School Year

Ballet Theater of Phoenix offers two programs for the young dancer ages 3+: the Primary Ballet Program and the Classical Ballet Program.

Primary Ballet Program

The Primary Ballet Program focuses on developing musicality, artistry, imagination and creativity through dance, conditioning the body to prepare it for classical ballet, and developing a fundamental understanding of classroom comportment and etiquette. Our curriculum provides developmentally appropriate content that gives students a strong foundation from which to grow when they graduate into the Classical Ballet Program.

Creative Movement (ages 3 and older)

In Creative Movement class, your child will learn skills to help their development and enhance their ability to grow and learn in their own special way, at their pace. Each class begins with a greeting and ends with our goodbye song. We do a gentle warm up, develop the them for the week, and play a game with a prop like scarves, ribbons, or improvisation with costumes.

Primary Ballet 1-3 (ages 5 and older)

In the Primary levels, students continue their preparatory development as dancer by further enhancing the skills introduced in Creative Movement. Primary students are introduced to the structure of a ballet class. In this level, goals are to stand in a poised manner, develop musicality and spatial awareness, build strength and flexibility, and, demonstrate a sense of grace and love of dance and movement. More complex musicality and spatial configurations are learned, exercise length is gradually increased to build focus and stamina, and beginning ballet vocabulary is introduced.

Please call the office at (602) 957-3364 to schedule a level placement class for your child.

Classical Ballet Program

Our Classical Ballet Program is a unique program that focuses on training students for a professional career in classical ballet by providing a deeper understanding of the kinesthetics of ballet, as well as their own bodies. Students learn fundamental knowledge about the body as an instrument as well as the tools to care for and hone their instrument to reach its fullest potential. There is a great focus on building artistry, musicality, and intuition - the skills that set apart the professional from the amateur. *Please note it is not uncommon for a student to spend more than 1 year in a level to ensure that all students develop a strong classical foundation.

Lower Division

Level 1-3 (ages 8 and older)

In the Lower Division, students are introduced to the structure of a full classical ballet class. Barre work is introduced with a focus on developing a strong sense of aplomb (center) and placement, as well as developing turn out and articulation through the feet and legs. Exercises in the center are given to develop movement quality, strength, and coordination. There is a strong focus on developing vocabulary as well as an understanding of proper technique. Students explore musicality and artistry through movement and mime. Students in Levels 1-3 also study Progressing Ballet Technique/Conditioning. Students in Level 3 study Pre-Pointe.

Upper Division

Levels 4-7 Technique and Pointe (ages 11 and older)

In the Upper Division, students further develop their ability to execute complex series of combinations, using the head, port de bras, and epaulement in coordination with the legs. Combinations increase in complexity and rigor as students are challenged to develop their technique, coordination, and stamina. In Pointe class, students develop proper alignment of the ankles and toes and build strength. Students are given exercises to further develop the strength and suppleness of their pointe work. Pointe work is now introduced in the center and with more speed and rigor. Students in Levels 4-7 also study Progressing Ballet Technique/Conditioning.

Progressing Ballet Technique (Levels 1-6)

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is an innovative program for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in dance. The PBT program will leave students with a comprehensive understanding of pure alignment, weight-placement, core control, and how to break down every movement and unfold the layers to understand what muscles assist each movement in its purest form. Quality over quantity is the ethos of Progressing Ballet Technique.

Please call the office at (602) 957-3364 to schedule a level placement class for your child.

Performances

Students at Ballet Theatre of Phoenix participate in two productions annually.

Nutcracker Swing!

The Nutcracker Swing! is presented annually during the holiday season in partnership with Convergence Ballet.

Spring Performance

Every year, the school presents a story-book ballet showcasing the students’ progress as dancers and artists throughout the School Year.

Registration

Free Placement Class!

Please call the office at (602) 957-3364 to schedule a level placement class for your child.

What to Wear?

Creative Movement – ages 3-4

Please have your child wear any close fitting clothes or leotard and tights, socks or Ballet Slippers with their hair secured and out of the face.

Primary Levels and Lower Division – ages 5+

Girls should wear standard ballet attire (solid color leotard, light pink tights and pink leather full sole ballet slippers. If the student does not have dancewear, they may take this audition class in leggings, a tank top or t-shirt and socks. Girls are to wear their hair and bangs neatly away from their face and secured in a classical ballet bun.

Boys should wear flexible/breathable shorts (no denim), a t-shirt and black ballet slippers or socks. Boys should have their hair out of their face and secured with hairspray or gel if necessary.

Upper Division – ages 11+

Ladies should wear standard ballet attire (solid color leotard, light pink tights and pink leather full sole ballet slippers. Ladies are to wear their hair and bangs neatly away from their face and secured in a classical ballet bun. Ladies should bring their pointe shoes.

Gentlemen should wear tights and a dance belt, a t-shirt or leotard, and black ballet slippers with socks. Gentlemen should have their hair out of their face and secured with hairspray or gel if necessary.

Forms