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Class Levels
Saratoga City Ballet offers ballet classes and additional dance classes (jazz, modern, core workouts) for children, teens and adults ages 3 and up. All ballet placements are made at the discretion of the School Director. For questions regarding placement levels, please contact Siobhan Dunham at (518) 584-1895 or email siobhan@saratogacityballet.com.
Beginner Levels
PreBallet (Ages 5 & 6) provides an introduction to ballet for our youngest dancers. This program teaches young dancers early movement and musicality. Students will learn early ballet terminology as well as creative movement and expression.
Ballet I (ages 6 & 7) provides an introduction to a structured class routine consisting of work at the barre and the center floor. Basic ballet etiquette is taught e.g., quiet in the classroom, no running, listening to the teacher and thanking the teacher at the end of class. At this young age it is very important to allow room for fun and energetic movements that balance the discipline
of listening and working together respectfully. It is expected that a student will spend two years in this division. *
Ballet II (ages 8 & 9) sees more steps being added to the barre and center work. Rhythm becomes an area of exploration. In addition, the French vocabulary is taught and explained. At this age we strive to strengthen the student’s formal studio training by emphasizing punctuality,
dress code, proper hairstyle and respectful behavior in relation to the teacher and fellow classmates. It is expected that a student will spend two years in this division. *
Intermediate Levels
Ballet III (ages 10 &11) builds on the foundation that has been laid by adding more steps, as well as corrections and repetition. At this time the dancer will be taught challenging steps such as turns and big jumps that are presented in a separate class called a “Technique Intensive”. Beginning Pointe work is introduced in the second year of Ballet III. It now becomes important for the young dancer to aim for two (plus) classes a week to keep up with the syllabus. It is expected that a student will spend two years in this division. *
Ballet IV (ages 12-14) is the beginning of a more exacting approach to the physicality of ballet from both the teacher’s requests of the student and the students desire to progress. Steps become combinations, and combinations become choreography. Memory, patterning, aerobic stamina, and personal goal setting all come into play now. Dancers should be starting to analyze the “how to” of movement and asking questions of the teacher. This level progressively prepares the student for the rigors of performance. For this reason, good attendance is required to advance. Pointe work is more demanding and requires careful observance by the teacher, and dedication from the student. Not all dancers will progress at the same rate in this tricky area. It is expected that a student will spend 2-3 years in this division. *
Advanced Level
Ballet V (ages 14 -18) is multiple years of pursuit for more, higher, bigger, better movement.Much of the dancer’s technique is explored in different formats such as reversing movement, adding beats (crossings of the legs) to jumps, doing multiple turns and various types of turns. Polishing the finer aspects of technique requires attention to detail and that is a strong emphasis at this level. Artistry is addressed as teachers stress conceptual areas of interest that can now be investigated, such as the body as an instrument of communication, and ballet as a language. Strong pointe work is required over the course of training at this level. To achieve strength requires regular application, and a willingness to work.
*Not all dancers will progress atthe same rate in this area.
Pointe
Pointe A: Beginner level. Dancers in their 1st or 2nd year of pointe work may be placed in this division.
Pointe B: Intermediate level. Dancers in their 2nd or 3rd year of pointe work may be placed in this division.
Pointe C: Advanced level. Dancers with a minimum of 3 years of pointe work may be placed in this division.
*Dancers taking pointe must be enrolled in at least 2 technique classes per week.
*Advancement is based on ability, not age. Ages are only guidelines. Some students spend more than two years in a level as their minds and bodies develop, while others progress more quickly. Students will be moved up at the School Director’s discretion.
Jazz
Teacher: Jessica Fowler
Advanced Jazz dancers (dancers should have 2-3 years of experience with jazz)
Beginning / Intermediate Jazz dancers (ages 9 up)
Modern/ Contemporary
Modern will be offered by Beth Fecteau of Nacre Dance Group for 4 weeks in the fall and then again the spring. Contemporary will be offered for the remainder of the year. Beginning Modern and Contemporary is intended for dancers ages 11 and up.
Recommended Class Schedule
Ballet I – 1 (one) Ballet class a week
Ballet II – 2 classes a week (2 Ballet classes OR 1 Ballet class + 1 Jazz class)
Ballet III – 3 classes a week (3 Ballet classes OR 2 Ballet classes + 1 Jazz, or 1 Modern)
Ballet IV – 4 classes a week (4 Ballet classes OR 3 Ballet classes + 1 Jazz, Modern or Tap)
Ballet V – 5 classes a week (5 Ballet classes with 1 Jazz, Modern, Tap or 5-6 Ballet classes)