Preballet I (Ages 4-5 years old) & Preballet II (Ages 5-6 years old)
A fun introduction to the world of ballet for the youngest students. Creative play activities set to music introduce students to the basic elements of beginner ballet, including positions of the feet and arms, and simple ballet steps such as demi plie, battement tendu, eleve, chasse, etc. Students are given semi-structured improvisation opportunities in the class, developed around well-known children’s stories and classical ballet librettos. Emphasis is placed on developing good motor skills, as well as age-appropriate social skills in a classroom setting. Fun, yet structured activities and imaginative games are utilized to learn basic ballet steps, and to further develop the child’s use of space and rhythm. The Preballet classes have a one-hour class time and a gently structured environment, gradually moving the students closer towards a formal ballet technique class.
Ballet I & Ballet I Intermediate (Ages 7-9 years old)
A formal introduction to the study of classical ballet technique. Students practice barre and center work at each class, and they are introduced to the concept of ballet as a serious art form, which requires focus, dedication, physical and mental discipline, as well as enthusiasm, enjoyment, and a love of dance. Ballet I students take class just one day per week, while Ballet I Intermediate students are required to take class two days per week.
Ballet II (Ages 8-10 years old)
In this level, students begin to learn the methodoloy of Vaganova (Russian) ballet technique, with class work taken from the first and second years of the eight-year syllabus. Students in this level are expected to start learning and memorizing the French classical ballet terminology for the steps they learn, as well as the English translations for these steps. This level requires consistent attendance with a minimum of two technique classes per week. Students in this level are encouraged to also enroll in Beginner/Intermediate Character Dance, Modern Dance Level I, and/or Beginner Chinese Dance.
Ballet III (Ages 9 years old and up)
Minimum of two technique classes per week, with emphasis on more advanced class work taken from the second and third years of the eight-year Vaganova syllabus. This is considered the Pre-Pointe level for students at Corvallis Academy of Ballet; students should be prepared to repeat Ballet III one or more times, until they are old enough and strong enough to be promoted to Ballet IV, which is the Beginner Pointe level at CAB. Students in this level are also encouraged to enroll in Modern Dance Level I, Beginner Chinese Dance, and/or Beginner/Intermediate Character Dance.
Ballet IV (Ages 10 years old and up)
Minimum of three technique classes per week, with class material taken from the third and fourth years of the Vaganova syllabus. This is the beginner-level Pointe class at Corvallis Academy of Ballet; students should be prepared to repeat Ballet IV one or more times, until their technique, pointe work, and overall strength, flexibility, and stamina are strong enough to be promoted to Ballet V. Students in this level are also encouraged to enroll in Beginner or Int/Adv Chinese Dance, Beginner/Intermediate Character Dance, and/or Modern Dance Level I or Level II.
Ballet V (Ages 11 years old and up)
Minimum of three technique classes per week, with class material taken from the fourth and fifth years of the Vaganova syllabus. This is the intermediate-level Pointe class at Corvallis Academy of Ballet; students should be prepared to repeat Ballet V one or more times, until their technique, pointe work, performance quality, and artistry are strong enough to be promoted to Ballet VI and Willamette Apprentice Ballet. There may be some understudy and/or performance opportunities with WAB, for select Ballet V students. Students in Ballet V are also encouraged to enroll in Intermediate/Advanced Character Dance, Modern Dance Level II or Level III, and/or int/Adv Chinese Dance.
Ballet VI (Ages 12 years old and up)
For the very dedicated dancer, this level requires a minimum of three technique classes per week (taking four or more ballet technique/pointe classes per week is strongly recommended), with class material taken from the 5th-8th years of the Vaganova syllabus. This is the intermediate/advanced-level Pointe class at Corvallis Academy of Ballet. Students in Ballet VI are invited to perform with Willamette Apprentice Ballet, the nonprofit performing branch of the Corvallis Academy of Ballet. Students in this level are strongly encouraged to also enroll in Modern Dance Level II or Level III, Intermediate/Advanced Character Dance, and/or Int/Adv Chinese Dance.
