Standards in Training

 The Young Dancer Division is designed to keep students in motion, promote creativity and teach the basics of ballet. Students find joy in practicing rhythmical and coordination skills while their growing bodies gain strength and placement.

 The Student Dancer Division offers age appropriate technique classes to instill the physical basis of classical ballet. Multiple classes each week promote strength for proper placement and technical skill. Students in this level learn to isolate and lengthen muscles by holding sustained positions with an increase in stretching. Dancers acquire a finer sense of musicality in their movement as strength allows for secured positions or quickness of movements 

 Students in the Pre-Apprentice Division recognized and appreciate the structure, discipline and etiquette in their training. Students find confidence in their movement and greater ease with the execution of steps; gained through repetition and precision.  Progression in flexibility, core strength, ballet terms, and body placement is anticipated. 

  The Apprentice & Pre Professional Division elevate dancers to performance standards, through intense training. Upper level students focus on refining technical skills with strength and agility. These students show focus, interest, respect, good character and work ethic in classes and performances. Dancers must train diligently with a strong commitment to advancing in discipline, stamina and physical success. Each student is evaluated before level placement is decided. Students must maintain full participation/attendance in order to progress at the expected pace or make level advancements.  

Serious dance students learn they must train many years before tying the ribbons of their first pair of pointe shoes. A knowledgeable ballet instructor will insist on accurate preparation before allowing a student to begin pointe work. Pre-Pointe Classes are offered to potential pointe students to further develop and strengthen the muscles necessary to go en pointe. These extra classes stress correct alignment in technique and allow instructors to assess each student's needs and progress. The atmosphere of these classes helps encourage students to master proper execution of technical skills.

Intermediate to advanced level students are evaluated on an individual basis, before being placed En Pointe. Instructors will access core strength, and sustained rotation without

compensating body placement, as well as strength in

alignment. Pointe students should maintain at least 2 weekly technique classes.

 Variation Classes offer advanced students an opportunity to demonstrate the cohesion of technique, endurance and presentation. Dancers approach these classes with complete mental focus and physical readiness. 

Boys/Men's Classes recognize the strength and movement qualities that are specific to male dancers. Students develop the strength through the groundwork of technique before relaying it to jumps, turns and presentation. 

 Partnering Classes give students the opportunity to work together while gaining responsibility in lifting, supporting and dancing in unison.

 Intermediate to advance level dancers' foundation is enhanced with Pilates & Body Conditioning Classes. These weekly classes challenge students to work intelligently by finding superfluous strength through their core muscles and upper body while extending the use of legs and feet. 

Modern Dance is a form of contemporary theatrical dance and concert dance employing the use of the entire body in movement to help express ideas and concepts.  While learning the strengths and differences of modern dance techniques, students are encouraged to improvise and discover artistic individualism.  Modern dance shifts, transitions, and collaborates with classical ballet technique to build confidence and diversity in training.

The popular style of  Contemporary Dance often borrows from classical ballet, modern, jazz, and may include elements from other dance cultures. It combines the strong but controlled legwork of ballet with the modern emphasis on the torso. The use of floor work, fall & recovery, contract & release, as well as improvisation are often paired with changes in in rhythm, speed, and direction. 

 Musical Theatre & Dance encourage students to layer song, dialogue and acting into their formal dance training.  Through the sights and sounds, 

Tap into Theatre Dance gain speed and focus in their movement while discovering the wonderful world of musical theatre

  Performance Experiences highlight the growth of a dancer. Dancers learn to apply practical skills, acquired in training, to rehearsal and performance. Through our partnership with Arkansas Festival Ballet, students gain knowledge in repertoire ranging from full-length ballets to new and collaborative works. Each season offers students and dancers opportunities to engage with musicians, orchestras, singers and other artistic talents through our collaborative engagements.

 Academy students are invited to audition for Arkansas Festival Ballet’s productions of The Nutcracker Ballet and Story Book Ballets (minimum age 7 to audition)   

  Enrichment Opportunities allow students time to gain information on relative topics, such as nutrition and wellness, injury prevention, resume preparation and networking. Their research and understanding ensures a plan for pursuing university acceptance/scholarships and contracts with professional dance companies. Through our Regional Dance America membership, students and company dancers have access to vital information and networking.  

 Upper level academy students are encouraged to further their training during the summer months by attending Intensive Training Programs. Arkansas Academy of Dance and Arkansas Festival Ballet host a series of “Summer Intensive Auditions” for opportunities to train with prestigious institutes. Guest company auditions are not specified or limited to the following: The Joffrey Ballet School, Joffrey Texas, Oklahoma City Ballet, Kansas City Ballet and Long Beach Ballet. These auditions occur January-March of each year and are posted online and in studio. In addition, Arkansas Festival Ballet hosts a 2-week intensive, for non-academy & academy students, as preparation for their major    intensives or to serve as the primary summer intensive training.  

  We thank you for the opportunity to train your child and to offer he/she structured classes that promote growth in their learning. We encourage consistent class attendance. Regular participation will ensure the time needed to reach the goals set for each level of training. As always, our instructors are devoted to your child’s learning and continued training. 

  We invite family members and friends to join us during Bring a Friend - Sibling Week, Parent Participation Week and Observation Week. 

  The academy hosts a Student Spring Performance, to showcase our children’s achievements. This demonstration is for all students registered in the academy.

 Students will participate in their normally scheduled classes during Progress Evaluation Week,at the end of the 9-month training season (May). 

  Please submit requests for letters of recommendation, information on auditions and college preparation in advance of due dates. All individual rehearsal time needed for preparation will be priced by the hour, rates will vary.