Divisions+Classes
THE CHILDREN’S DIVISION – Ages 3-8
The Children’s Division is an open-enrollment program that offers dance instruction for students ages 3 through 8. Classes in the Children’s Division are divided into three levels by age (3 yrs, 4-6 yrs, and 6-8 yrs), which encourages each child to reach his or her highest potential. The Academy’s unique curriculum promotes creativity and imagination while ensuring a solid foundation of dance technique. Children’s Division classes are designed to progress toward the discipline and structure of a ballet class, but children may enroll in any classes that are appropriate for their age and dance experience.
Children’s Division Classes: Princess Ballet (3-4 yrs, 4-6 yrs, 5-7 yrs), Dance Mix (4-6 yrs, 6-8yrs), Storybook Ballet (6-8 yrs), Boys Creative Dance
Princess Ballet offers each child a chance to discover the world of ballet while gaining awareness of music, rhythm, and movement. Through basic ballet skills, children will enhance their balance, poise, coordination, and kinesthetic awareness. Princess Ballet classes emphasize creative expression through movement in a structured, yet fun and imaginative environment—a perfect introduction to the magic of dance!
Dance Mix classes allow children to explore multiple dance genres in a combination class that covers skills in ballet, jazz, and tap. Combining percussion with movement, tap dance helps children establish rhythm skills and musicality while isolating the movement of their feet and ankles. Dance Mix classes use imagination to expand body awareness and introduce children to patterns, both in music and in movement.
Storybook Ballet is for children ages six to eight and provides a bridge to the Academy’s ballet classes in the Student Division. In Storybook Ballet, children are introduced to the structure and discipline of a ballet class as well as music awareness and basic ballet terminology. Focusing on both the mind and the body, our innovative classroom activities help children refine their motor skills and develop their creative process through the use of props and imagery. Storybook Ballet students also explore literature, theater, and storytelling and learn about the music, costumes, and scenery from the famous classical ballets including Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Coppélia, Carnival of the Animals, The Firebird, and The Nutcracker.
Boy’s Creative Dance classes allow young males to explore their creative and physical dimensions in a high-energy, all-boys environment. Leaving out the tutus and tiaras, participants will gain knowledge of music, rhythm, and kinesthetic awareness. Creative Dance activities are designed to develop creative thinking, expression, strength, agility, and coordination.
Children’s Division Dress Code:
Girls: ABT Short-Sleeve Dance Dress in Candy Pink (available exclusively from Charlottesville Ballet), pink ballet tights (optional), pink full-soled ballet shoes; please secure hair away from the face above the neck
Boys: White T-shirt, Black shorts, white socks, black full-soled ballet shoes
THE STUDENT DIVISION – Ages 8 & Up
The Student Division offers ballet classes for ages 8 through Adult, forming the backbone of dance education at CBA. The Academy’s curriculum is based on the National Training Curriculum of the American Ballet Theatre and all classes are guided by CBA Director Sara Jansen Clayborne. Our four levels of ballet combine the classical French, Russian, and Italian schools of training along with basic understanding of placement and alignment. Students will explore a large variety of classical ballet terminology, enabling them to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance. Ballet classes also teach students discipline and classroom etiquette while increasing their ability to work on their own and in groups. All dancers will work towards building flexibility, strength, musicality, coordination, concentration and communication of expression through movement.
Student Division Classes: Ballet I, Ballet II, Ballet III, Ballet IV, Pre-Pointe, Pointe
Student Division Dress Code:
Girls: Black leotard (style of your choice), pink seamed convertible tights, pink full-soled ballet shoes
Boys: White T-shirt, Black shorts, white socks, black full-soled ballet shoes
THE OPEN DIVISION – Ages 8 – Adult
The Open Division offers a variety of dance and fitness classes for youth (ages 8 & up) and adults who wish to pursue recreational dance instruction in a supportive and encouraging environment. The Open Division includes the dance genres of Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary, which supplement classical ballet training in the Student Division.
Charlottesville Ballet Academy offers flexible tuition payments for Adult Ballet and Pilates/Stretch classes in order to make dance classes accessible for people with busy schedules. Drop-In Rates and 5- or 10-class cards are available with discounts available for UVa/PVCC students and parents of CBA students.
Open Division Classes: Jazz I – III, Tap I & II, Contemporary I & II, Hip Hop I & II, Musical Theatre, Mom & Me Yoga
Open Division Dress Code:
Girls: Black leotard (style of your choice), black convertible tights or leggings, black jazz or tap shoes
Boys: White T-shirt, Black shorts, white socks, black jazz or tap shoes
TRAINEE PROGRAM
The Academy’s Trainee Program offers advanced instruction for students planning a professional dance career. Building on their training in the Student Division, dancers in the Trainee Program will continue to develop technical and artistic skills with unique performance opportunities alongside the professional company dancers of Charlottesville Ballet. At this advanced level, the healthy, holistic environment of the Academy is paramount; dancers need the highest level of training to prepare them for a career in the competitive dance world. Charlottesville Ballet’s focus on dancer health and well-being nurtures talented young artists, arming them with the tools to have long, healthy careers in any dance field.
For more information about the Trainee Program, please click here: www.CharlottesvilleBallet.org/academy/trainee