Ballet I

Ballet I begins the first year of formal ballet training. The classroom work is more equally divided between barre and center. It is required that the students meet twice weekly to ensure proper physical and technical development. Students are taught the fundamentals of ballet technique and develop self discipline. Through repetition of exercises students will gain strength and greater control of the how the body works within the ballet exercises.

Ballet II

Ballet II students will be required to take two classes per week. They continue to build upon movement concepts introduced in the previous level and will expand on the classical ballet syllabus. As the ballet vocabulary increases so should the student’s ability to process combinations of steps to increase physical strength. A greater emphasis will be placed on proper body placement and alignment. For further advancement the students need to have good memorization, application of exercises and display good physical effort.

Ballet III

Ballet III is the stage of training when students become more aware of how their body works in the ballet technique and work in a more physical and mental effort. More detailed emphasis is placed on skill development, proper execution of the steps, alignment of the body, and coordination of the use of arms, rotation of the legs and strength of torso. Before entering into the next level the students must master certain technical skills and show the physical and mental focus to advance forward.

Ballet IV

Ballet IV students required to work with focus and attention to the syllabus and develop technical clarity with accuracy. Students must also display the ability to combine steps together with overall coordination and ease. Proper body placement and alignment are essential for the technical growth. Students in this level may be asked to begin pointe work mid-year with approval by the directors. Students will have performance opportunities with Hathaway & Company Ballet & Contemporary Performance Ensembles.

Criteria for pointe placement:

Pointe placement is at the discretion of the academy artistic directors with faculty consultation. Pointe placement is determined after careful evaluation of general physical strength of a student's legs, feet, ankles, abdominals and back, along with hip-rotation. Three ballet technique classes per week are required for pointe. Modern dance is highly encouraged to help develop more strength in the torso and overall coordination.

Ballet V

Ballet V is the second year of point. The students must have developed a proficient ability to execute steps with strength and accuracy. Students will continue to build on concepts learned at the previous level while increasing their ability to move with musicality. They will begin more grand allegro movement and place greater physical demands on the body. Students will have performance opportunities with Hathaway & Company Ballet & Contemporary Performance Ensembles.

Ballet VI

This level continues to develop more strength and accuracy of the ballet technique. Students will have performance opportunities with Hathaway & Company Ballet & Contemporary Performance Ensembles.

Ballet VII

This level is the final level of the student division. This level increase pointe technique training and continues to develop more strength and accuracy of the ballet technique. Students will have performance opportunities with Hathaway & Company Ballet & Contemporary Performance Ensembles. The students may have the opportunity to be invited to participate in the Collin County Ballet Theatre Youth Ensemble and productions.