Ballet & Pointe Classes

Placement in levels 2-7 is based on preparedness for the level of technical work, and quality of training, rather than age. To set up an audition for your level, please call the studio at 319-688-9289.

Each level offers a number of Concert Classes and Interim Classes throughout the week. Concert classes will work on a concert-length piece to be performed in our annual Dance Showcase and Annual Recital.

Ballet 1

Sea Foam Green Leotard with pink footed tights

Ballet 1 is an introduction to classical ballet technique. Turnout, balance and limbering exercises begin at the barre.  Musicality and mime are explored in the center.

At the barre students are introduced to plies, tendus, degajes, ron de jambs a terre, retire, and grand battement. In the center students begin learning the five feet positions with corresponding port de bras, tendus, triplettes, sautés, echappes, and grand jetes

Ballet 2

Pastel Pink Leotard

Students begin dancing with one hand on the barre during the first half of the year and begin incorporating port de bras (arm movements) into combinations during the second half of the year.

Students in Ballet 2 will continue perfecting those steps learned in Ballet 1 and in addition will learn frappe, develope, and fondu at the barre and in the center begin incorporating their entire bodies in new movements such as waltzes, soutenous, petit allegro (small jumps), and grand jetes

Ballet 3

Lavender Leotard

In Ballet 3 students begin standing with one hand on the barre and incorporating port de bras into each combination as much as possible. Students step up the strengthening process by working in 3rd position beginning to incorporate balances at the end of barre combinations which start flat and move to demi pointe. Barre work becomes more standardized with a 45 minute session and the inclusion of ron de jambe en l’aire. In the center students continue to learn body awareness and add pas de basque, releve passé, sissone, tour jetes and chennes. 2-3 classes per week are recommended.

Ballet 4

White Belts / Black Leotard

Students begin all combinations in 3rd position moving to 5th position toward the end of the first half of the year and begin stressing directions of the head. Students continue balancing at the end of barre exercises and begin more involved stretching/strengthening exercises between barre and center. Barre work continues to be consistent at 45 minutes a class and in the center learn pirouette, royale, entrechat trios, entrechat quatre, and emboite. 3 classes per week are recommended.

Ballet 5

Light Blue Belts / Black Leotard

In Ballet 5 all combinations start in 5th position students continue stressing directions of the head and begin stressing epaulment (the placing of the shoulders). They continue balancing, stretching/strengthening and begin pointe class in this level. Students learn chasse coupe jetes and are introduced to fouette pirouettes. 4 technique classes per week are recommended with 1 pointe class a week.

Ballet 6

Royal Blue Belts / Black Leotard

All combinations start in 5th position. Student's continue stressing epaulment, balances, stretching/strengthening and pointe class. Ballet 6 is a level at which students take all that they have learned and strengthen, strengthen, strengthen! The technique class is standard length at 90 minutes which gives the students time to strengthen and perfect their knowledge of the technique. Students also begin to explore movement quality and self expression. 5 technique classes per week are recommended. 2 pointe classes per week recommended.

Ballet 7

Light Pink Belts / Black Leotard

In Ballet 7 the technique is explored on a deeper level which allows students to pick it apart and put it back together for a more personalized technique. Movement quality and self expression are highly stressed in this level to bring out the students individuality as a dancer. 6 technique classes per week are recommended. 3 classes on pointe are recommended.

A Word About Pointe

When placing a student on pointe ankle strength, body alignment, center strength, age, and attendance are heavily considered. It’s recommended that a student be committed to class at least three times a week, fewer classes makes it very hard to gain strength in the shoes. The general age for students to go on pointe is twelve although there are the occasional exceptions in both directions. Some students need to wait longer because of strength and body alignment and some students are ready earlier because of strength and body alignment.

Ankle strength is very important because without it the student could roll off the shoe and hurt themselves, core strength and body alignment are important for the same reasons. Without proper alignment simply standing up on the shoe can be difficult and without core strength there is no added support for the bones in the feet. All that being said there is the occasional student that may not have superior strength or body awareness before being put on pointe but by participating in the pointe classes can be made to understand the importance of these things and improve.