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Class Descriptions
The Augusta Ballet School curriculum embraces the development
of the dancer from the first
day of enrollment at 4 or 5 years of age to the emergence
of the professional. Instruction, divided into three basic
divisions, is offered at progressive levels of achievement.
A student progresses at his or her own rate of development
and is placed in class accordingly.
Primary Division (Students in this division
study once weekly)
Creative Movement: The program for 4 to 5
year olds is a student's first introduction to the dynamics
of music and movement. The course is designed to gently introduce
the young student to the discipline that will be required
for study as well as to provide fun activities for learning
basic dance elements. During the year, opportunities for motor
development, movement exploration, creative play, and problem
solving are given in directed activities.
Pre-Ballet: The ciriculum for 6 and 7 year
olds exposes the student of the formal ballet class as well
as to establish firmly, the acceptable classroom deportment
and behavior. Fundamental classical movements, steps, terminology,
and theory are covered during the year. Creative, fun activities
are now designed to increase the student's strength, flexibility,
and mastery of basic locomotive movements.
Elementary Division: Levels I, II, III (Students
in this division are required a minimum of twice weekly)
The students begin their formal classical ballet training
with an emphasis on building self-discipline as well as self-confidence
in the mastery of the art form. There are three levels in
this division with a carefully structured syllabus for each
level covering all aspects of the student's classical training.
Advanced Division: Levels IV, V, Advanced
(Students in this division are encouraged to study daily)
Through the next three levels a student continues to follow
a structured syllabus designed to
increase technical knowledge and understanding of classical
theory as well as increasing stamina. As the young dancer
gains proficiency and confidence, a greater emphasis is placed
on artistry, movement quality, and performance. The feminine
technique of pointe work is introduced and intensified in
each progressive level. The emphasis for young men is placed
on jumps, "beats," and turns.
Adult Classes (No previous dance training
is necessary)
Any adult who would like to study will be placed into the
existing class schedule according to his/her own level of
experience.
Tap Division
Beginning Tap
The beginning tap student
will be introduced to techniques that are fundamental in
the vocabulary of tap dance. Exercises will focus on steady
progress toward the necessary ankle flexibility and strength
to properly execute the steps studied in the first year
of training. Pattern and sequence exercises will help build
a thinking dancer while coordination exercises sharpen the
mind/body connection.
Intermediate
& Advanced Tap
The main differences between the beginning tap student and
the more advanced tap student are the speed with which the
techniques can be performed, and the vocabulary of steps.
As the student progresses from one level to the next, the
vocabulary is expanded and the speed is increased. More
stringent demands are placed on the fundamental elements
of proper tap technique (i.e. heels up when required, weight
placement/transfer, posture, focus, more complexpatterns,
etc.) The elements of rhythm, musicality, sequence/pattern
recognition, coordination, and ankle strength will serve
all students in any other form of dance they may pursue.
The sense of fun that is inherent in this dance form is
also part of a healthy perspective on the art of dance in
general.
Modern Division
Modern dance technique incorporates a variety of styles
that focuses on discipline, posture and alignment, earth
bound movements (which are African in concept) and polyrhythms
(layering rhythm on top of rhythm.) Floor work focuses on
strengthening; center floor accumulation combinations are
developed through warm-up exercises; across the floor progressions
focus on stamina, and choreography incorporates elements
of improvisation with structured composition. Students will
explore and develop skill through abstract movements in
choreography while enjoying a variety of music genres.
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