The Ballet Mississippi School provides students with a pre-professional training program focusing on classical ballet technique. Through the development of strong technique, flexibility, artistry and musicality, the student acquires the skills and discipline necessary to pursue a career in dance.

Students are placed in the school by ability and age and are required to meet their classes as set forth in the class schedule. Assessment of a student's progress is ongoing, and evaluation of each student's progress is made at the end of the year.

Class Levels

Ballet Mississippi Lower School provides a nuturing environment for children who wish to learn ballet technique and discipline.

Creative Movement is a class designed for children ages 3-4. This class teaches the elementary concepts of classical Ballet and Tap, while incorporating coordination, rhythm, and movement to music. Students learn to follow simple instructions as a group.

Pre-Ballet slowly introduces the more structured and disciplined movement necessary for formal Ballet training, while continuing training in Tap. Pre-Ballet I is designed for 5 year olds, while Pre-Ballet II targets 6 year olds.

Download the information you need to attend the Fall 2008 session:

Application

Handbook

Ballet I begins formal ballet training for children ages 7 and 8. The class expands and explores ballet vocabulary. Discipline develops a stronger mental focus while the strength and flexibility is slowly increased to properly develop the body for classical dance.

Ballet II continues formal ballet training by increasing strength, stamina, and technique. Barre and center work focus on combining elements practiced in lower levels while adding more complex movements. Ballet II is divided into two levels. Ballet II-A is for 8 year olds and Ballet II-B is designed for 9 year olds. At this level, the Artistic Director may place a student according to ability rather than age.

Ballet Mississippi Upper School provides strenuous training in Classical Ballet for students who possess a gift for movement, musicality, a love for dance, and are willing to commit to the high standards of Ballet Mississippi School. All Upper School placement is by audition or previous class experience and at the sole discretion of the Artistic Director.

Ballet III builds on previous ballet training by increasing strength, stamina, and technique. Barre and center work focus on combining elements while increasing focus and technique. Ballet III students attend class two or more times a week.

Ballet IV builds upon the foundational concepts learned in Ballet III. The proficiency level of the barre and center work increases. In the center students learn more complicated petite allegro and the grand allegro developing greater stamina and fluidity of movement. Students at this level begin preparation for Pointe work. Students are expected to attend class three to four times a week.

Ballet V continues the progression of technique, strength, and stamina. Students begin to learn variations of the classical and neoclassical repertoire. Ballet V students are expected to attend four or more classes a week including Pointe and Jazz class.

Ballet VI students continue to develop the proficiency of technique, strength, and stamina necessary to produce the artistry in movement. Students are expected to attend five to seven classes per week with work in pointe, variations, modern, and jazz.