The Ballet Program at the Scripps Performing Arts Academy, is a program that welcomes students looking to pursue a professional career in dance as well as those who desire to take ballet as a recreational activity. We offer both a Pre-Professional Program and a Recreational Program.
At SPAA, students are encouraged to grow, learn, and create in a non-competitive environment with a supportive and talented staff.
The lessons students learn here about creativity and hard work will be useful throughout their lives, whether they become professional dancers or not.
Primary Division/ Pre-Ballet, Intro. to Dance
Creative Movement/Dance Foundations : Introductory Class that focuses on coordination, rhythm, creative movement and Pre-Ballet, all while having fun and cultivating a love for dance in a nurturing and fun-filled environment. This class develops vital motor skills, necessary for succes in any dance technique.
Level I: Beginning/Introductory Class that focuses furthur on coordination, rhythm, creative movement and Pre-Ballet, with exercises more focused on preparing the child for ballet movement.
Level II: Beginning Ballet Class that focuses on introducing Ballet terminology and the basics of Ballet, while creating a solid foundation in movement and a continued love for dance.
Children's Division
Level III: Intermediate-Beginning Ballet Class that continues to work on perfecting the basics of Ballet, while introducing new terminology and steps. Children will be introduced to basic barre work.
Level IVB: Beginning-Intermediate Ballet Classes that focus on developing classical technique, understanding ballet terminology, correct execution of basic steps as well as a basic understanding and application of placement and alignment. More challeging barre and center work is introduced.
Lower Pre-Professional Division (by invitation only)
Level IVA: Beginning-Intermediate Ballet Classes that focus on developing classical technique, understanding ballet terminology, correct execution of basic steps as well as a basic understanding and application of placement and alignment. More challeging barre and center work is introduced with once a week participation in a Level V class.
Level V: Intermediate Ballet Classes that focus on building strength, increasing flexibility, coordination, and musicality. New steps are introduced in the center. Preparation for pointework begins. Pointework may be introduced at this level.
Upper Pre-Professional Division (by invitation only)
Level VI: Advanced-Intermediate-Advanced Ballet Classes that focus on expression, musicality, building strength, and coordination, while introducing more advanced steps and combinations.
Level VII: Advanced Ballet Classes that focus on artistry and musicality, strength and coordination, as well as exactness and power while dancing. Students focus on continuing to build strength, while correctly executing more challenging steps and increasing flexibility.
Current and Former Pre-Professional Students have accepted to programs with American Ballet Theater, Boston Ballet School, The Rock School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Ballet Austin, Harid Conservatory, Kaatsbaan Ballet, The Kirov Academy, The Ailey School and most recently a scholarship offer to attend Boston Conservatory's BFA in Dance program.
