Rachel's Ballet - Class Descriptions

Class Descriptions

Contemporary and Jazz / Hip Hop
Ballet provides the foundation for many types of dance. Students are given an opportunity to experience other forms of
dance expression. The Contemporary class includes modern and lyrical dance.

Ballerina Birthday (Ages 3 – 10)
Come dance and twirl with the birthday girl. Two hour birthday party with lesson and birthday table area provided.

Competition
An opportunity to compete both locally and nationally is offered for those who are selected. Selection is by invitation
only. Opportunities include local competitions as well as YAGP – Youth America Grand Prix, an International Student
Ballet and Contemporary Dance Scholarship Competition.

Honor Classes
Honor classes are by invitation only. Selected students learn a group or solo dance that will be performed at the
Annual Showcase. Some Honor dances may also be taken to competition such as YAGP.

Royal Academy of Dance Ballet Classes

Pre-School Dance Curriculum

Pre-School Dance 3 (Ages 3 - 4 years) & Pre-School Dance 4 (Ages 4 -5 years)
The new Pre-School curriculum was developed to help young children become more aware of their body and an
understanding of how it moves through space. It teaches increased self control, co-ordination, and confidence while
helping children to become more sensitive to music through movement and as a means of self expression in
response to music.

Each lesson follows a theme that children can relate to and works to incorporate the learning components mentioned
above by having children respond to teacher-prompted movements or by collaborating with the teacher to respond
creatively to music.

Themes for 2010-2011:

July/August - "Fun at the Park" and "Summer at the Seashore"
Sep/Oct - "A Trip to the Farm" and "Pumpkin Patch Fun"
Nov/Dec - "Going to the City" and "A Visit to the Theatre"
Jan/Feb - "Mountain Adventure"
March/April - "The Enchanted Garden"
May/June - "Zoo Friends"

Lower Grades

Pre-Primary (Ages 5 - 6 years) & Primary (Ages 6 - 8 years)
The new Pre-Primary and Primary dance syllabus was developed to help children learn critical thinking, self-
confidence, and social-emotional skills through a dance course that is artistically and developmentally appropriate for
their age and appealing to young children.

The aims of the syllabus are to improve motor development by helping children to become more skillful in natural
dance movements, improving their physical fitness, and promoting self expression through movement. Cognitive
development is fostered through learning movements, developing creative skills, and learning musicality and
sensitivity in response to music. Self-esteem and self-confidence are also developed in an environment that enables
children to become independent and co-operative learners.

The new program encourages creativity by engaging the students in planning exercises set to musical pieces and to
express emotion through story telling. By making children feel good about what they are doing, we help to nurture a
good self esteem.

Grade One (Ages 7 - 9 years)
This class is for mature beginners and children who have earned their Primary certificate. Uniform: as for Grade One.

Grade Two
At this stage technical demands accelerate and a wider variety of rhythms are used. Students should have studied
Grade One work and achieved that standard. Uniform: as for Grade Two.

Grade Three
Increasing demands of concentration, discipline and stamina make this level a challenging one. Uniform: as for
Grade Three. Girls need to have pink ballet shoes with pink ribbons.

Grade Four
Progression of technique and greater understanding of style accompany more sophisticated rhythms. Uniform: as for
Grade Four. Girls need to have pink ballet shoes with pink ribbons.

Grade Five
Progression of technique, including correct transfer of weight and use of the turn-out muscles will be studied along
with building of strength necessary for pointe work and Polish character steps. Included in this class is identification
of dance rhythms and an understanding of their style. Promising Grade Five students are encouraged to attend one
or two major classes a week. Uniform: as for Grade Five. Girls need to have pink ballet shoes with pink ribbons.

Major Classes/ Upper Grades

Greater artistry and techniques are emphasized in these major and upper grade classes. It is around this level that
dancers make the transition from children’s work to professional training, although in many cases there is some
overlap. Pointe work is included for girls, but some children may not be strong enough for this at the time major work
commences. This must be left to the teacher’s discretion. Uniform: as for majors and upper grades.

Master Class
Students are offered the opportunity to do unset work once a week to challenge them mentally and allow them to
respond to a variety of choreography.

Grade Six / Grade Seven / Grade Eight
Greater artistry and presentations are the focus. Students perform studies taken from some of the most famous
ballets.

Vocational Grades- IF/ I/ AF/A1/A2
Emphasis is on strengthening technique in classical ballet. Pointe work is included for girls. Technique at this level
becomes much more demanding and requires a greater amount of strength:

Intermediate Foundation
Intermediate
Advanced Foundation
Advanced One
Advanced Two

Solo Seal
The highest level that can be examined is the solo seal. Dancers must receive a “Distinction” score result from their
Advanced Two examination in order to enter this level. Dancers passing solo seal have the potential to be a soloist in
a professional company.

Auxiliary Program

"Training and Inspiring Dancers
and Teachers of Tomorrow"

Home Contact Us

About Us News Locations Classes Dress Code RAD Exams Showcase Faculty Gallery Birthdays