Primary

The Primary Division features the beginning levels for learning ballet technique. This division consists of levels 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. As standard procedure, students of all ages begin in Level 1A, learning the basic ballet positions, the progression of a standard ballet barre, and learning the French vocabulary that defines all of the steps in ballet. These students also move into beginning centre work, away from the support of the ballet barre.

Students progress through these levels as through grades in any school; however, all students move at different rates. Some spend more than two years in one level while the mind and the body learn to work together; some may progress much faster. When the student has learned the ballet technique appropriate for each level and when the student’s body has become strong enough to accomplish those movements, then, at the discretion of the Artistic Director, the student is moved to the next level. Advancement is based on ability, not age.

In this way, the student begins to assimilate the layers of knowledge that form the foundation of ballet. Indeed, the primary levels are the most important levels in ballet as they solidly prepare the student for the rigors of performance.

It is recommended that students, at a minimum, invest the following amount of time into their ballet studies per week:

• Level 1A: 2 hours
• Level 1B: 4 hours
• Level 2A: 8 hours
• Level 2B: 10 hours

In order to advance in comparison to other students, one usually must take more than the above recommended number of hours; attending class five or six days per week is common among 1A students.