Programs by Division
Early Age Dance
Our Early Age Dance classes are designed to tap into a child's natural curiosity and love for movement and music. Our Pre-Ballet and Ballet/Tap/Jazz classes offer an exciting and engaging introduction to basic ballet positions, as well as the different movements and musicality of jazz and tap. These classes are specifically tailored to boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 5. These classes run for 45 minutes, providing developmentally appropriate exercises to enhance coordination, strength, flexibility, musicality, and spatial awareness. Our program also fosters artistic awareness, creativity, and imagination, encouraging young dancers to explore their own unique expression through movement.
(Ages 3-5, all dancers placed by age)
Primary Division
As our young dancers progress to our Primary Program, we gradually introduce more structure to their classes, with separate ballet and contemporary/jazz classes allowing for a deeper focus on technical building blocks unique to each style. Students will be introduced to fundamental concepts such as posture, weight distribution, alignment, and arm positions, and begin learning preparation exercises for turnout.
At the Primary II level, ballet classes increase in duration to one hour per week and incorporate basic vocabulary and simple work at the barre. This level is specifically designed to prepare young dancers for the structure and routine of a "traditional" ballet class in the following year. These classes are available to boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 8.
(Ages 6-8)
Elementary Division
Our Elementary Division levels place an emphasis on building a strong foundation in technique, vocabulary, musicality, and movement. Dancers in the Elementary I and II levels attend hour-long ballet and contemporary jazz classes, where they focus on developing proper posture, building their vocabulary, and strengthening their releve positions. These first years of "traditional" ballet education also introduce concepts of musicality, stage directions, and spatial awareness. To build the basic foundations of ballet and contemporary/jazz techniques, exercises are simple, routine, and repetitive.
As dancers progress to the Elementary III/IV level, they should have a strong understanding of many basic steps in ballet and contemporary jazz. In this level, dancers will focus on developing their sequencing skills and learning more advanced steps such as pirouettes and grande allegro. Additionally, pre-pointe strengthening exercises will be introduced to prepare dancers for future work on pointe. It is common for dancers to spend multiple years in the Elementary III/IV level to gain the proper strength, coordination, bodily awareness, and maturity required before beginning pointe work in the Intermediate Division.
(Ages 8+ by placement)
Intermediate Division
In the Intermediate Division, dancers will advance their sequencing skills and learn more complex turns and jumps, while also starting pointe work. On the first day of the Intermediate I level, all dancers are evaluated with a set of tests designed for this purpose.
The evaluation results will help dancers identify their weaknesses and strengths, and use this knowledge to focus on personal improvement during the next year of training. Pointe work is gradually introduced, with emphasis on strengthening and injury prevention, and its difficulty level increases as dancers progress through the Intermediate levels.
(By placement only)
Recreational Division
At Cary Ballet, we strive to offer exceptional training to dancers of all genres and levels. Our division features a range of classes, including introductory ballet and contemporary jazz classes for ages 8-13, classes for teenagers, and classes for adults that allow drop-in or use a punch-card system. We also offer hip-hop and dance team styles. Our experienced faculty, many of whom have professional dance backgrounds, teach these classes. Our open classes promote diversity and enjoyment, ensuring a wide range of opportunities for all.
(Placement by age group)
Adult Division
We provide weekly adult beginner and intermediate ballet classes. We have a bundled option for dancers who would like to take both beginner and intermediate classes. Adult classes can also be attended on a drop-in basis for $30 per class.
We offer a free trial class to any interested adult and make-up classes can be arranged for any missed classes.