American Ballet School

Participants in this program are commited to mastering the art of Jazz dance to a very high level. They are willing to work hard in a focused way. They are not necessarily pursuing a career in dance, but have a strong desire to experience the art, participate in performances and to receive the benefits of personal study.

Curriculum; Intense, age appropriate training, focusing on Jazz dance but including other dance styles (see below), master classes and weekend dance workshops. The study of ballet is central to any Jazz curriculum and is included here. Secondary issues like dance health and diet are explored in the advanced levels. Participation in activities that increase the student's awareness of the greater world of dance including outside dance performances, reading and viewing dance videos.... Possible intensive summer study, especially for those advanced students considering a career in dance. Possible participation in classes to learn choreography, repertoire.

Competition Dance Teams; There will be teams in Jazz, Tap and Lyrical. There will be reversal classes in the Fall and Spring in preparation for competitions in March. A fee will be charged for the classes. Expenses relative to the actual performance are unknown at this point but will be determined prior to the start of rehearsals in the Fall. If there are many students interested, there will be multiple teams.

Characteristics or Requirements

• Age; Most students are in the 3rd to 12th grades (8 to 24 years old). College students could be included in the program
• Admission to the program by choice of students having successfully completed LEVEL I or higher with acceptance by the director
• Class; 2 (min) to 8+, classes per week depending on the level. For detailed information see "Course of Study" below.
• Class Size; Technique classes limited to 16 students, general classes limited to 20 students
• Rehearsal Classes; will be added as required, in preparation for performances.
• Dress; Girls wear shoes, leotard and tights colored based on their level of achievement, boys wear black dance shoes and dance pants with a white t-shirt, (Black tights optional).
• Dance Styles; Jazz, Tap, Lyrical & Hip-Hop as well as Ballet.
• Performance;  In January we present "Broadway Nights" featuring students in the Jazz program. Students in the Intensive program will be given primary roles in these performances. Jazz students also participate in "Spring Recital" in June, in which classics of ballet and Jazz as well as original choreography is performed.. Other small group performances and recitals are possible.

Benefits

• Goal; A student in this program should attain LEVEL VI by the time they graduate from High School.
• Benefit; A student who acheives at this high level will benefit in many ways; balance, coordination and physical strength, as well as discipline and mental sharpness. Confidence and self esteem will also result. Some say that Ballet is the most rigorous and physically taxing for of physical training for men or women.
• Workshops; Eligible to participate in Junior or Senior Workshop based on level of acheivement.
• Special Events;Students can participate in school special events, receptions, movie screenings and other social events with other students in this level.
• Class Size; Smaller class sizes for certain repetiore and technique classes.
• Increased personal attention from your teachers on a regular bassis at this level.
• Performance; Roles will be assigned by the Director based on level of acheivement and special abilities demonstrated. In this program, the student can expect better, more visible roles in productions. The most advanced students might have solos.
• Cost per class is discounted based on the number of classes taken per week.

• Level I - Jazz Basics Part 1, 1st & 2nd Grade, ages 5 & 6 years old, I Jazz class plus 1 ballet class per week. Classes will be 45 minutes in length.
• Level II - Jazz  Basics Part 2, 3rd & 4th grade, ages 8 - 10 years old, the student can expect to take 1 Jazz class and 2 Ballet classes per week. It will probable take 2 years to complete this level, but this varies. Classes will be 45 minutes in length.
• Level III - Jazz Basics Part 3, 5th & 6th grade, ages 10 - 12 years old, The student can expect to take 2 - 3 Jazz type (Jazz, Tap or Lyrical) classes and 2 ballet classes per week. Classes will be 60 minutes in length, typically.
• Level IV - Perfecting and "cleaning up" technique previously learned, 7th & 8th grade, ages 12 - 14 years old. The student can expect to take 4 - 5 Jazz type  (Jazz, Tap or Lyrical) classes per week plus 2 Ballet classes. 
• Level V - Increasing quality, more turns, higher jumps, etc... 9th and 10th grade, 14 and 16 years old. The student can expect to take 6 - 9 classes per week, plus 2 - 3 ballet classes. styles.
• Level VI - Beginning Virtuosity - beginning of artistry, working with the music, subtlety of expression and gesture, 11th & 12th grade, ages 16 - 18 years old. 6 - 9 classes plus 2 - 3 classes in ballet per week. Solo classes and private coaching are also recommended.

Graduation from High-school