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Ballet (2½ to 18 years)

All the way from our Early Years parent and tot classes, up through the RAD syllabus, we hope to nurture in every child a love of ballet, and use imaginative settings, mime and free work to learn the ballet technique in a fun and creative way! (For current Ballet Students, our 2022/23 uniform list lives here) 

Course: Ballet Tots

Age: 2½ to 3½ years
Location: 15 Woking Road
Teachers: Denise Lwin
See Full Timetable Here

Ballet Tots is a ‘Parent & Toddler’ class for pre-schoolers who are keen to join ballet and begin their dance journey. The classes are designed to improve the children’s confidence and social skills as well as develop their co-ordination, musicality, and rhythm. Using an array of props and lively music, the classes guarantee to capture the children’s and adult’s imagination as we explore themes such as animals, shapes, fairytales and much more. We hope to inspire every child with a love of ballet, discipline, imagination and poise! Adults are encouraged to join in with their littles ones while we explore various animals, shapes and stories to ensure they get the most out of the class. At age 3 ½, children may “graduate” to Beginner Ballet, which is a drop off class based on the Royal Academy of Dance pre-school syllabus…

Course: Beginners Ballet
Age: 3½ to 5 years
Location: 15 Woking Road
Teachers: Denise Lwin
See Full Timetable Here  

These classes incorporate classical ballet technique, an introduction to basic positions and movements, free work and improvisation, imagination and story telling. We aim for every child to develop a love of dance and theatre as well as improved posture, poise, coordination, musicality and self-confidence, grace and discipline. As well as having fun in ballet class! All children are invited to take part in our ballet performances and at age 5, they will be considered for their readiness to move into the syllabus class of Pre-Primary…

Graded RAD Ballet Syllabus – Pre-Primary up to Intermediate
Age: 5 years +
Location: 15 Woking Road
Teachers: Denise Lwin
See Full Timetable Here  

The Royal Academy of Dance is one of the world’s most influential dance education and professional membership organisations. We set global standards for exams in classical ballet, teacher training and Continuing Professional Development for dance. The RAD offers an internationally-recognised portfolio of examinations and assessments designed to encourage, motivate and reward students of all ages and abilities, outlining a progressive structure for learning and achievement in dance.

Our classes follow the RAD syllabus, students who have achieved the required standard and completed the guided learning hours (set by the RAD) will be invited to take the respective RAD examination (invite to participate in examination and/or progress to the next level is at the sole discretion of the ballet mistress). These provide students with:

  • Achievable goals
  • Recognition from the world’s largest ballet examination board
  • Qualifications accredited by UK regulatory authorities, and
  • The impetus to achieve their best in a fun and nurturing environment.

Irrespective of exams, all children taking classes with us will be invited to participate in our ballet performances, and all classes have a parent ‘watching week’ at the end term.

We hope to inspire the children to appreciate ballet and develop coordination, poise, musicality, confidence and a lifelong love of the theatre.

Course: Pre Primary & Primary Ballet
Age: 5 to 7 years

These structured classes develop students’ physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression and musicality using a range of movements and musical styles. The syllabi prepare students for a successful transition to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels. Skills gained from these classes, include but are not limited to, being able to:

  • Articulate parts of the body
  • Demonstrate awareness of positions of the body
  • Perform with an awareness of space
  • Demonstrate control
  • Demonstrate co-ordination
  • Demonstrate elevation
  • Demonstrate use of appropriate movement dynamics
  • Respond to the elements of music
  • Perform expressively
  • Perform a sequence of simple steps to depict a story
  • Confidently recall the settings

Course: Grades 1 to 5
Age: 7 years +
*Please note that class level assignment will be at the sole discretion of the Ballet Mistress.

The Graded Examination Syllabus consists of three different components: classical, free movement and character dance.

  • Classical: the foundation and most important part of the Graded Syllabi.
  • Free movement: incorporates movements in common with other dance styles such as natural movement, contemporary based dance and Greek dance.
  • Character dance: is the theatrical presentation of national dance using original ethnic dance and music that has been freely adapted for the theatre. There are three styles – Hungarian, Russian and Polish – and these were selected because of their historic importance in the development of the traditional full-length classical ballets.

Course: Vocational Levels – Intermediate Foundation & Intermediate
Age: 11 years +

The Vocational Graded Examinations in Dance Syllabus provides an in-depth study of ballet, developing students’ technique, music and performance skills and introduces pointe work for female candidates. This highly-focused and practical training prepares students for a dance, or dance-related, career. The syllabi are appropriate for students from the age of 11 years. Students wishing to study for Vocational Graded examinations should have the maturity and technical aptitude for demanding study. *Students must be studying towards their relevant graded class (usually 4,5 or 6) and achieving the required standard to be invited to join vocational classes.

Course: Pre-Pointe
Age: 11 years +

This invite only class, is designed to prepare students for the physical and mental requirements to progress to beginner pointe classes. Students must be studying toward RAD Grade 4 or above and be at the appropriate technical standard.

Overall body conditioning, intense ballet technique and ankle strength and mobility is developed during this 45 minute class. Anatomy and dance safety is also covered through theory and practical methods.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Pointe shoes are not required for this class.
  • Progression to beginner pointe is by assessment only and is the sole discretion of the ballet mistress. 

Course: Beginner Pointe
Age: 11 years +

Those who have successfully completed Grade 5 Ballet, if deemed ready for the challenges of pointe work, will be invited to participate in the Beginner Pointe class. This class is in addition to their weekly graded syllabus class. This class is for students who successfully pass the pre-pointe assessment. Students continue to develop their physical conditioning, anatomy and dance knowledge whilst also beginning to study pointe technique. A slower paced class, focusing on the development of dancing en pointe safely and correctly.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Students must be studying towards a RAD Grade to participate in this class.
  • Pointe shoes are required.

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