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The study of dance requires continuity. Our school curriculum is based on a graduated study of classical ballet technique, and our courses have been designed to ensure the fastest progress for students who attend the recommended number of classes weekly. We welcome students who are not ready to make the time commitment needed to develop a professional ballet dancer, and try to be flexible in arranging their schedule. We encourage ballet for recreation, but students should realize that their progress and accomplishments are determined by their attendance and effort in class. | ||
| School Curriculum |
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| The curriculum for our school is based on the Russian style of ballet, and the course content and typical ages of students at each level are given below. Please remember that there are always exceptions to each rule. Students who spend a great deal of time in class will usually excel technically and artistically, if they have no health problems to hold them back. Strength, stamina and the ability to dance en pointe usually will be determined by the amount of time and effort devoted to class work. The director will inform the student when she is ready to begin pointework. | |||
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| Pre-Ballet | ||
| Pre-Ballet A, B, & C |
3 ½ - 5 years old | Stretching
exercises on the floor, skipping, hopping, and
galloping (chasse) steps are combined with
creative dance and folk dance to encourage the joy
of movement. Classes are 45 minutes long. |
| Ballet A | 5 - 6 years old | This class offers more technique and structure and covers the above exercises. Classes are 1 hour long. |
| Beginning Levels | ||
| Level I | 6 and older | Classes at
this level are similar to Pre-Ballet classes, but
emphasize more ballet technique and structure, and
introduce the children to ballet barre work.
Classes are one hour long. |
| Level II | 7 and older | Children at
this level begin a half hour of exercises at the
barre, followed by a half hour in the center. The
focus is on building strength, technique and
expression. Classes are one hour long, and some
students may attend class twice a week. |
| Level III | 8 and older | At this
level, many ballet steps are taught in basic form,
especially at the barre, since coordination,
strength and development are maturing. Teenage
beginners sometimes can start in this level with a
supplement of private or semi-private lessons to
help them catch up to their age group. Classes are
one hour long, and students are encouraged to
attend 2 classes each week. Pre-professional
students should take 3 to 4 classes weekly. |
| Level IVB | 9 and older | Students at
this level begin serious preparation for pointe
work, and they are strongly advised to attend
classes a minimum of 3 days a week in order to
build the strength and stamina they will need to
dance en pointe. Classes are one and one
half hours long. Pre-professional students should
attend classes at least 4 days a week. |
| Level IVA | 10 and older | A class for
students who will be ready to begin pointe work
within the year. Students must have completed
Level IVB and must attend 3 classes per week to
begin pointe work. Students will be notified
in writing when they are ready for pointe shoes.
Classes are one and one half hours long.
Pre-professional students should attend classes at
least 5 days a week. |
| Intermediate Levels | ||
| Level V | 11 and older | At this
level, students devote one half hour of each class
to pointe work. Classes are one and one half hours
long, and we recommend students attend at least 4
classes a week. Pre-professional students should
attend 5 or 6 days a week. |
| Level VIB | 12 and older | All students
at this level should take a one and one-half hour
pointe class. Classes are one and one-half hours
long, and we recommend students attend at least 4
classes a week. Pre-professional students should
attend 5 or 6 days a week. |
| Level VIA | 13 and older | All students
at this level take a one and one-half hour pointe
class, and for the most advanced, pas de deux
may be offered. Classes are one and one-half hours
long, and we recommend students attend 5 classes a
week. Pre-professional students should attend 6
days a week. |
| Advanced Levels | ||
| Level VIIB | 14 and older | Two one and
one-half hour pointe classes are required at this
level, as well as a minimum of five classes a
week. Pre-professional students should attend 6
days a week. |
| Level VIIA | 15 and older | An advanced level for serious, pre-professional students who take at least 6 ballet classes a week and who have reached a high degree of technical proficiency. |
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| Top of Page Pacific Ballet Academy • P.O. Box 765 • Los Altos, CA 94023 Ballet Campus located at: 295B Polaris Avenue • Mountain View, CA For more information, contact: director@pacificballet.org Or telephone Pacific Ballet Academy at: (650) 969-4614 Photographs are the property of Pacific Ballet Academy, and may not be used or reproduced for any reason without the written permission of the directors. Copyright © 2002 • All Rights Reserved |