Grand Rapids Ballet School

2020-21 Youth Ballet Classes

Youth Ballet Program

From beginner to advanced, students at Grand Rapids Ballet School will receive the nurturing instruction of our professional teaching faculty to develop a thorough knowledge of technique, the invaluable skill of self-discipline, and a lasting love of dance. Elements from the French, Italian, and Russian ballet techniques are incorporated into our curriculum, giving students a versatile and extensive dance education.

2020-21 School Year

More information coming soon!

One Free Trial Ballet Class!

Available for ages 3 to 18. Contact Grand Rapids Ballet School to schedule a complimentary trial class at 616.454.4771 ext. 17 or email.

Ballet 1

In Ballet 1, students will begin to learn the fundamentals of classical ballet. The curriculum will focus on basic ballet technique, musicality, and proper body alignment. Students will also learn core ballet terminology and simple arm positions as they execute combinations at the barre, in the center, and across the floor.

Schedule
Wednesday: 6-7pm
Saturday: 12-1pm

Dress Code
Girls: Lavender leotard (no attached skirts), soft pink tights, pink ballet shoes
Boys: Black tights, black ballet shoes, plain white fitted t-shirt

Ballet 2

In Ballet 2, students continue to build upon the fundamentals they acquired in Ballet 1. They will increase their ballet vocabulary as new steps are introduced. Students will gain the knowledge needed to execute longer, more complex combinations that will include more precise positions, while incorporating port de bras in coordination with their leg movements. They will also focus on muscle awareness and correct body alignment, while working to increase overall strength.

Schedule
Monday, Wednesday: 4:45-6pm
Saturday: 10-11:15am

Dress Code
Girls: Light blue leotard, soft pink tights, and pink ballet shoes
Boys: Black tights, black ballet shoes, plain white fitted t-shirt

Ballet 3

In Ballet 3, students will begin to learn to refine their technique and strive to execute the steps using their best technique. Classroom work will focus on the proper extension of the legs and shape of the feet, use of their abdominal muscles, and use of turnout. Students will work to develop movement sequences as more steps will be linked together while incorporating epaulement and port de bras. Combinations will become more difficult as new vocabulary will be introduced, both at barre and in center work.

Schedule
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 4:30-6pm
Saturday: 11:30am-1pm
Contemporary—Tuesday: 6:15-7:15pm

In 3 Contemporary, students are first introduced to contemporary movement. They are encouraged to explore new movement outside of the comfort zone of ballet technique. Students will learn the use parallel positioning of the legs, floor work, contractions of the upper body, and the use of their breath in coordination with their movement.

Dress Code
Girls: Royal blue leotard, soft pink tights, and pink ballet shoes
Boys: Black tights, black ballet shoes, plain white fitted t-shirt

Contemporary Dress Code
All students: Professional dance attire which allows for a full range of movement, attire should be tasteful and appropriately fitted to the body and not baggy, thin socks
Ladies: Any color leotard and pink or black tights worn underneath additional attire

Ballet 4

In Ballet 4, students will continue to advance their technique with more difficult steps during both barre and center work, with the addition of more combinations en relevé, faster tempos and syncopation. Students will continue to develop the 90-degree extension of their legs and the strength of their feet en relevé. Double pirouettes and more complex petite and grand allegro are introduced as well.

Schedule
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 4:30-6pm
Saturday: 11:30am-1pm
Contemporary—Monday: 6:15-7:15pm

In 4 Contemporary, students are encouraged to be open minded as they continue to explore new movements and create different shapes outside of their classical ballet technique. They will work on finding the relaxation of their torso, the ability to isolate their joints, and breathing with each movement. Students will focus on coordination, gaining overall strength, and contemporary floor work. They will be challenged to put intention into every transition and step they execute.

Pointe—Tuesday, Thursday: 6:15-7:15pm

4 Pointe introduces students to pointe shoes and pointe work, drawing on previously learned ballet technique and body strength. Students will focus on gaining the needed strength in their feet and ankles for the ability to roll through their demi-pointe with control and push all the way over the box of the pointe shoe with straight legs en relevé. Each class will include combinations at the barre, and then progressing to the center and across the floor as the students gain strength and technique. 2^nd year students will continue to build upon this foundation with the addition of more difficult steps on one leg and double pirouettes.

