Classical ballet for students ages 6 and up. The curriculum focuses on proper skeletal alignment, functional strength and range of motion, integration of the spine and limbs (for beautiful port de bras and epaulement), and musicality.

Students progress through the levels one tier at a time, like grades in school. However, students are individuals and often advance at different rates. While some may spend more than two years in one level as the mind and body learn to work together, others may progress faster then seem to plateau. It is only after the student has learned the ballet technique appropriate for each level and after the student’s body has become strong enough for these movements that the student is moved to the subsequent level at the discretion of the instructor. While minimum age is a prerequisite for starting in Pre-ballet and Levels 1A and 1B, continued advancement through the levels is based on proficiency, not age. The primary levels are important and should not be rushed. 

Pre-ballet

A prelude to formal ballet instruction, students age six and up will develop a foundation for ballet technique in a learning environment that fosters a love for dance and music. Students work standing, seated, and traveling across the floor, learning exercises that introduce ballet concepts and ballet class etiquette in a non-competitive atmosphere.

Dancing in pre-ballet builds strength and challenges the vestibular and proprioceptive systems in ways that are age-appropriate. An important part of the developmental process is working barefoot (in convertible tights) so the skin can sense floor while the child learns. Bare feet are also critical so the teacher can be watching for aspects such as:

• Keeping the toes long when pointing the feet
• Muscular firing in the foot muscles when the dancer stands on one leg
• Arches responsive to rotation of the thigh bones
• Anchoring through the base of the toes—particularly the joint of the great toe

In spring semester each year, part of class will happen in ballet slippers to prepare the students to have their feet safely covered in shoes during the year-end concert. Pre-ballet is a forty-five minute class.

Pre-ballet students must be six years old on or before September 1st.

Level 1A

A continuation after a year in pre-ballet. Level 1A is also a great place to start dance class for seven- and seven-and-a-half-year-olds. In this class, dancers learn elements like the fundamental ballet positions, the progression of a standard ballet class, and the French vocabulary that makes up ballet. Level 1A students work stationary in the center of the studio (often standing, sometimes seated), and in pathways travelling across the floor. Class meets for one hour per week.

Level 1A students must be seven years old on or before September 1st.

Level 1B

A continuing level, building upon Level 1A concepts. This level is designed for second-year ballet students and older beginning students starting their study with UIYB.

Level 1B students must be eight years old on or before September 1st.

Level 2A

Students must be able to stay focused for the duration of this 75-minute ballet class. They should set a positive example to others and be able to understand and to perform with greater consistency and proper alignment at the barre. This class meets twice per week for 75 minutes.

Level 2B

At this level, students are beginning to use port de bras and head movement (epaulment) to refine earlier material. In addition they incorporate more ballet jumps and center vocabulary. This class meets twice per week for 90 minutes.

Levels 3A and 3B

Although they dance together, Level 3 contains two subdivisions, Level 3A and Level 3B.

Level 3A students have completed level 2B or have undergone a placement class. Moving into level 3A means the dancer has a strong sense of ballet alignment as well as their standing leg. They should be able to maintain placement during the entire class. Level 3 dancers work toward greater independence in taking in instructor feedback and applying it to improve their dance technique. A student is advanced to Level 3B when the instructor observes the appropriate artistic development, work-ethic, and consistency in the student's dancing. 

In levels 3A and 3B ballet sculpts the body and dancers begin to feel greater confidence in the fundamental principles of dance. Progressing through Level 3A and 3B can take up to 4 years working diligently year-round in at least three technique classes per week. Additional pre-pointe classes are available after assessment by the instructional team. 

Levels 4 and 5

Advancement to Levels 4 and 5 is earned through consistent hard work, determination, and discipline over many years. Students at these levels should have sufficient technical knowledge to attempt execution of more advanced/complex steps and stylistic details (i.e. multiple pirouettes, extended balances, petit allegro with beats, and head/arm coordination and expression). Students should demonstrate an ability to work thoughtfully with multiple teachers the way a professional dancer would.

Level 4 students invest their time in a minimum of four 90-minute UIYB ballet classes per week and one modern dance class. It is named Level 4 because it means setting aside 4 days a week for structured practice in classes. Level 4 students learning pointework take supplemental UIYB pointe classes three times per week immediately following a technique class. Conditioning classes are also available and strongly encouraged. Students at this level train year-round. 

Level 5 demands the highest level of commitment, working in the studio an additional fifth day every week. Like earlier levels, Level 5 continues to train year-round in UIYB classes. 

Pre-Pointe

Upon the recommendation of their instructor, students who have achieved substantial technique may participate in pre-pointe class. During semesters the Pre-Pointe is combined with Pointe 1, Pre-Pointe students take Pointe 1 class in their ballet slippers. (Please see class schedule on our enrollment page for current course offerings).

Pointe

Following Ballet 4/5 classes, pointe students take UIYB pointe class three times per week to build and maintain strength. This is a one-hour class and can only be taken with approval of the faculty and after the student is warm from ballet technique class. Pointe students must take at least three ballet technique classes weekly to enroll.