Class Information

ACROBATIC ARTS

• Otherwise known as Acro, is a beautiful fusion of classic dance technique and the precision and athleticism of acrobatic elements. Often defined by unique choreography, Acro dancers seamlessly blend musicality, emotional expression, line and extension with acrobatic movements in a dance context.
• Acro 1 – Ages 7+
• Acro 2 – 3 years’ experience or Ages 13+

CONDITIONING

• Conditioning presents all the principles for quicker improvement for the serious dancer: core and joint stability, muscular and joint flexibility, streamlined action, and a strong midline. Conditioning will help provide the stability or the flexibility or even the efficient strength and ease 21^st-century dancing requires. It is designed to tune anybody to be efficient, strong and fluid.
• Ages 10+

CONTEMPORARY

• Contemporary dance incorporates ballet, modern, jazz and lyrical genres. It combines the strong and controlled legwork of Ballet, with elements of Modern dance focusing on unpredictable changes of rhythm, speed and direction. Focusing heavily on choreography for self-expression in creating new techniques and styles. The movement emphasizes the use of gravity, momentum, moving on and off balance, and suspension.
• Contemporary 1 – Ages 10+
• Contemporary 2 – 3 years’ experience or Ages 13+

MODERN

• Modern Dance focuses on the freedom of movement and expression. It consists of distinctively American movement styles and vocabularies with clearly defined and recognizable dance training systems including the Graham and Horton techniques. Students will focus on these techniques this year as well as supplemental contemporary dance practices to strengthen their technical dance skills and performance qualities.
• Modern 1 – Ages 7-9
• Modern 2 – Ages 10-12
• Modern 3 – 3 years’ experience or Ages 13+

MUSIC APPRECIATION

• “Dancing the Phrase”
• Explore the musical structure of pieces in the Nutcracker ballet. Gain a deeper understanding and connection with the music you know so well.

TAP

• Tap dancing consists of learning rhythm patterns. Learning and memorizing patterns are a great workout for your brain. And it’s all math. Repeating, reversing and counting the rhythm patterns reinforces math concepts. Knowing where the body’s weight should be and when to shift the weight from one foot to the other is essential for proper tap technique. Training the muscle memory in this way improves balance, coordination and control. And the benefits of a strong core are numerous, including less back pain and risk of falling. Tap increases picking up combinations quicker, musicality, and stage presence, all beneficial for any dance genre.
• Tap 1 – Ages 7-12
• Tap 2 – 3 years’ experience or Ages 13+

PARTNERING

• By invitation only

BALLET

• Intro to Dance (Ages 4-6)
  • Children are introduced to movement through music and a creative approach to learning the fundamentals of dance. This class offers 45 mins. to 1 hour. These classes build interest in dancing, strengthen muscles, introduce a basic vocabulary, and develop a sensibility of the artistic and performance qualities that make up dance. This class uses classical ballet terminology as a guide to understand the fundamentals of all dance.
    • Fall Term – 3 months – Sept through November
    • Spring Term – 4 months – February through May
• Beginner Ballet (Ages 7+)
  • Students will learn and practice a beginner’s level vocabulary of Ballet movements. Students will also learn safe, effective methods of stretching and strengthening exercises.
• Boys (Ages 9+)
  • The Sovereign Ballet offers classes for beginning young men, ages 9 and up. Imbuing several genres of dance, this class introduces students to the athletic side of dance in preparation for the intensely physical training required of male dancers in later years. These classes are designed to be a supplement for other theatre arts or athletic programs, strengthen muscles, and introduce a basic vocabulary.
• Adult Beginner (All ages and abilities)
  • Adult men and women are introduced to the fundamentals of ballet movement. These classes are designed to strengthen muscles and introduce a basic vocabulary to the art of dance. Classes have more of a relaxed atmosphere, although a formal approach to classical ballet steps will be utilized.
• Advanced Beginner (Ages 10+)
  • The Advanced Beginner class level begins a more formal approach to classical ballet steps. Teachers use a “hands on” approach that is vital to teaching young dancers as they develop their skills at their own pace within the group.
• Intermediate (Ages 12+)
  • Students are introduced to a more demanding level of study. Pointe work begins at the Intermediate level, usually after one semester and at the recommendation of the teachers and final approval of the Director. Regardless of level or age, students will only be able to go on pointe if they are able to do so safely without risking injury.
• Advanced (Ages 14+)
  • Study is more intense at this level with an emphasis on posture, placement, style, quality, artistic expression and musicality and incorporates elements from major training styles. The school is a training ground for talented dancers to potentially join Lake Erie Ballet Company, a pre-professional performing group, or continue their studies at a college or university dance department or professional company.

DEVOTIONS

• A discussion time of applying scripture to everyday life, and open forum dialogue regarding faith and life. It is offered to everyone during the school year, free of charge.

Level Advancement and Promotion

Advancement through Sovereign Ballet is based on many factors including a student’s strength, commitment, attendance, maturity, mastery of material and artistic development as assessed by the teacher and Director. A student’s ability to execute the required material is considered above all else, including age. Advancement to the next level may occur at anytime during the year, but is generally determined at the end of each school year.

Repeating Levels of Study

Parents and students should not anticipate annual level advancements. Ballet classes do not progress at the same pace as traditional academic grades. It is common for students to repeat levels of study. Because the range of the criteria for promotion is so diverse, it may be two or more years before a student is ready for advancement to the next level of study.

Criteria for advancement:

• Technical Ability: defined as sufficient mastery of ballet technique and mastery at every level
• Physique: defined as strength, turnout, flexibility and bone structure which allow a student to safely perform the course requirements, physical characteristics become increasingly important as a student progresses through the levels
• Interest: defined as demonstrating a willingness and desire to pursue this course of study in ballet
• Attendance: defined as attending all classes and rehearsals required of the student’s level, consistent attendance allows the student to keep up with the material presented, to practice and develop the muscles and to prepare for performances.

New students ages 9 and up are required to attend an Audition Class for placement into the appropriate Class Level. Students are placed based on age, technique, physique, personal strength and intangibles such as talent, grace and maturity.