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The Dance Curriculum(Program open to Beginners - Professionals, Scholarships available)At the forefront of the school and companies dance curriculum is the venerated Vaganova Training System, Ltd.™ This training system is registered with the Vaganova Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg, Russia. (See below for further information)The dance center takes the role of instructing dance with a passion, and we are very concerned about the total development, health and well-being of the student dancers, therefore all instructed classes are designed to enhance technical and artistic proficiency, leading to a greater mastery of technique and stagecraft . The emphasis in classes is given to individual abilities over that of competitiveness. As the Vaganova Training System, Ltd. instructor certification is a lengthy process, not all ballet instructors teaching at the school have completed our teachers training program (in development). Although we do our very best to regulate the quality of instruction on a day to day basis by those in our employ as outside contractors, they may not have acquired complete Vaganova Training System, Ltd. certification. Given the companies special association with the Vaganova Ballet Academy in Russia, and in the event you have concerns about the qualifications of a "Vaganova" instructor and or program in your area, please don't hesitate to contact our administrative offices for further assistance Vaganova Training System, Ltd. ™The Vaganova Training System, Ltd. emphasizes that all movement originates from the center of the body which ensures strong, powerful, reliable support with full artistic coloration of the steps. The principals of Agrippina Vaganova's (1879-1951) system is the melding of perfect technical virtuosity with truthful expression and elegance, training that leads to technical and artistic freedom. Specific attention is given to epaulement (the cohesive turning of the shoulders, head and the upper body). The system aims to teach students to dance with their whole body in order to acquire a harmony of movements and a broadening of artistic expression. Dance students at most levels, and without any prior training in the Vaganova Training System, Ltd. will find that the process and application of training will be both rewarding and fulfilling given the level and care of our instruction. Those students wishing to matriculate into our ballet system of training, but who have had other dance and ballet training such as (Modern, RAD, Cecchetti, Paris Opera, Royal Danish, Balanchine, etc.) will find the Vaganova Training System, Ltd. approach to be very rewarding, providing immediate results. This is partially owing to the fact that the Vaganova Training System, Ltd. merges the pure academic dance from Russia's past with important scientific and contemporary innovations in ballet methodology. We recommend that students look at their individual progress over periods of months as opposed to days. Injuries can be prevented and this is where the Vaganova Training System, Ltd. has its strong hold. Students and dancers who have completed numerous hours of training in the Vaganova Training System, Ltd. are able to dance professionally, if they so desire, well into their fifties. Any proper dance training program requires students to be as healthy as possible; an enormous amount of energy is used up during training and rehearsing, therefore the body requires regulated physical therapy such as chiropractics and massage, rest, and a well balanced diet. As an entry requirement of our dance company program, students must undergo a brief physical (chiropractic) evaluation by a member of our medical panel. In the very near future, the Vaganova Training System, Ltd. program will become widely available throughout North America, and a teachers training program is currently nearing completion and should be available by 2006.
Programs & TrainingGeneral Level DescriptionsPre-ballet, 4-8 yearsThese classes are tailored to a broad range of experimental dance and movement exercises preparing children for the more technically demanding exercises of classical and character dance including but not limited to: stretching, movement improvisation, the learning of syncopation with a variety of music and simple choreography, jumps, turns, pantomime, and play acting, etc.Preparatory/Ballet, 9-12 yearsStudents begin learning elementary (Level 1) Vaganova Training Systems, Ltd exercises at the barre for mastering the placement and coordination of the body including the use of the legs, arms, head, and torso. Students are given exercises mostly facing the barre and/or mirror, the study of preparatory and completion of arm movements. Also, students learn the application of practical musical interpretation with ballet exercises.Ballet, 13-19 yearsDuring this period of study, students learn to repeat the Level I exercises which are increased in number and speed, enhancing coordination between the movements. Students are also introduced to exercises on half-toe and point work, and further attention is given to the arms working in unison throughout the exercises. Students are further instructed on personal artistry, and they may have the opportunity of being included in scheduled practical exams and may be offered additional performing opportunities. The study of half toe and basic turns begins in the center of the studio, as does the study of simple directional center exercises, which may include a variety of jumps. Continued development of personal artistry and performing opportunities.Ballet, 19 years to Adult/ProfessionalAt this level a number of sequential training methods are taught including exercises to increase flexibility and stability. In some cases, depending upon the age and level of ballet/dance experience an adult may have obtained prior to attending our programs, an adult may need to be taught similarly as a young dance student would undergo. Very often, adults are recommended by the staff to supplement their regular training with the addition of private instruction. This is especially the case for the aspiring dance student who is attending a university based dance program. |        |
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