Tiny Tots
Creative Movers/Tumble Dancers (ages 2.5-7)
This 30 or 45 minute class is perfect for a young child looking for ways to express their energy though dance in a creative, nurturing environment.
Pre-Ballet (ages 3-4)
This 30 minute class is designed to introduce the ideas and movement specific to ballet. Students grow the strength and joy of dance in a creative atmosphere, which lays the groundwork for later levels.
Basic Ballet (ages 5-7)
This 45 minute class continues the ideas of Pre-Ballet with advancement skill and musicality. At the end of this level students will have gained all the basic techniques needed to progress into our Beginning Ballet Program.
Specialty Classes
Stretch and Strengthen 1 (ages 7+) and 2 (ages 10+)
This class is focused on lengthening and strengthening muscle to aide in dance and fitness, with a warm-up, light resistance or isometric training, and dance focused stretching.
Tap/Jazz (ages 5-8) and Jazz (ages 9+)
This is a 60 minute beginning jazz dance class, introducing students to the style and movement of jazz which is now found in other styles such as hip-hop and contemporary dance.
Beg Contemporary and Intermediate Contemporary (ages 12+)
Today's contemporary dance borrows from ballet, jazz, and modern dance styles to create a unique pedestrian style of technique. This is a 60 minute class.
Beg. Tap 1 (ages 7+)
This 60 minute class is great for beginning students. Anyone who loves music and enjoys making a little noise will enjoy these classes.
Beg. Musical Theater (ages 8-12) Intermediate (ages 12+)
Musical Theater dance is a theatrical dance style that includes dancing and acting to songs from Broadway musicals. Students will learn basics of acting, character development while dancing, and using movement to tell a story. Great for all students!
Beg. Acting and Improv (ages 6-12) and Advanced (ages 18+)
Through a series of fun and interactive exercises, students will explore various techniques to tap into their imagination, express their emotions, and bring characters to life. They will develop a deeper understanding of body language, facial expressions, and vocal modulation.
Attendance Recommendations
As part of a comprehensive ballet education, we do have recommendations on how many classes each student should attend per level. These are not requirements, as we aim to serve and include all students and families, but they are guidelines to help enhance learning and ability. This includes ballet and speciality/acrobatic classes.
Pre-Ballet/Basic Ballet- One to two classes per week recommended
Ballet 1 - Two classes per week recommended
Ballet 2 - Three to Four classes per week recommended
Ballet 3 - Four to Six classes per week recommended
Ballet 4 - Six to Eight classes per week recommended
Ballet 5 to 8 - Seven or more classes per week recommended
Ballet
Beginning Ballet Levels 1 – 3 (ages 7-13+)
Abernethy Performing Arts is an 8 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. This consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels.
Intermediate Ballet Levels 4 - 6 (ages 11+)
Intermediate Ballet classes are 1.5 hours long and broaden the students technique and dance education. Pointe begins level 3 and is taught on a regular basis; advancement in technique and artistry are developed and varied ballet styles and traditions are introduced. Keith Walls instructs and is trained in Russian and American styles, and has independently studied French and Danish styles.
Advanced Ballet Levels 7 & 8 (ages 15+)
These two levels in our curriculum indicate advanced ballet technique and artistry; placement at these levels are strict. Pointe work is required for center. At level 7, students increase pointe work and learn how to grow in their technique and artistic skills.
Adult/Teen Beginning Ballet
This one hour class is perfect for teens and adults who are just starting ballet or are looking to get back into it.
