2024-2025 School Class Schedule Whitehall

Fall classes begin September 3rd at The Dancing Lights studio, located at 17 Wood Street, Middletown, until the building at Whitehall is complete. If you are a new student, please email School Director Aynsley Inglis at ainglis@firststateballet.org to determine your child’s ballet class placement. Older students may be asked to take a placement class.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

BALLET LEVEL 1 (ages 3-5)

Students will develop body awareness and coordination, explore movement quality and musicality, and discover creative self-expression. Teachers will work with students to develop cooperation and respect for self and others. Students will learn the basics of ballet class etiquette. Classes are taught with a focus on the joy of movement. Age-appropriate basic ballet terminology is introduced.

Saturdays 9:30 am-10:30 am

BALLET LEVEL 3 (ages 6-8)

Students will begin to learn the traditional barre exercises in a technically sound and age-appropriate manner. Barre exercises transfer to the center floor work, where students begin to connect what they learn at the barre with the movements they will be executing in the center. Teachers guide students to develop a greater awareness of technique, musicality, and dancing with others to create a performance. Ballet class etiquette is reinforced. Conditioning exercises are included in classwork to increase strength and flexibility.

Wednesdays 4:30 pm-5:30 pm and Saturdays 9:30 am-10:30 am (choose 1 or 2 days/week).

ACRO LEVEL 3 (ages 6-8)

Acro is a style that incorporates both traditional and rhythmic gymnastics concepts into dance. This class is designed to help build out skills like an Ariel or back walk over. In addition to teaching fundamental gymnastic tricks, the class also pushes mobility, increase back flexibility and overall strength.  

Fridays 5:00pm-6:00pm

BALLET LEVEL 5 (ages 9-13)

Students should have a good understanding of the proper execution of turn out, placement and port de bras (carriage of the arms). Teachers will continue to increase the complexity of exercises and introduce new material while focusing on correct technique and coordination. Basic pointe work includes learning how to prepare the shoes for dancing and developing strength in the feet, ankles, legs, core and upper body with exercises on two feet. When students are ready, they will begin simple center work with relevés (rises on to full pointe) on two feet.

Tuesday 5:30 pm-8:00 pm, Wednesday 5:30 pm-8:00 pm, Thursday 5:30 pm- 8:00 pm, and Saturdays 11:30 am-1:00 pm (choose 4 days or 3 days/week).

BALLET LEVEL 7 (ages 11+)

Students should have sound technical fundamentals and be ready for increasingly complex work. Teachers guide students to develop their artistry. Girls will have developed the strength needed to execute increasingly challenging pointe work. Boys will focus on developing strength to execute tours, pirouettes and jumps in the male classical repertoire. Students will have increased performance opportunities, including the opportunity to join the FSBT student ensemble and be cast in FSBT company productions at the discretion of the Artistic Director. FSBT aims to prepare our graduates to face challenges, solve problems, and work with a team to achieve their goals. FSBT students go on to be successful young adults with a lifelong passion for dance.

Tuesday 5:30 pm-8:00 pm, Wednesday 5:30 pm-8:00 pm, Thursday 5:30 pm-8:00 pm, and Saturday 11:30 am-1:00 pm (choose 3 or 4 days/week)

CONTEMPORARY (ages 9+)

This is a jazz technique class, designed to help dancers find a deeper and more confident approach to movements done to contemporary music and vocal music, as well as challenging the dancers to work predominantly in parallel or “sixth position” strengthening their dominate muscles to provide a balanced cross-training. 

Tuesday 4:30pm-5:30pm

PROGRESSING BALLET TECHNIQUE LEVEL 7 (ages 8+)

Developed by Marie Walton-Mahon “to help students advance in all dance forms through muscle memory” this certified cross training utilizes strength and stretch exercises with the medicine ball to enhance and reinforce the movement concepts and muscles needed to help a dancer excel. 

Friday 6:00pm-7:00pm

JAZZ LEVEL 7 (ages 8+)

This is a jazz technique class, designed to help dancers find a deeper and more confident approach to movements done to contemporary music and vocal music, as well as challenging the dancers to work predominantly in parallel or “sixth position” strengthening their dominate muscles to provide a balanced cross-training. 

Friday 7:00pm-8:00pm

CLASSES FOR ADULTS - Ballet, Stretch, Jazz, Hip Hop & Heels - Click HERE for descriptions and tuition information.

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