Classical Awards &
Intermediate to Advanced Ballet

Moving from the graded syllabus to the next level is a very large step and requires a love of ballet and the desire to advance in technique. Dancers at this level will start class at the ballet barre to work on classical technique, executing combinations at different musical tempos and on different musical counts. They will also build strength and learn how to put several steps together while smoothly transferring their weight and holding correct posture and body placement. Dancers will add several new steps to their repertoire. Center work will consist of an adagio, a tendu combination, jumps – including petit allegro and batterie, and pirouette preparations and turns. Corner work will consist of jump, waltz, and various traveling combinations kept in time to the music. Dancers will learn basic kinesiology and stage placement. They will also learn the names of important muscles used in ballet and anatomy for dancers.

Students in these classes must have many years of previous dance experience in order to be admitted to this class. The higher the level, the more serious and structured the class. The Advanced Level requires a dancer who can absorb and follow a series of instruction for the length of the class. It also requires a dancer who is well-behaved and attentive in class as it requires a love of ballet and the desire to advance in technique. A lot of time is spent working on pointe work with pointe technique and exercises.

This level continues to expand and develop the dancer’s ballet steps repertoire. More complicated barre combinations are introduced, some at a very fast pace, with attention to quick weight transfers and advanced core use. Center-work combinations are longer, with more direction change and a focus on balance, clean transitions, and the incorporation of attitude and pirouette turns. Petit allegro combinations are longer and faster, with the expectation that dancers will be able to pick up combinations quickly. Dancers reaching this level must have strong class attendance and be serious about ballet technique.

First year pointe students will start slowly at the barre and will gradually move to center work on two feet. Building strength and establishing proper placement on pointe are the key goals in this class. Intermediate Level students will be given more challenging work and will continue to build strength by executing turns, sissonne, and hops on one foot at the barre. The barre combinations will then be performed in the center.

Cornerwork involves turns, pirouettes, bourree, pas de polka, and adagio combinations. Pirouettes are a strong focus in this class. Dancers are required to take two technique classes in addition to a pointe class.