Shan-Yee Poon School of Performing Arts Classical Ballet general dance program

Our specially designed, 15-level ballet curriculum is an integration of the English Royal Ballet System of training in the lower levels, and Cuban methodology and Russian Vaganova in middle and upper divisions. Each age appropriate level prepares the dancer for advancement into the higher divisions of ballet through a carefully developed progression that builds motor skills, focus and coordination. The dancer masters preparatory steps before learning more advanced dance vocabulary. Our training builds a lyrical upper body, strength, precision and agility into the dancers. Our students’ technique and love for dance is developed as they receive detailed and individualized attention.

Select on one of the tabs below to view our lower, middle and upper division Ballet classes available for General program dancers.

 
 

  • Lower Division (Age 4-7)

  • Middle Division (Age 7-11)

  • Upper Division (Age 9-Teens)

Creative Balletic Movement (4 & 5 yrs. old)
This class encourages imagination, creativity, musicality and graceful movement. Children are introduced to an age appropriate curriculum consisting of simple movements at the barre, hops, skips pantomime and story ballet dances

Preballet (5 through 7 yrs. old)
At five or six years old, the Preballet class introduces more structure, correct placement, and fundamental balletic movements. Students are presented with a careful balance of structure and improvisation. At this stage, students begin to develop their ballet "turnout" positions.

Angelina Ballerina™ 2 (5-6 yrs. old)
Our weekly classes are based on the beloved dancing mouseling, star of the Angelina Ballerina book series and animated television program. The program is inspired by the CG-animated series airing on PBS KIDS and Sprout®, Angelina Ballerina The Next Steps, and it will focus on one story book per month. Angelina Ballerina’s voice will guide aspiring dancers through their movement lessons, and the program will incorporate music from Angelina Ballerina The Next Steps. This curriculum is a great complement to our own carefully developed syllabus, that will build a strong foundation for our students to confidently progress through the comprehensive ballet program offered here at our school.

Ballet Junior 1-2 (6-7 yrs. old)
The Junior classes are the top level of our lower division where these young ballerinas are striving each year to develop more strength, flexibility, and focus. What a delight it is to see these young ballerinas dancing with grace and beauty as they are experiencing the excitement of refining their form and simple technique.

Boys’ Ballet (5 through 7 yrs. old)
This class is for both the dancer and for those boys who have never set foot in a dance studio. The practice develops skill sets important in various sports such as basketball and hockey, and also is helpful for those interested in other performing arts such as theater. The boy’s class starts out with flexibility exercises, a set of stretches with focus on the hamstrings and lower back. The agility portion of class uses jump ropes and balls for foot placement, coordination and rhythmic skills. Basic ballet barre works helps the boys with body stature, posture, balance and warm up the lower body leg joints. Finally, strong leaps for elevation finish the workout.

Beginning Ballet (7+ yrs. old)
Entry level class for children with little or no ballet training.

Ballet 1-2 (7-11 yrs. old)
An exciting transformation takes place at this stage of development where the children are more ready to comprehend complex concepts of movements. The children develop strength, coordination and flexibility through simple barre and center work. Emphasis is on articulate footwork, expressive carriage of the arms and small to medium jumps. We teach the children to be fascinated with attention to detail through a balance of structure and choreographic creativity.

Boys’ Ballet (7-11 yrs. old)
This class is for both the dancer and for those boys who have never set foot in a dance studio. The practice develops skill sets important in various sports such as basketball and hockey, and also is helpful for those interested in other performing arts such as theatre. The boy’s class starts out with flexibility exercises, a set of stretches with focus on the hamstrings and lower back. The agility portion of class uses jump ropes and balls for foot placement, coordination and rhythmic skills. Basic ballet barre works helps the boys with body stature, posture, balance and warm up the lower body leg joints. Finally, strong leaps for elevation finish the workout.

Ballet 3-8 (9-18 yrs. old)

Students advance through the program to higher levels of technique in center and barre work. Students will gain strength and agility through learning more complex adagio, petite allegro, and grand allegro.

Pointe classes will be offered in the intermediate and advanced levels where they will learn technique and classical ballet repertory.