Ballet Training

Please note that there are several appropriate verb conditions in the French language, from which basic ballet terminology is derived.

The Faith Project: Children's Ballet Company

The Syllabus

We maintain the integrity of our ballet program by adhering to a rigorous Balanchine-based curriculum. Ballet instills discipline and confidence into young dancers. Ballet requires consistency and focus. Students wishing to participate in the Ballet Company are expected to adhere to professional-track standards of dress code, class etiquette and attendance.

See level for appropriate dress code. Hair should be worn in a bun for all levels, only minimal jewelry allowed.

Early Childhood Ages 3-5
Early Childhood, 1 Hour Per Week
Leotard and Tights, Any Color, Skirts and Tutus allowed, Pink Ballet Slippers
•Focus on Creative Movement and Structured Play
•Student Learns the Structure of a Ballet Class
•Student Learns Characters and Stories of Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker
•Student Achieves Basic Understanding of Rhythm and Musicality
•Student Achieves Fundamental Posture and Understanding of Turn Out
•Basic Stretching
•Achieving Foundation for Basic Terminology: 5 ballet positions, port de bras, plie, tendu, passer, couper, bourree, chasser, sauter, jete
•1 Performance

Level 1
1-2 Hours Per Week Recommended
Leotard and Tights, Any Color, Skirts and Tutus allowed, Pink Ballet Slippers
•Student Achieves Understanding of the Structure of a Ballet Class
•Student Achieves Fundamentals of Barre work: tendu, plie, port de bras, degaje and pique, ronde de jambe, develope en croix, battement
•Student Achieves Basic Understanding of Musicality and Phrasing
•Student Masters Fundamental Posture and Understanding of Turn Out
•Basic Stretching
•Student Expands Basic Terminology: Basic body directions, adagio, arabesque, chaine, pique, balance, chasser, sauter, pas de chat, pas de bourree, jete, reverence
•1 Performance

Level 2
3 Classes per Week Recommended
Black Leotard, Pink Tights, Red Ballet Belt, Pink Ballet Slippers
•Student Masters Fundamentals of Barre work: tendu, plie, port de bras, degaje and pique, ronde de jambe, develope en croix, battement
•Student Performs more Complex Barre work. Introduction of petite allegro, extension, frappe, fondue
•Student Masters Understanding of Musicality and Phrasing
•Student Masters Details of Alignment and Strengthens Turn Out
•Student Focus on Strengthening of Ankles and Height of Releve to prepare for pre-pointe
•Barre Stretch
•Student Expands Terminology: Body directions, complex adagio, arabesque, chaine, pique, pirouettes introduced, balance, waltz, chasser, complex petite allegro, complex allegro, reverence
•Student may be invited to participate in Fall performances as well as Spring.


Level 3
5 Classes Per Week Recommended
(level 2, level 3, FAITH Project, included or additional classes at approved studios)
Black Leotard, Pink Tights, Red Ballet Belt, Pink Ballet Slippers
•Student Masters Complex and Consistent Barre work
•Student may be invited to begin Pointe at discretion of the staff
•Student Masters Broad Terminology
•Student Focuses on Achieving multiple pirouettes, high extension, ease of pointe work, consistent leaps and turns, stamina, endurance, clean lines, artistry and performance quality.
•Students invited to participate in student teacher training workshops, stage-make up workshops, partnering and variations classes in addition to curriculum
•Minimum classes are not currently required, however, 3 ballet classes per week minimum is required for pointe work and participation in Company performances.
•Student may be invited to participate in Fall & Spring performances