On this page: First Steps (Ages 1.5-6) | Children’s Division (Ages 5-10) | Student & By Placement Division (Ages 9-18)
| Student Ensemble Program | Adult Classes | Trainee Program
See below for class descriptions in each of Lynchburg Ballet Academy’s divisions.
FIRST STEPS | Ages 1.5-6
First Steps is an open-enrollment program that offers dance instruction for students ages 1.5 through 6. Classes in the First Steps Division are divided into levels by age, which encourages each child to reach their highest potential. The Academy’s unique curriculum promotes creativity and imagination while ensuring a solid foundation of dance technique. First Steps classes are designed to progress toward the discipline and structure of a ballet class, but children may enroll in any classes that are appropriate for their age and dance experience.
First Steps Division Classes: Parent & Me (1.5-3), Fairytale Ballet (3-6), Ballet/Tap (5-7)
Parent & Me is an exploration of dance through simple music and movement that allows the child to understand the structure of a dance class while still having the comfort of a parent in the room. Students will learn basic rhythmic and dance skills. The class is open to any child/guardian relationship, no dress code required. No dance experience is necessary for parent or child.
Fairytale Ballet is our most popular class that offers each child a chance to discover the world of ballet. Through basic skills, children will enhance their balance, poise, coordination, and kinesthetic awareness. Fairytale Ballet classes emphasize creative expression through movement in a structured, yet fun and imaginative environment—a perfect introduction to the magic of dance!
Ballet/Tap (5-7) is a combination class that teaches the basics of both ballet and tap to the young child, emphasizing body placement and basic rhythmic awareness. The students will begin with tap shoes and then transition to the ballet portion of class.
CHILDREN’S DIVISION | Ages 5-10
CHILDREN’S DIVISION, Unit 1:
The Children’s Division offers dance classes for ages 5 through 10, forming the backbone of dance education at LBA. The Academy’s curriculum is based on the National Training Curriculum of the American Ballet Theatre. Students will explore a large variety of classical ballet terminology, enabling them to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance. Ballet classes also teach students discipline and classroom etiquette while increasing their ability to work on their own and in groups. All dancers will work towards building flexibility, strength, musicality, coordination, concentration, and communication of expression through movement. Hip Hop Dance Mix classes round out the curriculum, providing a creative outlet to students interested in multiple styles of dance.
Children’s Division (Unit 1) Classes: Storybook Ballet (6-8), Hip Hop Dance Mix (6-8)
Storybook Ballet is for children ages five to seven and provides the next progression from the Fairytale Ballet curriculum. Focusing on both the mind and the body, innovative classroom activities help children refine their motor skills and develop their creative process through the use of props and imagery. Storybook Ballet students also explore literature, theater, and storytelling and learn about the music, costumes, and scenery from the famous classical ballets including Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Coppélia, Carnival of the Animals, The Firebird, and The Nutcracker.
Hip Hop Dance Mix classes allow children to explore multiple dance genres in a combination class that’s perfect for boys and girls. Combining percussion with movement, tap dance helps children establish rhythm skills and musicality while isolating the movement of their feet and ankles. In addition to tap and jazz, students learn basic hip hop technique and combinations with special attention to strength, musicality, and coordination.
CHILDREN’S DIVISION, Unit 2:
Children’s Division (Unit 2) Classes: Ballet 1 (7-9), Tap/Jazz (7-9)
Ballet 1 is for children ages seven to nine and provides a bridge to the Academy’s ballet classes in the Student Division. In Pre-Ballet, children are introduced to the structure and discipline of a ballet class as well as music awareness and ballet terminology. Focusing on both the mind and the body, our innovative classroom activities help children refine their motor skills and develop their creative process through the use of props and imagery.
Tap/Jazz is a combination class that teaches students the fundamentals of tap and jazz. The class focuses on rhythm, patterns, and musical coordination. This class is an excellent introduction for students interested in exploring different genres in a fun and supportive environment.
