Ballet

Ballet is an artistic dance form performed to music, using precise, highly formalized steps and gestures. Classical ballet, which originated in Renaissance Italy and took its present form in the 19th century, is characterized by light, graceful, fluid movement and the use of pointe work. Ballet is considered the foundation of many dance forms.

​Ballet 1 - Beginning Ballet (Ages 6-8)

Level 1 Ballet — Beginner
An independent, introductory class for students with little or no prior ballet experience.

What we focus on
  • Fundamental technique: positions of the feet/arms, plié, tendu, relevé, and small jumps
  • Alignment, posture, balance, coordination, and basic vocabulary
  • Musicality and quality of movement through short, age-appropriate combinations
How class runs
  • Warm-up at the barre: posture/alignment and gentle stretching
  • Center work: port de bras, balances, traveling steps
  • Allegro: small, safe jumps appropriate to level
Environment
Supportive and encouraging students progress at their own pace while building confidence and self-expression.

Recommendations
  • Able to focus for a 1-hour class
  • Attend 1–2 ballet classes per week consistently

Ballet 2 - Beginning Ballet (Ages 8-10)

Level 2 Ballet — Ages 8–10 (approx.)
For dancers who have completed Level 1 or have equivalent experience. Level 2 deepens technique, alignment, strength, and musicality while introducing more complex exercises and combinations.

What we build
  • Clean placement and turnout; core control and balance
  • Expanded vocabulary and terminology
  • Musicality, quality of movement, and confidence
Technique highlights
  • Barre: Demi-/grand plié, tendu, dégagé, rond de jambe, relevé balances; intro to frappé as appropriate
  • Center: Port de bras, adagio phrasing, simple linking steps and balances
  • Turns: Chaîné preps and spots; pirouette preparations (single preps as appropriate)
  • Allegro: Sautés, échappé sauté, changement; introductory assemblé preps
Placement & notes
  • Placement by faculty to ensure a safe, successful experience.
  • This level provides a strong base for advancement to Level 3.
Requirements
  • 1–2 years of prior ballet training (or faculty approval)
  • Uniform: wear the required academy uniform (see Uniform Policy)
  • Training load: currently enrolled in at least 2 hours of ballet per week

Ballet 3 - Intermediate Ballet (Ages 11+)

Level 3 Ballet — Intermediate
For dancers with a solid foundation in classical technique. Level 3 refines placement, strength, and musicality while introducing more complex sequences and longer combinations.
What we build
  • Clean alignment, turnout, and core control
  • Artistry and musical phrasing (dynamics, expression)
  • Expanded vocabulary and precise terminology
Technique highlights
  • Barre: Deeper work in plié, tendu, dégagé, rond de jambe; sustained relevé balances; frappé and fondu; beginning grand battement clarity
  • Center/Adagio: Port de bras with épaulement, controlled balances, développé lines, linking steps
  • Turns: Consistent pirouette preparations; clean singles (working toward doubles as placed); chaînés and piqué turns
  • Allegro: Petit allegro (quick footwork, changements, échappés, assemblé preps); intro to grand allegro pathways with safe takeoffs/landings
Artistry & musicality
  • Dynamics, breath, and phrasing
  • Quality of movement and performance presence
Requirements
  • 3–4 years of prior ballet training (or faculty placement)
  • Currently enrolled in at least 3 hours of ballet per week
  • Uniform per Academy policy; regular attendance expected
  • Academy director approval for placement

Alamo City Arts Academy
​Criteria for Pointe work

Pointe work is not required to study at the advanced level, but those wishing to study pointe must meet the following criteria:
  • Age & bone development: The student must be at least 12 years old. The bones of the feet do not fully develop and harden until approximately ages 13–15. A dancer must be strong enough to protect the bones before they are fully developed. Beginning pointe work too early can permanently damage immature bones.
  • Musculature: The student must have healthy musculature.
  • Foot structure: The student must have sufficient arch in the instep to stand on pointe.
  • Training history: The student must have at least three years of consistent ballet training.
  • Current training load: The student must take a minimum of two ballet classes per week (four hours) on a consistent basis.
  • Turnout: The student must be able to hold correct turnout while dancing from flat to demi-pointe. Correct turnout is achieved from the hips, not the feet or knees. In the turned-out position, the foot is in line with the kneecap and hip joint. Correct turnout should be easily maintained in demi-pointe; weight should be centered forward over the big toe, heels forward to avoid sickling, and knees straight. Maintaining this turnout is more difficult en pointe.
  • Torso control: The student must be able to maintain a strong, straight torso while dancing, without pelvic tilt. A straight torso is supported by the back muscles and, more importantly, the lower abdominals. A weak torso throws the student off balance en pointe, makes steps difficult, and increases injury risk.
  • Demi-plié for transitions: The student must be able to perform a correct demi-plié for all transitions, maintaining turnout from the hips, the kneecap aligned with the second toe, and the heels down. This applies in pirouette preparation, jump preparation, and before going en pointe.
  • Pointing the feet: The dancer should be able to fully point the feet in all steps—especially at the barre, then in the center--without sickling. Achieving full pointe range with appropriate stretching is required to go en pointe. Using the floor to point is also important to build the muscles of the feet and ankles (e.g., sliding the foot in and out along the floor).
  • Piqué passé: Piqué passé with a straight leg. The student should have enough strength to push up onto demi-pointe. This step is harder en pointe; a bent leg is usually a sign of weakness or improper preparation.
  • Relevés: The student must be able to do sixteen relevés in the center on demi-pointe without stopping. Relevés build calf strength, which is vital for pointe work. Because of the extra height, this exercise is more difficult en pointe; strong relevés on demi-pointe are a good indicator of readiness. The student must also rise as high on demi-pointe as possible; keeping the heels too low does not adequately prepare the calves.
  • Passé balance: The student must be able to hold a passé balance on demi-pointe. The student should be well placed (hips square, back straight, legs turned out) and strong enough to balance. This position is more difficult to execute correctly en pointe because the base of support is smaller and strength demands are greater.
  • General health: The student must be in good health and able to take a full class. If a student frequently needs to rest because of illness or injury, they are not yet strong enough for the extra demands pointe work requires.

