Curriculum
Children’s Division
Children’s Division classes are designed to introduce the basic concepts and principles of dance through a curriculum based on the principles of ballet and other related dance forms. Classes in the Children's Division are designed to offer students a comprehensive dance experience to students between the ages of 2 1/2 to 8 years of age in a structured and nurturing environment. Children's Division students receive evaluations from their primary instructor every term. Parent Conferences are welcome and encouraged at this time.
Creative Movement:
Children 2 ½-5 years old. Movement to music and use of props offer a fun and imaginative introduction to dance. Students will learn how to stretch, recognize rhythm and shape, count, and to express and interact with others in a classroom setting. Classes are one hour in length. Performance opportunities are limited to production schedule per season. Performance is not mandatory for advancement.
Pre-Ballet I & II:
Children 5 ½ -8 with little or no previous dance training. Basic beginning dance steps and positions will be introduced in a comprehensive and fun environment. Correct posture, placement of weight and greater articulation of the head, arms and legs are also introduced. Students also have the opportunity to take a Pre-Jazz and Tap classes in which they are introduced to steps, positions and rhythms that basic Jazz and Tap dance sequences are built upon. Pre-Ballet classes are one hour in length. Tap and Jazz are 30 minutes. Performance opportunities are limited to production schedule per season. Two to four performances are recommended for for advancement to Student Division Classes.
*See schedule for class options and availability.
Recreational Student Division - Recreational Track
Lake Erie Ballet School proudly offers Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and combination classes for beginner and intermediate students of every age with the desire to dance and perform. Unlike the Pre-Professional Division, there are few pre-requisites and no requirements to take any additional classes. Recreational students receive progress evaluations every term but are not proctored exams throughout the year or required to perform in any of LEB’s productions. Classes are 1 hour to 1.5 hours in length. Performance is not mandatory for advancement.
*See schedule for class options and availability.
Pre-Professional Student Division - Company Track
This division is for students showing the desire, dedication, and talent to seek professional careers in the field of Dance. Progression from one level to the next is determined by the student’s mastery of the class syllabus as well as their flexibility, strength, and performance quality. All dancers in this division must pass several written and juried exams per year in order to maintain status in their current levels and be considered for advancement to the next level. Dancers also receive progress evaluations each term detailing the students progress and placement within their level. Students who are not able to commit to the minimum number of classes per week for their level should not enroll in the Pre-Professional Division. Students of the Company Track Student Division are also offered more opportunities to work more closely with other dance professionals and artists contracted by the Lake Erie Ballet. Performance is a mandatory aspect of training for advancement within the Company Track.
Beginning Ballet I:
Ages 8 -10. Students focus on executing a basic ballet class with both barre and center exercises. Contemporary dance is required in order to teach young dancers alternate forms of movement and expression. Minimum 1 Ballet and 1 Contemporary class per week. (2.5+ hours)
Beginning Ballet II:
Ages 9-11. Dancers learn to coordinate arms, legs, and head as barre exercises change from facing the barre to one handed barre exercises. Combinations become more challenging as the students learn additional terminology. Contemporary class is required for students to focus on use of their muscles and expanding their movement vocabulary. Minimum 2 Ballet and 1 Contemporary class per week. (4+ hours)
Intermediate Ballet I:
Ages 10 and older. Dancers will be expected to refine their basic skills and technique while spending more time learning center and across the floor exercises. Pre-Pointe is offered as a means for students to strengthen feet, ankles, legs, and upper body in preparation for later pointe work. Contemporary is required in order to increase body coordination and awareness. Conditioning class is recommended but not yet required at this level. Minimum 2 Ballet and 1 Contemporary class per week. Pre-pointe and Conditioning are offered in addition to the required classes but cannot be used in place of the core classes. (4-6+ hours)
Intermediate Ballet II:
Ages 11 and older. Dancers expand movement vocabulary and technique, learn to execute longer -more involved - combinations, and improve placement, strength, and flexibility. Conditioning class introduces dancers to Yoga, Pilates, Cardio, and advanced stretching methods. Weekly Pre-Pointe and Contemporary classes are required in order to prepare dancers for the physical, mental and emotional stamina necessary of a dance professional. Minimum 3 Ballet, 1 Contemporary, 1 Conditioning, and 1 Pre-pointe class per week. (7.5+ hours)
Advanced Ballet I:
Ages 12 and older. Classes continue to focus on training expected of a pre-professional. Dancers master their skills in this level and are expected to translate vocabulary into movement, executing significantly longer and more difficult combinations. Students are required to participate in weekly Pointe and Variation, Conditioning, and Contemporary classes. Dancers may be eligible to audition for extra performances in conjunction with the Lake Erie Ballet Company. Minimum 4 Ballet, 1 Contemporary, 1 Conditioning, and 1 Pointe class per week. (9+ hours)
Advanced Ballet II:
Ages 13 and older. Classes and all other programming offered at this level prepare dancers for professional careers in dance. Dancers at this level should be able to execute the most difficult combinations with strength, flexibility, grace, and ease. This level also focuses on more stylized forms such as Balanchine along with examining the differences in technique among schools of ballet including Cecchetti, French, Russian, and American. Twice weekly Pointe and Variation classes, as well as Conditioning and Contemporary are required at this level. Dancers are eligible and encouraged to study with and audition for the Lake Erie Ballet Company. Minimum 5 Ballet, 1 Contemporary, 1 Conditioning, and 2 Pointe classes per week. (11.5+ hours)
*See schedule for class options and availability.
*Students in all levels are evaluated at the end of each term and are moved to the next level at the teacher’s discretion.
Please contact LEB School Director, Kirsten Carpenter for
more information regarding schedules and tuition for the 2009 Lake Erie Ballet Term III /2008-2009, Summer Dance
Program at (814) 871-4356 x101 or by emailing lebs@lakeerieballet.org.
|
