Photo Credits: Jeff Cravotta
Continuing with our Back-to-School promise to keep Smarty Charlotte informed and organized, we are calling all Smarty dancers today! Our friends at Charlotte Ballet want your aspiring ballerina to enroll in the Charlotte Ballet Academy!
CONFIDENCE, DRIVE, FOCUS AND SELF DISCIPLINE…these are the gifts dance gives your child, and at Charlotte Ballet Academy, it’s their passion!
Charlotte Ballet Academy, the only school of ballet in the state affiliated with a nationally renowned professional ballet Company, provides a nurturing and structured environment that encourages individuality, creative expression and an appreciation for the art of dance. The Academy provides expert instruction to students who are training for a professional career in dance, as well as those who are interested in simply experiencing the joy and benefits of dance training.
Charlotte Ballet Academy classes are offered at the state-of-the-art Center for Dance in uptown Charlotte and at Charlotte Country Day School. Students age 9 and older have the opportunity to audition for Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker, where they perform on stage alongside the professional dancers of the Company.
THE ACADEMY DIVISIONS
PREPARATORY DIVISION
Ages 3+ (Once a week)
Classes in Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet starting at $70 Monthly
In the fun and encouraging environment of Creative Movement (ages 3+), students explore musicality, rhythm, creativity and movement through space. This class introduces age-appropriate stretching, basic strengthening, balance, motor skill development and coordination. Pre-Ballet (ages 5+) introduces classical ballet vocabulary, emphasizing musicality and individual creative expression in an innovative, fun and easy-to-learn manner.
PRIMARY DIVISION
Ages 6+ (2-3 days a week)
Classes in Ballet, Boys Dance, Jazz, Character and Modern starting at $140 Monthly
Placement class required
Students in the Primary Division learn to complete a traditionally structured ballet class, including barre and center work. More challenging steps are introduced with an emphasis on musicality, body alignment and spatial awareness. A continuing emphasis is placed on joy of movement and overall strengthening.
Charlotte Ballet Academy classes are offered at the state-of-the-art Center for Dance in uptown Charlotte and at Charlotte Country Day School. Students age 9 and older have the opportunity to audition for Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker, where they perform on stage alongside the professional dancers of the Company.
PREPARATORY DIVISION
Ages 3+ (Once a week)
Classes in Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet starting at $70 Monthly
In the fun and encouraging environment of Creative Movement (ages 3+), students explore musicality, rhythm, creativity and movement through space. This class introduces age-appropriate stretching, basic strengthening, balance, motor skill development and coordination. Pre-Ballet (ages 5+) introduces classical ballet vocabulary, emphasizing musicality and individual creative expression in an innovative, fun and easy-to-learn manner.
PRIMARY DIVISION
Ages 6+ (2-3 days a week)
Classes in Ballet, Boys Dance, Jazz, Character and Modern starting at $140 Monthly
Placement class required
Students in the Primary Division learn to complete a traditionally structured ballet class, including barre and center work. More challenging steps are introduced with an emphasis on musicality, body alignment and spatial awareness. A continuing emphasis is placed on joy of movement and overall strengthening.
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
Ages 10+ (4 days a week)
Classes in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Body Conditioning, Boys Technique and Student Ensemble starting at $255 Monthly
Placement class required
The Intermediate Division includes a more intensive level of study in the classical ballet curriculum, with an increased emphasis on the use of demi-pointe exercises at the barre and more challenging combinations in center work. Students begin comprehensive training in pointe work.
ADVANCED DIVISION
Ages 14+ (5 days a week)
Classes in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Pas de Duex, Body Conditioning and Student Ensemble starting at $300 Monthly
Placement class required
A significant level of technical proficiency in ballet is required for study in the Advanced Division, as students receive more intensive training with advanced movement vocabulary and a focus on technical and artistic development.
STUDENT OPEN DIVISION
Ages 6-14 (1-2 days a week)
Classes in Beginning Ballet and Youth Ballet starting at $75 Monthly
These traditionally structured ballet classes emphasize proper placement, familiarity with ballet vocabulary and French terminology, musicality, overall strengthening and the joy of movement. The Student Open Division provides a program for students who choose to train under 4 hours per week or who enter the Academy needing foundational ballet skills.
ADULT OPEN DIVISION
Ages 14+
Classes in Beginning Ballet, Intermediate Ballet, Intermediate Modern Dance, Hip Hop, Beginning Tap, Intermediate Tap and Power Dance
Adult Open Division classes are ideal for recreational dancers, former dancers wanting to return to their passion and those looking to use dance-based fitness as a way to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
Pre-Professional Division attracts students from across the country who are ready to transition from the academic ballet setting to the world of professional dance. It is also an opportunity to increase the stylistic range and versatility of a dancer by exposing them to a variety of styles in class, rehearsals and performances with the professional Company of Charlotte Ballet.
PLACEMENT CLASSES
A placement class is required for all dancers seeking to enroll in levels Ballet 1 and higher (Ballet 2, 3, 4, 5) for 2016/2017 Academy School Year. Please sign-up for a placement class below for the 2016/2017 Academy School Year. If you cannot attend any of the below placement classes, please call the Charlotte Ballet Academy at 704.372.3900 to schedule an in-class placement starting the week of September 12, 2016. The next placement class for ages 13+ is on Monday, August 22 from 4:30-6p and Friday, August 26 from 4:30-6p.
DANCE ATTIRE
By partnering with the Eurotard brand, Charlotte Ballet’s dress code offers high quality, reasonably priced dancewear for the Academy families. Families have the option of purchasing dress code items at Charlotte Ballet’s local retail partners, (M-Azing Dancewear, Morris Costumes or Lebos.) You can also order through the Eurotard site, choose a participating retailer and have the items shipped to you or pick them up in store.
REGISTRATION
Register for classes today! Be sure to register before the first day of classes August 29!
CHARLOTTEBALLET.ORG | 704.372.3900
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