Dress Code
Girls: Burgundy leotard, soft pink tights, and pink ballet shoes
Boys: Black tights, black ballet shoes, plain white fitted t-shirt

Ballet 5

In Ballet 5, students are required to take technique class en pointe two times a week. They will work on increasing their stamina and strength in order to execute all the steps en pointe. The demands of the student are greater in Ballet 5, as class attendance increases to six days a week, pushing dancers to define and polish their technique. Students also begin to add individual artistry, elegance and grace into their classroom work. They are required to dance with more precision for complex combinations that include more difficult musicality and timing. In this class, faculty will begin to put a greater importance upon students to self-correct and self-motivate themselves.

Schedule
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 4:30-6pm
Tuesday: 5-6:15pm
Thursday*: 4:30-6:15pm
Saturday*: 10-11:30am

Contemporary—Monday: 6:15-7:30pm

Students will continue to explore unique movement set to various types of music. They will use their strong, classical ballet training base to help them master different styles of dance. Students will be challenged to expand every movement they execute to its fullest and be encouraged to express their emotions. Students will continue to explore floor work that includes rolling with ease and they will gain the ability to transition without any tension. Contemporary partnering work will also be introduced.

PBT—Tuesday: 4:15-5pm
Pointe/Variations—Tuesday: 6:30-7:15pm

Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet. Each exercise has been developed with care and guidance with a team of physiotherapists. Students will learn to use muscle memory to improve their understanding of core stability, weight placement, and alignment. An exercise ball is continually mobile under the students’ body during the exercises, giving them a sense of posture and weight placement while feeling each correct muscle group. A smaller fusion ball is also used for specific exercises and resistance bands are used to strengthen the entire upper body and use of port de bras. PBT is taught by certified instructors Attila Mosolygo, Mindy Mosolygo, and Lara Faucher.
5 Pointe students will continue to strengthen their pointe work and demonstrate progress made in overall foot strength, balance en pointe, and ability to execute combinations with more clarity. All classes will include combinations at the barre and in the center. Steps will become more difficult with the addition of consecutive turns and hops en pointe, for example. In Variations class, students will learn classical ballet variations, and work to refine their technique and artistry.

Pointe—Wednesday: 6:15-7:15pm

5 Pointe students will continue to strengthen their pointe work and demonstrate progress made in overall foot strength, balance en pointe, and ability to execute combinations with more clarity. All classes will include combinations at the barre and in the center. Steps will become more difficult with the addition of consecutive turns and hops en pointe, for example.

*Please note: These classes are taken en pointe.

Dress Code
Girls: Navy leotard, soft pink tights, and pink ballet shoes
Boys: Black tights, black ballet shoes, plain white fitted t-shirt

Ballet 6

In Ballet 6, students are required to take technique class en pointe three times a week, with training becoming more demanding. Classroom work will include more complex combinations, and students will be expected to add strength, increased flexibility, and fluidity of movement into the combinations. Students will continue to polish their technique as they work to incorporate more use of their epaulement and port de bras.

Schedule
Monday*, Wednesday*, Friday: 4:30-6pm
Tuesday*: 5-6:15pm
Thursday*: 4:30-6:15pm
Saturday*: 10-11:30am
Contemporary—Monday: 6:15-7:30pm

Students will continue to explore unique movement set to various types of music. They will use their strong, classical ballet training base to help them master different styles of dance. Students will be challenged to expand every movement they execute to its fullest and be encouraged to express their emotions. Students will continue to explore floor work that includes rolling with ease and they will gain the ability to transition without any tension. Contemporary partnering work will also be introduced.

PBT—Tuesday: 4:15-5pm
Pointe/Variations: 6:30-7:15pm

Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet. Each exercise has been developed with care and guidance with a team of physiotherapists. Students will learn to use muscle memory to improve their understanding of core stability, weight placement, and alignment. An exercise ball is continually mobile under the students’ body during the exercises, giving them a sense of posture and weight placement while feeling each correct muscle group. A smaller fusion ball is also used for specific exercises and resistance bands are used to strengthen the entire upper body and use of port de bras.
Students will continue to strengthen their pointe work by executing the most advanced steps. They will work to refine all transitions and move with control as they incorporate more fluidity in their port de bras. In Variations class, students will learn classical ballet variations and in Repertoire class, excerpts from classical and contemporary ballets will be taught.

