PBT School: Program

Community Classes

The Peak Ballet Theatre offers a Pre-Ballet program, including creative movement classes, for children 4 to 7 years of age. PBT also offers a full schedule of community classes that include various forms of dance for students of all ages and levels. These programs are on a sign-up basis; no audition is required. Registration for fall and spring sessions begins in late summer. Over the summer, PBT continues its community class schedule for approximately 6 to 8 weeks and summer dance camps are also available for students of all ages and levels. Please see our Summer Intensive Brochure for 2006.

 

About The Peak Ballet School Pre-professional program

“Good technique must be very solid and absolutely nonchalant.”

-Larisa Sklyanskaya

 

The comprehensive curriculum, designed by Artistic Director Megan Yacko, is based on the Vaganova method, a universally accepted system of training rooted in classical ballet tradition. This approach has proven to give dancers the skills needed to be technically precise, rhythmically sound, as well as artful and spirited in movement. It develops a flow of movement that suggests a sense of energy, strength, freedom, and joy and reflects a style readily adaptable to meet the demands of the dance world.

 

Students are placed in one of eight levels according to age, strength, flexibility, desire, experience and natural talent. Instructors follow a structured syllabus designed to increase a students’ technical ability, endurance, artistic expression and discipline in accordance with their age, physical readiness, and emotional development. As students mature, their commitment and desire to dance may increase or lessen. Students who reach Ballet Levels IV through VIII are encouraged to reassess their commitment to the art, as we discuss with them topics such as artistry, passion, musicality, physique for dance, and their desire to become a professional. The program includes classes in classical ballet technique, pointe work and variations, pas de deux (partnering), men’s technique, and contemporary and jazz techniques. Workshops on dance related subjects spanning from nutrition, physical therapy for dancers, to tutu making are held throughout the school year.

 

The youngest beginning students start with one to two ballet classes a week. At the intermediate level, students increase their class schedule to approximately four classes a week and other movement forms are introduced. At the advanced level, students may study classical ballet every day. Other classes such as jazz, modern, contemporary ballet, and floore barre classes are added to their program to prepare and strengthen their bodies for the range of choreographic styles they may experience in their professional dance careers.

 

At the apprentice level, advanced students may need to make accommodations to complete their regular education in order to have additional hours of training. All students are encouraged to excel at their academic education. Many schools are understanding and will accommodate our class schedule. Morning company technique classes are available to advanced dancers at the apprentice level who are home-schooled. Some public schools will consider giving PBT II students at all levels physical education credit for their dance training in place of gym class.

 

Classical music is an essential part of a young ballet dancers training. PBT emphasizes musicality and developing a each students ear for music in every class. Often PBT will request that a student study music theory and or a musical instrument to aid this develop. PBT works closely with youth performing arts organizations specializing in music to introduce PBT II students to that facet of dance. Dancers must learn how to interpret music and tell its story through movement. When possible, PBT uses an accompanist for class to expose students to the professional relationship between dancers and musicians.

 

PBT’s school year extends from September through June. Parents receive evaluations of their students’ progress twice a year. Enrollment is renewed each year and is determined after extensive consideration by the teachers involved in the student’s training.  Renewed enrollment is dependent on a child’s dedication, discipline, and technical development. As a student matures, their commitment and desire to dance may increase or lessen. We encourage students who reach Ballet Levels IV through VIII to reassess their commitment to the art, as we discuss with them topics such as artistry, passion, musicality, physique for dance, and a their desire to become a professional.

 

Upon completion of The Peak Ballet School’s Program, students have finished their formal studies, but dancers never stop learning:  after all, they begin each day with a class. Ballet education is an ongoing process, one that continues throughout a dancer’s career. Even students whose paths lead to non-dance careers gain immeasurably from having studied classical ballet. Grace, discipline, motivation, confidence and an appreciation for the arts will enhance and inspire them the rest of their lives.