Classes

Creative Movement Student leaps over the magic wand.

Pre Ballet Student performs at the annual Junior Spotlight.

Ballet 2 student works with a student assistant.

This class is a perfect introduction to dance and ballet in particular. It is designed to prepare young dancers for class on their own when the time comes. We begin class sitting in the circle with fun songs and exercises, learning basics such as stretching positions, body part identification, and movement through imagery. We continue these principles with standing exercises while also bringing in ballet terminology. Then, grown ups and dancers perform locomotor movements using props. There is always one dance related game saved for the end of class and then we gather together for our reverence (thank you for our class.) Exercises and music can vary week to week, but the structure remains the same week to week since young dancers love to know what to expect. It is truly amazing what a toddler is capable of. Tutus are encouraged but not required for dancers. Comfortable clothing will more than suffice for mommy!

Classes

Creative Movement

Our Creative Introduction class is a 45 minute class geared toward students ages 3-5 years. As in the Joffrey and Ailey philosophies, we too are acutely aware that the ages three to five years are extremely crucial to a dancer’s development providing structure and athleticism while nurturing the early seeds of artistic expression. Students learn a variety of movements that foster the beginning movements of ballet in a fun environment and with fun analogies. Circle floor exercises help students discover body awareness, isolate and begin to stretch the muscles needed in ballet, and wrap it in imagery that keeps it all fun.

Pre-Ballet

Our Pre-Ballet class is a one hour class geared toward our students ages 5-6 , who are in the primary school years. For these students Basically Ballet Studio offers a little more structure. We understand that this age group is more capable of longer periods of strict instruction, but not able to fully relinquish play. Therefore, we progressively introduce more challenging ballet techniques. Basic warm up exercises such as plie and tendu are done without using the barre. The students then stretch and do strengthening exercises as a preparation for the next level. The last part of class is designated for across the floor exercises where the students get an understanding of traveling from one side of the room to the other.

Ballet I & II

Ballet III

Junior Company

Senior Company

Modern Dance

Our Modern Dance classes are offered to students 10 years to Adult. The Modern Dance curriculum consists of an eclectic style of movement. This class focuses not only on the mastery of the body and control, but when to “let go” of the control. The students learn where movement is initiated from and where it travels to. Most importantly, the students continually learn how to phrase their movements with the music. Students are challenged to dance with, against, and on top of the music. Modern Dance students also learn how music and choreography co-exist.

At every stage of a student’s life, we not only provide precision of technique, we also foster self worth, hard work, and love of one’s accomplishments.

Finally, Basically Ballet always strives to make dancing fun!

Our Expectations
At Basically Ballet, we know that solid training and professionally skilled instructors are the heart of a good school. However, without students willing to work, the best trained instructors will fail and ultimately so will the students. That is why our students have certain responsibilities.

Our students are expected to . . .

Come to class on time, on a regular basis and in a frame of mind ready to work and have fun. Students will only progress with regular attendance! Respect their classmates and their instructors. Maintain health to the best of their ability by getting proper nutrition and rest. When students are ill, they are expected to respect their classmates and instructors by not attending class until the illness has passed or after a physician has declared them non-contagious. Wear their hair in a secure bun (or pulled back if short). Don’t know how to make a bun? We’ll help! Wear the proper color leotard and tights according to class level at all times (no skirts permitted). Not chew gum or wear jewelry (except for stud earrings) during class.

The only way that our students can succeed in dance is if we, the instructors and staff of Basically Ballet, take the love and art of ballet and modern dance seriously. The wonderful thing is that if our students take it seriously too, there is no telling what they will become. Basically Ballet believes in a world without boundaries. That world starts with teaching our children how to succeed, not just in ballet, but in life. Our expectations of our students help them to do just that…. SUCCEED!