Variations/Repertoire—Wed.: 6:15-7:15pm

Students will continue to strengthen their pointe work by executing the most advanced steps. They will work to refine all transitions and move with control as they incorporate more fluidity in their port de bras. In Variations class, students will learn classical ballet variations and in Repertoire class, excerpts from classical and contemporary ballets will be taught.

*Please note: These classes are taken en pointe.

Dress Code
Girls: Dark purple leotard, soft pink tights, and pink ballet shoes
Boys: Black tights, black ballet shoes, plain white fitted t-shirt

Ballet 7

In Ballet 7, students are required to take technique class en pointe five days a week, with training becoming more demanding. Classes will focus on advanced pointe work, the addition of the more difficult steps, multiple pirouettes, as well as the development of individual artistry and a fine sense of musicality. Ballet 7 students will work to gain consistency in their overall technique.

Schedule
Monday*, Wednesday*, Friday: 4:30-6pm
Tuesday*: 5-6:15pm
Thursday*: 4:30-6:15pm
Saturday*: 10-11:30am
Contemporary—Monday: 6:15-7:30pm

Students will continue to explore unique movement set to various types of music. They will use their strong, classical ballet training base to help them master different styles of dance. Students will be challenged to expand every movement they execute to its fullest and be encouraged to express their emotions. Students will continue to explore floor work that includes rolling with ease and they will gain the ability to transition without any tension. Contemporary partnering work will also be introduced.

PBT—Tuesday: 4:15-5pm
Pointe/Variations: 6:30-7:15pm

Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet. Each exercise has been developed with care and guidance with a team of physiotherapists. Students will learn to use muscle memory to improve their understanding of core stability, weight placement, and alignment. An exercise ball is continually mobile under the students’ body during the exercises, giving them a sense of posture and weight placement while feeling each correct muscle group. A smaller fusion ball is also used for specific exercises and resistance bands are used to strengthen the entire upper body and use of port de bras.
Students will continue to strengthen their pointe work by executing the most advanced steps. They will work to refine all transitions and move with control as they incorporate more fluidity in their port de bras. In Variations class, students will learn classical ballet variations and in Repertoire class, excerpts from classical and contemporary ballets will be taught.

Variations/Repertoire—Wed.: 6:15-7:15pm

Students will continue to strengthen their pointe work by executing the most advanced steps. They will work to refine all transitions and move with control as they incorporate more fluidity in their port de bras. In Variations class, students will learn classical ballet variations and in Repertoire class, excerpts from classical and contemporary ballets will be taught.

*Please note: These classes are taken en pointe.

Dress Code
Girls: Black leotard, soft pink tights, and pink ballet shoes
Boys: Black tights, black ballet shoes, plain white or black fitted t-shirt

Payment Options:
1 – Pay in full for the entire year by September 9, 2019 and receive an 8% discount (reflected above in yearly price)
2 – Pay by semester – payment due no later than September 9, 2019 and January 27, 2020
3 – Pay monthly – nine payments charged automatically on the first Monday of each month, September through May. An 8% fee is included in the monthly cost to cover administrative and processing fees

Families who enroll multiple dancers will receive an overall 10% discount. The Sibling/Family Discount is not available to students who receive financial aid.

*Monthly payment option requires payment by credit card, kept on file. Scheduled holidays, breaks and weather-related school closings do not alter monthly tuition.

Terms and Conditions:

Grand Rapids Ballet School maintains a policy of offering no refunds. Once the program in question has begun, tuition is non-refundable and if unused will be received as a donation.

All returned checks are subject to a $25 fee. Students with outstanding balances from the previous term will not be permitted to re-enroll until all accounts are made current.

All students are charged a $20 registration fee. Online registration requires a $10 processing fee.

Please note: The School does not accept responsibility for injury or trauma incurred by any student.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Each year the GRBS awards $68,000 in financial aid to students who demonstrate financial need or artistic excellence. The financial aid fund is made possible through contributions by Wege Foundation, Beusse & Porter Family Foundation, James H. Schindler, and Stephen Dunker Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Families interested in applying for financial aid should submit an application form to Grand Rapids Ballet School.