CLASSICAL BALLET SYLLIBUS

Burgandy Suite from the 2007 Spring Gala

Ballet is a system of physical discipline that fosters strength, flexibility, control and kinetic awareness.  Ballet training builds a sleek, well-defined musculature and a high degree of articulation. Ballet teaches self-discipline, respect for others and builds self-confidence. Ballet's principals of body control can improve performance in other dance forms and in other athletic activities. Learning ballet is not only a means of acquiring good posture, agility and physical prowess – it is a means of acquiring an aesthetic sensibility, an appreciation for beauty and the hard work it takes to achieve it.

The North Star Ballet School eight-year syllabus in classical ballet provides training for the student who seeks enrichment and recreation through dance as well as the student with career aspirations.  The program emphasizes a kinesthetic approach to movement through the understanding of anatomical principles and the dynamics of movement.  In this way all children may learn to dance even though some body types are more suited to perform the classical vocabulary.

Holberg Suite

The progression of ballet training parallels the physical and mental development of growing children.  Ballet training is begun when a child is eight years old and has the physical strength and the mental concentration to undertake its demands.   During the first four years of training children develop an understanding of how the body functions to accomplish basic technical elements and establish good working habits. Children who are allowed to undertake complicated steps before they have mastered basic principals will not develop a solid foundation for future training.  At the intermediate level when the student has developed musculature and specific neuro-muscular responses it is possible to accelerate the acquisition of vocabulary.  At advanced levels the mastery of the vocabulary is refined and emphasis is placed on stylistic presentation of the technique.

Pointe work is introduced at the intermediate level when students have developed sufficient strength in the foot to support the weight of the body.  If undertaken too soon, before the bones in the foot have ossified sufficiently, pointe work could result in physical injury. Pointe work is an extension of the ballet technique and the student must have a thorough understanding of basic technique, posture and placement before it can be successfully undertaken.

Special work for boys is introduced at the intermediate level. There is a specific vocabulary of steps for the male dancer and it is necessary to develop the strength and skill to execute this vocabulary.