Ballet:
Vaganova Method
The Vaganova method is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Russian dancer and pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951). The technique fuses elements of traditional French technique from the romantic era with the athleticism and virtuosity of Italian technique. The training system is designed to involve the whole body in every movement, with equal attention paid to the upper body, legs and feet. Vaganova believed that this approach increases consciousness of the body, thus creating a harmony of movement and greater expressive range.
Masculine Uniform (all levels): White T-Shirt or leotard, black shorts or tights, ballet support and white ballet shoes with white socks. Black shoes for kinder dance.
Primary: 6 -7 years old - more formal commencement of classical ballet training, but still including free expression work. Building barre and centre exercises and introducing some flexibility and stretching floor work.
Uniform: Pale pink poly-cotton-lycra (PCL) leotard, regulation matching skirt, pink seamless tights and pink ballet shoes. Kinder Dance, Pre-Primary & Primary have pink elastic on their shoes .
Preparatory Level 1: 7 - 8 years old – Posture and placement of steps at the barre and in the centre is emphasized, including introducing longer phrases and balance. Focus on placement and use of arms, fingers and hands are practiced. Free dance, expression work is still included.
Uniform: Pale pink poly-cotton-lycra (PCL) leotard, regulation matching skirt, pink seamless tights and pink ballet shoes with ribbons.
Level 1: 8 - 9 years old – Commencement of careful development of the classical ballet technique and vocabulary of steps. Strong emphasis on core strength and correct understanding of basic technique. Continuous focus on steps of expressivity and flexibility.
Uniform: Pale pink poly-cotton-lycra (PCL) leotard, regulation matching skirt, pink seamless tights and pink ballet shoes with ribbons.
Level 2: 9 – 10 years old – Building the classical ballet vocabulary of steps, and commencement of using the barre side on. Emphasis on core strength and posture at the barre, in centre phrases and steps of elevation. Improvisation is replaced with a short dance/enchainment.
Uniform: Dusty pink PCL leotard, pink seamless tights, pink ballet shoes with pink ribbons.
Level 3: 10 – 11 years old – Majority of barre work in side on. Careful commencement of pointe work for girls and use of port de bras. Increased level of difficulty in stamina and steps of elevation for boys.
Uniform: Dusty pink PCL leotard, pink seamless tights, pink ballet shoes with pink ribbons (pointe shoes only when permission has been given by the Director to begin pointe work).
Level 4: 11 - 13 years old (2 years) - Understanding and mastery and of core strength and posture is present and ongoing. Careful commencement of pointe work in the centre. Increased level of difficulty including adagio in the centre and introducing grand allegro.
Uniform: Lunar blue PCL leotard, pink seamless tights, ballet shoes, demi pointe and pointe shoes (at the discretion of the Directors) with ribbons.
Level 5: 13 – 14 years old (2 years) – Diversity in rhythm, speed and tempo is practiced at the barre. Increased level of difficulty in barre and centre adagios is practiced. Pointe work in the centre is increased and a variety of turns frm the corner are introduced. Commencement of tour en l'air for boys is introduced.
Uniform: Lunar blue PCL leotard, pink seamless tights, ballet shoes, demi pointe and pointe shoes (at the discretion of the Directors) with ribbons.
Senior Level 1 (2 years), Senior Level 2 (2 years) & Senior Level 3 (2 years), 14-20 years old - Advanced male and female training in preparation for a professional career in classical ballet.
SL1 Uniform: Dark purple leotard, shoestring straps, half tutu (matching dark purple), pink seamless tights, demi-pointe & pointe shoes with ribbons.
SL2 Uniform: Navy blue leotard, shoestring straps, half tutu (matching navy), pink seamless tights, demi-pointe & pointe shoes with ribbons.
SL3 Uniform: Black leotard of any style & choice, half tutu (matching), pink seamless tights, demi-pointe & pointe shoes with ribbons.