Pre-Ballet classes offer children ages 3-7 the opportunity to explore the magical world of dance, introducing students to ballet through work with movement patterns, ballet positions, body coordination and musical rhythms. Students learn studio behavior, gain an attentive focus and musical awareness while studying the movement discipline required by the performing arts or a related sport such as gymnastics or skating.
Students learn elementary barre and center ballet vocabulary while enjoying movement and music. The classes divide by age so that the curriculum can be specifically tailored to the physical and cognitive level of each class. Children must be the class age by September 1st.
Pre-Professional Division (Ages 8-18)
Our pre-professional training begins at age 8. The Institute's pre-professional division is composed of Levels 1 through 7. Classes in this division are carefully graded by physical strength, technical proficiency, musicality, age and development. Students move to the next level according to individual achievement and abilities in technique, strength, flexibility, physical capacity. In addition, the faculty seeks and promotes those students who concentrate on perfecting and correcting their individual technique and artistry.
Levels follow a syllabus designed to build and improve students' classical ballet line, technical skills, physical strength and stamina, and mental and emotional discipline in accordance with their age and development. A well rounded, age apporpriate and challenging curriculm allows students to develop skills in all aspects of dance. Ballet, Modern, Pointe, Jazz and Repertoire classes are included.
At ages 10 and 11 (Levels 3 & 4), Pointe work readiness is evaluated. In consultation with the student and parents the Institute examines where the student's dance interests are, how the student's body is developing, and what the student's goals are:
- A performance career
- Other arts career
- College preparation goals
Students are given a written evaluation in the Spring, which advises the students of the next year's placement level.
Level 1-7 perform in the Institute's End of Year Student Demonstration. Performing opportunities throughout the year include our annual Nutcracker, as well as Open House performances, festivals and ADI special events. Performance repertoire includes the classics, modern and jazz dances as well as ballets choreographed for the students by ADI's Arts Incubator participants, faculty, and guest faculty.
Students leaving the pre-professional program have a strong sense of their bodies, a knowledge of technical styles, and a confidence in their abilities.
Jazz dance technique is an evolving dance form that reflects current style and popular culture. In jazz dance, combinations incorporate syncopated rhythms, body isolations, percussive accents, and strong use of leaps and turns. Students learn to expand their use of ballet technique, balance, and strength in the study of classical jazz, as they are exposed to the versatile styles of Gus Giordano, Luigi, Frank Hatchett, and Fosse among others. Students also become acquainted with Lyrical jazz, Broadway jazz, and hip-hop as they progress in the study of jazz dance.
Teen Ballet Division (Ages 11-18)
Teen Ballet opens the doors for teens just beginning ballet studies and for those students wanting to continue their studies and accommodate the busy schedule of today's teens. Classes are offered in Beginner, Advanced Beginner, and Intermediate levels. Students find they need to study ballet to augment training and perfect their movement skills in Jazz, musical theater or a sport such as gymnastics or skating. Still others want to begin ballet training in their teens. Students can create their own individualized schedule enrolling for 1 or more classes per week adding Modern, Jazz, and Pilates.
Modern dance developed in the United States and Europe in the 20th Century as a reaction to traditional ballet. Classes introduce the technique of Lester Horton, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, and Jose Limon, while incorporating the principles of fall and recovery and of contraction and release. Students will acquire a spatial awareness and are encouraged to explore the expressive medium of modern dance through floor work, body alignment, partnering, and improvisational studies. The class is taken in bare feet.
| PreBallet Division |
| Pre-Professional |
| Jazz Division |
| Teen Ballet Division |
| Modern Division |
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