Levels

SCB Materials

Beginners (Ages 3-6)

A 45 minute class held once a week
The class includes work on co-ordination skills, basic ballet technique, rhythm, timing, miming, and group work. Students gradually develop skills including demi plies, pointing and flexing foot and toes, controlling knees at will, light ballet runs, ballet skips, gallops decote, pony trots, and arm control in a structured class enviornment that develops creativity and enjoyment through achievement.

Pre-Primary (Ages 6-7) & Primary (Ages 7-8)

After testing in the Pre-Primary level students advance to become Primary students. These classes cover the same basics but with more memorization and arrangements for Primary candidates. Arrangements rotate yearly, so a Pre-Primary's second year as a Primary student will be different. Skills developed include en avant gallops, spring points, and sautes.

Grade 1 (Ages 8-9)

A 1-hour class held once a week. Upon passing the Primary grade level, students advance to Grade 1 which continues the addition to their skill-sets through the introduction to barre work, polka, attitude devant with hop, and classical positions of the arm.

Grade 2 (Ages 9-11)

A 1 hour class held twice a week. Students who have passed the examination for Grade 1 progress into Grade 2. Additionally, this grade level accommodates 9 to 11 year olds beginner ballet students. Techniques taught include full plies, en croix bar, detailed feet positions, simple arabesque, and new ballet steps.

Grade 3 (Ages 11-Adult)

A 1 hour class held twice a week. Grade 3 students include dancers who have passed Grade 2, beginner teens, and beginner adults. This grade level adds more to the barre and center work but is still suitable for laying the foundations for older beginners.

Grade 4 (Ages 12-Adult)

Meets twice a week for a total of 2 to 2.5 hours. The last of the children's grade levels, Grade 4 is for students who have passed Grade 3. However, Grade 4 also accommodates beginners who have had a solid ballet/dance foundation. Coursework includes the addition of new skills like pirouettes and detailed enchainments to be mastered for their exam.

Level 5 / Senior Grade (Praise Preparatory)

Meets twice a week for a total of 2.5 to 3 hours, including pointe. Level 5 is the first of the Major Grades. Training in pointe commences.

Level 6 / Pre-Elementary (Praise)

Meets twice a week for total of 3 hours, including pointe<br>. Depending on the skills of the individual dancer, this course may take two years to complete.

Level 7 / Elementary (Devotion)

Meets a minimum of twice a week for a total of 3 to 4 hours, including pointe. Level 7 is the elementary level of advanced dance. Students develop detail, excellent placement, and strength. This course is a two year course, although there are exceptions. Level 7 is a prerequisite for a Teacher's Diploma.

Level 8 / Intermediate (Glory)

Meets twice a week for a total of 4 to 5 hours, including pointe. This two year course is the intermediate level of advanced dance, pre-professional barre, and center work.

Level 9 / Advanced

Meets twice a week for a total of 4 to 5 hours, including pointe. This is the advanced level for pre-professional and professional work. Level 9 is a two year course.

*Although Levels meet basically twice a week for their course work, it is highly recommended that serious students attend another ballet class as advised by the instructor. These students usually attend modern dance lessons and/or a conditioning class for abdominal, back, arms, and legs strengthening.

© 2018 SCB Syllabus