Classical Ballet Program

ABOUT | Our Classical Ballet Program exposes the student to the best of the renowned ballet pedagogy. Incorporating these ballet techniques into the classroom instruction provides the dancer with the proper placement, alignment, and fundamental technique necessary to develop and grow artistically. The program is designed to advance your dancer, each level’s progression is based on the successful competence and awareness of skills from the level before.

Students meeting the class requirements are invited and encouraged to participate in Dance Del Bello’s Annual Spring Production, with rehearsals taking place outside of valuable class time.

REQUIREMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS |
Minimum of 1 class per week required for Pre-Ballet and Ballet I.
Minimum of 2 classes per week required for Ballet II.
Minimum of 3 classes per week & approved Summer study required for levels III and above.
The most advanced students in our school may dance/rehearse up to 6 Days /week.
* It is highly recommended that all new students take an (age appropriate) ballet fundamentals class in addition to their placement level regardless of ability.
** It is encouraged to complete a year of pre-pointe or supplement beginning pointe with pre-pointe to improve metatarsal and ankle strength and prevent injury or premature damage to the foot.

PLACEMENT | These classes are a combination of age/maturity/proficiency based, A placement class is encouraged for foundational levels, and required for intermediate & advanced levels.  Please call the school to schedule a placement class.

REGISTER |  Please register by completing the registration form or contacting the studio.

Find out more information about the classes and schedules below.

In these fundamental levels, the Pennsylvania Dance Institute introduces class structure and begins to transition the young creative mover to develop core ballet techinque. These classes place emphasis on developing appropriate alignment, turn out, coordination, extension, musicality and fluidity in both barre and center practice.

• Pre-Ballet (Ages 7-8): Age 7 at Registration
  | No Audition Required

• Ballet I & Ballet I+ (Ages 8+): At least Age 8 at Registration
  | Placement Encouraged.
  | Ballet I Minimum Class Requirement is one class per week (1.5 hrs)
  | Ballet I+ Minimum Class Requirement is two classes per week (3 hrs)

• Ballet II:
  | Placement Evaluation Required.
  | Ballet II Minimum Class Requirement is 2 Classes per week (3 hrs)
  • Pre-Requisites: This class builds on Ballet I & I+, a student enrolling in Ballet II should be able to demonstrate the following satisfactorily or exemplary:
    At Least 8 yrs old at Registration
    At least 1 year of dance classes
    Familiar with Ballet vocabulary/terminology
    Improved strength & flexibility
    Proper use of 1st, 3rd & 5th Position (Turnout)
    Proper use of the core and legs/ feet in Center Tendus
    Balance in Sous Sous for 8 counts
    Proficiency in sautes and changements

Our intermediate level classwork builds on all of the foundational technique and focuses on phrasing, clarity, proper articulation of the foot, and proper development of epaulment, as well as increasing technical proficiency & difficulty of turns, allegro (jumps) and preparedness for pointe and performance.  A placement class evaluation is required for new/incoming students.

It is encouraged to complete a year of pre-pointe or supplement beginning pointe with pre-pointe to improve metatarsal , ankle strength & supporting leg strength  and prevent injury or premature damage to the foot.

Ballet II-III
| Ballet II-III Minimum Class Requirement is 2 technique Classes per week (3 hrs) &
| 30 – 60 minutes of pre-pointe work per week
| Approved Summer classes are required to advance to Level III

• Pre-Requisites: Placement is required for this level.  This level is based on both age and ability.   This class builds on Ballet II. A student enrolling in Ballet II should be able to demonstrate the following satisfactorily or exemplary:
  At least 1 year of Ballet classes
  Familiar with Ballet vocabulary/terminology
  Improved strength & flexibility, ability to put concepts together.
  Proper use of 1st, 3^rd, 4^th & 5th Position (Turnout)
  Proper use of  strength and Turnout of the leg en’lair 90 degrees
  Proper use of the core and legs/ feet in Center Tendus & Adagio Practice
  Balance in Sous Sous for 8 counts
  Balance on one leg in coupe or passe for 8 counts
  Proficiency in petite allegro exercises: glissades, assembles, jetes, sissones
  Proficiency in spotting across the floor: Ex Chainne Turns

Ballet III & Ballet III-IV
Ballet III & III-IV curriculum is designed to expose our students to a variety of class levels and teachers to help master and refine skills, instill confidence and challenge our students whilst preparing them for Intensives and Workshops.
| Ballet III Minimum Class Requirement is 3 technique Classes per week (4.5 hrs) &
| 60-120 minutes of pre-pointe/beginning pointe work per week
| Supplemental Classes such as Conditioning or Modern Encouraged.
| Approved Summer classes are required to advance to Level to Levels IV and above

• Pre-Requisites: Placement is required for this level.  This level is based on ability.   This class builds on the concepts learned in Ballet II and Ballet II-III. At the minimum, a  student enrolling in Ballet II-III should be able to demonstrate  proficiency in the requirements for Ballet II & II-III.   In addition to:
  Proper understanding of counting and musicality
  Ability to reverse combinations
  Ability to beat petite allegro
  Ability to turn on one leg (pique turns and pirouttes)
  Ability to move across the floor and sustain grande allegro without injury
  Ability to correctly work above 90 degrees
  demonstrating a readiness for pre-pointe / beginning pointe work

Pre-Pointe & Beginning Pointe
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Floor Barre & Conditioning Classes
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Our advanced ballet classes continue to work on the strength, mobility and flexibility of the dancer. Exercises become more technical, refined and sophisticatedly more complex. Advanced dancers may be asked to join Dance Del Bello as an Apprentice or Jr. Apprentice.

• Ballet IV

• Ballet V

• Conditioning

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