MDC Ballet Program

Levels of Instruction:

Twinkle Star Preschool

Classes are rooted in the foundations of ballet and begin in our Twinkle Star program (age 2 and build to age 7). The curriculum is built and created to encourage age-appropriate creativity, musicality, physicality and skill building. Your child will dance and have fun with an emphasis on the foundations of ballet. Dancers will be guided through creative movement, basic ballet positions, steps and much more! Plus, we make learning fun!

Ballet I (6 years - 10)

An introduction to ballet technique. Students will begin to learn simple movement at the barre’, learn proper preparations and finishes for exercises, as well as being introduced to a format they will use for the rest of their training. Students will learn the basics of ballet class etiquette and positioning for feet, arms and hips. Classes are taught with a focus on the joy of movement. Age-appropriate basic ballet terminology is introduced.

Ballet I.5 (ages 6+)

Ballet I.5 introduces an expanded age-appropriate repertoire of ballet fundamentals. Students will begin to learn correct execution of turnout and placement in basic positions; continue to develop their coordination; and focus on age-appropriate spatial and body awareness. Students will work cooperatively with the teacher and their classmates to present show material, continue to learn ballet class etiquette, and begin working on strength and flexibility with simple conditioning exercises. Ballet 1.5 prepares students for the introduction of barre work in Ballet II.

Ballet II (ages 7+ )

Ballet II students will begin to learn the traditional barre exercises in a technically sound and age-appropriate manner. Barre exercises transfer to the center floor work where students begin to connect what they learn at the barre with the movements they will be executing in the center. Teachers guide students to develop a greater awareness of technique, musicality, and dancing with others to create a performance. Conditioning exercises are included in classwork to increase strength and flexibility.

Ballet III (ages 10 +)

Students should have a good understanding of the proper execution of turn out, placement and port de bras (carriage of the arms). Teachers will continue to increase the complexity of exercises and introduce new material while focusing on correct technique and coordination. Dancers will increase the length and frequency of classes with a focus on building strength and learning fundamental and age-appropriate steps from the classical repertoire. Preparations for turns on pointe are introduced.

Advanced Ballet (ages 13+)

Students have now learned the foundation of barre exercises and will begin slowly increasing the complexity with a focus on proper technical execution. Sound technical fundamentals continue to be a priority. Girls will begin introductory pointe work at the discretion of the faculty. Basic pointe work includes learning how to prepare the shoes for dancing and developing strength in the feet, ankles, legs, core and upper body with exercises on two feet facing the barre. Pointe classes are introduced at 30 minutes and increase in length and frequency in subsequent years as students gain strength for more complex movements.

Advanced Ballet Company (ages 13 years +)

Students should have sound technical fundamentals and be ready for increasingly complex work. Weekly variations in classes are added. Teachers guide students to develop their artistry. Girls will have developed the strength needed to execute increasingly challenging pointe work. Boys will focus on developing strength to execute tours, pirouettes and jumps in the male classical repertoire. Students will have increased performance opportunities, including the opportunity to join the company.

Ballet for Boys

This class emphasizes posture, alignment, proper execution, fundamentals, port de bras, strength, and classroom etiquette. Includes attention to foot articulation and usage, along with stretching. While the syllabus is the same for beginning male and female students, the contrast between male and female is different as the student progresses.

Pre-Pointe and Pointe (by evaluation)

Pre-pointe helps students to strengthen their abdomen, which is a very important muscle that all dancers use to balance. Pre-pointe teachers will tend to focus a lot on abdomen exercises and stretching to help with flexibility. Pre-pointe class last 30-minute class and is for dancer’s ages 12 and up. Before the student is placed in pointe shoes the teacher will do an evaluation looking for pointe readiness, some of the things they are looking for are.

Core strength: Dancers are asked to plié and grand plié in the center. Teachers watch for strength through the abdominals, ankles, and feet, and make sure ribs are over the hips.

Rotation: Teachers will watch to see if dancers can sustain turnout from the hips without compensating.

Alignment: Teachers may check the ability of dancers to maintain proper placement by leading relevé exercises in first position.

Balance: Dancers might be asked to sous-sous and degagé the back leg side, so it closes in front. Teachers evaluate strength and placement through the core and legs.

Youth America Grand Prix Training: NEW! (ages4 9+)

Train to compete in the most prestigious ballet competition in the world.

Private Lessons:

At MDC we do offer private lessons with our professional team of coaches. Please inquire via e-mail to dance@mosaicdancehall.com or call 269-321-4400. Availability mostly on Saturdays.