For three-year-olds who love music and movement. Each 45-minute class focuses on connecting movement with music, allowing children to freely express joy through movement games and age-appropriate exercises. Open to children at least 3 years old as of the first day of the fall term.

This 45 minute class meets once a week. Students begin to learn the concepts of dance through the simple class structure, stretching, and expression through music in movement - all while having lots of fun. These students will participate in an open house demonstration at the end of each term. Students must be at least 4 years old as of the first day of the fall term.

Level 1 Students

This 45 minute class meets once a week. Students will learn many of the basic ballet positions, including some stretching, barre work, and centre. They begin to learn the French terms for ballet movements and positions. Pre-Ballet is a fun and imaginative way to begin a child's ballet training.

Meeting once a week, these classes begin age-appropriate but rigorous syllabus training in ballet.

This class meets twice a week. Here, students begin learning more advanced steps. Barre work is more concentrated, emphasizing position and body placement.

This class meets twice a week. This level emphasizes the strengthening and preparatory exercises necessary for pointe for girls and jumping for boys.

These classes meet twice a week; for girls, they consist of one ballet technique and one pointe class emphasizing strengthening the feet and legs. Barre and centre pointe work are introduced as students become physically and technically ready. Additional classes are recommended for strengthening and advancement. Boys learn more advanced steps and specifically male technique.

Level 6 classes meet three times a week. One class is (non-pointe) technique, and the remaining two are divided between technique and pointe at the instructor's discression. Boys continue with more advanced steps and specifically male technique.

This is a intermediate level class that meets 3 times a week, stressing refinement of technique and placement, as well as strength on pointe or jumping. Modern dance class is also recommended at this level. Level 7 dancers dance en pointe in the Spring Performance.

Students complete their learning of the canon of classical ballet steps in this level. The classes emphasize performance quality, musicality, and integration of technique into advance combinations. Modern dance class is also recommended at this level.

This is considered an advanced level class, not only by the complexity of material that is given, but also by the commitment and dedication expected from each student. Each week students in this level are required to take a minimum of four ballet classes, the Variations class, and Ballet History. Because at least one year of Modern 3 is required for graduation from ASB, Level 9 dancers should strongly consider completing this requirement. Level 9 dancers are also expected to continue their training throughout the summer.Dancers are chosen for Commonwealth Ballet from this and higher levels.

This pre-professional class concentrates on refinement of technique and performance of the classical repertory. Guest teachers will bring new perspective throughout the year. Level 10 students take four technique/pointe classes each week, along with Variations and Ballet History.

This class is for teens and adults new to ballet or dancers who wish to prepare for entry into the syllabus program. Meeting twice a week, the class concentrates on fundamentals of placement, foot and leg development, and carriage of the upper body and arms.

For students working at an intermediate level who are not on pointe but wish to continue rigorous technique training two days per week. Students may enter this class after Level 4 or 5. Students in Levels 4, 5 and 6 may also take one or both classes of this level as a supplementary class.

For students working at a high intermediate or advanced level but who do not wish to make the time commitment of Levels 7, 8 or 9. Meeting two days per week, classes include optional pointe work. One or both classes may also be used by students in Level 6a and above as a supplementary class.

This popular class features concentrated work on the variations of the classical ballet repertory, emphasizing performance presence, endurance and pointe technique. Dancers also may study variations in technique shoes (not on pointe).

There are three variations classes in the 2010-11 year. The Variations class on Saturday is open to all students Level 4 and above. The Variations/7-8 class on Friday is for dancers in Levels 7 & 8 and is taken en pointe. The Monday Variations/9-10 class, also en pointe is a requirement of Levels 9 & 10 and only open to those students.

This class is specifically designed to improve student's flexibility and extensions, strengthen abdominal and back muscles and to build stamina as required for ballet technique. Each student will receive individual instruction appropriate to her/his age and experience.

In fall 2010 ASB will offer The Painted Dance: A Choreography Workshop a multi-disciplinary challenge for those students looking for additional performance opportunities. Students make a class visit to a local art museum at the beginning of the term, select a work of art as inspiration for a dance, and spend the semester investigating how the tenets of choreography and art can fuse to create a dance through individual and group assignments. Students will set their dances on other student performers (or themselves), then oversee rehearsals and premiere the work at a Studio 3 recital in January.

This class meets on Thursday afternoon as an option for early release (and other) students in Levels 3–7. Acting for Dancers examines the acting requirements of ballet, with emphasis on stage presence, pantomime and improvisation through a serious of fun and challenging group exercises and assignments. No experience is required. This class is recommended for students who enjoy the stage, those who want to become less shy on stage, and those auditioning for The Nutcracker.

Tara Wells & JJ Stapleton

This class provides an introduction to the energy and dynamic of jazz technique. The class introduces contemporary jazz styles, with work on isolation, suspension, contractions, and other techniques in a high energy, musical setting. Jazz encourages individual interpretations of movement, which can be a refreshing change of pace for ballet dancers. Students also work on fundamental techniques including flexibility, jumps and turns.

This class offers the student of ballet an opportunity to learn about the rich and diverse history of classical ballet. Through presentations, videos and discussion the class will discuss the evolution and rise of the art form, its choreographic and performing leaders, trends and styles, and its current state.

This class provides an introduction to Modern Dance. Students develop grounded technique based on modern dance vocabulary, with all work being done "in centre" or as part of combinations. Depending on enrollment, this class may be combined with Modern 2.

This class continues to develop the Modern Dance vocabulary from Modern 1, emphasizing more sophisticated combinations and breadth of expression. (Depending on enrollment, Modern 1 and Modern 2 may be combined in some terms. Depending on enrollment, this class may be combined with Modern 1.

Clara Orbe, Modern 3
2003 Spring performance

The third class of Modern Dance assumes substantial modern dance training and is generally attended by upper level ballet syllabus students.