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Children's and Young Dancer Programs |
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Children's Program Ages 2.5 - 7 | Young Dancer Program Ages 8 - 18 | Class Schedules | Fees | Register | Children's Camps Ages 3 - 6 | Young Dancer Summer Intensive Ages 10 - 13
Classes start on September 13, 2010 and end June 4, 2011
Online registration will be available in August. Please visit the Registration Forms page in the Children's Division menu.
Click Here to Download the Fall 2010 Young Dancer Registration Form
Click Here to Download the Fall 2010 Children's Registration Form
Children's Program, Ages 2 ½ - 7
The Children’s Department at the Joffrey Ballet School offers classes based on a syllabus designed to develop the very young dancer. It emphasizes development of body strength, coordination and the discipline necessary for the learning of classical ballet. Although we take our training seriously, we strive to create a nurturing, comfortable, and fun atmosphere in the classroom. The children’s classes are divided into 3 categories: Dance with Me and Creative Movement (2 ½ – 4 years old), Pre-Ballet (5 – 6 years old), & Ballet Foundation (7 years old).Please see under course description for detailed information of each classes including the schedule.
Young Dancer Program - Open and Graded Divisions including Junior Trainee , Ages 6 1/2 - 18
The directors, faculty and staff of the Joffrey Ballet School are proud to present the new schedule and program descriptions for the 2010 - 2011 school year. The Joffrey Ballet School is currently undergoing a number of exciting changes, in all aspects of the organization. New studios, new technology, a full-scale re-branding and new artistic leadership are just some of the changes in store for the upcoming year. Most notably, however, in our continuing efforts to provide the best dance education to all of our students, we have expanded the Young Dancer Program to ensure that each child is provided the instruction that is appropriate to his or her ability, level, schedule, interest and commitment. Classes begin September 13th, 2010.
PLACEMENT
Every new student age 7 and older will take a placement class before joining the program, regardless of prior experience. The goal is to place students based on ability, not age or school grade. Children’s bodies develop at surprisingly different rates, in terms of strength, flexibility and coordination; to keep the instruction consistent and avoid injury, we aim to create and maintain uniform levels throughout the year.
Placement classes will be held on Saturday & Sunday, September 4th & 5th. All students who are new to the school must attend the Placement Class. Current Joffrey students who wish to be re-evaluated may also attend. Specific information about placement classes (times, location, etc) will be available mid-summer.
EVALUATIONS
Due to the different growth and development rates mentioned above, we expect that in the course of the year some children will be able to move up a level. To ensure that promotions are conducted correctly, all students will be evaluated periodically throughout the year, either in their classes, or individually. We are planning five evaluation periods: mid-November, late December, late February, mid-April, and early June, at the semester’s end. We will also be looking at the class as a whole, to assess the consistency and progress of the instruction.
At these evaluations, we also hope to identify students who may be experiencing particular challenges in their classes. To ensure that none of our young dancers “fall through the cracks,” these students will be encouraged to take advantage of our new Advanced Training Program (see below).
Exams: In December and again in June, students enrolled in the Graded Training Program* will be given an exam, to determine their proficiency in the techniques that were taught that semester. A “report card” will be issued, that will be meant for both students and parents, to demonstrate which areas, if any, need improvement. Students can then focus on these areas, either in their classes or in Advanced Training sessions. This is to ensure uniformity in the levels and that every child is training at the appropriate level.
*For more information on the Graded vs. Open registration options, please see the registration information section of this brochure.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Only at Joffrey Ballet School! No two children are alike, either cognitively or physically. Therefore, we acknowledge that group instruction often needs to be augmented with private training, designed for the specific mental, physical and even emotional needs of your child. Most importantly, private instruction reduces or even eliminates the risk of injury; a student’s specific alignment, bone structure and muscle strength will be thoroughly analyzed, in order to train that student in the safest and most efficient way to execute the technique that he or she is learning. Students wishing to advance at an accelerated pace are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this invaluable program.
We have dedicated studio space every afternoon to advanced training - students can schedule solo, duo or trio sessions with the instructor of their choice. In these sessions students will work on alignment, strength, coordination, balance, turn-out, footwork, extension, jumps, turns or any other area of training that they would like to improve. There will be an additional charge for these classes; but focused private instruction can change your child’s dance experience, and overall physical well-being, immeasurably.
Open Classes
Students who wish to pursue training in classical ballet, but are unable to commit to more than 2 classes a week, are welcome to take a placement audition to join technique classes only. These students will be evaluated throughout the year to make sure they are placed in a class appropriate to their level and ability, and that they are not at risk of injury. These students will be integrated into our student body, but will not be able to perform in the Nutcracker or Spring Workshop performances. They may take elective classes (modern, jazz, etc) with permission of the instructor only.
