Pennsylvania Dance Institute
Class Descriptions

Our Classical Ballet Program exposes the student to the best of the renowned ballet pedagogy. Incorporating these ballet techniques into the classroom instruction provides the dancer with the proper placement, alignment, and fundamental technique necessary to develop and grow artistically. The program is designed to advance your dancer, each level’s progression is based on the successful competence and awareness of skills from the level before.

Students in our ballet program have the opportunity to perform alongside professional dancers with Dance Del Bello, a not-for-profit performing arts company in residence at PDI.

 
 
 

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM:
Creative Movement & Pre-Ballet

CREATIVE MOVEMENT

Training within this program prepares young dancers’ muscles and develops the coordination necessary for beginning ballet.

Dancers do a non-weight bearing floor barre, followed by creative movement with an emphasis on developing musical and motor skills. The excited, young dancers are motivated to dance and will be well-prepared for entry into the Pre-Ballet or Ballet I class. This also prepares a young dancer for technique classes in Jazz at the age of 8.

  • Mommy & Me (Ages: 3-4)

  • Petite Feet I (Ages 3-4) & Petite Feet II (Ages 4-5)

  • Young Children’s Dance (Ages 5-6)

  • Children’s Dance (Ages 6-7)

 
 

CLASSICAL BALLET PROGRAM
Beginner - ADVANCED (Ages 8+)


BALLET FOUNDATIONS

In these fundamental levels, the Pennsylvania Dance Institute introduces class structure and begins to transition the young creative mover to develop core ballet techinque. These classes place emphasis on developing appropriate alignment, turn out, coordination, extension, musicality and fluidity in both barre and center practice.

  • Pre-Ballet (Ages 7-8)

  • Ballet I & Ballet I+ (Ages 8+)

  • Ballet II

INTERMEDIATE BALLET

Our intermediate level classwork builds on all of the foundational technique and focuses on phrasing, clarity, proper articulation of the foot, and proper development of epaulment, as well as increasing technical proficiency & difficulty of turns, allegro (jumps) and preparedness for pointe and performance.

  • Ballet II-III

  • Ballet III

  • Pre-Pointe

  • Floor Barre

ADVANCED BALLET

Our advanced ballet classes continue to work on the strength, mobility and flexibility of the dancer. Exercises become more technical, refined and sophisticatedly more complex. Advanced dancers may be asked to join Dance Del Bello as an Apprentice or Jr. Apprentice.

  • Ballet IV

  • Ballet V

Pointe / Partnering & Variations

  • Beg. Pointe

  • Int. Pointe

  • Adv. Pointe, Partnering & Variations

Adult Ballet (Teen-Adult)

This class provides students with the fundamental technique for all dance movements by teaching placement, form, ‘center’ strength, balance, control, and grace.

Requirements & Recommendations:
Minimum of 1 class per week required for Pre-Ballet and Ballet I. Minimum of 2 classes per week required for Ballet II.
Minimum of 3 classes per week & approved Summer study required for levels III and above.
* It is highly recommended that all new students take an (age appropriate) ballet fundamentals class in addition to their placement level regardless of ability.
** It is encouraged to complete a year of pre-pointe or supplement beginning pointe with pre-pointe to improve metatarsal and ankle strength and prevent injury or premature damage to the foot.

Students meeting the class requirements are invited and encouraged to participate in Dance Del Bello’s Annual Spring Production, with rehearsals taking place outside of valuable class time.

 

MODERN DANCE PROGRAM

At Pennsylvania Dance Institute, we combine many techniques including Graham, Limon, and Horton. Our modern dance program prepares a dancer for collegiate course work and pre-professional modern dance residencies & experiences.