1600 W Douglas Ave Wichita, KS 67203

(316) 687-5880

Classes

Ballet Wichita Academy

Ballet Wichita offers progressive ballet training at the Ballet Wichita studio, located at 1600 W. Douglas. The training program focuses on classical ballet technique for dancers of all ages and skill levels.

For the serious dance students, our highly trained faculty will work to inspire the whole student to be both an accomplished dancer and a healthy, strong, confident athlete. Students will experience a structured curriculum in a nurturing and positive environment, targeting and exploring each student’s strengths and abilities.

This is an outline of the path and expectations of a dancer training for a comprehensive understanding and experience of ballet technique at Ballet Wichita. It is designed with best practices, current scientific understanding, and 450 years of honed (adjusted and codified) ballet training history.

Registration is always open.

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Primary Ballet
Ages: 5-7
Class length: 45 min
Yr. 1 – one time per week
Yr. 2 – one or two times per week
Attire:
Girls - Pink leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes, hair secured away from the face
Boys - White T-shirt, black shorts (above the knee), black ballet shoes

● This introductory class is designed to encourage a love of the arts and teach the fundamentals of dance movement, musicality, classroom etiquette, and the discipline of consistency.
● Dancers take this class once or twice per week during the school year.
● Dancers often take this class 2 years in a row; and may repeat up to a maximum of 3 years
● There are 2 informal performance opportunities offered at this level (fall and spring).
● Tuition includes 2 complimentary tickets to a BW company performance each year of enrollment.

Young Men’s Ballet
Ages: 8-12
Class length: 45 minutes
Attire:  White T-shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes

● This class is designed for young men and helps them learn to focus their energy, strengthen their core and gives them a head start on the natural development of more sophisticated coordination - all of which serves them for their whole life. A designated class for young men helps build community and camaraderie while targeting boys’ learning styles.
● This class may be taken at the same time as Ballet I or II
● There are 2 informal performance opportunities offered at this level (fall and spring).
● Young men aged 8+ are encouraged to audition for BW company productions with children’s roles.
● Tuition includes two (2) complimentary tickets to a BW company performance each year of enrollment.

***Students considering Ballet 1 or 2 are required to take a placement class prior to enrolling, offered at the beginning of each semester or by appointment.

Series typically takes 2 years minimum and 4 years maximum to complete.

Class attendance grows from once per week to 3 times per week over the course of the series.

Ballet I (a,b,c)
Ages: 7-12
Class length: 60 min
Yr. 1 – one or two times per week
Yr. 2 – two or three times per week
Attire:
Girls - Royal blue leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes; hair secured away from the face
Boys - White T-shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes

● This is an introductory class designed to develop proper carriage of the body, alignment of the head, shoulders, hips, arms, and legs. Emphasis is on the five positions of the feet and arms, rhythm, spatial awareness, and the seven fundamental movements of ballet.
● Dancers should be able to concentrate for the full hour and begin to apply new concepts and corrections from class to class.
● Dancers take this class a minimum of once per week during the school year. As skills develop and if the dancer is highly motivated this class may be taken up to three times per week.
● Dancers often take this level two (2) years in a row; and may repeat up to a maximum of 3 years
● There are two (2) informal performance opportunities required at this level (fall and spring).
● Attendance at a dance performance as an audience member is required at least one time per year (could be a BW company performance, a studio recital, or other dance production).
● Tuition includes two (2) complimentary tickets to a BW performance each year of enrollment.

Ballet II
Ages: 7-12
Class length: 75 minutes
Attire:
Girls - Royal blue leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes; hair secured away from the face
Boys - White T-shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes

NOTE*** If a dancer wishes to progress towards pointe work after completing two Ballet II and one Ballet I class per week for one full school year, they must attend an additional pre-pointe strengthening class once per week. Dancers must have permission from BW faculty to begin working en pointe.

