Class Descriptions
Ages 2-3
Tiny Toes Ballet: Mommy & Me
Ages 2 - 3 w/adult
Students will explore a variety of music, props and dance games with security of a familiar adult to develop muscle strength, music appreciation and listening skills.
Note: Students must be age 2 on or before July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Winter/Spring semester.
Ages 3-4
Creative Movement 1: BTM Tots
Ages 3 - 4
This class is designed with the very young dancer in mind. It stresses natural dance movement, including stretching, music appreciation and dance movement. In a stimulating environment, the class focuses on creativity, group interaction and the joy of self-expression.
Note: Students must be age 3 on or before July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Winter/Spring semester.
Ages 4-5
Creative Movement 2: Ballet & Tap Sampler
Ages 4 - 5
Children are introduced to the concepts of basic movement and music for ballet and tap. Classes focuses on group interaction and the joy of movement and self-expression.
Note: Students must be age 4 on or before July 1 for the Fall semster and November 1 for the Winter/Spring semester.
Creative movement 2: BTM Ballet Story Time
Ages 4 - 5
An imaginative continuation of Creative Movement 1. Each class uses a different ballet story, which the children read and/or act out at the beginning of class, as the days theme children gain self-confidence, creativity, and flexibility by learning concepts of basic movement, rhythms, and music.
Note: Students must be age 4 on or before July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Winter/Spring semester.
Ages 5-7
Creative Movement 3: Tap & Ballet Sampler
Ages 5 - 7
Continuation of Creative Movement 2 with emphasis on tap, including some ballet exercises for strengthening, flexibility and posturing.
Note: Students must be age 5 on or before July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Winter/Spring semester.
Pre-Ballet
Ages 5 - 6
Students begin learning basic ballet etiquette, steps and vocabulary while encouraging creativity, flexibility, movement and self expression. Special emphasis is on placement, alignment and increased motor skills.
Note: Students must be age 5 on or before July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Winter/Spring semester.
Classical Ballet 1
Ages 6 - 7
A continuation of Pre-Ballet 1, with special emphasis on increased exercises for strength, coordination, flexibility and alignment. Rhythmic movement and music is emphasized. Classical ballet vocabulary is introduced and the foundation for the Student Program begins.
Note: Students must be age 6 on or before July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Winter/Spring semester.
Musical Theatre Tap 1/2
Ages 7 - 8
This class is the basic entry-level class for the beginning tap student with an emphasis on the musical theatre performing style. Rudimentary skills are developed while learning proper terminology, rhythm and musicality.
Ages 8-9
Classical Ballet 2
Ages 8 - 9
The beginning of formalized classical ballet, including barre, center, and stretch exercises. At this level, students are required to take any combination of two technique classes per week.
Note: Students must be age 8 on or before July 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Winter/Spring semester or by audition or faculty approval.
Musical Theatre Tap 1/2
Ages 7 - 8
This class is the basic entry-level class for the beginning tap student with an emphasis on the musical theatre performing style. Rudimentary skills are developed while learning proper terminology, rhythm and musicality.
Musical Theatre Tap 2
Ages 9 - 10
A continuation of Tap 1 with emphasis on increasing vocabulary and developing more precision and quality of sound and rhythms.
Ages 10-12
Classical Ballet 4
Ages 10 - 12
In this class, vocabulary of the barre and centre, the foundation or the 5 modes of jumping, as well as the leg alignment for pointe work is begun. Students at this level must take a minimum of 3 technique classes per week.
Prerequisite: Mastery of Beginning Ballet 1 & 2 exams or by audition and faculty approval.
Musical Theatre Tap 2
Ages 9 - 10 or by placement
A continuation of Tap 1 with emphasis on increasing vocabulary and developing more precision and quality of sound and rhythms.
Musical Theatre Tap 3
Ages 10 - 12
A continuation of Tap 2
Modern 1/2
Ages 11 - 13
A basic introduction to Horton/Graham technique: the warm-up, basic concepts of suspension, falling, swinging, etc., and the basic movement rhythms and walks. The focus is on expression and musicality and organic movement through space.
Prerequisite: 1 year or more of ballet technique is helpful, but not required (by permission of instructor).
