CLASSES
BLUEBIRD BALLET
3 year old Kinder | 4 year old Kinder
Our preschool classes are a delightful introduction to the world of ballet.
Each class includes carefully created exercises which introduce the basics of ballet yet are delivered through story-telling, imaginative sequences and all with a sense of fun!
We also use beautiful, colourful and textured props and musical instruments to enhance the experience.
Our youngest dancers learn to:
skip, march, sway, spring, jump, leap, galop, plie (to bend), tendu (to stretch), port de bras (arm movements) plus we provide plenty of opportunities for free dancing and improvisation.
BALLET Primary School ages
(ATAP Levels 1, 2 and 3)
We offer classes for school-aged children in the Royal Ballet School's Affiliate Training and Assessment Programme (ATAP).
Our classes include Ballet Vocabulary, Creative Practice (improvisation and choreography), exploring repertoire and age-appropriate strengthening exercises to encourage happy and healthy dancers.
Assessments with the Royal Ballet School Affiliate programme are offered but not compulsory.
All children in a class move on to the next level once the required learning time has been met, whether they choose to take an assessment or not.
Generally, we have a "foundation" year and a "consolidating" year delivering the Affiliate programme, meaning each ATAP level is across 2 years of learning.
BALLET Secondary School ages
(ATAP Levels 4, 5 and 6 | RAD Vocational syllabi)
These classes include the content listed above, with development in all areas to inspire and challenge the students physically, cognitively and creatively
For students who are keen and committed to furthering their training, Pointe work is introduced with specific Pre-Pointe classes to build up the necessary strength and control for safe practice. Consultations with a specialist dance Physiotherapist are required until students are ready to progress to full Pointe.
Examinations/Assessments with the Royal Ballet School ATAP and/or Royal Academy of Dance syllabi are offered but not compulsory.
ATAP Levels 4, 5 and 6 are designed for students who both students who are studying pointe work and students who have chosen not to. This reflects ATAP's ethos of inclusivity and peer groups progressing together.
FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN
6 yrs +
JAZZ
from 5 yrs+
Jazz dance is a fun, energetic dance style.
Classes include warm up movements, safe stretching and strengthening exercises, turns, kicks, combinations across the floor and weekly progressive choreography on a routine.
The music used ranges from popular and age-appropriate chart hits to broadway classics and teachers often take inspiration from current shows running in Melbourne to add to students' knowledge and experience.
Jazz is fantastic for anyone who enjoys high-energy dancing and is also a wonderful style to accompany ballet training.
TAP
from 6 yrs+
Our tap classes are based on the Graded syllabi of the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing).
Tap students learn different rhythms, tone quality, time steps, travelling steps, turning steps and amalgamations plus a routine which builds each week.
Tap builds rhythmic skills and team work, encourages confidence and is lots of fun!
MUSICAL THEATRE
from 7 yrs+
This class is the triple threat! Singing, dancing and acting in one! Our Musical Theatre classes include voice coaching and are run by a true expert in the field!
The age range for Musical Theatre classes is slightly larger to accommodate students from different academic years to join together and to encourage a community feel as they learn and create together.
ELWOOD SWANS
approx. 55 yrs+
Our Elwood Swans was launched in August 2022 and we have been enjoying weekly classes with a lovely community of regular "Swans" ever since!