CLASS LEVELS & PLACEMENT
Emerald Ballet Theatre welcomes all children who want to dance. Level placement is by age. Dancers can challenge themselves by taking every available class in their level, or approach the curriculum in a more relaxed manner. All students will be supported.
Core technique classes begin in B3 and focus on meeting benchmark goals for each level, as well as building camaraderie among dancers.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Performing is an important part of a dancer’s education, and we encourage all dancers to sign up for a repertoire class. While most rehearsals take place during rep class, some Saturday rehearsals will be required. Due to the later-than-planned start date, our performances will run a little differently this year.
Fall/Winter: In-studio Nutcracker presentations and outreach shows at community locations.
Spring: Peter and the Wolf/Meet the Musicians on June 7-8 at the Juanita Performing Arts Center. Dancers in Ballet 2 and above can also participate in Spring outreach performances.
In 2025, we will resume our annual Nutcracker production.
If you have questions about which classes are right for your dancer, please email our registrar, Ms. Katie, at register@emeraldballet-theatre.org.
Looking for more flexibility? Youth and adult students are welcome to drop in or purchase a class card for our open classes.
Introduction to Dance
Dance With Me (18 months - 3 years with caregiver)
Sat. 9:15-10:00am
Instructors: Ms. Ruth and Ms. Katie
Leotard color: Free choice
What a fun way to begin your Saturday! Young children participate with an adult caregiver. Dancers will discover the joy of moving their bodies to different tempos, learn about rhythm, simple stretching and ballet shapes. Picture books, games and props will be incorporated into the lesson to keep our youngest students active and engaged. Basic class etiquette is also introduced and practiced.
Note: Dance with Me operates on a quarter schedule.
Q1: 11/9-12/21 (no class 11/30)
Q2: 1/11-3/1
Q3: 3/8-4/26
Q4: 5/3-6/21
You may also drop in for a special rate. Please confirm before coming that class is running.
Creative Movement (3-5 years old/Pre-K)
Mon. 4:30-5:15pm
Wed. 3:15-4:00pm
Sat. 10:00-10:45am
Instructors: Ms. Elisa, Ms. Caitrian
Recommendations: 1 class/week
Leotard color: Free choice
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Spring show in theatre
In this 45-minute class without a caregiver, students will discover ballet shapes, simple stretching, beginning ballet vocabulary and develop their love for dance. Different tempos, rhythms and coordination exercises will be introduced. Dance games will be incorporated to teach dance and encourage fun and exploration. Improvisation will help students develop creativity and confidence. By the end of the year, a Creative Movement student can recognize and execute a plié, passe, arabesque, echappé, skip, star slide (chassé) and leaps. They have a basic understanding of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth positions.
PreBallet (5-6 years old/Kindergarten)
Wed. 4:00-5:00pm
Sat. 9:00-10:00am
Instructors: Ms. Elisa
Recommendations: 1 class/week
Leotard color: Free choice
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Spring show in theatre
This hour-long class will start to follow the more traditional structure of classical ballet. Stretching, simple barre exercises, coordination exercises and the fundamentals of ballet placement will be taught. Skipping, galloping, sliding, marching and other coordination/basics of formal ballet training will be introduced in the center. Creativity and confidence will be encouraged with some elements of free dance. By the end of the year, a PreBallet student can recognize and execute a plié, relevé, passé, piqué, arabesque, sauté, echappé, skip, star slide (chassé), gallop, bourrée and leaps. They can execute the five positions of the feet used in classical ballet.
FREE Boys’ Class (5-9 years old)
Fri. 4:15-4:45pm - Boys Technique/Repertoire
Instructor: Ms. Erin
Dance attire: Black & white
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Spring show in theatre
While boys can enroll in any class at EBT, this 30-minute class is an opportunity for young male-identifying dancers to sample ballet classes and introduce them to dance movement for free. Class will focus on strength, movement, jumping and coordination. This will be a high-energy class designed to introduce dancers to the fundamentals of ballet technique and foster a love of dance and movement. By the end of their time in Boys’ Class I, dancers know their left from right and can execute plié, tendu, passé, grand battement, chassé and spotting while turning (or be able to explain the concept).
This free class is sponsored by 4Culture. The registration fee is also waived. Performance fees apply.
