Greenwich Ballet Academy follows a classical ballet curriculum modeled after the Vaganova Academy in Russia. All traditional ballet classes follow a very similar pattern of exercises.
Barre work: plies, ronds de jambes, fondus, frappes, developpes, ronds de jambes en l’air, grand battements then stretching.
Dancers then move to center and again follow a traditional order of combinations: adage petit allegro, grand allegro, turns and movements from the corner.
When children are young, they learn simple steps in each category and as they grow older and stronger they progress until they can complete all of the exercises.
In the younger classes, the teacher may begin or end the class with stretching and strengthening on a yoga mat on the floor.
Flexibility is developed through the active movements (such as grand battement) in addition to static stretching.
Lower school consists of classes in levels 1A, 1B, 2A & 2B. The uniform for Lower School is a camisole leotard with no skirt.
Level 1A
(ages 6-8)
Meets 3 times per week, in 1-1.5 hr classes. This class performs in the Nutcracker & the Spring Gala Performance.
Level 1B
(ages 7-9)
Meets 3 times per week for 1.5 hrs per session. This class performs in the Nutcracker & the Spring Gala Performance
Level 2A
(ages 8-10)
Meets 4 times per week for 1.5-2 hrs per session. This class performs in the Nutcracker & the Spring Gala performance. Character classes are introduced at this level.
Level 2B
(ages 9-11)
Meets 4 times per week for 1.5-2 hrs per session. This class performs in the Nutcracker & the Spring Gala performance. Character classes continue at this level. Extra emphasis is placed on ankle strength and flexibility in preparation for entering upper school and working on pointe. Levels 2A & 2B are sometimes combined.
