Classes

Foundation Ballet (Ages 6-8)

Building on the technique foundations developed, these classes of 75 minutes’ duration will increase the students’ step vocabulary with slightly longer exercises and the introduction of new steps to increase strength and stamina. Stretching to improve flexibility will also form part of these classes. Students will continue to work on and develop their performance skills and artistry in large and small group settings.

In this age group, students may be encouraged to audition for Associate schemes which begin at 8 years old to give them additional exposure to ballet in a different setting or style.

Preparatory Ballet (Ages 8-10)

These classes are designed to bridge the gap between foundation classes and pre-vocational training allowing students to continue their training in a serious and focused environment. Exercises will build on the technique and step vocabulary developed in Foundation classes with, incorporating floor, barre and centre work. As in earlier levels, stretching exercises will also form a core part of the Preparatory programme in order to improve students’ flexibility and strength. Students will work further on their performance skills and artistry in group settings.

Students will be encouraged to attend short intensive courses and master classes to afford them a broader exposure to different ballet styles.

Pre-vocational Ballet(Ages 9+)

The purpose of these classes is to prepare students to reach an appropriate standard to audition for vocational training from age 11; attendance in these classes is at the invitation of the Directors only.

Ballet classes are of 90-120 minutes duration with students attending a minimum of 4 days per week. Students will widen their step vocabulary and learn longer and more complex exercises whilst continuing to develop their technique and strength. Classes will comprise barre and centre work with some floor work. A separate stretch class will also be available to work on strength and flexibility.

Pre-pointe work will form part of these classes for all students to allow them to focus on ensuring that they have built the correct technique and strength to progress on to pointe. Progression to pointe in this group is solely at the discretion of our teachers once a student has demonstrated sufficient readiness. Any pointe work undertaken in these classes will be limited and introductory in its nature.

Introductory character and contemporary dance will also be included for students.

Students will also have opportunities to develop their performance skills and may be selected to work towards attending competitions or festivals both as part of a group or an individual. Students are also encouraged to audition for and/or attend Associate schemes, intensive courses and masterclasses outside of the school to expand their ballet horizons.

Pre-vocational Ballet (Ages 11 – 14)

These classes are structured to allow students who have not opted for vocational training at 11 to keep pace with their peers in a vocational setting. Admittance to these classes is by invitation of the Directors only.

Classes are of 90-120 minutes’ duration and students are expected to attend 4-6 days per week. The classes will build on the foundations laid in the earlier pre-vocational classes with introduction to a broader step vocabulary and more complex exercises and enchainements. As in previous levels, students will continue to build their technique, artistry, strength and flexibility. A separate stretch class will also be available to students.

Students will continue with pointe work and the basics of pas de deux work will also be introduced when appropriate. Character and contemporary classes will also form part of the timetable to ensure exposure to these elements of training.

Stretch and Strengthening

Safe stretch and strengthening exercises will form part of classes at all levels to develop the required levels of flexibility for ballet – for the younger students this will take place within their ballet classes and for the older students it will form a separate class.

Exercises set will be age appropriate and focus on complementing the student’s current level of ballet training whilst beginning to prepare them to progress in their training. Floor-based exercises to build strength and flexibility will also form a core part of ballet classes.

These classes will also target specific areas for students to help build and improve technique and individual exercises may be given for a student to work on at home under supervision.

Boys programme

Whilst the foundations of ballet training are the same for all children, there comes a point where the technique diverges and a different approach to teaching boys is required in order to prepare them for the aspects of technique which are specific to the male dance vocabulary. We also recognise that finding appropriately orientated ballet training is often difficult for boys. With both of these things in mind, we offer separate classes for boys dedicated to aspects of training which will focus on areas of ballet technique particular to the male repertoire such as turns and jumps steps along with preparation for pas de deux work.

Performance and competitive opportunities will be made available to students.

Classes offered will be age appropriate to the students attending and we aim to eventually be able to deliver separate boys classes at all levels. Currently we offer separate boys’ training at pre-vocational and postgraduate level.

Private Coaching

Whilst we strongly believe that the best environment for learning ballet is in a group setting, we also recognise that many students will benefit from occasional private coaching in order to work on particular areas of technique away from a class setting.

Private and semi-private coaching is also available for students to work on pieces for competition or performance outside of a class setting or for audition preparation.

Postgraduate Training (18+)

We recognise that on completion of vocational training, not all students will feel ready to go straight into a professional company for any number of reasons. With this in mind, we have developed this postgraduate training course for students who feel that they need additional time to prepare to audition for professional companies. This course is also suitable for professional dancers looking to maintain an appropriate standard of training between contracts. Class sizes will be kept deliberately small to allow us to focus on the specific needs of our individual students to prepare them adequately for auditions and life in a professional company. Admission to the course will be by audition only during which a student’s potential for professional companies will be assessed. We recognise that our potential students will have a wide ranging interest in where they would like their career to take them and will endeavour to encompass this as part of their training. Admission will be on a term-by-term basis as we recognise that some students may progress faster and feel readier to audition sooner than others.

The programme runs 6 days a week, covering ballet class, stretch and strengthening, pas de deux, repertoire, contemporary dance, character dance and audition specific coaching. Ballet class will be delivered to the standard of company class but will also allow students to focus on and develop particular areas of technique where they feel more work is required. Pas de deux will be given as a separate class and additional training will be provided during repertoire rehearsals. Students will be expected to take time away from class to review their variations as danced by a number of dancers to compare and contrast styles.

Performance opportunities will be available, including competitions.