STUDENT & BY PLACEMENT DIVISION | Ages 9-18
The Student Division offers classes for ages 9 to 18 in numerous dance genres. Enrollment in these classes is by placement only in order to ensure the proper level for each individual dancer. The Academy’s curriculum is based on the National Training Curriculum of the American Ballet Theatre. Dancers will continue to progress through ABT’s curricular levels that combine the classical French, Russian, and Italian schools. Students will explore a large variety of classical ballet terminology, enabling them to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance. All dancers will work towards building flexibility, strength, musicality, coordination, concentration, and communication of expression through movement. Other genre classes round out the curriculum, providing a creative outlet to students interested in multiple styles of dance.
Contemporary dance combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Students learn floorwork, traditional modern core contractions, and center exercises that find their root in classical ballet and modern. The curriculum emphasizes core strength, flexibility, and fluidity of movement. An additional ballet class is strongly recommended for Contemporary 3 students.
Hip Hop is a high-energy genre that infuses the latest styles of street dancing, breaking, popping, and locking. Class warm-up concentrates on increasing stamina, improving flexibility, and building core strength. The curriculum emphasizes a foundation of basic hiphop movements, across the floor exercises, and longer center combinations.
Musical Theatre is rooted in jazz and ballet technique with an emphasis on exploring the various dance styles used in Broadway shows. Class includes a warm-up, stretches to increase overall flexibility, across-the-floor progressions, and set theatrical combinations. The curriculum emphasizes dance as a performing art, and students work on telling stories and expressing different emotions through set dances, facial expressions, and exploring their own creative improvisations.
Open Classes (Open Ballet, Open Tap, Open Contemporary, Open Hip Hop) are designed for teens and pre-teens who want to learn how to dance but with a more recreational focus. These classes are perfect for individuals who are just beginning their dance training at a later stage, revisiting dance after a long absence, or for students in sports or theatre looking to supplement their training. Students are able to revisit the core basics before moving on to more challenging concepts and these classes are only required once per week.
Pointe technique is the part of classical ballet that concerns pointe work, wherein a ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet in pointe shoes. Students begin by building strength at the barre and successively progress to center work and longer enchaînements.
Tap classes develop rhythm, musicality, and coordination. Exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, and the dancer’s speed of movement. The curriculum emphasizes clean technique, producing clear tap sounds, and the joy of movement. Footwork and set combinations become increasingly complex and intricate with increased level.
STUDENT ENSEMBLE PROGRAM
For dancers seeking extra training and performance opportunities while maintaining flexibility to pursue other activities throughout the Academic Year.
No audition is needed, but certain class requirements must be met. This program will allow dancers additional training, choreography, and performance opportunities.
ADULT CLASSES
LBA’s adult classes are for adults of any age. We offer classes for all experience levels and physical abilities. Our adult classes are perfect for adults who danced in their youth and want to enjoy movement again, college students wishing to continue their training, or even adults that have never danced before. Below is a list of adult classes that may be offered:
Adult Classes: Adult Ballet Beg., Adult Hip Hop
Adult Ballet classes are designed for adults of all levels and abilities. Ballet is a great way of improving posture, grace, flexibility, and strength through barre exercises, allegro, adagio, and progressions. Students are able to learn ballet’s core basics before moving on to more challenging concepts.
Adult Hip Hop gets your heart rate up with this aerobic class set to upbeat rhythms. Move and groove with the latest hip hop steps in this exciting class.
CHARLOTTESVILLE BALLET TRAINEE PROGRAM
The Academy’s Trainee Program offers advanced instruction for students planning a professional dance career. Building on their training in the Student & By Placement Division, dancers in the Trainee Program will continue to develop technical and artistic skills with unique performance opportunities alongside the professional company dancers of Charlottesville Ballet.
At this advanced level, the healthy, holistic environment of the Academy is paramount; dancers need the highest level of training to prepare them for a career in the competitive dance world. Charlottesville Ballet’s focus on dancer health and well-being nurtures talented young artists, arming them with the tools to have long, healthy careers in any dance field.