Ballet 1 (6-7 years old/1st grade)
Mon. 5:15-6:15pm - Technique/Repertoire
Fri. 4:15-5:15pm - Technique/Repertoire
Fri. 5:30-6:00pm - Stretching
Sat. 10:00-10:30am - Stretching
Sat. 10:30-11:30am - Technique (with B2/B3/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Caitrian, Ms. Elisa, Ms. Tomoko
Recommendations: 1 tech/rep class + stretching
Leotard color: White
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter Outreach (Sat. B1/2/3 only) + Spring show in theatre
Class starts to resemble the more formal ballet class structure with time at barre and center. Creativity and joy are still encouraged and developed though some elements of free dance. Basic exercises (skipping, galloping, sliding, marching) are fine-tuned to increase coordination and strength for Ballet 2. By the end of the year, these dancers can execute 1st-5th position legs and arms, plié, relevé, chassé, skip, march, gallop, bourée, leap, understand an 8-count phrase and can identify fast and slow tempos.
Ballet 2 (7-8 years old/2nd grade)
Wed. 5:00-6:00pm - Technique/Repertoire
Fri. 4:30-5:30pm - Technique/Repertoire
Fri. 5:30-6:00pm - Stretching
Sat. 10:00-10:30am - Stretching
Sat. 10:30-11:30am - Technique (with B1/B3/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Elisa, Ms. Tomoko
Recommendations: 1 tech/rep class + stretching
Leotard color: Light Pink
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter/Spring Outreach + Spring show in theatre
This is the last level before formal ballet training starts. Barre work increases as students start to learn the basic patterns and shapes of classical ballet. Exercises for coordination and strength are worked on in center as well as exercises to develop artistry to hone creativity and develop stage presence. By the end of the year, these dancers can execute two-movement combinations, piqué, tendu, piqué, arabesque, passé, sur la cou de pied, coupé, bourée, chassé, sauté, changement, echappé, leaps and begin preparing for waltz turns.
Beginning Ballet
Ballet 3 (8-9 years old/3rd grade)
Tues. 4:30-6:00pm - CORE technique
Tues. 6:00-7:00pm - Repertoire
Thurs. 4:15-5:45pm - Technique (with B4)
Thurs. 5:45-6:45pm - Character (with B4)
Fri. 5:30-6:00pm - Stretching
Fri. 6:00-7:00pm - Technique
Sat. 10:00-10:30am - Stretching
Sat. 10:30-11:30am - Technique (with B1/B2/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Tomoko (core), Ms. Elisa
Recommendations: 2 tech classes (including Tuesday core) + repertoire + enrichment + stretching
Leotard color: Lavendar
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter/Spring Outreach + Spring show in theatre
This is the first level of formal ballet training. Classes increase in length up to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The first 30-45 minutes of class will be at the barre working on strength, coordination, placement and technique through a structured simple barre routine (plié, tendu, jeté, ronde de jambe, developpé, grand battement). The second half of class will be spent in the center, building from the barre work but also working to develop artistry, arms and self expression. More structured turns and jumps will also be introduced. By the end of the year, these dancers can perform 4+ chaîné turns and can explain and/or perform spotting while turning. They can also execute balancé (transfer of weight), pas de chat, sauté, chassé, echappé, changement, pas de bourée and know their left from right.
Ballet 4 (9-10 years old/4th grade)
Mon. 4:15-5:45pm - Technique (with B5)
Tues. 4:45-6:15pm - CORE technique
Tues. 6:15-7:15pm - Repertoire
Thurs. 4:15-5:45pm - Technique (with B3)
Thurs. 5:45-6:45pm - Character (with B3)
Fri. 5:30-6:00pm - Stretching
Sat. 10:00-10:30am - Stretching
Sat. 10:45am-12:15pm - Technique (with B5/B6/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Sarah (core), Ms. Elisa
Recommendations: 2 tech classes (including Tuesday core) + repertoire + enrichment + stretching
Leotard color: Evergreen
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter/Spring Outreach + Spring show in theatre
Class will resemble Ballet 3, but as these dancers progress and get closer to pointe work, special attention will be paid to placement, leg strength, ankle strength and core strength. We will emphasize lines and turnout to build the proper base for pointe and more advanced work to come. Time in center will focus on all of these qualities along with artistry and stage presence. By the end of the year, these dancers can execute plié relevé on one leg, frappé, fondu, piqué turn in center with spotting, pirouette, glissade, tour jeté, waltz turn and changement.
Ballet 5 (10-11 years old/5th grade)
Mon. 4:15-5:45pm - Technique (with B4)
Mon. 5:45-6:45pm - Contemporary (with B6/Open)
Tues. 4:15-5:45pm - CORE technique
Tues. 5:45-6:15pm - Pointe
Tues. 6:15-7:15pm - Repertoire
Fri. 4:45-6:15pm - Technique (with B6)
Fri. 6:15-7:15pm - Pointe (with B6)
Sat. 10:00-10:30am - Stretching
Sat. 10:45am-12:15pm - Technique (with B4/B6/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Erin (core), Ms. Sarah, Ms. Genna, Ms. Elisa
Recommendations: 2 tech classes (including Tuesday core) + repertoire + pointe + enrichment + stretching
Leotard color: Burgundy
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter/Spring Outreach + Spring show in theatre
Exercises at barre and center will be more complicated physically and more challenging mentally in order to develop quick thinkers with the ability to learn choreography and be ready for more difficult classes in middle school. Strength and artistry are encouraged and developed, and they begin dancing to varying tempos and time signatures. By the end of the year, these dancers can execute tour jeté, glissade assemblé, can connect two steps in combination in center and have been introduced to tombé pas de bourrée 4th pirouette.