Open Class students placed in levels C and up are stronglyencouraged to take two classes a week, so they can keep up with the technical demands of these levels as the year progresses.
Graded Training Program
We have expanded the Young Dancer Division considerably, to include more ballet classes but also a full schedule of electives – Modern, Jazz, Character, as well as Pilates and Stretch, which are essential for our older students. Please read carefully, as some details may be different than in past years.
Note to students and parents regarding class placement:
In the development of our curriculum, we have had to make slight adjustments in the content of each level’s syllabus. It is essential that going into the fall 2010 semester, each student is placed in a level appropriate to his or her ability and experience. This may mean that in a few cases, a student may be placed in the same level he or she was in during the spring 2010 semester. Please understand that this was probably a result of that child being incorrectly placed last year; and it certainly doesn’t mean that she will stay there (see “Evaluations” and “Advanced Training” in the brochure). We know that this may seem disappointing to some students; yet we hope you can explain to your child that it is in the interest of her physical safety and so that she can advance with her level, instead of risking falling behind.
Requirements:
The Joffrey faculty and administration will be following each student carefully to determine everyone is meeting their requirements. This is strictly for injury prevention and to facilitate the faculties consistent instruction.
Dress Code:
This year, each level will have its own leotard color! This will help both students and faculty identify everyone, and give each child a sense of advancement through the levels. Any student with long hair must have it neatly secured in a bun or twist; the office will have extra elastics and pins for students who forgot their own. Ponytails and braids will not be permitted.
Pointe:
Students must be in Level D and at least age 11 to be considered for pointe shoes. Each student will be evaluated on an individual, case-by-case basis, considering bone structure, strength and alignment. Advanced Training sessions are suggested for students impatient to get their shoes!
Schedule:
We ask your patience, as there may be slight changes in class times (15 –30 mins one way or other) as we approach the start of classes. Thank you in advance for helping us create a schedule that accommodates as many students and families as we can.
FOUNDATIONS, Ages 61/2 - 8
For the beginning student who has had little to no ballet training, or whose previous experience was in pre-ballet or creative movement classes. This class will introduce students to a more formal class structure, including some barre work, alignment exercises, stretching, coordination exercises, simple locomotion, etc. The posture, placement and comportment of classical ballet will be emphasized.
Uniform: White leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.
LEVEL A, Ages 8 - 11
For students who have completed Foundations; new students entering Level A from another school are expected to be familiar with the posture, placement and comportment of classical ballet, but Level A is still an introductory level for the beginning student.
Uniform: Light blue leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.
Requirement: Two classes per week.
It is strongly suggested that students do not take class two days in a row. We recommend Mon/Thurs, Tues/Thurs, Weds/Sat, etc.
LEVEL B, Ages 9 - 13
For students who have passed the Level A exam; students entering Level B from another school are expected to know 1st, 2nd and 5th positions; plié, tendu, degagé, rond de jambe, relevé, sauté, changement; simple port de bras; skips and chassés; and the posture, placement and comportment of classical ballet.
Uniform: Royal Blue leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.
Requirement: Two ballet classes per week.
Level B students are welcome to register for an additional weekly class, at a reduced rate. This can be ballet or an elective.
Electives: Level B students are invited, but not required, to take one elective per week.
LEVEL C, Ages 10 - 14
For students who have passed the Level B exam; students entering Level C from another school are expected to know the basic exercises of a classical barre including frappe, and in center balancé, chassé pas de bourreé, glissade, pas de chat, for example.
Uniform: Dark green leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.
Requirement: Three ballet classes per week. It is strongly suggested that students come Mon/Wed/Sat or Tues/Thurs/Sat. We do not allow students in this level to miss class four days in a row on a regular basis.
Level C students are welcome to register for an additional weekly class, at a reduced rate. This can be ballet or
an elective.
LEVEL D, Ages 11 - 16
For students who have passed the Level C exam. For additional information regarding level D placement requirements, please call the school at (212) 254-8520 to schedule a consultation with a faculty member.
Uniform: Burgundy leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.
Requirement: Four ballet classes per week. It is strongly suggested that students do not take class four days in a row.
Level D students are welcome to register for an additional weekly class, at a reduced rate. This can be ballet or
an elective.
FALL HOLIDAYS
Friday, September 18 & Saturday, September 19
No Classes-Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 28
No Classes-Yom Kippur
Thursday, November 26 to Sunday, November 29
Thanksgiving Recess
Monday, December 21 to Sunday, January 3
Holiday Recess
SPRING HOLIDAYS
Friday, March 29 to Sunday, April 4th
Spring Recess
Saturday, May 29 to Monday, May 31
Memorial Day Recess
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