Ages 12-14
Classical Ballet 4: Pre-Pointe / Intermediate / Demi-Pointe Strengtheners & Stretches
Ages 12 - 14
Students begin preparing the legs and feet for pointe work through a combination of pre-pointe appropriate physical therapy (PT) exercises and ballet technique. Students will work with therabands and other PT props to strengthen the appropriate muscles in the legs, feet, back and abdominals to prepare students anatomically for the arduous work on pointe. Students will begin this work in soft technique shoes, but will progress to wearing pre-pointe/demi-pointe shoes. The director of the school will fit students in these shoes via appointement at Dance Supplies, etc. in Severna Park.
Prerequisite: Mastery of Classical Ballet 1 & 2 work, a minimum of 2-3 years of ballet training and consent of faculty plus a minimum of 3 technique classes per week. Students must take a technique class prior to taking pre-pointe/demi-pointe, so the muscles are warmed up and prepared for the intense work of these classes. Students are encouraged to take this class twice per week in addition to the three technique classes.
Classical Ballet 5
Ages 12 - 14
This class is designed to develop additional strength and refinement in pointe and/or one's work for the intermediate/advanced-level student. Barre and centre exercises are stressed with special attention to proper body alignment and use of arms and head. Emphasis is placed on proper alignment, sculpting the legs and feet, anatomically building both endurance and stamina for executing advanced pre-professional class work. Students at this level must take a minimum of 4 technique classes and 3 pointe classes per week.
Prerequisite: 5 or more years of previous training and mastery of Classical Ballet 4 exams, audition and faculty approval.
Classical Ballet 5 Pointe
Ages 12 - 14
An emphasis is placed on intermediate barre and introduction to centre pointe work. Students at this level must take a minimum of 4 technique classes and 3 pointe classes per week. Students must take a technique class prior to taking pre-pointe/demi-pointe, so the muscles are warmed up and prepared for the intense work of these classes.
Prerequisite: 5 or more previous years of ballet training, mastery of intermediate technique and demi-pointe work and faculty approval or audition placement.
Modern 1/2
Ages 11 - 13
A basic introduction to Horton/Graham technique: the warm-up, basic concepts of suspension, falling, swinging, etc., and the basic movement rhythms and walks. The focus is on expression and musicality and organic movement through space.
Prerequisite: 1 year or more of ballet technique is helpful, but not required (by permission of instructor).
Ages 14+
Classical Ballet 6 Technique and Pointe
Ages 14+
Students at this level must take 5 technique classes per week, 3 pointe classes and 1 jazz class. Due to the difficult and large amount of syllabus needed to master, students may be in this level for 2-4 years.
Note: Students fulfilling the class requirements for this level may become eligible for selection in the Trainee program. Emphasis is placed on building strength and speed for petite and grande allegro, grande turns, as well as refining linking or transition steps.
Prerequisite: 6 or more years of previous ballet training, mastery of Classical Ballet 5 syllabus exams for technique and pointe, faculty approval and/or placement audition.
Lyrical Jazz 1/2
Beginner to Intermediate fundamentals of jazz for students in Classical Ballet levels 2, 3, 4 or by placement by BTM faculty.
Lyrical Jazz 3/4
Intermediate to Advanced fundamentals of jazz for students in Classical Ballet levels 5, 6 or by placement by BTM faculty.
Musical Theatre Tap 3/4
Ages 12+
A continuation of Tap 3
Modern 2/3
Ages 14+
A continuation of Modern 1 with emphasis on Horton technique with increasing vocabulary and efficiency of warm-ups, rhythm walks, suspensions, etc. Focus is on expression and musicality and organic movement through space.
Prerequisite: Modern 1 or 1-2 years of ballet or permission of instructor.
Ages 16+
Beginning Teen/Adult Ballet
Ages 16+
An introduction to the art of classical ballet for the novice including the basic positions of the arms and feet, the basic exercises of the ballet barre and centre, plus exercises for strength and flexibility. This class is a great way to work out and get into shape for the dance enthusiast.
Prerequisite: None.
Continuing Beginner Teen/Adult Ballet
Ages 16+
An extension of an introduction to the art of classical ballet, including barre, centre and stretch exercises. Some previous training recommended or by permission of instructor.
Intermediate/Advanced Teen/Adult Ballet
Ages 16+
This class includes barre, centre, and stretching exercises for adult/teen students with previous training.
Prerequisite: 2 or more years of previous training or by permission of instructor.
