Ballet Classes
All children are welcome to join our ballet classes, regardless of ability and level of commitment.
Lessons start from 2 years of age with our Baby Ballet Classes and are an excellent introduction to the basic classical technique. They develop creativity and musicality and enable them to move easily to the Pre-Primary Syllabus at approximately 4 years of age, followed by Primary once they are 6yrs. Children are invited to take a Presentation Class award at Pre-Primary and can take an examination at Primary level.
The Graded Syllabus (Grade 1 to 8) progressively develops physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression and musicality. Classical Ballet is the core of the syllabus with Free Movement (Natural Movement, Contemporary and Classical Greek) and Character (Hungarian, Russian and Ukrainian) making up the remaining elements.
The Graded syllabus is appropriate for children from 6 years of age and the following age groups are a good guideline for each level:
Grade 1: 7yrs to 9yrs
Grade 2: 8yrs to 11yrs
Grade 3: 10 yrs to 12 yrs
Grade 4 Upwards: 11yrs plus
The Academy recommends the following number of hours study for each Grade:
Grades 1 – 3: 70 hours
Grades 4 – 5: 95 hours
Grades 6 – 8: 130 hours
Intermediate: 275 hours
If your child is currently attends for one lesson per week each grade level should take approximately 5 to 6 terms. In order to take an examination more frequently, there are the following options:
- Your child attends twice each week, therefore being able to sit the examination at the end of the academic year, subject to progress.
- Your child enters the Presentation Class, after which they will receive an RAD Certificate of Participation, subject to a reasonable standard being met.
- Your child enters the Solo Performance Award on alternate years to the examination. Solo awards are only open to children who have entered the previous examination. Candidates perform three solo dances and receive an Assessment Report, and provided they meet the minimum criteria, a certificate and a Bar (similar to a medal); this could be followed by the examination the following year.
- Your child attends private lessons with one of our teachers.