Dance Gallery’s Classical Ballet Program
Click HERE for NEWLY REVISED CLASS SCHEDULE FOR DANCERS OF ALL AGES
Cecchetti syllabus ballet - National examination program through the cecchetti council of america
Dance Gallery has the longest running and the most successful Cecchetti examination program in the area. Over 20 years of training dancers in the Cecchetti method has created generations of successful dancers that have moved on from Dance Gallery to pursue careers in dancing professionally. We also have a vibrant teacher training program under the direction of Jackie Pederson-Kriens, who also serves as a Cecchetti Examiner for the Cecchetti Council of America.
All dancers that wish to be considered for examinations will start at Grade I. There are four basic Cecchetti ballet levels (Grades I, II, III, IV). There are three professional Cecchetti levels which are recognized worldwide (Elementary V, Intermediate VI, and Advanced VII), and the Final Enrico Cecchetti Diploma. Advancement through the levels is determined by the teacher and the director of the program. Students that are being considered for examination must memorize all of the exercises, understand the theory of ballet movement, and be able to define the French terminology.
Each level can take up to two years to learn and perfect. Every individual dancer is analyzed before taking the examination. A dancer’s ability to take a teacher’s correction along with their work ethic and drive will determine when a dancer is completely ready to examine. Rushing through the levels is not advised as it can greatly hinder the dancer’s progress. Success in this program is determined by the dancer and parents’ cooperation on studying and supporting the examination timeframe.
To learn more about the Cecchetti Method and the organization that Dance Gallery is a part of, click HERE
CLASS LENGTH & FREQUENCY
1 Hour 15 Minutes to 1 Hour 30 Minutes (depending on level), Once a week
REQUIREMENTS
The dress code for girls is a solid colored leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, and hair in a classical ballet bun. Boys dress code is black tights, solid color trim fit shirt, black ballet slippers, and hair combed away from face. Dancers will not be able to wear any cover ups or skirts to classes. For all examinations, dancers will follow the dress code in the photo to the left (black leotard for girls, white shirt for boys).
Non-syllabus ballet or freestyle ballet classes
Dance Gallery is fortunate to have gifted instructors that can teach not only Cecchetti ballet, but can also teach combinations of other styles of ballet (Russian, Balanchine, Cecchetti). The levels of Non Syllabus Ballet range from Level I to Level V. Commonly, all ballet classes include barre, stretch, adagio, pirouettes, allegro, traveling turns, and reverence (bow). Students that have a background in Cecchetti syllabus or previous ballet experience may advance faster through the levels. Advancement is determined by the dancer’s technique, ability to quickly memorize combinations, and use of style and performance. Some of the upper levels of Non-Syllabus ballet may offer the option to wear pointe shoes for the duration of the class, but this should be discussed with your instructor prior to class.
Dancers that have worked through Grades I and II of the Cecchetti syllabus would find this class challenging, but fun! If you are not sure of your dancer’s level, please contact us for placement suggestions.
CLASS LENGTH & FREQUENCY
1 Hour to 1 Hour 30 Minutes (depending on level), Once a week
REQUIREMENTS
The dress code for girls is a solid colored leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, and hair in a classical ballet bun. Girls may wear a skirt to class. Boys dress code is black tights, solid color trim fit shirt, black ballet slippers, and hair combed away from face.
Pointe Program
The pointe program at Dance Gallery begins with ballet class training and conditioning! Dancing on pointe is not something that a dancer can just “jump into!” Dancers need to work through several years of ballet class training and strength conditioning before being able to purchase pointe shoes and begin training on pointe. If the entire body is not conditioned (core strength, leg strength, ankle and foot strength) dancers could be easily injured.
Dance Gallery invites dancers to begin the pointe training regiment. This training can begin between 10-11 years old. Commonly, dancers will train in and out of class for one year or more depending on the natural strength and flexibility of the dancer. Often times, dancers will opt to continue this cross-training throughout their pointe training (until graduation) in order to maintain the strength needed to perform classical variations from classical ballet productions.
Once the dancer has been invited into a Pointe Class, the dancers will go with the instructor and/or the director to have a proper pointe shoe fitting. Pointe shoes and all of the accessories can be very expensive which is why we require that new pointe dancers are accompanied by an instructor to ensure proper fitting for pointe training at Dance Gallery. The first year of training, Dance Gallery requires that the pointe shoes are stored at Dance Gallery so there is no temptation to wear the pointe shoes at home. During the first year of training, dancers need to be under the instruction of a Dance Gallery pointe instructor in order to wear the pointe shoes to avoid injuries. Additionally, pointe shoes can quickly break down with unnecessary wear. In order to maintain the life of the pointe shoes, we require that our dancers only wear the pointe shoes in a proper pointe class at Dance Gallery.
There are five levels of Pointe classes (Levels I-V). Placement is at the discretion of the Pointe instructor. If you are new to Dance Gallery and need advice on placement, please contact us for assistance. We’d be happy to help you find a proper Pointe class level.
CLASS LENGTH & FREQUENCY
45 Minutes to 1 Hour (depending on level), Once a week. Taking Pilates Mat class or Pointe Conditioning along with pointe class is recommended.
REQUIREMENTS
The dress code for girls is a solid colored leotard, pink tights, pink pointe shoes (with ribbons and elastics sewn securely in place), and hair in a classical ballet bun.