The Children's Division starts the dance student off on the right foot, with movement classes for the youngest children, and more formal beginning ballet classes for older children. Special classes for boys offer the opportunity for the fun and action of ballet with an inspiring male teacher.  See our Class Descriptions Page for more details or contact Lisa de Ravel, Dean of Students, for classes about placement.  See Right Sidebar to download all registration materials.

Hand in Hand

A First Dance Class for Young Dancers and their Parents, Hand in Hand is designed for three and four year old dancers. The class will focus on discovering the world of rhythm and dance through gentle exercises and dances hand in hand with parents or caregivers.

Beginning Dance

Beggining Dance is a special dance class for the four or five year old pre-Kindergarten boy or girl, which prepares them for studying ballet with our curriculum. This class explores the body’s dance capabilities, and the world of rhythm and music. Each class has a theme relating to movement and music qualities, and features lots of stories and opportunities for creative movement.

Children's Ballet 1

Children’s Ballet 1 begins the study of classical ballet, combining its teacher-directed basics with lots of imaginative dancing. Girls and boys work on basic body alignment from the very beginning, to build safe habits for future work.

Children's Ballet 2

Children’s Ballet 2 is for the slightly older beginner, age 6 through 9 (grades 1-3). Dancers are introduced to the basic barre and center work of the ballet class, concentrating on safe alignment. They work as a group on listening skills, responsiveness to directions, and awakening self-control and focus. The second portion of the class centers on gross motor movements, while instilling the joy of dance.

Boys Ballet

Boys’ Ballet introduces boys age 6 and older to the basics of ballet training in a supportive atmosphere. Attention is paid to age-appropriate strength training, as well as teamwork, listening skills, self-discipline and responsiveness to music and rhythm.

Middle School Ballet

Middle School Ballet is suitable for young people with some prior dance training, who are seeking to review their skills and improve their technique, and also for young people who are starting ballet for the first time.  The teachers adapt the class to the level of the group, teaching them the most important elements of balletic placement, port de bras (carriage of the arms), turnout, and foot usage, while also introducing and/or reviewing the basic elements of the jumping work, or petit allegro. All attempts are made to prepare the students to move ahead several levels at the end of the year.

Children's Intermediate 1

Children’s Intermediate 1 continues and deepens the study of classical ballet begun in Children’s Ballet 1. The dancers start working at the ballet barre, to gain strength and balance. The class works on listening skills, responsiveness to directions, and awakening self-control and focus. The second portion of the class centers on gross motor movements, while instilling the joy of dance.

Children's Intermediate 2

Children’s Intermediate 2 continues to develop the use of turnout and balletic alignment while expanding the young dancers’ knowledge of the barre work. They continue to work on listening skills, responsiveness to directions, and increased self-control and focus. The gross motor skills become more challenging and balletic, while retaining the joy of movement.

Children's Intermediate 3

Children’s Intermediate 3 begins a more sophisticated and in-depth study of ballet. The work includes an expanded barre, plus many new balletic jumps. Expectations for self-control and focus are also raised, while retaining the joy of movement.  Note: at this level, our academy program, known as the PLUS program, begins. They meet twice a week.