descriptions

Creative Movement (Age 2 1/2 - 3)

Creative Movement is an introduction to dance. The primary goal is to foster a love of movement. The creative component is quite large. Several fun or special activities happen in each class. For example, a scarf dance at the end can facilitate the dancer’s own physical expression. Taking part in dancing a narrative helps children understand that dancing is a means of communication and expression. Children build self-confidence by mastering simple dance movements and learning how to work in a group.

Pre-Ballet (Ages 3-5)

Pre-Ballet covers the basic movements found in all dance forms. Pre-Ballet fosters creativity, freedom, expression in movement, and a love of dance. Children learn about rhythms and quality of movement. The creative component is still large. As their ability and self-confidence grows, children are introduced to more challenging sequences of movement and vocabulary that prepares them for Primary Ballet.

Primary Ballet (Age 5)

As the school year progresses, more ballet structure and technique is added to the curriculum in a creative and fun way. At this level, children begin to learn more about how they can control the muscles in their bodies. They learn to use self-control and concentration while dancing. By the end of the year, students can dance set work independently of the teacher and memorize simple exercises or sequences.

Elementary Ballet (Ages 6 - 7)

The goal of Elementary Ballet is to inspire a love of ballet training. Classes are made up of barre work, center work, exercise to increase flexibility, and exercises to encourage musicality and self-expression. Alignment of the spine and correct use of the

muscles in the legs and feet are stressed. Students are also taught the correct protocol for the ballet classroom.

Theater Dance

Theater Dance teaches contemporary movement used in Broadway productions like Annie and Cats. The class focuses on staging, improvisation, developing performance technique and facial expression. The curriculum is age appropriate.

Tap

BBA does not start children in tap until age 5 because children can compromise their backs if they start in tap too young. Our tap classes provide instruction in traditional tap. Tap focuses on rhythm, syncopation and style. An emphasis is placed on developing proper sound and clarity.

Jazz

Jazz dance is a structured stage style of contemporary movement that draws from African dance, ballet, modern dance, show dance, theater dance, and social dance. The class will expose students to several styles of jazz including lyrical, classic jazz, beginning

hip-hop, and Broadway jazz. The class will layer jazz over the traditional ballet technique while encouraging individual expression and development of personal style.

Ballet

Students at our school progress through graded ballet levels of increasing difficulty. Our syllabus integrates both Vagonova (Russian) and Royal Academy of Ballet (English) teaching systems After completing Level III, students may chose to continue their training in either Track A or Track B. Track A is designed for the dancer who desires to pursue a professional career, a dance scholarship for college, or simply to progress at the fastest rate possible. Track B give students more choices about the number of classes per week and is designed for dancers age 11 and older that are trying to balance a variety of activities with their dance training. Students in both Track A & B receive the same high quality training from expert teachers.

Adult Classes

We offer adult ballet classes for beginning through advanced students. Our goal in Adult Classes is to provide an enjoyable atmosphere where adults can experience both physical conditioning and the joy of dancing. College age adults that are advanced dancers can also take class in a number of upper level classes in Senior Division.

Boys Classes

Boys benefit tremendously from ballet training. One of the well known benefits is development of cross-coordination which improves athletic ability. A special Beginner Boys Class is offered boys ages 6 - 10 on Friday afternoons. This class covers the same material covered in our regular classes with a special creative structure that really makes it fun for boys.

Dance Conditioning

Dance Conditioning is a special class designed by instructor Anna Allwander. This class helps dancers to strengthen their muscles while lengthening their line. It improves “turn out”, body placement, flexibility in the feet and legs, as well as helps with injury

prevention and recovery.