Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts

CLASS LEVELS

Ballet Class Levels

Introduction to Dance I for 3-4 year olds (1 ballet class per week required at this level)
Approximately 30 minutes of introduction to ballet, creative movement and 15 minutes of introduction to tap.

Introduction to Dance II for 4 ½ – 5 ½ year olds (1 ballet class per week required at this level)
Approximately 30 minutes of introduction to ballet, creative movement and 15 minutes of introduction to tap

Pre-Ballet for 5 ½ - 6 ½ year olds who are in kindergarten (1 ballet class per week required at this level) Preparatory ballet class - Basic positions, movements, and vocabulary are introduced.

Basic I for 6 ½ -7 ½ year olds who are in first grade (1 ballet class per week required at this level) Introduction to barre work, basic steps, vocabulary, and the fully-structured ballet class

Basic II for 8-11 year olds just beginning study and those students who have completed Basic I but are not yet ready to move to Ballet I (1 ballet class per week required at this level) Introduction to barre work, basic steps, vocabulary, and the fully-structured ballet class

Ballet I for students no younger than second grade who have completed at least one year of Basic Ballet (2 ballet classes per week required at this level) Builds on the foundation begun in the Basic level

Ballet II (2 ballet classes per week required at this level)

Ballet III (3 ballet classes per week required at this level)

Ballet IV Pre-Pointe will be begun at this level, and will consist of specific exercises meant to strengthen feet and identify structural problems in preparation for pointe work (4 ballet classes per week required at this level)

It is at the end of this year that students are evaluated for permission to go on pointe. Not all students will be allowed to go on pointe. Many factors go in to this decision, including age, anatomy, bone development, strength, and length of training. As with all class placements, permission of the instructor and the Artistic Director is necessary.

Basic Pointe for students who have completed Ballet IV and, after evaluation, are deemed ready for basic pointe work. By invitation only. (2 pointe classes per week required at this level)

Ballet V (4 ballet classes per week required at this level)

Ballet VI (4 ballet classes per week required at this level)

Intermediate (4 ballet classes per week required at this level)

Advanced Ballet (4 ballet classes per week required at this level)

Each consecutive class level builds on the level before. Placement is determined by the teachers and the Artistic Director. At the end of each school year, students will be evaluated by the teachers and the Artistic Director and placed in the appropriate class level for the coming year. Promotions are not automatic. Some students may need to repeat a level.

Jazz Class and Hip-Hop Levels

Basic Hip-Hop for 6-10 year olds Introduction to basic hip-hop movements, steps, and combinations

Basic Jazz for 6-10 year olds Introduction to basic jazz movements, steps, and combinations

Beginning Jazz for 11 year olds & up who have completed at least one year of Basic Jazz Builds on the foundation begun in Basic Jazz

Beginning/Intermediate Jazz

Intermediate/Advanced Jazz

Each consecutive class level builds on the level before. Placement is determined by the teachers and the Artistic Director. At the end of the year, students will be evaluated by the teachers and the Artistic Director and placed in the appropriate level for the coming year. Promotions are not automatic. Some students may need to repeat a level.

Tap Class Levels

See Introduction to Dance I and Introduction to Dance II

Pre-Tap for 5 ½ - 6 ½ year olds who are in kindergarten Preparatory tap class - Basics of rhythm, movement, and vocabulary are introduced

Basic Tap for students at least 6 ½- 7 ½ year olds, at least in first grade Introduction to basic steps, combinations and the fully-structured tap class

Beginning Tap for students no younger than second grade who have completed at least one year of Basic Tap. Builds on the foundation begun in the Basic level

Intermediate Tap

Advanced Tap

Each consecutive class level builds on the level before. Placement is determined by the teachers and the Artistic Director. At the end of the school year, students will be evaluated by the teachers and the Artistic Director and placed in the appropriate level for the coming year. Promotions are not automatic, particularly in the Tap curriculum where repetition of the Intermediate, Advanced and Performance levels are built in.

Acting and Voice Levels

Placement is done initially by age but, at the discretion of the instructor, students may be moved to a different level due to maturity and/or experience.

Musical Theatre Workshops

Musical Theatre Workshops are eight-week classes for children (5 years of age and up), teens, and adults. Classes are divided by age group and do not require an audition. Songs are taught by the musical director (to live piano accompaniment) and the numbers are staged or choreographed by the director/choreographer. In addition, workshop performers learn monologues or do scene work. In the eighth class, all the material is presented in an informal showcase for family and friends. It is great fun and an invaluable experience.

Music Lessons

After registering at the front desk, you will be contacted by the instructor and the class schedule can be arranged at a mutually convenient time. Since these are private lessons, there is no placement to be determined.

Adult Students

Adult students, both professionals and beginners, are welcome to join the ongoing classes at any time. There is no dress code for adult students. Adult students sign in at the front desk and may pay as they go, or purchase a class card which must be presented at each class attended. Prices are listed in the current class schedule.

Study/Performance Trips

We offer study and/or performance trips to groups of students every year. If you would like information, please contact the Artistic Director.

Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts and its faculty and staff are not responsible for any injuries that may be sustained while in class, on the premises, or participating in any Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts event. Additionally, we are not responsible for theft or loss of property.