Hathaway Academy of Ballet

Class and Level Descriptions

Children's Division

The Children’s Division Creative Movement through Pre-Ballet Levels for ages 3-8.  At this stage of development the objective is to instill a joy and love of dance, music and movement. These classes will lay the foundation for formal ballet training.

Creative Movement I

45 Minutes, 3 years old by September 1st

The syllabus is designed to develop motor skills, non-loco motor movement and the basic shapes and different movement concepts such as shape, levels and energy. This class introduces the three year old to working in a group, listening and moving to music, following directions, taking turns and discovering the movement possibilities in their own bodies.

Creative Movement II

45 Minutes, 4 years old by September 1st

The emphasis is on developing learning skills and ballet steps appropriate for this age. The students learn self discovered movement in a non-judgmental environment. We continue to develop basic movement concepts, as well as improving on motor skills and non-loco motor movements.

Pre-Ballet I

45 Minutes, 5 and 6 year olds, 5 years old by September 1st and entered into Kindergarten

Children in this level will transition from Creative Play to a more structured dance class. This class is structured so that the children are exposed to a variety of movement and musical exercises appropriate for their age. The class incorporates the ballet vocabulary and terminology, basic ballet skills, barre work, rotation of the legs, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises. The emphasis is on developing rhythm and coordination of movement while gaining a better understanding of the body, shapes and form.  Students have fun exploring spatial concepts that are introduced through group work.

Pre-Ballet II

1 Hour, 6 and 7 year olds

This class is designed for the advancing Pre-Ballet I dancer. Students will continue to build upon rhythm and coordination skills while incorporating more difficult movement. There will be an increase in ballet vocabulary and the class will alternate between center and barre work.  Stretching, strengthening and floor exercises are incorporated into this 1 hour class. Along with the expanded ballet vocabulary, this class places an emphasis on musicality and its movement application. Students will practice dancing alone, with a partner, as a group and for each other while having fun and building self confidence.

Student Division

The Student Division is divided into four levels for students ages 7 and older. The focus of the division is to train the students in the proper fundamentals of the ballet technique. An emphasis on correct alignment, ballet terminology, musicality and proper classroom etiquette will progress through the levels. It is not uncommon for students to repeat a particular level to allow the body to grow into the technique. Growth, maturity and consistency are instrumental to a child’s progress.

Beginning Ballet

1 Hour, 9 to 12 year olds

Beginning ballet is for children that have no prior ballet experience. This class will cover all the movement concepts, ballet co-ordination development and musicality through movement. Basic ballet vocabulary and rhythmical exercises are introduced along with posture, physical alignment and strengthening and stretching exercises.

Ballet I

1 Hour, 7 to 10 year olds, 7 by September 1st and entering 2nd grade

This marks the first year of formal ballet training. The class is more equally divided between barre and center work.  It is recommended that Ballet I students meet twice weekly to ensure proper development. If a student takes only one class per week it is possible they will need to repeat the level. The class emphasizes the repetition of exercises which is essential for advancing skill levels. This will allow the students to gain strength in the legs and joints and to understand how their body works with the ballet vocabulary. Control is gained over shapes and body form with rhythmical exercises and traveling across the floor.

Ballet II

1 Hour and 15 Minutes, 8 to 11 year olds

At this level students will continue to build upon concepts introduced in Ballet I; strengthening the foundation from which to grow. As the ballet vocabulary increases so does the student’s ability to process combinations of steps. A greater emphasis will be placed on proper body placement and skill level development.

Ballet III

1 Hour 15 Minutes, Two classes a week required, three classes a week recommended, 9 to 12 year olds

During this stage of training students increase their understanding in how their body works in the ballet technique. More detailed emphasis is placed on the expansion of their ballet vocabulary, proper execution of the steps, alignment of the body, and coordination of the use of arms, rotation of the legs and head collectively.  Pre-Pointe preparation will begin at this level with the attention placed on the strength in the torso, legs, ankles and feet. Before entering into the next level the students must master certain skills.

Ballet IV

1 Hour 15 Minutes, Three classes a week required, Students begin point work mid-year, Ages 10 and up

Students must be ready for Pointe when entering Ballet IV. They must be able to execute steps cleanly and with accuracy. Students must also display the ability to combine steps together with overall coordination and ease. Students on Pointe must take 2 ballet technique classes per week and a third class for point in order to begin point study. This helps ensure that proper strength is maintained to lessen the risk of injury.  Students will continue to build on concepts learned at the previous level while increasing the vocabulary.

Ballet V

1 Hour 30 Minutes, Three classes a week required

This level is the second year of point. They must have a proficient ability to execute a steps with strength and accuracy. The students must also display the ability to combine steps together with overall coordination and ease. Three ballet classes per week are required classes per week which includes their Pointe study.  Students will continue to build on concepts learned at the previous level while increasing their ability to move with musicality incorporating more grand allegro movement and physical demands on the body.

Students from this level forward may be asked to enter the pre-professional division.

Ballet VI

1 Hour 30 Minutes, Three classes a week requiredThis level is the final level of the student division. This level continues to develop more strength and accuracy of the ballet technique. Three ballet classes per week are required classes per week which includes their Pointe study.  Students will have performance opportunities with Hathaway & Company the academy performance ensemble.

Pre-Professional Division

The Pre-Professional program is divided into three levels, I, II, III. This is an intensive program designed to take students to a higher level. The primary focus will be to strengthen the technique and enhance the dancer’s performance quality. The students will take classes in Pointe, variations, pas de deux, modern, jazz and rehearsals of repertoire for performances. Students in this program have the opportunity to participate in the Collin County Ballet Theatre as apprentices, junior and senior company members.  Advancing through the pre-professional level is based on each student’s ability, potential and commitment. Generally each division level is a two year placement.

Pre-Professional I

1 Hour 30 Minutes and up, Four ballet classes and modern technique a week required, Ages 11 and up

This division level is the beginning level of more intensive study. The dancers have committed to a more vocational approach to their training.  More intensive technical demands are placed upon the students to help them develop a higher skill level in petite allegro and grand allegro.  The dancers will work on choreographic concepts to enhance their movement ability.

Pre-Professional II and III

1 Hour 30 Minutes, Five ballet clases a week required, modern and jazz technique highly recommended, Ages 13 and up

These division levels places a responsibility on the student to work at a higher technical level and must have the strength and ability to execute more technically difficult movements.  The intensive technical demands increases from the previous level working more proficiently in all areas.  The dancer’s focus is preparing for performance and artistic interpretation of movement, choreography concepts and musical phrasing.

Other Dance Mediums

Modern

Ages 9 and up

Designed for the dancer to develop an understanding of modern dance technique, which is essential for serious ballet students. There is an emphasis on anatomical alignment and kinetic awareness of contemporary movement. The methods are based upon the Horton & Limon technique. Students must be enrolled in ballet classes and have a good understanding of the ballet vocabulary to participate.

Jazz

Technique focusing on developing a complex movement vocabulary including turns, jumps, and more complicated combinations. A variety of jazz styles are explored, from lyrical jazz, to Theatre Jazz that focuses on developing basic technical skills and expressiveness. Students must be enrolled in ballet class or previous ballet experience.

Hip-Hop

Designed to introduce the dancer to the Hip-Hop dance culture. The class begins with a basic warm-up to stretch and tone the body, followed by a fun, energetic routine that incorporates popular movement and music. All skill levels are welcome to participate with no previous dance experience required.