Ballet Curriculum

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Creative Movement (Ages 3-4) and  Pre Ballet 1 Ages (4-5) and Pre-Ballet 2 ages (5-6)

Creative movement and Pre-ballet classes are designed for 3 to 6 year olds to introduce the joy of movement and enrich the child’s spirit of exploration. Children are introduced to many forms of music to allow them to discover rhythmical ways to

express themselves. Classes are lightly structured to prepare children for a disciplined ballet approach while

stretching and strengthening their bodies with pre-ballet exercises.The emphasis is to develop an imaginative

and creative spirit as well as a love for dance.

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Ballet 1, 2 and 3

These classes provide the foundation of proper ballet technique. In a nurturing atmosphere, students learn

correct body placement, posture, terminology and musicality. Emphasis will be placed on stretching and

strengthening the body while fostering artistic expression and a strong sense of personal accomplishment.

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Ballet Levels 4 - 7

These levels use the full range of classical ballet technique. Longer movement phrases enhance technical

strength, stamina, musicality and artistic sense. Pointe classes are offered to ladies who are at least 12 years of

age, take 3 ballet classes weekly and have developed sufficient strength for pointe work.

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Requirements

Ballet 3 – 2 classes per week (one class can be Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop or Jazz). Students may spend two years in this level.

Ballet 4 & 4X – 2 ballet classes per week are required.

Ballet 5 – 2 technique classes are required. 

Ballet 5X – 3 technique classes are required.

Beginning Pointe – For those ladies wishing to go on Pointe, please see our guidelines for beginning pointe. Students starting pointe must demonstrate the ballet technique necessary for pointe work.

Ballet 6 – 3 technique classes are required.  Jazz is strongly encouraged as it increases flexibility and helps create a more well-rounded and versatile dancer.

Ballet 6X-7 – 3-4 technique classes are required. Jazz is strongly encouraged as it increases flexibility and helps create a more well-rounded and versatile dancer.

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Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, & Contemporary Dance

 

Beginning Jazz

Fundamentals of jazz technique are introduced. Stretching and strengthening exercises are performed and simple combinations of steps are taught to encourage vitality and enthusiasm for dance.

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Intermediate and Advanced Jazz

This level continues to build upon the technique, flexibility, and vocabulary taught in beginner jazz, but places a new emphasis on expression. Curriculum includes the preparation for turns and jumps which are an extension of the alignment and strength taught in the first two levels.

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Advanced jazz is a continuation and expansion of technique, repertoire, and performance. Particular attention is placed on turns and jumps. This level connects developed technique with expression, allowing the dancer to dance from the inside out. Special performance and competition opportunities exist for the dedicated jazz dancer.

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Tap

At DVDA we have four levels of tap: Tap I, Tap II, Tap III, and Advanced Tap. Each level provides

a natural progression of instruction that allows each student to understand the intricate details

of tap footwork.

 

Tap is a style of American theatrical dance, distinguished by percussive footwork, which marks

out precise rhythmic patterns on the floor. Some descriptive step names are brush, flap,

shuffle, ball change, and cramp roll.

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Contemporary Dance
Contemporary dance is not a specific dance technique but a collection of methods developed from modern and post-modern dance, as well as newer philosophies of movement. Contemporary dance is characterized by its versatility and its great range and fluidity of movement rather than by conventional dance techniques. Contemporary can be danced to almost any style of music, or united with other dance forms to create new styles of movement. It favors movement deriving from the expressions of inner feeling.

Note: Those ballet students wishing to take Advanced Contemporary must also take a jazz class in order to strengthen technique.

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Hip Hop

Students will learn the fundamentals of social hip hop dance. Understanding the social element of the dance will help the students comprehend the groove necessary to perform, as well as create, choreography. This is achieved by understanding 3 things…history, basic movement principles & musicality. The class focuses on technique, terminology, foundation and fun. Video documentation is also shown to further the learning experience. This class is aimed at giving the students an understanding of what hip hop dance is so that students can build a more powerful repertoire for self expression. Check our class schedule for the class that best fits your needs. 

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