Intermediate Ballet
Ballet 6 (11-12 years old/6th grade)
Mon. 5:45-6:45pm - Contemporary (with B5/Open)
Mon. 6:45-8:15pm - Technique (with B7)
Wed. 3:30-5:00pm - CORE technique
Wed. 5:00-5:30pm - Pointe
Wed. 5:30-6:30pm - Repertoire
Fri. 4:45-6:15pm - Technique (with B5)
Fri. 6:15-7:15pm - Pointe (with B5)
Sat. 10:00-10:30am - Stretching
Sat. 10:45am-12:15pm - Technique (with B4/B5/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Erin (core), Ms. Sarah, Ms. Genna, Ms. Elisa
Recommendations: 3 tech classes (including Wednesday core) + repertoire + pointe + enrichment + stretching
Leotard color: Aubergine
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter/Spring Outreach + Spring show in theatre
Ballet 6 marks the start of intermediate ballet. Dancers will have a working knowledge of most ballet steps, vocabulary, technique at barre and center. Harder turns and jumps will be introduced. Strength, artistry, placement are still emphasized. Stage presence is encouraged through reminding dancers that they are performing, even in class! Students are expected to understand proper placement of body, maintain core strength while dancing and use arms correctly. By the end of Ballet 6, dancers can learn and execute a combination, have attempted a double pirouette and can hold legs close to 90 degrees in front/side/back positions.
Ballet 7 (12-13 years old/7th grade)
Mon. 4:45-5:45pm - Contemporary (with Open)
Mon. 5:45-6:45pm - Pointe
Mon. 6:45-8:15pm - Technique (with B6)
Wed. 5:30-6:30pm - Repertoire
Wed. 6:30-8:00pm - CORE technique
Fri. 5:15-7:15pm - Technique & Pointe
Sat. 9:30-11:00am - Technique (with B8/B9/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Erin (core), Ms. Genna, Ms. Sarah, Ms. Elisa, Ms. Meg
Recommendations: 3 tech classes (including Wednesday core) + repertoire + pointe + enrichment + stretching
Leotard color: Navy; Free choice on Sat.
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter/Spring Outreach + Spring show in theatre
Dancers’ knowledge of most ballet steps, vocabulary, and technique at barre and center will expand. Harder turns and jumps will be practiced. Strength, artistry, placement are still emphasized. Stage presence is encouraged through reminding dancers that they are performing, even in class! Students are expected to understand proper placement of body, maintain core strength while dancing and use arms correctly. By the end of Ballet 7, dancers can execute combinations with more complicated port de bras, simple battu, a double pirouette in flat shoes, 4+ piqué turns on pointe, 1 pirouette on pointe, tombé pas de bourrée on pointe and can hold legs at 90 degrees in front/side/back positions.
Ballet 8 (13-15 years old/8th & 9th grade)
Mon. 6:45-8:45pm - Technique & Pointe (with B9)
Tues. 7:15-9:00pm - Technique & Pointe (with B9)
Wed. 3:30-5:30pm - Technique & Pointe Variations (with B9)
Thurs. 4:15-5:45pm - CORE technique
Thurs. 5:45-6:45pm - Repertoire
Thurs. 6:45-7:45pm - Contemporary (with Open)
Fri. 5:30-6:00pm - Stretching
Sat. 9:30-11:00am - Technique (with B7/B9/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Lori (core), Ms. Genna, Ms. Erin, Ms. Meg
Recommendations: 4 tech classes (including Thursday core) + repertoire + enrichment + stretching
Leotard color: Black; Free choice on Sat.
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter/Spring Outreach + Spring show in theatre
Dancers’ knowledge of most ballet steps, vocabulary, and technique at barre and center will deepen. Harder turns and jumps will be practiced. Strength, artistry, placement are still emphasized. Stage presence is encouraged through reminding dancers that they are performing, even in class! Students are expected to understand proper placement of body, maintain core strength while dancing and use arms correctly. By the end of Ballet 8, dancers can execute doubles en dehors and en dedans, consistent battu, step-over pirouette and 4-8 fouettés in center.
