BALLETis the technique that is the foundation for all of the other dance disciplines. For the serious student who wants to succeed in dance whether it is in jazz, modern or even tap, ballet should without question be part of the dancer's schedule.
Ice skaters & gymnasts also understand the importance of a strong foundation in ballet. It's easy to recognize the beautiful ballet body lines when watching these athletes perform. Without ballet technique the strength, agility & flexibility to hold the beautiful lines that create such an attractive form would not be there for us to enjoy watching.
You will notice when you observe our own students in recital performances that the strongest dancers in jazz, tap & even hip-hop are the same students who perform in the ballet numbers. Ballet takes the greatest amount of discipline and therefore produces the most disciplined performers.
I realize that there are those students who want to take one or two dance classes a week for leisure, exercise or fun. Dance as an exercise is a healthy physical outlet. Students not only learn rhythm and steps but also how to interact in a group setting. But even as one hour of practice a week could never create a gymnast, skater, musician, cheerleader etc., neither can one hour of practice a week in any of the dance forms produce a dancer, no matter how many years he or she has danced.
Ballet class at least once a week is needed to move up in jazz levels. However, a once a week ballet student can never be moved up into the higher ballet levels. This is important for parents with high expectations to understand.
For those who wish to progress into "toe" or pointe work here at Performing Arts, the ballet student must commit to a weekly regiment of a regular "recital" or performance ballet class, a non-recital all technique class with no routine rehearsals, and the pointe class itself. In addition to these 3 minimum ballet classes, many of these students add extra ballet performance classes to their schedule. They also take tap, jazz, modern or hip-hop classes. These are the students who will most likely move up to the advanced levels in all of their classes, in all of the disciplines. Many will go on to dance in college.
Because we realize the time and financial commitment in taking multiple classes we have always offered our students the discounted "pay one price" rate. Students are then free to take as many classes a week as they wish, as long as they are at least up to par with the level of the class. Students over the age of 11 are encouraged to sign up as class assistants to the younger students. For many families, money students earn by assisting is often used to offset the cost of their many costumes.
We have tried to create an atmosphere of "home away from home" for your children who spend so much time here. It is a safe environment, and the upstairs provides space to do homework, heat up dinner, watch videos or just chill out. "Dairy Queen" also provides a place to go when there is a break between classes.
Thank-you parents for all of your support and for trusting your child's care to us.
Miss Sue
