Russian Ballet Theatre School

Russian Ballet Class Instructions

Founder/Director: Kathy Scharp

(RussianBalletYpsi@gmail.com)

Fall/Winter Semester: Nov 20, 2011 – Feb 4, 2012

Winter/Spring Semester: Feb 5 – Apr 7, 2012

Pre-Ballet  Syllabus (4 – 7 years)

ONE CLASS PER WEEK.  No knowledge of ballet required. Focus is on paying attention and participating in a group setting while learning basic ballet terms, musical counts, body positions, stretching and simple steps to music. Dress Code: Girls: Hair secured away from face.  Pink leotard, pink tights (or bare legs/anklets) soft pink ballet shoes. Boys: White T-Shirt, black tights, white socks, white ballet shoes.

 Introductory Syllabus (7 – 8 ½ years)

ONE CLASS PER WEEK. Limited or no knowledge of ballet required. Continuation of study as outlined above in Pre-Ballet Syllabus. Additional barre and floor exercises and stretches introduced, along with additional ballet terminology. Dress Code: Girls: Hair secured away from face. Black leotard, pink tights (or bare legs/anklets) soft pink canvas or leather ballet shoes, pale pink waistband. Boys: White T-Shirt, black tights, white socks, white canvas or leather ballet shoes.

Syllabus IA (8 ½ – 12 years)

ONE CLASS PER WEEK. Serious training begins with this age group. Focus is on furthering knowledge and execution of individual steps as well as combinations of steps. Body positions, port de bras and strengthening of legs and feet are emphasized. Pre-pointe in soft shoes is introduced here and continued on pointe in Syllabus IIA.  Dress Code: See Introductory Syllabus above.

Syllabus IIA (10 – 13 years)     *INCLUDES BEGINNING POINTE

TWO CLASSES PER WEEK REQUIRED. Continuation of study as outlined above with greater concentration on strengthening and stretching, and combining steps with simple jumps and turns. Introduce beginning pointe. Dress Code:  See Syllabus IA. *Pointe shoes worn ONLY with Instructor’s permission. Girls not yet on pointe will do point exercises in soft shoes on demi (half) pointe.

Syllabus IIIA (12 – 15 years) *INCLUDES INTERMEDIATE POINTE

TWO CLASSES PER WEEK REQUIRED. Serious study continues with more elaborate head and arm movements, more intricate combinations and introduction to jumps with beats. Greater extension and flow of movement in longer combinations is stressed. Multiple turns are studied, and additional time is spent on pointe. Dress Code: See Syllabus IIA.

Adult Syllabus I/II (14 years – Adult)  *1 OR 2 CLASSES PER WEEK W/O POINTE.

IF ELECTING BEGINNING POINTE, TWO CLASSES PER WEEK REQUIRED. Limited or no knowledge of ballet required. An excellent low-pressure opportunity to learn the real thing! Fundamentals of classical ballet are presented patiently and methodically and include Ballet terminology, body positions, basic steps and combinations of steps and simple jumps and turns. Proper posture, placement, strengthening and stretching are emphasized. Dress Code: Women: Hair secured. Leotard, black or pink tights, pink canvas or leather ballet shoes. Men: White T-Shirt, tights or close fitting attire, dance belt, black or white ballet shoes/white socks. * Pointe shoes worn ONLY with Instructor’s permission. If not yet on pointe students will do pointe exercises in soft shoes on demi (half) pointe.

Intermediate  (14 years – Adult)

TWO CLASSES PER WEEK REQUIRED WITH OR WITHOUT POINTE. Serious study continues as outlined above with additional time devoted to more elaborate combinations, more intricate jumps and turns, as well as more time spent doing intermediate pointe work. Dress Code: See Syllabus I/II above. *Pointe shoes worn ONLY with Instructor’s permission. If not yet on pointe students will do pointe exercises in soft shoes on demi (half) pointe

Kirov/Bolshoi  Stretch & Strengthen   (14 years – Adult)

ONE CLASS PER WEEK.  Limited or no knowledge of ballet required. Continuation of Syllabus I/II training includes ballet barre warm up with a greater emphasis on core strength building and full body flexibility. Barre stretches and non-weight bearing floor stretches based on Bolshoi and Kirov schools.  Dress Code: See Syllabus I/II above.

Private Lessons: Intermediate / Advanced   (12 yrs – Adult)   By Appointment

An excellent opportunity for extremely focused one-on-one tutelage. Every private lesson is prepared with particular attention to that student’s specific needs in an area of individualized, appropriate study. Results are very quickly realized as an outcome of more intense and personalized instruction. By appointment only. See Ms Scharp.

Download this complete syllabus to your computer.

Registration Forms

The Registration Forms contain detailed class times and prices.

Download the registration form for Fall/Winter Semester:  Nov 20, 2011 – Feb 4, 2011

Download the registration form for Winter/Spring Semester:  Feb 5 – Apr 7, 2012

Please pre-register to hold your place by faxing the registration form to (734) 484-1488.

Checks and registration forms can be mailed to Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, attn to Ms. Scharp, Russian Ballet Theatre School.

Registrations and cash or check payments will be accepted at first class meeting, as long as space is still available.

Class times may change and classes may be added or deleted to accommodate student/school needs.

Questions?  Contact Kathy Scharp at RussianBalletYpsi@gmail.com