Advanced Ballet
Ballet 9 (15-18 years old/10th-12th grade)
Mon. 6:45-8:45pm - Technique & Pointe (with B8)
Tues. 7:15-9:00pm - Technique & Pointe (with B8)
Wed. 3:30-5:30pm - Technique & Pointe Variations (with B8)
Thurs. 4:15-5:45pm - CORE Technique
Thurs. 5:45-6:45pm - Contemporary (with Open)
Thurs. 6:45-7:45pm - Repertoire
Fri. 5:30-6:00pm - Stretching
Sat. 9:30-11:00am - Technique (with B7/B8/Open)
Instructors: Ms. Genna (core), Ms. Erin, Ms. Meg, Ms. Lori
Recommendations: 4+ tech classes (including Thursday core) + repertoire + enrichment + stretching
Leotard color: Black; Free choice on Sat.
Performance opportunities: In-studio Winter presentation + Winter/Spring Outreach + Spring show in theatre
This is our most advanced ballet level. Dancers in this level will be comfortable with most ballet steps/vocabulary. Harder turns, jumps, sequences of combinations and steps will be more challenging physically and mentally. Tempos will be faster. Students in these levels will also learn about phrases and artistry and how to perfect their own line. Teachers will work openly with students in an almost laboratory-like setting to enrich their knowledge and love of ballet and to understand how their own bodies work while dancing. Dancers perform more center work on pointe, focusing on technical execution, longer/faster combinations and phrasing. Dancers are technically sound and can put more attention on artistry and performance, even in class. These dancers will perform in our Winter and Spring shows. They are also encouraged to participate in our Teaching Institute and outreach performances. Ms. Erin can provide assistance to dancers applying to college or pursuing a dance career.
Enrichment Classes
CHARACTER (8-10 years old/3rd-4th grade)
Thurs. 5:45-6:45pm (B3/B4)
Instructor: Ms. Elisa
Dance attire: Level attire with character skirt and character shoes
Performance opportunities: TBD
Enrollment type: Semester
This beginning Character class will explore different styles of folk dancing from around the world that are used to express celebration and storytelling with upbeat tempos and sharp movements.
BEG/INT CONTEMPORARY/MODERN (10-13 YEARS OLD/5th-7th grade)
Mon. 4:45-5:45pm (with B7/12-13 years old)
Mon. 5:45-6:45pm (with B5 & B6/10-12 years old)
Instructor: Ms. Genna
Dance attire: Level attire with leggings/shorts and bare feet or socks
Performance opportunities: TBD
Enrollment type: Semester or open class
This class provides young dancers with an introduction to contemporary and modern dance through foundational techniques, making it suitable for dancers proficient in ballet who are beginning/intermediate to explore these styles. The focus is on adaptability and building a solid technical foundation. Students will start each class with a warm-up series that progresses throughout the year, followed by across-the-floor exercises to develop coordination and strength. The class will often end with choreography, applying these new foundational skills developed throughout the class. Students will be challenged through exercises and choreography that focus on working in and out of the floor, helping students gain control over new movement patterns and finding a new relationship with the ground. Throughout the year, improvisation exercises will be introduced to encourage creativity, allowing dancers to start discovering their unique artistic voice in a supportive and exploratory environment.
INT/ADV CONTEMPORARY/MODERN (13-18 YEARS OLD/8th-12th grade)
Thurs. 5:45-6:45pm (with B9/15-18 years old)
Thurs. 6:45-7:45pm (with B8/13-15 years old)
Instructor: Ms. Genna
Dance attire: Level attire with leggings/shorts and bare feet or socks
Performance opportunities: TBD
Enrollment type: Semester or open class
In this class, dancers will deepen their understanding of how to utilize and apply their ballet technique in modern and contemporary styles. This intermediate/advanced class will focus on building physical strength and agility through increasingly complex standing series, floor work exercises, and choreography. Dancers will be challenged to master smooth transitions in and out of the floor, refining their technical skills and gaining confidence in executing dynamic movement phrases. Improvisation and performance quality are emphasized throughout the class, helping dancers develop their own artistic voice while committing to bold, intentional choices. By exploring a variety of choreographic elements and repertoire, students will be guided toward making thoughtful, creative decisions in their movement and understanding the breadth of expression within contemporary and modern dance.
STRETCHING (6-18 YEARS old/1st-12th grade)
Fri. 5:15-5:45pm (B1+)
Sat. 10:00-10:30am (B1+)
Instructor: Ms. Tomoko
Dance attire: Level attire or other clothing that allows for full range of movement
Enrollment type: Semester
Stretching is strongly recommended for students in Ballet 1-5, and beneficial for all ages. Stretching prepares our bodies for the demands of classical ballet. Hamstrings, calves, quads, inner thighs are lengthened and developed. Core strength will also be a focus.