Ballet

Ages 18 months – Teens

AYDT provides quality ballet training for students of all levels, recreational through pre-professional. All classes are taught with a motivational and caring approach and a strong emphasis on technique and proper alignment. Our senior faculty is certified in the ABT® National Training Curriculum, which is taught throughout the program. Different classes are available based on individual student’s goals and levels of ability. All levels except for First Steps, Dance with Me, and Tiny Tots perform in the Holiday and Spring ­recitals.

First Steps Ages 18 – 26 months accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Twins must be accompanied by two adults, one for each child. Class is broken into two 9-week sessions.
Dance with Me Ages 2 ¼ – 3 accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Twins must be accompanied by two adults, one for each child. Class is broken into two 9-week sessions.
Tiny Tots Separation class for ages 3-4.
Pre-Ballet 1 Nursery School/Pre-K 3 (must be at least 3 ½ years old by September)
Pre-Ballet 2 Pre-K4
Pre-Ballet 3 Kindergarten
Ballet 1A* 1st and 2nd grades
Ballet 1B* 2nd and 3rd grades
Ballet 2* 3rd and 4th grades
Open Level Ballet 3* Open to students in grades 4 and up wishing to take ballet recreationally or as an additional class to complement their training in another dance style. This class is a 2-year program.
Open Level Ballet 4* Open to students in grades 6 and up who have completed 2 years of Open Level Ballet 3 or equivalent. Older beginners are welcome but may need to take a few private lessons to catch up.
Open Level Ballet 5* Open to students in grades 8-12 who have completed 2 years of Open Level Ballet 4 or equivalent. Older beginners are welcome but may need to take a few private lessons to catch up.
Open Level Intermediate* Open to students in grades 8-12 who have completed 2 years of Open Level Ballet 5 or equivalent. This level requires a second weekly class in either Open Level Ballet 5 or Technique 1 (teacher recommends second class).
Ballet 3** Grades 4-7. Placement is by faculty recommendation or audition only. The class meets twice a week.
Ballet 4** Grades 5-8. Placement is by faculty recommendation or audition only. The class meets twice a week.
Ballet 5** Grades 6 and up. Placement is by faculty recommendation or audition only. The class meets 3 times a week. The third class is Ballet 4, Open Level Ballet 5 or Saturday Technique by teacher recommendation.
Intermediate Ballet A & B** Two levels of Intermediate Ballet for upper-level students in grades 7-12. Placement is by faculty recommendation or audition only. The class meets 3 times a week. The third class is Saturday Technique.
Adv/Intermediate Ballet** Upper-level students in grades 10-12; placement is by faculty recommendation or audition only. This level requires 3 ballet classes, and one non-ballet class (Broadway or Contemporary only).
Saturday Technique 1, 2, 3* Three levels of mandatory technique classes for students in Ballet 5, Int. and Adv. Ballet. There is no recital dance; concentration is purely on improving technique, strength, and stamina.
Pre- Pointe*,
Beginner Pointe*,
Int/Adv Pointe*		 Pointe is offered to select students in Ballet 5, Open Level Intermediate, Intermediate and Adv/Int. Ballet who are technically strong enough to begin Pointe instruction. Level-based classes meet, directly following Ballet 5, Open Level Intermediate, Intermediate Ballet & Advanced Ballet.
Contemporary 1*
Contemporary 2*		 Two levels of Contemporary Dance available to students in Ballet 5 or Open Level Ballet 5 and up only as an additional weekly class to complement and add versatility to their training.

NOTE FOR ALL PROGRAMS: Foundational Level classes are based on age and are open to beginners as well as students who have had some previous training. New students, please contact us for placement. All of our classes are open to girls and boys. We have special classes just for boys in Hip Hop programs.

*Placement is higher-level classes is by teacher recommendation or audition.

*SEE CALENDAR FOR DATES OF MANDATORY SATURDAY HOLIDAY AND SPRING RECITAL REHEARSALS