Ballet and creative dance for kids ages 6+. The curriculum focuses on proper skeletal alignment, functional strength and range of motion, coordination, and musicality.
While minimum age is a prerequisite for starting in Pre-Ballet and Levels 1A and 1B, continued advancement through level 2A and 2B is based on proficiency in addition to age. The primary levels are important and should not be rushed. Students are encouraged to take multiple classes per week to aid their development.
BALLET LEVEL | FALL AGE | SPRING AGE | SUMMER AGE | CREATIVE DANCE level Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-ballet | 6+ | 6y4mo+ | 6y8mo+ | Creative Dance 3 |
Level 1A | 7+ | 7y4mo+ | 7y8mo+ | Creative Dance 3 |
Level 1B | 8+ | 8y4mo+ | 8y8mo+ | Creative Dance 4 |
Level 2A*** | 9+ years | 9y4mo+ | 9y4mo+ | Creative Dance 4 |
Level 2B*** | 10+ years | 10y4mo+ | 10y4mo+ | Creative Dance 4 |
*** Indicates that placement by a staff member is required to enroll. Email dnc-communitydance@uiowa.edu for help finding the right class. |
CREATIVE DANCE Level | FALL AGE | SPRING AGE | SUMMER AGE | BALLET LEVEL ALIGNMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Creative Dance 3 | 6-7+ | 6y4mo-7y4mo+ | 6y8mo-7y8mo+ | Pre-Ballet and 1A |
Creative Dance 4 | 8-10+ | 8y4mo-10+ | 8y8mo-10+ | 1B, 2A, 2B |
Multiple Classes
There is no replacement for the benefit that can come from students taking multiple classes per week. At the elementary level, there are many ways to incorporate additional weekly classes into your family's schedule. This table will help you get started, but please reach out to discuss. We're excited to work with you.
| Level | Recommended number of UIYB classes per week | Optional additions |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Dance 3 | 1+ | Pre-Ballet or Ballet 1A (age dependent) |
| Creative Dance 4 | 1+ | Ballet 1B, 2A, or 2B (age/placement dependent) |
| Pre-Ballet | 1+ | Creative Dance 3 Pre-Ballet (2nd weekly) |
| Ballet 1A | 1+ | Creative Dance 3 Ballet 1A (2nd weekly) Pre-Ballet |
| Ballet 1B | 1+ | Creative Dance 4 Ballet 1B (2nd weekly) Ballet 1A |
| Ballet 2A | 2+ | Creative Dance 4 Ballet 1B |
| Ballet 2B | 2+ | Creative Dance 4 Ballet 2A |
Class Descriptions
Pre-Ballet
A prelude to formal ballet instruction, students ages 6+ 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 the 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.
Each pre-ballet meets once weekly. May be taken as a stand-alone class or together with Creative Dance 3. Students may also take a second pre-ballet class each week.
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 traveling across the floor.
Level 1A meets once weekly. May be taken as a stand-alone class or together with Creative Dance 3. Students may also take a second 1A class each 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 children 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 perform with greater consistency and proper alignment at the barre.
Level 2A students must be nine years old on or before September 1st.
Level 2B
At this level, students are beginning to use port de bras and head movement (epaulement) to refine earlier material. In addition, they incorporate more ballet jumps and center vocabulary.
Level 2B students must be 10 years old on or before September 1st.
Creative Dance 3 (New for Fall 2024)
Creative Dance 3 is our newest offering for 6-7 year-olds. Kids build on previous experiences in Creative Movement classes to explore creative dance through storytelling, rhythm, and spatial exploration, while deepening their understanding of space, time, and movement quality.
May be taken as a stand-alone class or alongside Pre-Ballet and Ballet 1A.
Creative Dance 4 (New for Fall 2024)
Creative Dance 4 brings out and embraces the joyful, creative spirit of middle childhood. It increases physical skills–strength, coordination, balance, rhythmic understanding, and an expanding range of motion with flexibility within the body—while moving through space.
Creative Dance 4: 45 minutes. Students must be eight years old on or before September 1st.
May be taken as a stand-alone class or alongside Ballet 1B, 2A, or 2B.
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