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For children under the age of 4 we recommend Monkey Moves which uses the RAD's Pre-School Dance Curriculum, leading up to Ballet. Alternatively there is Princess Pre-Ballet which little girls (and boys) love to do!
We recommend that all ballet students take Jazz and ideally Body Conditioning classes to help with flexibility and strengthening.
Pre-Grades Age 4-7
In the ballet ‘pre-grades’ (Pre-Primary and Primary) the technical exercises are fairly basic and there is also mime incorporated into most of the exercises to help inspire the children, themes include 'Jack and the Beanstalk', 'Little Red Riding Hood', gardening and holidays for example.There are props such as feathers, wings and ribbons to help develop co-ordination and natural movement.
At Pre-Primary ballet level we also regularly use themes such as Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year, Seaside etc. to keep interest levels high and using the 'learning through play' theory.
The children learn how to point their toes and jump correctly whilst also dancing creatively and rhythmically. These classes provide an excellent basis for the more technical graded ballet classes.
Grades Age 7+
Classical ballet technique really begins to develop from Grade 1. Children will be introduced to and develop the following:
- Correct ballet posture
- Transfer of weight
- Turnout
- Port de bras
- Barre technique
- Demi-pointe work
- Adage
- Allegro
- Pirouettes
Students also explore the free movement section which is based on Greek dance and focusses on gravity, relaxation, natural movement, dynamics and poise.
Character steps are also practiced incorporating national dances from Hungary, Poland and Russia which can be seen in most of the classical ballets such as Swan Lake and Romeo & Juliet.
Throughout the ballet grades, strength, turnout and correct posture develop which enables many children to begin pointework at about Grade 4 or 5 level. We currently offer RAD Grades 1-6.
Unset Ballet
These ballet classes are non-syllabus based and the exercises covered change every few weeks. They are highly suitable for children who already attend other graded classes as they are expanding their knowledge and learning to pick up new steps and combinations. They can also be suitable for new starters as the exercises are run through during each class (which can’t always be done during graded classes due to forthcoming exams).
Vocational Age 10+
Once a student reaches vocational ballet levels complete commitment is required.Students should be attending at least 3 or 4 ballet classes per week.Beating steps begin and there is much more pointe work and emphasis on strength and high extensions.It is at this stage a student must decide whether he or she wishes to dance professionally.Many wish to continue just for enjoyment but for those who wish to take dancing seriously, Prima can help in preparing for professional exams, auditions and teaching exams. Ballet is considered to be the most important of the three core dance techniques.
Whilst we don't offer all levels at all times (as there are usually only a few vocational students at any one time) classes are available in RAD Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2, we can also offer IDTA Intermediate and Advanced 1 if there is sufficient demand.
