Our Classes
From Preschool to Pre-Professional
Alta Academy of Dance Classes
Overview
Ballet is the foundation for all styles of dance. Learning ballet helps improve posture, poise and grace, balance, co-ordination, physical strength and stamina as well as allowing for self-expression and building self confidence. Learning ballet also facilitates excellence in other dance genres and has many benefits and transferable skills.
Our ballet classes follow the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Children’s Examination Syllabus from Pre-Primary through to Grade 8 as well as Vocational levels from Intermediate Foundation through to Advanced 2 and Solo Seal. The tuition we offer incorporates Pointe work, Progressing Ballet Technique and exam coaching.
The RAD syllabi are designed to encourage, motivate and reward students of all ages and abilities. The progressive structure develops sound ballet technique that is relevant in today’s world of ballet and dance and is based on elements such as core stability, weight placement, turn out and line as well as movement dynamics, musicality and performance skills. Students have the option to take RAD exams in all grades and we welcome beginners at any age into the appropriate grade.
As well as ballet, Alta Academy of Dance offers expert jazz, contemporary and ISTD modern theatre dance training. Our teachers are passionate and our students love coming to class, not only to learn new skills, but also to make new friends in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Pre-School, Pre-Primary & Primary Ballet
Age Guide: from 3 to 6/7 years
Our Pre-School dance classes introduce your child to the magic of dance!
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Our lessons nurture imagination and provide an innovative introduction into the world of ballet and dance. Classes are taught by experienced and caring staff and are an excellent way to develop physical ability, improve coordination and promote creativity, as well as boosting social skills and self confidence.
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Pre-Primary in Dance and Primary in Dance are a pathway to the Royal Academy of Dance’s (RAD) Graded Examination syllabus. The emphasis at these levels is on gaining confidence in a class environment while having fun and introducing basic co-ordination and movement dynamics through simple settings and use of props. Children’s natural movement ability and musicality is fostered through imaginative story-telling.
Children can be entered for a Class Awards at Pre-Primary level by their first exam at Primary level.
Grades One to Five Ballet
Age Guide: from 7 years+
We offer the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, an internationally recognised portfolio of examinations and assessments.
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Grades 1-3 make up Level 1 on the National Qualifications Framework and introduce character dance which form an integral part of classical ballet training.
Grade 1 Ballet introduces the structure and discipline of a traditional ballet class. As students progress through the grades they will build up their Ballet vocabulary and learn to develop a stronger technique, improve their balance, flexibility and self-expression.
By Grade 3 we encourage our dancers to attend two ballet classes a week. This helps to facilitate adequate progress with the increased technical demands at this level.
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Grades 4-5 make up Level 2 of the RAD graded syllabi with an increased focus on Ballet vocabulary and artistry.
All grades include character dances based on Hungarian, Russian or Polish National dance styles.
You can see examples of these styles in ballets such as Swan Lake and Nutcracker.
Grades Six to Eight Ballet
Age Guide: from 12 years+
Originally created in the 1990’s, Grades 6-8 have strong links to the ballet classics, both through the musical scores used and the style of the settings.
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These grades are aimed at recreational teenage and adult dancers and can be studied as either an alternative or as a supplement to the RAD’s vocational grades. They are Level 3 on the education framework and exam results can be used to add points towards your Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) tariff for UK university or higher education applications. Passing a higher grade exam also allows you to become a member of the Royal Academy of Dance.
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Grade 8 is Level 3 on the education framework and attracts a greater number of UCAS points than Grades 6 and 7 being the final Grade.
Dancers learn solos in Classical Ballet, Free Movement and Character and for the examination are required to perform one solo in each genre.
Vocational Grades
Age Guide: from 11+ years
Vocational classes can be taken alongside the RAD Grades and aimed at those who would like to advanced further with their dance training.
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The Royal Academy of Dance vocational syllabus can be studied alongside the RAD graded syllabus and provides a more in-depth training designed for students (from 10-11+) who show particular aptitude and have the technical facility to progress starting at Intermediate Foundation.
Pointe work is introduced (at the teacher’s discretion) at Intermediate Foundation and the male syllabus includes more virtuosity.
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The technical demands increase at Intermediate level which include longer settings and increased Pointe work. Progression takes time, dedication and self-motivation.
Typically students will be attending 2 / 3 ballet classes a week to have the necessary strength and stamina to reach the required standard for an exam at this level.
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Advanced Foundation is the introduction to Advanced training. This is followed by Advanced 1 and Advanced 2.
In order to take Advanced level exams students need to have attained a Pass at Intermediate.
Gaining a Distinction at Advanced 1 allows students to enter the RAD’s Phyllis Bedells Bursary* and a Distinction at Advanced 2 allows students to apply for the RAD’s prestigious Fonteyn International Competition (formerly the Genée International Ballet Competition)*, as well as enter for the Solo Seal Award.
Pointe
Age Guide: from 12 years+ at teacher’s discretion
Starting pointe work and is not grade dependant but rather takes into account age, strength of technique and regular attendance.
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Alta Academy of Dance supports the start of Pointe work with preparatory pre-pointe strengthening exercises. It is at the teacher’s discretion as to when a student is ready to start pointe work and is not grade dependant but rather takes into account age, strength of technique and regular attendance (a minimum of 2-3 times a week).
Pre-Pointe training starts in Intermediate Foundation. -
Getting your first pair of pointe shoes is a very exciting time and important milestone on your dance journey.
Our teachers can advise you on pointe shoe fittings and how to prepare shoes correctly.
Alta Academy of Dance incorporates pointe work in all vocational classes from beginner level in our Intermediate Foundation classes to advanced in our Advanced level classes.
We also have dedicated Pointe only classes.
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)
Age Guide: from Grade 2 level+
Progressing Ballet Technique is a wonderful programme developed by Marie Walton-Mahon to help students advance in all dance forms by training muscle memory.
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PBT focuses on core stability, weight placement and alignment using a gym ball and other equipment.
We incorporate PBT principles and exercises in many of our ballet classes.
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Private Ballet Coaching
One-to-one classes are available on request and are tailored to your individual needs. Private coaching is often an excellent way to prepare for exams, auditions or simply to boost confidence.
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Private lesson rates will include the cost of tuition and studio hire. Please contact us for further details.
Jazz & Musical Theatre
Our jazz classes cover a range of styles relevant in today’s world of dance from lyrical to commercial. Classes include technique and learning a short routine in the relevant style.
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This class is suitable for dancers from age 9 to 12/13 years and at Grade 2/3 level ballet.
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This class is geared at the more advanced dancer - those who have done some modern / jazz before and from age 13+ years.
Adult Ballet
Adult Ballet is a wonderful way for you to keep fit and agile. Whether you are returning after a break or it is something you’ve always wanted to try, our classes cater for different levels.
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We offer day time adult classes and also have adults joining our Higher Grade and Vocational classes from time to time.
Please contact us for more information if you would like to join a timetabled term time class. -
We incoporate “Discovering Repertoire” into our adult classes from time to time. This is an innovative classical ballet performance programme which allows you the opportunity to learn and dance well-known classical repertoire choreography that you may have seen on stage, set to music that you know and love.
The Discovering Repertoire RAD syllabus is designed to run alongside the standard RAD Grades as a complementary and additional training programme. There are 3 levels which each consist of a ballet class and development exercises which lead to Variations from Coppélia, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Swan Lake and Nutcracker.
Contemporary
Contemporary is wonderful for unlocking natural body movements, thereby allowing for more fluidity and ease. It also encompasses improvisation, floor work, use of gravity.
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This class is suitable for dancers from age 9 to 12/13 years and at Grade 2 to 4 level ballet.
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This class is geared at the more advanced dancer from age 13+ years or from Grade 5 ballet upwards.
ISTD Modern Theatre
Modern Theatre dance is a rhythmic dance style rooted in musical theatre, which originated in America. It is known for its dynamic theatrical qualities and uses travelling steps, high kicks, leaps and turns which all need strength and flexibility.
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This class is suitable for dancers from age 8/9 to 12/13 years and at Grade 2 to 4 level ballet.
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This class is geared at the more advanced dancer from age 13+ years and at Grade 5+ / vocational grades.
Festival
Festivals are competitions designed to give young talent an opportunity to perform and gain professional feedback. They are often run on an annual basis and include a variety of classes such as ballet, jazz, modern.
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We are currently participating in a few local festivals that are qualifiers for All England Dance e.g. Sussex Festival of Performing Arts.
The timing tends to be in the Spring Term with All England in the Summer term.
Taking part in festivals requires having a dance choreographed and a series of coaching sessions.
Please contact us for more information if you would like to enter festival in a solo class.
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We are currently participating in a few local festivals that are qualifiers for All England Dance e.g. Sussex Festival of Performing Arts.
The timing tends to be in the Spring Term with All England in the Summer term.
Taking part in festivals requires having a dance choreographed and a series of coaching sessions.
Please contact us for more information if you would like to enter festival in a solo class.
Watch this dancer perform courus on pointe