Ballet 4 - Pre-Pointe - Intermediate Ballet (Ages 12+)

Ballet 4 — Pre-Pointe (Intermediate, Ages 12+)
Pre-Pointe prepares committed students to transition safely from ballet flats to pointe shoes by developing the strength, alignment, and control pointe work requires.

What we focus on
  • Conditioning & strength: Core and hip stabilizers, turnout support, foot/ankle intrinsic strength (e.g., planks, bridges, theraband work)
  • Foot/ankle mechanics: Articulation through the metatarsals, doming, relevés on demi-pointe, weight placement over the first/second metatarsals
  • Barre: Plié, tendu, dégagé, rond de jambe, fondu, frappé, sustained balances on demi-pointe, sous-sus and échappé preps
  • Center: Alignment and balance, adagio, simple linking steps, pirouette preparations and retiré balances on demi-pointe
  • Injury-prevention & self-care: Neutral pelvis and rib placement, safe range of motion, foot/ankle care habits
How it works
  • Technique is layered gradually; students work primarily on demi-pointe to build the strength and control needed en pointe.
  • Readiness for pointe is evaluated individually; Pre-Pointe does not guarantee immediate pointe placement.
Requirements
  • 3–4 years of prior ballet training (or faculty placement)
  • Currently enrolled in at least 5 hours of intermediate ballet per week
  • Uniform per Academy policy; regular attendance expected
  • Academy director’s approval

​Ballet 5 - Pointe - Advanced Ballet (Ages 13+)

Ballet 5 — Advanced Ballet / Pointe (Ages 12+ by placement)
An advanced technique class that hones speed, clarity, stamina, and musicality—adding pointe work for placed dancers (others train parallel material on demi-pointe) to elevate line, artistry, and stage presence.

What we focus on
  • Technique & alignment: Clean placement, turnout endurance, épaulement, phrasing, and dynamics
  • Barre: Advanced combinations; sustained balances; battement clarity; pointe-strength work (élevés, échappé, sous-sus, relevé passé)
  • Center: Adagio control and line; pirouettes (consistent singles/doubles; working toward triples as placed); chaînés/piqués; directional changes and linking steps
  • Allegro: Petit & grand allegro with safe takeoffs/landings; ballon and power without tension
  • Pointe (placed dancers): Strength and control en pointe; progressions for turns and allegro; artistry and line
  • Performance: Longer phrases, musical nuance, projection, and stage presence
How it works
  • Pointe placement is assigned individually and reassessed during the season.
  • Dancers not yet on pointe train parallel material on demi-pointe to build strength and control.
  • Emphasis on injury prevention: neutral pelvis/ribs, foot/ankle care, and progressive loading.
  • Coaching centers on quality of movement, musicality, clean endings, and confident presentation.
  • Cross-training guidance provided as needed (core, hips, calves).
Requirements
  • 6+ years prior ballet training (or faculty placement)
  • Currently enrolled in 6+ hours of ballet per week (technique + conditioning)
  • Meets Academy pointe readiness criteria; pointe shoes by instructor approval only
  • Uniform per Academy policy; regular attendance expected
  • Good health and able to complete a full class
  • Academy director’s approval

Adult/Teen Ballet - (Ages 15+)

Adult/Teen Ballet — Ages 15+
An open-level class that refines classical technique in a supportive setting, building alignment, strength, balance, and musicality through accessible barre and center combinations for both returning dancers and motivated beginners.

What we focus on
  • Refining ballet technique, alignment, and musicality
  • Building confidence for returning dancers and late beginners
  • Clear, supportive coaching with options for different experience levels
How it works
  • Warm-up at the barre: posture/alignment, core engagement, pliés, tendus, dégagés, rond de jambe
  • Center work: port de bras, balances, adagio, tendu/dégagé phrases, pirouette preparations and turns
  • Allegro: small jumps (petit allegro), traveling steps, simple combinations
  • Cool-down: gentle stretch and release to support recovery
What you’ll build
  • Clean technique and safe body mechanics
  • Strength, flexibility, balance, and control
  • Musicality, phrasing, and confidence
Placement & notes
  • Prior ballet basics recommended; modifications offered for returning dancers
  • If you’re brand-new to ballet, ask about Adult Ballet Basics