Pre-Ballet through Level 3 assignments are determined by age while Levels 4-6 are determined by ability. Assessments are required prior to placement by the Artistic Director or Artistic Advisor.  If a student has been placed in a level prior to coming to SWBT, this does not ensure that the student will be continuing in the same level. SWBT reserves the right to make decisions of placement based on the guidelines set forth in the ABT Curriculum guide.

*Students are required to take a minimum amount of technique classes per week. Exceptions may be approved by the artistic director.*

Ballet Levels

Pre-Ballet (ages 4-5) no prior experience required
Requirements: 45 minutes/week

The exercises in class will focus on the student learning the correct posture with exercises to develop core strength; ballet placement by exploring body shapes and movement isolation; musicality and coordination. Exercises will utilize gross motor movements through creative and fun concepts.

Ballet 1 (ages 6-7) no prior experience required
Requirements: Minimum 1 technique class + jazz

Floor work exercises will begin to explore ballet technique while still utilizing exploratory gross motor movements that will help students develop posture, ballet placement, musicality, and coordination. A variety of centre exercises will maintain creative play while others will be focused on ballet technique and development of coordination.

Ballet 2 (ages 7-8) no prior experience required
Requirements: 2 technique classes (2 hours) + jazz

Beginning barre exercises will begin to develop the dancer’s ballet technique which will then be taken to the centre. Terminology, musicality, and technique will be the main focus while exercises will develop the student’s coordination, musicality, strength and flexibility.

Ballet 3 (ages 9-10) prior experience necessary for placement
Requirements: 2 technique classes (2 1/2 hours) + jazz + tap

Beginner-Intermediate barre exercises will continue to develop the dancer’s ballet technique which will then be taken into the centre. In the centre they will begin building off the barre technique with beginner-intermediate combinations. Terminology, musicality, and technique will be further developed while coordination, flexibility, agility, and strength are utilized.

Ballet 4 – Pre-Pointe (ages 10-11)  prior experience necessary for placement
Class Options: 4 technique classes + pointe + alignment + modern + Horton Technique
Minimum Requirements: 3 Technique classes + Pointe + alignment + Modern + Horton Technique

Intermediate barre exercises will continue to develop the dancer’s ballet technique which will then be taken to and added upon in the centre. In the centre, more intermediate combinations will be added where terminology, musicality, and technique are applied and developed further. Coordination, flexibility, agility, and strength are utilized and developed. A more specific focus on strengthening that is needed to begin pointe work.  Pre-Pointe class is required.

Ballet 5 – Beginning Pointe (ages 12-13)  prior experience necessary for placement
Class Options: 4 Technique classes + Pointe + Alignment + Modern + Horton Technique
Minimum Requirements: 3 Technique classes + Pointe + Alignment + Modern + Horton Technique

This intermediate-advanced regimen will prepare the dancers for more technically difficult technique at both the barre and in the centre. Agility, strength, coordination, flexibility, alignment, musicality, proper technique are built upon from an intermediate-advanced ability. Dancers must have taken pre-pointe in order to begin beginning pointe class.  Beginning pointe class is required.

Ballet 6 – Intermediate/Advanced Pointe (Ages 13+) prior experience necessary for placement
Requirements: 4 technique classes + Pointe + Pas De Deux + Modern + Alignment + Horton Technique

This pre-professional advanced regimen will prepare and expose dancers to technique, steps and principles needed to prepare the dancer for the stage and beyond. Agility, strength, coordination, flexibility, alignment, musicality, proper technique are required and enhanced as dancers perform advanced combinations using advanced steps. Pointe work will be required during class, pointe class, and during pas de deux class.

Jazz (Levels 1-4)

Requirements: Required for Levels 1-4

Jazz 1-2: Beginning jazz will focus on learning proper techniques such as isolations of the body, improving performance quality and developing complex rhythms and patterns. Class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes proper warm-up, stretches, isolations, across-the- floor progressions, and combinations.

Jazz 3-4: Intermediate Jazz will build upon the techniques learned in Jazz 1-2 developing the isolations of the body, improving performance quality developing even more complex rhythms and patterns. Class curriculum is based on ballet technique layered with traditional jazz movement and includes proper warm up, stretches, isolations, more advanced across-the-floor progressions, and combinations.

Modern (Levels 5-6)

Requirements: Required for Levels 5-6

Modern Dance class will be a combination of traditional modern disciplines mixed with current contemporary styles. There will be a strong focus on ballet technique and alignment while combining physical floor work, weight shifts, musicality, strength, and flexibility. Students will discover their own style through improvisation and freedom of self expression.

Tap

Dancers will learn basic tap technique, vocabulary, and musicality through barre work, across the floor progressions, and center choreography. Classic and rhythmic styles of tap will be emphasized and students will learn to develop rhythm, style, and clear tap sounds.

Lyrical

Dancers will learn to layer ballet, jazz, and modern technique through warm up, stretching, conditioning, across the floor and center work. Dancers will be challenged to let go of the “ideal” dancer body and movement and learn to “feel” through the combinations. Dancers will also learn to use movement, that is comfortable for their body, to tell a story or portray and emotion.

Adult Barre Classes

For dancers and non dancers alike! This class combines ballet positions and principles with multiple strength training techniques to provide a safe and efficient workout.  By emphasizing alignment and multi-planar positioning, you will enhance your body awareness, strengthen areas of weakness, and create the foundations for a healthy body.  Expect to perform awareness and toning exercises lying down, sitting, and standing, utilizing a variety of props to enhance your workout.  See you at the barre!