Ballet is taught by Miss Chere assisted by Miss Brianna. Students are prepared for the British Ballet Organisation assessments and examinations. Competition work is also available. Classes range from Scholars through to Advanced, and two Mini Movers classes for pre-schoolers. All classes run during normal school terms with breaks taken during the school holidays.
What do students wear?
Uniforms and shoes are available at the Dance Shop in Top Town. The shop is open 11am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 2pm on Saturday.
Mini Movers children wear a pretty fairy tutu available at our Dance Shop, any colour choice is acceptable, and a pair of ballet slippers and pink socks. Hair must be tidy. If it is long it must be tied up. Pretty adornments are acceptable.
Scholars 1 - wear a regulation pink diamante leotard, pink skirt, pink ballet slippers and pink socks, and a pink cross-over cardy for winter.
Scholars 2 - wear a regulation pink short sleeve leotard, pink skirt, pink ballet slippers and pink socks, and a pink cross-over cardy for winter.
Scholars 3 - wear a regulation blue short sleeved leotard, blue skirt, pink ballet slippers and pink socks, and a blue cross-over cardy for winter.
Grades 2 and 3 Girls-Cornflower blue BBO regulation leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers with ribbons.
Grades 4 and 5 Girls- Burgundy BBO regulation leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers with pink ribbons. Pointe shoes will be required by the last term of Grade 4.
Intermediate Foundation. Girls- Black BBO Regulation leotard, pink ballet slippers and pink tights with pink ribbons. Pointe shoes.
Intermediate and Advanced. Girls- Black BBO Regulation leotard and a black skirt, pink ballet slippers and pink tights with pink ribbons. Pointe shoes.
Boys. Uniform for all grades — black tights and white T-shirt, white ballet shoes and white socks.
Jewellery Rings watches and bracelets must not be worn for classes.
How should hair be worn for class?
Ballet students must always have their hair tidy with the girls wearing a classical bun if long, with no fringes. Short hair must be off the face (a matching headband is acceptable).
All hair should be worn pulled back off the face. Click here to find out how to put your child's hair up in a bun.
What is the difference between assessments and examinations?
Assessments are exercises taken from the grade syllabus and performed for the examiner. These are for students who have not yet reached the standard required for the full examination. These students may have started later in the year and it is an opportunity to the gain a qualification for that year and grade.
Examinations- Students sit examinations for their Grades every year around August or September. On completing their exams they then are ready to move to the next grade. Students may also receive an award of Excellence in Ballet which is over and above their normal exam results.
What are the Espinosa Dance Theatre Awards?
These Awards are an opportunity for students to perform solos, duos, trios or group dances for the examiner at examination time in August or September. They are then rewarded with Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals for the solos or blue or red rosettes for the duos, trios and groups. The Gold medal winners then have the opportunity to compete for the prestigious Espinosa Award at the BBO Dance Concourse held the following July.
Concourse
BBO Concourse is held around July every year and involves a week of workshops for dancers and teachers of ballet, jazz and musical theatre, as well as an evening of competition for the Espinosa Award. It is a wonderful opportunity for dancers to compare themselves with other dancers around New Zealand, and to really extend their skills. Every dancer who has taken part in a Concourse has come away highly enthused and inspired.
Concourse is designed for students from Grade 2 level upwards. The Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap and Stretch classes are for the same level, which is coming up 9 years.
Please contact Miss Chere personally (754 3044 mornings) if you have any questions.
Private lessons for Competitions or Exam Work
Talk to Miss Chere who will be quite willing to discuss your child's needs.
How Long are Classes?
| Mini Movers | | 30mins |
| Scholars | | 45mins |
| Primary | | 45mins |
| Grades 1,2,3 | | 1 hour |
| Grades 4, 5 | | two classes per week, each 1 hour |
| Intermediate Foundation | | two classes per week, each 1¼ hours |
| Intermediate | | two classes per week, approx. 1½ hour classes |
| Advanced | | two classes per week, each 1½ hours |
| Stretch | | one class per week, ½ hour |
