Arabesque Dance Studio faculty members are professional teachers and dancers, dedicated to sharing and passing on their knowledge, experience and love for dance to children and adults.

Ballet Examinations are available in the Cecchetti method and require two or more classes per week, according to the dancer’s level. Students are entered at the teacher’s discretion.

Classes begin in September and finish with a year end performance in June. Children aged 4 years and older take part in a year-end performance in June.

Piano Accompaniment is provided for some of the classes and for all Exams.

Ballet examinations are recognized by the Ministry of Education and can earn students credits towards graduation.

Pointe Work: Pointe work is offered to students with required strength and alignment in a course that includes at least two other classes per week.

Summer Dance: Summer dance program information and dates are announced in the spring.

Pre-Primary Dance: 4/5 years

This ballet-based creative dance class introduces young dancers to the joys of movement exploration. Through imaginative dance sequences, girls and boys explore elements of ballet such as rhythm, musicality, and expressivity while building muscular coordination, spatial awareness, and confidence.

Primary 1 & 2 Dance: 6-8 years

Primary ballet explores the fundamentals of ballet movements through exercises that develop musical awareness and creativity. Dancers at the Primary 1 & 2 levels begin to learn ballet terminology and work to develop the strength, coordination, flexibility, and postural alignment needed for more formal ballet training. In the Primary 2 level, children continue to develop these abilities as they increase their repertoire of ballet steps.

Ballet Levels 1-6

Throughout Levels 1 to 6, children develop posture, balance, coordination and musicality while learning the technical skills of classical ballet.

Students begin by learning basic balletic posture, placement, positions, and steps. They soon develop skills in jumping, turning, and the slower controlled movements. Children learn to shape and carry their arms in balletic positions while executing steps of varying dynamics. Young dancers become even more sensitive to the use of movements to create artistic line as they increase their repertoire of ballet steps. Students become familiar with theatre, music, and dance as they learn classical ballet theory, basic music theory, as well as the stories from famous ballets and history of dance.

All students are given individual attention, technique, and the opportunity to advance through the ballet levels in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere. While learning to dance, children often develop friendships lasting into adulthood.

Intermediate and Advanced Ballet Levels:

Once students have trained in the Ballet levels and grades 1 through 6, they have developed a level of technique, strength, and a refined quality of balletic movement that enables them to begin studying at the Intermediate and Advanced levels of ballet, often referred to as the “Major” levels. In the Cecchetti method, the Major levels include Intermediate, Advanced 1 & 2 and Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.

These levels require increased hours per week of study and include pointe work. Students studying at the highest levels can work towards college and pre-professional dance programs and careers in professional dance or teaching. Students who do not plan to pursue dance beyond high school still gain a tremendous amount of benefit from studying dance at this level. The focus and discipline of dance, as well as the camaraderie and teamwork of performing carries into all aspects of their future lives.

Contemporary/Jazz Dance

A dynamic class that features a fusion of Limon and Graham modern coupled with new choreography. Students will learn floor, standing, and traveling movement combinations and get the chance to explore the concepts of body, space, time, and energy through guided improvisation. The first half of the year focuses on building movement vocabulary and technical skills while the second half works towards using these new skills in an original choreography.

Adult Ballet

Adult Ballet classes are taught in sessions of six to ten weeks and are offered from beginner levels upward. Classes include classical ballet steps, exercises, techniques and terminology. Students learn correct body alignment while developing an aesthetic awareness, quality of movement and fitness that comes from training in the art of ballet. The classes begin with a warm-up at the barre and continue to center floor work and combinations.

Everyone taking part in the Adult ballet classes are able to enjoy the flow of movement and the benefits of a ballet workout in a friendly atmosphere and in the company of other adult dancers.