Virginia Civic Ballet

Bringing the Arts into the Community

Class Descriptions

PREPARATORY

 

Pre-Ballet:  Ages 3-5  Dancers will learn the basic concepts of movement (level, space, direction, etc.) through dance games. The class will focus on increasing the skills of team work, listening, and following directions. Students will also learn dances, which they will have the opportunity to perform on stage (meets once a week).  Pink leotards and tights; pink ballet slippers.

Ballet I-A:  At least 6 years old (5 yrs. by permission) This class follows Pre-Ballet. Students will start a simple ballet barre and begin learning theory (language of ballet), and begin to learn simplified steps from the Grade 1 syllabus. They will begin basic classical ballet steps in the center. Students will also learn dance concepts through games that encourage creative thinking. Students will have the opportunity to perform one or two dances in the major productions (meets once a week).  Black leotards and pink tights; pink ballet slippers.

Ballet I-B:  Ages 7-9 This is the stepping stone to Grade 1(first year of Cecchetti syllabus). Students will learn the entire Grade 1 barre and begin the Grade 1 steps in the center. Theory will be taught. There will be time for dance games to encourage creative thinking. Students will have the opportunity to perform two dances in the major productions (meets once a week).  Black leotards and pink tights; pink ballet slippers.

 

CLASSICAL BASICS

 

Pre-Grade 1:  Ages 7-9  This class is for the older beginner and is perfect for students advancing forward from the preparatory level, yet not ready for the examination level (Grade 1).  Students will learn the Grade 1 syllabus (barre and center) and theory.  Students will have the opportunity to perform two dances in the major productions (meets once a week).  Black leotards and pink tights; pink ballet slippers.

Grade 1 :  At least 9 years old Students will learn the Grade 1 syllabus & theory. Students who so desire and are qualified may take the national Cecchetti dance exam. This class is preparatory for beginning pointe work.  Students will have the opportunity to perform two dances in the major productions (meets twice a week).  Burgundy (Grade 1) leotards and pink tights; pink ballet slippers.

 

INTERMEDIATE

 

Grade 2/3:  At least 10 years old For students who have completed Grade 1 or by teacher placement. Students will learn the Grade 2 and 3 syllabus & theory. They may be beginning pointe work at the barre or beginning pointe in the center. Students will be introduced to "open syllabus work" (non-Cecchetti). Students will have the opportunity to perform two dances in the major productions. Students may audition for the Trainee Company (see Company page), depending on age (meets twice a week).  Navy blue (Grade 2) or hunter green (Grade 3) leotards and pink tights; pink ballet slippers.

 

ADVANCED

 

Advanced Ballet (Grade 4-7):  At least 12 years old  For students who have passed Grade 3 or by teacher placement. Students will work on Grades 4-7 syllabus & theory and advance their center pointe work.  These students will have the opportunity to perform several dances and demi-solo roles in the major productions. Serious dancers are encouraged to audition for positions in the Trainee or Apprentice Companies, depending on age  (meets 3 times a week; students must attend at least twice a week).  Any color leotards and tights; pink ballet slippers and pointe shoes.

Advanced Ballet with Partnering:  At least 14 years old This class focuses on improving students’ leaping, jumping and turning abilities, and on teaching partnering skills (pas de deux).  Students at the Grade 5-7 level are expected to learn pas de deux. Other students may take this class as an additional class. Students not at the grade 5 level must seek teacher permission to attend this class.  Any color leotards and pink tights; pink ballet slippers and pointe shoes.

 

JAZZ, TAP AND MUSICAL THEATER DEPARTMENT

 

Tap:  Ages 7-10  This class is for boys and girls who are interested in learning the basics of tap dance.  There will be a recital at the end of the year (meets once a week).  Any solid color leotards and tan or black professional dance tights with any color spandex dance shorts, or black jazz pants or Capri pants; black tap shoes (slip-on type preferred). 

Beginning Jazz:  At least 7 years old  This class is for beginning dancers and will introduce the basic steps of jazz dance.  There will be a recital at the end of the year (meets once a week).  Any solid color leotards and tan or black professional dance tights (NOT pantyhose), with any color spandex dance shorts, jazz pants or Capri pants; black or tan jazz shoes (slip-on type preferred).  Jazz pants must be close-fitting at least to the knee. 

Intermediate Jazz/Beginning Hip-Hop:  At least 10 years old (or by permission) This class is for students with some dance experience who wish to improve their jazz dancing and learn choreography. Perfect for fun and a challenge! There will be a recital at the end of the year (meets once a week).  Any solid color leotards and tan or black professional dance tights (NOT pantyhose), with any color spandex dance shorts, jazz pants or Capri pants; black or tan jazz shoes (slip-on type preferred).  Jazz pants must be close-fitting at least to the knee. 

Advanced Jazz/Intermediate Hip-Hop:  At least 10 years old (or by permission).  Students will learn intermediate and advanced steps from the classic jazz syllabus along with dance steps from Broadway musicals.  Music will include popular hits by pop, R&B and rap artists.  There will be a recital at the end of the year (meets once a week).  Any solid color leotards and tan or black professional dance tights (NOT pantyhose), with any color spandex dance shorts, jazz pants or Capri pants; black or tan jazz shoes.  Jazz pants must be close-fitting at least to the knee. 

Musical Theater:  Ages 9-13  This class will work on skills needed for success in musical theater productions:  singing, jazz dancing, tap, and acting. There will be a recital at the end of the year (meets once a week).   Black leotards, tan or black professional dance tights (NOT pantyhose) or black jazz pants/Capri pants (NOT sweatpants), black jazz shoes and black tap shoes (slip-on type preferred).  Jazz pants must be close-fitting at least to the knee. 

 

ADDITIONAL DRESS CODE NOTES:

Boys should wear plain white T-shirts and black sweatpants or jazz pants with black ballet slippers, jazz or tap shoes.  Older boys may wear professional men’s leotards and tights.

Only professional dance warm-ups and cover-ups are permitted.  These may include legwarmers, wrap or pull-on skirts, warm-up shorts, sweaters, shrugs, and warm-up pants. Please do not wear anything with words or letters printed across the chest or rear end.   NO street clothes permitted during class.  This means no T-shirts, sweatshirts or sweatpants, athletic shorts, tank tops, camisole tops, etc.  Teachers reserve the right to ask students to remove cover up clothing that violates this rule.

Hair must be secured away from the face and off the neck. Buns are required for ballet classes. NO JEWELRY OR WATCHES, except for stud earrings, may be worn during class.  These items can be hazardous to other dancers and can cause injury to the wearer.

Dance shoes should never be worn outside.  Please put the student’s name or initials on the inside of all her shoes. It is very common for shoes to be inadvertently taken home by someone other than the owner, and without identifying marks, it is often impossible to reunite shoes with their owners.  It is also a good idea to put the student’s name or initials on the tags of warm-ups and cover-ups, which are frequently discarded during class as the student warms up.

Conservatory Class Descriptions and Dress Code for 2010-2011

Classes begin Aug. 30 and run through June 11.

Please call (540) 253-5258 for placement advice.