hour class
      Students at this level are introduced to extended bare exercises. Demi pointe work is increased with stretching and strengthening. Students will work on coordination through the body, free movement and use of the upper back, along with adding to the vocabulary of traveling steps, elevation and pirouettes. Students at this level are required to attend 2 classes per week, preparing for pre pointe work.

Intermediate - 12-13 years old - 1 hour class
      Students at this level perform specific exercises at the barre and centre. They are also extending their step vocabulary, increasing stamina, discipline and concentration, developing expressiveness and artistry, building strength for pre-pointe work, and developing self expression through free movement. After a few months, students would be able to get pointe shoes and start to break them in; while doing barre work in them. Students at this level are required to attend 2 classes per week to strengthen their technique and pointe shoe work.


Intermediate Advance - 13 - 14  years old - 1 to 1.25 hour class
      Students who have progressed to pre professional level, now have an extensive ballet vocabulary. At this level, students are developing good secure posture, co-ordination of the whole body, performing articulated footwork and secure use of legs, demonstrating line and placement of arms and body, working toward strong pirouettes and elevation, developing a sense of performance and artistry, and doing dances and exercises in pointe shoes. Students at this level are required to attend 2 classes but may take up to 3. Three classes is optional.

Advanced - 14 years old and up - 1.5 hour class
      Students at this level have a vast vocabulary of classical ballet. Most dancers at this level have taken dance since they where 3. This is the final level, unless you want to major dance in college.  Students at this level are requires to attend 2-3 classes and may take 4 if needed/wanted.