● This is a class designed to build on the skills and concepts learned in Ballet I. In Ballet II we add vocabulary and begin more complex coordination of the body, rhythm, and space. Linking steps are developed to proper execution.
● Dancers should be able to concentrate for the full class and apply new concepts and corrections from class to class.
● Dancers in Ballet II take a minimum of two (2) ballet technique classes per week. In consultation with the School Director, those classes may be a combination of Ballet II and Ballet I.
● As skills develop and if the dancer is highly motivated, in consultation with the School Director, ballet classes may be taken up to three times per week.
● Dancers often take this level two (2) years in a row; and may repeat up to a maximum of 3 years

o Example:
Yr. 1 – one level I and one level II class per week.
Yr. 2 – two level II and one level I class per week

● In preparation for advancement, dancers will add Pre-pointe and strengthening class to their schedules.
● Dancers 12+ years old and in their second year of Ballet II are encouraged to take additional movement styles, ie: contemporary, tap, jazz, musical theater etc.
● There are 2 informal performance opportunities required at this level (fall and spring).
● Dancers aged 8+ in Ballet II are encouraged to audition for company productions with children’s roles at least once per year.
● Attendance at a dance performance as an audience member is required at least two times per year (could be a BW company performance, a studio recital, or other dance production).
● Tuition includes 2 complimentary tickets to a BW performance each year of enrollment.

***Students considering Ballet 3 or above are required to take a placement class prior to enrolling, offered at the beginning of each semester or by appointment.

This intermediate series typically takes 3 years minimum and 5 years maximum to complete.

Ballet III
Ages: 10-16
Class length: 90 minutes
Attire:
Girls -  Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, skirts for pointe class, hair secured away from the face
Boys - White T-shirt, Grey tights, white socks, white ballet shoes

● Ballet III is designed to build vocabulary, refine execution, and to grow strength and stamina.
● Class attendance requirements begin with 3 technique classes and 1 pointe class per week during the academic school year (pre-pointe and strengthening is a required prerequisite for working en pointe).
● As the dancer progresses, they may add pointe technique classes building to 3 pointe classes per week in addition to their ballet technique classes
● Ballet III dancers with 2 years of pointe are encouraged to seek summer intensive experiences to augment and extend their training.
● Study of complimentary dance forms at an intermediate level is strongly encouraged for serious dance students.
● Students at this level are strongly encouraged to pursue cross-training opportunities.
● Dancers at this level should participate in fully produced performing experiences at least twice per year (often through BW company performances).
● Attendance at a dance performance as an audience member is required at least three times per year (could be a BW company performance, a studio recital, or other dance production).
● Tuition includes 2 complimentary tickets to a BW performance each year of enrollment.

Pointe requirements
Young girls’ growth plates generally harden into bone between ages 13 and 15 (boys are 15-17). Because of this it is critical to monitor a dancer’s growth and development during this time. To work en pointe successfully as an advanced dancer – the young dancer must be nurtured and trained in a way that protects the forming growth plates while also properly strengthening muscles, bones and joints to be able to safely dance en pointe for years to come.

For this reason, Ballet Wichita carefully monitors each dancer’s progress and discusses the best path forward with guardians and dancers with consultation from medical professionals.

We recommend young dancers be at least 11 years old to begin training in pointe shoes. In preparation for pointe, dancers take pre-pointe strengthening class prior to dancing en pointe. Dancers must have approval from BW faculty to begin pointe work.

Once pointe training begins – dancers must maintain a regular regimen to prevent injury, develop strength, and progress in technique. Once strength and technique are built, intermediate and advanced dancers should dance en pointe at least three times per week to maintain strength and technique; and five times per week to improve strength and technique.

Pas de Deux requirements
Dancers aged 13 and older with at least three (3) years ballet technique training may begin to attend pas de deux classes. Pas de deux may be taken in flat shoes, or en pointe for dancers with at least 2 years of pointe classes completed.

***Students considering this series are required to take a placement class prior to enrolling, offered at the beginning of each semester or by appointment.

This series typically takes 5 years to complete.

Class attendance grows from four ballet technique classes per week to five or six per week over the course of the series.