Adult Ballet & Adult Modern Dance
Our beginner/intermediate-level Adult Ballet & Modern Dance classes are open to both teens and adults who have no prior experience with ballet and/or modern dance or who were dancers in a past life and are looking to start dancing again. The ballet classes are traditionally-structured, consisting of barre and center work, with class material mostly taken from the 1st-4th years of the Vaganova syllabus. The dress code for Adult Ballet & Modern Dance is more informal, and the class environment is less structured and more relaxed than other Corvallis Academy of Ballet classes. Students are encouraged to ask questions and to take their time learning and mastering new steps and concepts. These classes will help teen and adult students develop and improve their turnout (outward rotation of the hip joints), flexibility, balance, posture, and brain power. The Adult Ballet & Modern Dance classes operate on the CAB Punch Card System.
Character Dance (Recommended for students in Ballet II & up~ Ages 8 years old and up)
Beginner/Intermediate Character Dance: Ages 8 years old & up; recommended for students in Ballet II, III, and IV. Intermediate/Advanced Character Dance: Ages 11 & up; recommended for students in Ballet V & VI. *Instructor approval required for enrollment in the Int/Adv Character Dance class. Based on the Russian Character Dance Syllabus, students in both levels of Character Dance will study barre and center work that combines classical ballet technique with national and folk dances from eastern and western Europe. Both class levels will also learn excerpts from the character dance repertoire from select 19th and 20th century ballets such as La Sylphide, Don Quixote, Raymonda, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Petroushka, Shurale, etc. Performance opportunities in Willamette Apprentice Ballet concerts may be available for both levels of Character Dance. NOTE: you do not have to be enrolled in a ballet class at Corvallis Academy of Ballet in order to take either level of Character Dance, although it is strongly recommended. Students who enroll in a character dance and a ballet class at CAB will receive a tuition discount.
Chinese Dance (Recommended for students in Ballet II & up~ Ages 8 years old and up)
Beginner Chinese Dance: Ages 8-11 years old, no prior experience required. Intermediate/Advanced Chinese Dance: Ages 12 years old & up; prior Chinese Dance experience, and/or enrollment in Ballet IV, V, or VI. These classes provide an introduction to traditional Chinese dance, music, stories, and costumes. Props such as ribbons, fans, cups, plates, etc., are frequently utilized in classroom combinations and performance choreography. Performance opportunities in Willamette Apprentice Ballet concerts and/or community events may be available for the Intermediate/Advanced Chinese Dance students. NOTE: you do not have to be enrolled in a ballet class at Corvallis Academy of Ballet in order to take Chinese Dance, although it is strongly recommended. Students who enroll in Chinese Dance and a ballet class at CAB will receive a tuition discount.
Modern Dance (Recommended for students in Ballet II & up~ Ages 8 years old and up)
Modern Dance Level I (Beginner Level): Ages 8-12 years old, no prior experience required. Modern Dance Level II (Intermediate Level): Ages 10 years old & up, with at least two years modern dance experience, and/or enrolled in Ballet IV, V, or VI. Modern Dance Level III (Advanced Level): Ages 12 years old & up, with at least three years of modern dance experience, and/or enrolled in Ballet V or VI. *Students must also have instructor approval before enrolling in Modern Dance Level III. The syllabus for all three class levels incorporates the teaching and choreographic methods of Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Horton Technique. Students will learn and further develop their technique in fundamental elements of modern dance, including contractions, tilts, floor work, jumps, turns, partnering, improvisation, and dance composition. Performance opportunities with Willamette Apprentice Ballet may be available for select students in the Modern Dance Level II & III classes.
Private lessons may be available for teen and adult students (all technique levels and dance styles), depending on instructor and studio availability. Please contact Director Megan Skinner for further information.