Mystic Ballet - Programs

PROGRAMS

Children's program teachers have complete knowledge of ballet technique, and have graduated from a teachers training program which stems from a proven, specifically designed syllabus, emphasizing the developmental needs of young children.

The comprehensive curriculum teaches a strong classical technique that is adaptable to any style, and its elective classes are designed to allow for individualized training at every level of interest and ability. Class sizes are limited so that the faculty can provide personal attention and correction. Maximums vary depending on level and may also be affected by studio dimensions.
School of Mystic Ballet faculty members are highly credentialed professionals, carefully selected from around the world, for their experience in the dance and education fields, as well as their ability to motivate and nurture students.
Mystic Ballet Pre-Professional Program pedagogues include a track record for training successful professional dancers.

Pre-Ballet Division
Rhythm and Movement Ages 3 1/2 - 4
Creative Dance Ages 5 -6
Primary Ballet Age 7

Ballet Division Ages 8 - 19
Ballet I - VII
Pre-Profesional Program
Mystic Ballet Training Program

Elective Classes Ages 8 and up
Foundation Jazz I-III
Intermedate Jazz
Advanced Jazz I-II
Modern I & II
Partnering / Variations
Pointe Technique

Alumni:
Students trained at the School of Mystic Ballet have been accepted to summer programs including Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, American Ballet Theatre - Collegiate Program, Boston Ballet, Festival Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Walnut Hill. Graduates and students of the School of Mystic Ballet have been accepted on scholarship to dance programs at The Hartt School , Marymount Manhattan, Goucher College, Ithaca College, American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, Connecticut College, Hofstra University, University of Arizona, University of Massachusetts, Williston North Hampton, John Cabot University Rome, Italy, and New York University.

Pre-Ballet Division, ages 3 1/2 - 7
Rhythm and Movement, Creative Dance, and Primary Ballet
The Pre-Ballet Division classes provide children with a creative introduction to music and movement while progressively teaching age appropriate dance fundamentals. The classes are designed to build interest, strength, vocabulary, and artistic sensibility, laying the groundwork necessary for success in the Ballet Division program. Students do not focus strictly on classical ballet at this age because at this stage of their muscle and bone development such training can be detrimental, especially to their hips and feet. Class sizes are limited, teacher/student interaction is high, and children progress at an appropriate pace. Students in the Pre-Ballet Division are promoted based on age. The age cutoff guideline is September 1 of the current school year.

Rhythm and Movement
(Ages 3 1/2 - 4)
Designed for our youngest students, this class focuses on coordination, large motor skill development, listening skills, musical and spatial awareness.
The use of simple musical instruments as well as other age appropriate activity resources help engage the student's attention and imagination. Each semester students are exposed to musical scores and stories of the classical ballets, further enhancing their creativity.
These classes are 45 minutes in length and are available Monday through Thursday and Saturday. (See class schedule)
It is suggested that students take class a minimum of once per week.

Creative Dance
(Ages 5 - 6)
Students begin a more formal study of classical ballet, through age-appropriate skill development, creative expression, music appreciation, and the relationship between music and dance. Creative Dance classes combine elements of ballet and floor gymnastics, expanding students physical skills - muscle development, coordination, balance, grace and poise. The Curriculum has been developed with the specific purpose that students attain independence and confidence, learn to interact with others, build a positive self image, and gain motivation as well as self-discipline, that can be carried throughout a lifetime.
These classes are 50 minutes in length and are available Monday through Thursday and Saturday. (See class schedule)
It is suggested that students take class a minimum of once per week.

Primary Ballet
(Age 7)
Primary Ballet classes offer a more formal study of classical ballet.
Students are taught fundamental ballet technique with accentuation on proper alignment and posture, and further develop the self-discipline necessary to continue the study of classical ballet. This class solidly prepares students to advance to the next level of study.
At the end of the program, the Dance Palace faculty evaluates each student and makes recommendations for further study in the Ballet Division as well as other dance forms.
These classes are 60 minutes in length and are available Monday through Thursday and Saturday. (See class schedule)
It is suggested that students take a minimum of two classes per week, for students utmost progress.

Ballet Division , ages 8-19
Ballet I - VII
The Classical Ballet Division curriculum incorporates updated elements based on the Vaganova Method. The progressive syllabus also encompasses necessary and according to the students training level, the major training styles including Cecchetti, Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), and Bournonville, along with cutting edge contemporary conditioning methods. The core hours for the intermediate and advanced levels are fewer (See class schedule) than the hours required for the Pre-Professional Program, and Mystic Ballet Training Program, and represent the minimum to obtain a complete classical ballet education. Additional elective classes in Enrichment Division are available starting at the Ballet I level. Students are encouraged to customize their schedules with these optional electives in order to meet their individual fitness, technical, and artistic goals. Pre - Pointe work in the Classical Ballet Division begins in Ballet III level.
School of Mystic Ballet provides highly individualized training programs for its students.

Pre-Professional Program
Ballet I - VII Levels
The Intensive Program blends ballet classes with an array of enrichment classes. (See class schedule) Students enter this program upon the recommendation of a School of Mystic Ballet faculty member. The increased class time allows for additional training and mentoring of select students who have a predisposition, desire and determination for a higher education in dance.

Mystic Ballet Training Program
Ballet IV - VII Levels
The Intensive Training Program blends rigorous pre-professional ballet classes with an array of enrichment classes and activities. (See class schedule) Students enter this program through audition only, during the Mystic Ballet Summer Intensive Program. The increased class time allows for additional training and mentoring of select students who may pursue a professional ballet career or higher education in dance. The advanced levels of training include pointe work for women, specialty men’s classes, variations, pas de deux, core conditioning, and career guidance.

Elective Classes

Jazz
(Ages 8 and up)
Jazz, is a dance study in the Enrichment Division, (See class schedule)as well as a necessary supplemental class for the Ballet Division.
Many styles of music are reflected in jazz dance. Emphasis is shared between technical and style training. Rhythm is the focus, groove is the thing and fun is the point.
Jazz study is divided into three tracks: Jazz Foundation, Intermediate Jazz and Advanced Jazz.
The Foundation track consists of three levels: Jazz Foundation I, Jazz Foundation II, and Jazz Foundation III. Focus is on development of jazz technique and a jazz aesthetic. The students develop a strong technical foundation and incorporate the idea of performance into their studio classes.

The Intermediate and Advanced track consists of technique based jazz classes combine a full body warm-up with isolations and across the floor progressions that further develops clarity, aesthetic, artistry and creativity. Delving into a wide range of styles and utilizing a variety of music, the Advanced Jazz track includes the studies of Musical Theatre, Lyrical, and Funk.

Modern
(Ballet IV and up)
The world of modern dance is the most creative structured form of dance. It is the association of the words "creative " and " structured form " which created the major reason why dancers are confounded in trying to exact a " definition" of Modern Dance.
An expressive style of dance developed in the early 20th century, which rejects the stylized conventional movements and structure of classical ballet, and favors movement deriving from the expression of inner feeling, employing a special technique for developing the use of the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas.
Modern class (See class schedule) emphasizes the use of the floor for centering and grounding oneself in movement, musicality and rhythm are explored. Teachers incorporate an eclectic blend of contemporary and post-modern movement into their classes.
Advanced students will work with internationally renowned resident and guest chorographers in creating concert pieces, to be performed at local venues.