Ballet IV
Ages: 14-16
Class length: 90 minutes
Attire:
Ladies - Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, skirts for pointe class, hair secured away from the face
Men - White T-shirt, Grey tights, white socks, white ballet shoes

● This advanced class is focused on building virtuosity, strength, and greater nuanced sophistication of artistry
● Dancers in Ballet IV take ballet technique class at least four times per week in the first year.
● This level is typically taken for two (2) years and may be repeated up to three (3) years.
● After three years of pointe class, dancers may, with instructor approval, begin to wear pointe shoes in regular ballet technique classes.
● Adding pas de deux (partnering) technique en pointe is strongly encouraged.
● Continued pointe technique training at an advanced level is required.
● Continued complimentary dance forms training at an advanced level are strongly encouraged.
● Dancing in formally produced performances at least twice per year are strongly encouraged.
● Attendance at a dance performance as an audience member at least four times per year are required (could be a BW company performance, a studio recital, or other dance production).
● Tuition includes 2 complimentary tickets to a BW performance each year of enrollment.

Apprentice
Ages: 15-20
Class length: 90 minutes
Attire:
Ladies - Maroon leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes/pointe shoes, hair secured away from the face
Men - Black T-shirt, Grey tights, black socks, black ballet shoes

● Dancers at the Apprentice level take advanced ballet technique class at least four (4) days per week and augment their ballet training with other dance forms.
● Apprentice dancers have class both separate from and combined with Company class, and dance in class en pointe a minimum of three times per week.
● Dancers at the Apprentice level must take class at least twice per week with Ballet Wichita and can take the other two classes (or more) at another studio if desired.

Company Member
Ages: 15+
Class Length: 90 minutes
Attire: All - Dancer’s choice; please no sweats or other coverups. Women are permitted to wear skirts during center.

● Dancers at the Company Member level take advanced ballet technique class at least five (5) days per week and augment their ballet training with other dance forms.
● Ballet Wichita Company membership is not contingent on taking all of their training classes at BW:

o “Company Member” is a moniker of achievement to an advanced level and is contingent on audition results for upcoming productions.

● Dancers participating in company productions from area studios are encouraged to supplement your other studio schedule with classes at BW.
● If Ballet Wichita is a dancer’s primary studio, ballet technique classes are required at least 5 times per week.
● Company members dance in class en pointe a minimum of three times per week.
● Dancers participating in the Advanced Company Class level must take class at least three times per week with Ballet Wichita and can take the other two classes (or more) at another studio if desired.
● Continuing pas de deux technique en pointe is strongly encouraged.
● Continued complimentary dance forms training at an advanced level are strongly encouraged.
● Formal produced performing experiences at least three times per year is required.
● Attendance at a dance performance at least four times per year is required (could be a BW company performance, a studio recital, or other dance production).

● Being cast in company productions includes 2 complimentary tickets to each BW production in which the dancer is cast.

Open to any interested student in the Wichita community. Dancers can utilize either monthly enrollment, 5-class, or 10-class punch cards. Class cards expire after 6 months.

*For all classes, hair must be secured away from your face.

Registration is always open!

Tuition- due by first class day of each month

● Students and families paying monthly are strongly encouraged to enroll in Auto-Pay to ensure their account remains current.
o Tuition is calculated based on 8 months per year, September - May, with a December break. Classes will be held September 5th -May 18th .
o BWA will not hold classes October 31, November 20-25, December 11-January 7, January 15, March 11-16, or March 30. Breaks are calculated into the total tuition for the school year.

● Students by year or semester pay $100 at the time of official enrollment, and the rest must be paid by the first day of class to receive the discount.  Please contact balletwichitaacademy@gmail.com to arrange annual or semester payment.
● Each student has an annual registration fee of $24.00.
o Families with multiple dancers receive a 50% discount on each subsequent registration fee.

● Ballet Wichita is committed to making dance training accessible and offers a limited number of work-study scholarships for parents or students ages 14+. Email balletwichitaacademy@gmail.com to inquire.

Students ages 7+ interested in Ballet 1 or above are required to take a placement class prior to enrolling. Students may register prior to placement, but actual enrollment and payment will be based on results from the placement class.  Email balletwichitaacademy@gmail.com for more information, or to schedule a placement by appointment.

Please note that Academy enrollment is required to receive the discounted rate on supplemental/drop-in classes. Students taking only open classes must use a punch card.

Classes with fewer than 3 students are subject to cancellation.

 

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