Ballet Course

Lesson 1 • Core French Ballet Terminology

Introduces the standardised French vocabulary used globally in ballet instruction. Accurate terminology enables clear communication in class and rehearsal settings.

Lesson 2 • Anatomy of a Ballet Class

Explains the standard structure of a ballet class from barre to centre to allegro. Students understand the pedagogical purpose of each class segment.

Lesson 3 • Major Ballet Styles and Schools

Compares the Vaganova, Cecchetti, Royal Academy, and Balanchine methods. Students identify stylistic differences to understand the diversity of professional training approaches.

Lesson 1 • Turnout: Mechanics and Safe Practice

Explains hip external rotation anatomy and its role in ballet aesthetics and function. Students learn to achieve maximum safe turnout without compensatory misalignment.

Lesson 2 • Core Engagement and Stability

Teaches activation of deep abdominal and back muscles to support movement and balance. Core stability underpins every barre and centre exercise in ballet training.

Lesson 3 • Skeletal Alignment Principles

Covers the anatomical basis of upright posture, spinal curves, and joint stacking. Correct alignment prevents injury and forms the physical foundation for all ballet movement.

Lesson 1 • Frappés, Petits Battements, and Adagio

Introduces sharp striking actions, rapid ankle articulation, and slow sustained extensions at the barre. These exercises bridge barre work to centre adagio and allegro demands.

Lesson 2 • Ronds de Jambe and Fondus

Develops hip mobility and coordinated leg-and-supporting-side action through circular and melting exercises. These exercises prepare students for adagio and pirouette work.

Lesson 3 • Battements: Tendus and Dégagés

Trains foot articulation and leg extension through brushing exercises at the barre. These exercises build the foot strength and precision required for pointe and allegro work.

Lesson 1 • Port de Bras Fundamentals

Teaches the classical arm positions and pathways that create expressive upper-body movement. Coordinated port de bras distinguishes polished ballet performance from mechanical execution.

Lesson 2 • Adagio Combinations in the Centre

Applies sustained extensions, arabesques, and attitudes in flowing centre combinations. Adagio trains the strength and artistry needed for pas de deux and solo variations.

Lesson 3 • Épaulement and Artistic Expression

Integrates shoulder, head, and gaze direction to create three-dimensional stage presence. Épaulement transforms technically correct movement into communicative performance.

Lesson 1 • Pirouette En Dehors

Teaches the outward pirouette from fourth and fifth position preparations with correct push and pull mechanics. En dehors is the primary turning direction in classical repertoire.

Lesson 2 • Pirouette En Dedans

Develops the inward pirouette initiated from fourth position with a different momentum source. En dedans turns appear frequently in female variations and grand allegro.

Lesson 3 • Physics of Turning in Ballet

Explains rotational momentum, centre of gravity, and axis alignment as they apply to pirouettes. Understanding the physics helps students self-correct turns analytically.

Lesson 1 • Beats and Batterie

Introduces entrechat, royale, and brisé as beaten jump variations requiring rapid leg coordination. Batterie is a hallmark of advanced classical technique and male variations.

Lesson 2 • Grand Allegro Jumps

Teaches large travelling jumps including grand jeté, saut de chat, and grand assemblé. Grand allegro builds power, spatial awareness, and performance projection.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Jumping in Ballet

Covers the biomechanics of takeoff, elevation, and landing to maximise height and minimise injury. Safe jumping mechanics are prerequisite to all allegro vocabulary.

Lesson 1 • Barre Exercises on Pointe

Transfers barre fundamentals to pointe shoes with emphasis on rolling up and down safely. Barre on pointe builds the strength and confidence needed for centre pointe work.

Lesson 2 • Pointe Shoe Fitting and Care

Guides students through professional pointe shoe fitting, padding selection, and shoe maintenance. Properly fitted shoes are essential for safety and technical development on pointe.

Lesson 3 • Readiness Assessment for Pointe

Establishes the physical prerequisites—ankle strength, core stability, and alignment—before pointe work begins. Premature pointe work causes injury; this section ensures safe progression.

Lesson 1 • Learning and Memorising Choreography

Teaches strategies for quickly absorbing and retaining choreographic sequences. Efficient memorisation skills are essential for professional rehearsal productivity.

Lesson 2 • Classical Variation Study

Examines excerpts from the standard classical repertoire to apply technique in a stylistic context. Variation study connects classroom skills to the professional performance canon.

Lesson 3 • Stage Craft and Spatial Awareness

Develops awareness of stage directions, sight lines, and audience projection in a performance space. Stage craft transforms rehearsal-room technique into compelling theatrical performance.