CHILDREN'S BALLET

Pre-Ballet provides an introduction to ballet for beginning four- and five-year-olds.  Formal ballet training begins in Beginner 1 for children who are generally age six to eight. We recommend students at this early stage of development take class once a week. Taking class twice a week helps dancers in Beginner 2 begin  to develop muscle memory. At Intermediate 1 an additional third class per week is recommended to prepare the student for more advanced training.

Students are not advanced to the next level based on age. Each student progresses to the next level only when she or he meets training criteria.

At Beginner 1 and above, students may be offered the opportunity to audition for mainstage performances, when appropriate. With few exceptions, each MAB  student who auditions when eligible will be cast. These are opportunities  to appear in full-length ballet productions (not recitals) and involve additional rehearsal time outside of class. In this way, no class time is lost in preparing  for a show, and the student continues to progress in his or her training while gaining valuable theater experience.

Dress Code for Pre-Ballet and Beginner 1:
Ladies – Any style black leotard, pink wrap skirt, pink tights, pink leather ballet shoes. Legwarmers may be worn in cold weather. No garbage bag pants. Hair must be securely off face in at least a ponytail, bun preferred.

Gentlemen – White short-sleeve t-shirt, black shorts or sweatpants (not too baggy), white socks and white leather ballet shoes

.

Dress Code for Beginner 2 and Intermediate 1:
Ladies – Any style black leotard, pink wrap skirt, pink tights (convertible preferred), pink canvas or leather ballet shoes. Black jazz shoes are optional. Legwarmers may be worn in cold weather. No garbage bag pants or loose-fitting warm-ups in class. Hair must be off face and neck and secured into a neat bun. No jewelry please, except small earrings.

Gentlemen – White short-sleeve or sleeveless t-shirt, black tights with dance belt, and black canvas or leather ballet shoes. Long hair must be in a ponytail.