Primary Division
Progressive levels of ballet training that focus on developing technique. The Primary Division features beginning levels for learning ballet technique. This division consists of levels 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. Students progress through these levels as through grades in any school; however, all students move at different rates.
All students begin in Level 1A, learning basic ballet positions, the progression of a standard ballet barre, and learning the French vocabulary that defines ballet step. The student move into beginning center work, away from the support of the ballet barre.
When the student learns the ballet technique appropriate for each level and when the student’s body has become strong enough to accomplish the movements taught, then at the discretion of the Artistic Director, the student moves to the next level. where more intricate steps and combinations are introduced. 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, invest at a minimum,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.
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