ESB Dance
Dance styles within ESB Progression
Ballet
Junior Program
Young children have the opportunity to combine creative dance and ballet technique to begin their dance classes in a fun and interesting way!!
Experienced Dancers – Ballet Progressions
This program was designed by Margaret Flynn so that students can continue their ballet training in a progressive, structured and artistically challenging program. The classes feature interesting exercises both at the barre and center with an emphasis on furthering dancers’ training in a fun and dynamic way.
Cecchetti and RAD Syllabi and International Exams
Students who are committed to a more intensive training program may be eligible for Cecchetti or RAD classes and examinations. Students take several classes each week to learn and prepare the work to an International standard and may be selected for these examinations. We offer classes Grade One to Advanced 2
Non-Syllabus
Ballet Classes are enhanced by Non Syllabus, Variations, Pointe, Character and Repertoire work at the appropriate levels.
Variations/Repertoire
All dancers studying ballet at the Edmonton School of Ballet (except those who begin in January classes) will perform at the Annual Spring Show. Most of the younger students will learn their choreography in class time; however, older students and students in the ESB Preparatory Program will have an additional class for choreography. These Variations/Preparatory classes will be used to learn choreography for the Spring Show and other performances, as well as for festivals and competitions (where appropriate.) As well, all students will be required to attend some extra rehearsals for the Spring Show Performance.
Why Ballet?
Ballet is the foundation of most dance genres and is an important part of young artists’ training. Ballet teaches posture, agility, flexibility, strength, musicality, expression and more! We recommend all students start with ballet as the basis of their training.
Which Ballet Class to Choose?
Choosing a class can be a daunting task, particularly if you are new to the world of dance!
Don’t worry, we are here to help you select the class(es) that best suit your age, interest level and experience. As ballet is the cornerstone of most other forms of dance, let’s start there; the chart below will give you an idea of what level ballet to register for.
| # of Yrs Training | 3-15 years old | 16 yrs + | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Beg. 3 yrs | Beg. 4-5 yrs | Beg. 6-9 yrs | Beg. 10-14 yrs/teen | Adult Beginner | |||
| 1 | -------- | Nursery | Junior 1 | Junior 2 | Junior 3 | Ballet 5 | Ballet 6 | Adult Experienced |
| 2 - 3 | -------- | Primary | Junior 1 | Junior 2 | Junior 3 | Ballet 6 | Ballet 7 | Adult Experienced |
| 4 - 5 | -------- | -------- | Junior 2 | Junior 3 | Junior 4 | Ballet 7 | Ballet 8 | Adult Intermediate |
| 6 - 7 | -------- | -------- | -------- | Junior 4 | Ballet 5 | Ballet 8 | Ballet 9 | Adult Intermediate |
| 8 - 10 | -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | Ballet 6 | Ballet 9 | Ballet 10 | Adult Advanced |
| Age | 3 yrs | 4-5 yrs | 6-7 yrs | 8-9 yrs | 10-11 yrs | 12-13 yrs | 14-15 yrs | 16 yrs & up |
Please note that these are guidelines only based on students’ age and experience.
Ballet Programs
General Program
If you are interested in quality training but only want to commit to 1 or 2 classes per week, then this is the program for you! All teachers are highly qualified and committed to providing superior, challenging instruction.
Preparatory Program
If you are interested in pursuing dance at a more intensive level. The program is a set compliment of classes that challenges students to reach their potential.
| Preparatory Program (by audition only) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Class | Ballet | Ballet | Jazz | Modern |
| Junior 3 Prep | Junior 3 | -------- | Junior 3 Jazz | -------- |
| Prep 1 | Junior 4 & Cecc Grade 1 | -------- | Jazz 1A | -------- |
| Prep 2 | Cecc Grade 2 | RAD Grade 2 | Jazz 2A | Modern 2 |
| Prep 3/4 | Cecc Grade 3 or 4 | RAD Grade 3 or 4 | Jazz 3A or 4A | Modern 4 |
Want to try other dance styles?
After selecting a ballet class, we encourage you to try other styles. We teach the following:
Jazz
Jazz uses uptempo and current music to explore rhythms, dynamics and energetic movement. This is a fun way to enhance training and improve both flexibility and strength.
Tap
Using special shoes for sound production, rhythms and accents are performed with the feet and ankles. Music can range from old standards and Broadway to current styles!
Hip Hop
This style has developed from street dances and urban influences. Current music tracks enhance the use of the body to accent the movement in this class. Fun and uptempo this class is a way to expand movement vocabulary and dynamics!
Character National Flamenco
Character and National work is taught in conjunction with our RAD syllabi.
Flamenco is a vibrant and exciting cultural dance of Spanish origin. Adding this class to your schedule is a great way to experience music and movement in a form rich with history and artistry.
Contemporary
This form includes floor work, extensive use of the spine, and varied dynamics. Classes work on interdependent movement between dancers and so teamwork is a must!
Lyrical
Students with experience in jazz techniques can add Lyrical classes to their schedule. Lyrical, often called contemporary, combines movements from ballet, jazz and modern to express emotions through dance.
Adult Classes
We offer a wide variety of adult classes. Adults in these classes learn technique, combinations that improve strength and flexibility, and learn about dance as an art form and athletic activity.
There are many reasons why people choose to take adult dance classes at the Edmonton School of Ballet. Many adults take up dance to learn more about what their own children are studying and enjoying. Others are interested in re-visiting a dream of their youth. Still others are looking for a new form of fitness that challenges not just their body, but their intellect as well. We also see dancers who danced in their teens and are hoping to continue to take classes while working or studying and want to be in a class with other adults instead of younger children.
Vimy Dance Academy
Vimy Ridge Academy is a Junior High and High School under the Edmonton Public School Board Domain and is run by the Edmonton School of Ballet Society, a non-profit group. The Dance Program is just one of many great options for students of Vimy Ridge.
Teacher Training
The Edmonton School of Ballet offers a teaching course in the Junior Grade Syllabi as the first step in teacher training. This course is open to anyone 15 years old and up who has achieved a Grade 6 Cecchetti exam or equivalent. The Edmonton School of Ballet offers a comprehensive teacher training program for those individuals looking to study further and obtain internationally recognized qualifications as dance teachers. This program is typically three years of full, daytime attendance, but may be more or less depending upon the experience and qualifications of the individual.
The Program encompasses theory, practice and experience in a broad range of dance disciplines, ensuring students graduate as well-rounded, internationally qualified teachers.
Adult dancers of a pre-professional or professional level come to ESB to study in a three-year full-time program, which culminates in the exam for the Associate degree in the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet. This teaching credential is recognized internationally and is equivalent to a Bachelor Degree in university and college.
Highly qualified teachers instruct classes, which include fundamentals in Ballet, Modern Dance and Jazz Dance and the many related subjects, which enrich each of these performance disciplines such as Pointe and Repertoire.
Please review the following documents: