What ballet at Coppergrace entails
Our ballet program follows a classical syllabus adapted for teens and adults. Each 75-minute session opens with barre work for alignment and turnout, moves to centre practice for adagio and pirouettes, and closes with allegro and a reverence. Live piano accompanies weekend sessions.
Beginners start in Ballet Foundations, where positions, port de bras and basic jumps are broken down step by step. Intermediate and advanced dancers progress to pointe preparation, Bournonville-style enchaînements and repertoire variations performed at our winter showcase.
- Barre, centre and allegro in every session with hands-on corrections
- Pointe-readiness assessments and pre-pointe conditioning tracks
- Small groups capped at 14 dancers for personal feedback
- Two stage performances a year plus open studio showings
How you progress
Foundations → Level 1 → Level 2 → Pre-pointe → Pointe and Variations. Instructors review every dancer each term and recommend the right moment to level up — most students advance one level per two terms while dancing twice a week.
Ballet questions, answered
None at all. Ballet Foundations assumes you have never stood at a barre. Wear leggings, socks or soft slippers for your first class — we will guide you from there.
After a pointe-readiness assessment covering ankle strength, alignment and at least a year of consistent training. Our pre-pointe track prepares you safely, usually within 12–18 months.
Fitted dancewear or leggings with a leotard or top, ballet slippers, hair secured. We stock affordable slippers at the front desk if you need a pair.
If you want to. Every level stages work at the winter showcase and summer showing, but performing is always optional — many students dance purely for joy.
