Ages 12 to Adults
RAD Grades 6, 7 & 8 Award
Curriculum of Classical ballet, Modern & Lyrical Dance and Court Dances
of Eastern Europe.
Studying the classics from the Romantic era of ballet with stylings of artists of the period bring a richness and depth to students’ training. By studying famous Stars such as Maria Taglioni, Carlotta Grisi, Lucille Grahn, and Vaslav Nijinsky, dancers begin to close the circle of where ballet began to
where dance is today.
Completing the curriculum of these upper grades with the freedom of Lyrical ballet and Modern Dance stylings. Drawing from the originators of Modern Dance are the likes of Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, a freer sense of movement is refined. Classical Greek arts, early folk arts and nature serve as inspiration for these upper grades.
VOCATIONAL GRADES & POINTE
Intermediate Foundation – Ages 12+
Intermediate – Ages 13+
Advanced Foundation – Ages 14+
Advanced 1 & 2 – Ages 14+
Today’s dancer must be versatile, nimble and strong. The vocational dancer builds skills and endurance with care both in class and with our fitness course (Progressing Ballet Technique). Muscle memory frees you to explore artistry and musicality for flawless performances. The R.A.D. Vocational curriculum draws from the contemporary ballets of today, Skills build from week to week and month to month increasing number of elegant pirouettes, brilliant allegro, expansive big jumps and leaps. Whether male or female, each level’s completion earns UCAS merit points.
Look like a dancer. Be a dancer
Centuries ago the traditions for ballet students included specific clothing, worn only for ballet class. Today that tradition continues with dress codes and expected behaviors. Students show respect by dressing correctly, in their assigned class leotard and hair neatly pulled back in the traditional bun, dressed for dance.
This simple task of putting hair into a beautifully done ballet bun, pulling on tights and leotard leading the way to so many important achievements to come. As told to a graduating class at West Point by a 4-star general, “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.”
The uniformity of a single color builds inclusiveness and unity among the students. No one student is set aside as different. Levels are defined by leotard style and color, allowing students to look forward to their new level and color.
Our uniforms: (All items available for purchase at our Boutique on site) Scroll below for class uniform list
Dressing appropriately:
- Helps avoid peer pressure to buy stylish clothes for class
- Diminish economic and social barriers
- Increase a sense of belonging and school pride
- Encourages ballet discipline and etiquette
- Please save fancy leotards for our special events
Should you wish to purchase at our studio, all items are available for purchase or order at our Ballet Boutique. Once worn, items may not be returned. All class wear must be approved by director.
Note to Students & Parents
- No earrings, necklaces, watches, or bracelets allowed. Please leave valuables at home to minimize loss.
- Students wearing these items are not allowed to take class.
- Non-studio dancewear must be approved by instructor or director
- Leg warmers for injuries only
- Tidy appearance please, leave baggy clothing home
- We gladly accept items for our borrow bin
- NO JEWELRY ALLOWED
- Please honor this important safety issue.
HAIR CARE for all Upper Levels
Appearance includes hair secured into classic bun. To dance at a high standard, we must be the high standard.
Upper Grades & Vocational – all levels
Male Dancers Dress Code
- White Short-sleeved leotard
- Black or navy leggings
- Men’s dance belt
- White ballet socks
- White leather ballet shoes
Female Dancer Dress Code
- Camisole in nude (serves as underwear)
- Pink tights, or skin color
- Pink (or skin color) leather full-sole leather ballet shoes
- Leotard in class style & color (no panties as if wearing a swimsuit)
- Character skirt & shoes (studio rental program included in tuition)
- Chiffon mid-length circular skirt matching leotard color
RAD Grade 6 – Royal blue tank or camisole
RAD Grade 7 – Plum tank or camisole
RAD Grade 8 Award – Red camisole
VOCATIONAL (PRE-PROFESSIONAL) BALLET & POINTE
Hair must always been worn in a tidy bun, warmups such as ballet sweater as allowed. Shorts or skirts not allowed in class. Warmup attire allowed during pre-class warm-up only.
- Pointe shoes in pink or skin color (fit approved by Ms. Valerie before sewing ribbons)
- Shoe Ribbons, pink or skin color
- Leotards in class color, must be RAD Regulation – must be plain without multiple straps, or patterns, with waist elastic
INTERMEDIATE FOUNDATION – Navy tank or camisole
INTERMEDIATE – Black tank or camisole
ADVANCED FOUNDATION – Plum tank or camisole
Narrow velvet hair ribbon to match leotard
Matching Classic tutu or neo-classical skirt for variation
ADVANCED 1 & 2 – Plum tank or camisole
- Narrow velvet hair ribbon to match leotard
- Matching classical tutu or short circular skirt
