Ballet isn’t just about tip-toe dancing, it is the foundation of all dance forms. With a solid ballet foundation, dancers can transfer their skills into jazz, contemporary, gymnastics, modern dance, or any other dance form they might decide to pursue. The stronger their technique, the more versatile they will be as a dancer. Ballet training is about discipline, commitment, years of dedication in perfecting the techniques, musicality, expression, poise, control and grace.
Ballet
Under the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, we offer comprehensive classical ballet training through a progressive curriculum designed for children ages 3 through adults. Since 1920 the RAD has been educating and training dance teachers and students and is firmly established as a leader in dance education and training with ballet remains central to the work. Today, its syllabus is taught in over 79 countries, setting high standards of dance training for more than 250,000 students every year.
The safe and correct training of your children is one of the RAD’s major concerns, which is why the Grades Syllabus has been devised with great care. Students progress in slow stages, demanding no more of a young body than it can easily cope with. This means that all the work learned will be correct. Not only is this syllabus great fun for students to dance, it also helps with co-ordination, fitness, sense of rhythm, musicality and self expression, as well as promoting self-discipline and boosting confidence.
Examinations are optional upon recommendation by our teachers and are held annually with an examiner appointed by the RAD. For reasons of safe dance practice, Graded Examination candidates must normally have achieved the minimum age imposed by the RAD. The RAD examinations provide students with:
- achievable goals to work towards
- recognition from the world’s largest ballet examination board
- qualifications that are fully accredited by the UK regulatory authorities
- the impetus to achieve their personal best in a fun and nurturing environment
Learning ballet requires patience and continual study over time. Students will be assessed by our teachers and entry into the class does not guarantee entry into the exam. Students studying for a Graded Examination requires a minimum of 2 classes per week.
BABY BALLET
This is an early introduction to ballet and movement where your little ones dressing up in tutus or transform into fairies, butterflies and everything magical while playing ballet. It aims to develop listening skills, musicality awareness and expressing movements while developing coordination through simple and rhythmical musics. It is also an enjoyable way for your little ones to channel their energy, develop physical skills, stimulate imagination and promote creativity. Props and toys are also used during class to cultivate the children’s creativity and interest for the course.
Age Group: Age 3 to 4 years
Duration: 45 minutes per class
Requirements: No experience necessary
PRE-PRIMARY IN DANCE
Pre-Primary in Dance is designed for children from the age of 5 years. It introduces children to dance using the natural actions of the body such as running, walking, jumping, hopping, skipping and galloping. It is structured to aid children physical development, coordination, spatial awareness, creativity, self-expression and musicality using a range of sounds and musical styles. Pre-Primary emphasizes the fun elements in learning the basics of classical ballet by using shapes and imaginative movements. The use of various props and different types of music will help them to explore their imagination and to understand more precise rhythm differences.
Age Group: Age 5 years
Duration: 45 minutes per class
Requirements: No experience necessary. 2 classes per week are required for exam preparation.
PRIMARY IN DANCE
A natural progression from Pre-Primary, Primary in Dance is designed for children from the age of 6 years. Based on the RAD Primary syllabus as a guideline to develop strong key foundation in classical ballet concepts such as use of turnout, posture, flexibility, musicality and coordination. This syllabus prepares the children for a successful transition to classical ballet at higher levels.
Age Group: Age 6 years
Duration: 1 hour per class
Requirements: No experience necessary. Two classes per week are required for exam preparation.
GRADE 1 – 3
Here the teaching of true ballet technique commences, along with increased emphasis on correct posture, placement and line. An understanding of the technique is reflected in the ability to co-ordinate simple movements to produce combination of steps and quality of movement within the range of their own physical capacity. Students learn the vocabulary by joining it together in different ways and most importantly, to show enjoyment in what they are doing. Students are also able to interpret music and display a developing sensitivity to musical content and style.
Age Group: Age 7 and above
Duration: 1 hour per class
Requirements: Two classes per week are required for exam preparation
GRADE 4 – 5
Movements become increasingly complex and varied and students learn to develop quick responses through the use of unset work. Students demonstrate consolidated technical skills and an increased range of movements in sequences of increased length and complexity. They show a clear understanding of the mechanics and purpose of the required vocabulary. An increased sense of performance, awareness of space and dynamics and development of choreography are emphasized.
Age Group: Age 10 and above
Duration: 1 hour per class
Requirements: Two classes per week are required for exam preparation.
GRADE 6 – 8
Grades 6 – 8 provide progression to further personal development, lifelong learning and higher education opportunities. Students demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the vocabulary through the wide range of movements performed with technical strength. Along with confidence, students convey self-awareness, resulting in a sensitive personal responsiveness to the musical mood.
Age Group: Age 11 and above
Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes per class
Requirements: Two classes per week are required for exam preparation.
VOCATIONAL LEVELS
Intermediate Foundation will be the start of the vocational level. It is challenging yet exciting whereby students will be finally introduced to pointe works after years of preparation. Moving on from Intermediate Foundation, students will progress to more advanced classes such as Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2.
Age Group: Age 12 and above
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes per class
Requirements: Two classes per week are required for exam preparation.
ADULT BALLET 1
Although professional ballerinas start at an early age, it is never too late to learn ballet. Adult ballet classes offer a fun way to tone and tighten your body while learning the fundamental techniques of ballet. If you have never danced before, a beginners class would be perfect for you. Beginner classes start off at the very first steps of ballet, so there is no reason to be intimidated. Poise will be much improved as ballet instruction seeps into everyday life. Adult ballet classes rarely enforce a dress code. If you feel uncomfortable wearing tights and a leotard, simply wear a T-shirt and sweatpants. Make sure you wear something that allows you to move freely.
Levels: Beginner
Age Group: Adult only
Duration: 1 hour per class
Requirements: No experience necessary