MAKING A DANCER featuring Ballet Video and Ballet Instruction

Pre-Ballet steps 6 and under
Beginner steps ages 7 - 8
Intermediate I steps ages 9 - 11
Intermediate II steps ages 12 - 14
Advanced steps 15 and over

The above ages are relative to how long you have studied, the kind of training you have received,
your natural talent and your desire to dance.

Intermediate I and II dancers may take four to six classes per week. Intermediate II dancers are
your apprentice group and will occasionally rehearse and partner.

Advanced dancers have class every day and frequently rehearse and partner.

We have found the following eleven principles to be of help in making a dancer.

1. We learned first to settle on one style. Definite Port de Bras for every step, including Turns, Arabesque, Jete, Pas de Bourree, etc., and the definite qualities of every step.

2. We love to stretch out a dancer, give them long open Arabesques and long stretched out legs, arms, positions and pointes.

3. Perform many repetitions of important steps, like beats, turns, port de bras, jumps, adagio and extension.

4. Give a lot of moving steps and combinations that move across the floor and moving steps in a circle.

5. Start rehearsing and performing at the apprentice level (ages eleven through thirteen).

6. Start partnering at an early age, twelve or thirteen, depending on their capabilities.

7. Choreograph ballets with lots of exciting technique and partner work. Have training ballets that you do regularly.

8. Rehearse a lot. The demanding musical counts combined with challenging technique steps and partner work will mold them into good dancers.

9. The rewards of ballet are life long. Regardless of their carreer, all will benefit from the discipline, coordination and beauty of ballet. And all will appreciate the arts more and have a special place in their hearts for ballet.

10. Guide the dancers, however you can, in selecting the right dance company or career choice.

11. And perhaps hardest of all, try to bring out the love of dance so it will show in their faces when they perform.

This training is based on the Russian system plus other things we have learned. It has worked for us and we are sure it will work for you.