Our Senior and Young Adult Ballet class at ITW is not exam based. It is very much aimed at those wishing to develop their ballet technique to compliment their other dance styles. Ballet technique is the foundation of all dance styles and is an important cornerstone in a dancer's education.
Senior Ballet Class - Tuesdays at 6.30pm:
In the Senior Ballet class, we learn and develop the technique and strength of movement in the fundamental ballet steps and techniques. Class begins on the barre where we work through different exercises that teach the fundamental steps including plies, tendus, glisses, fondu, rond de jambe, frappes and battements. Barre work is the foundation of ballet technique and the movements learned there are then developed in the centre during the second half of class into turns, jumps and adage etc. Combinations in the centre allow for the techniques from the barre to be practice and for the dancers to develop their fluidity of movement. We also work on flexibility in each class to allow the dancers to access a larger range of motion.
Young Adult Ballet Class - Tuesdays 7.30pm
In the Young Adult Ballet class, we learn and develop the techniques and strength of movement in ballet that can be applied to other dance styles. Class begins on the barre where we work through different exercises that teach the fundamental steps including plies, tendus, glisses, fondu, rond de jambe, frappes and battements. We do a 'free' barre every week where we work through different exercises that the dancers must pick up quickly and remember, this ensures that they are staying engaged and applying their techniques to the different combinations of ballet movements.
Barre work is the foundation of ballet technique and the movements learned are then developed in the centre into turns, jumps and adage etc. In the Young Adult class, we learn more complex combinations in the centre to challenge their technique and ability to recall choreography. Alongside this, we take some time to isolate and work on strength and flexibility through stretching and pilates based movements that will further enhance the dancers' overall alignment and ability to execute pieces of choreography with grace and fluidity of movement.
Senior Contemporary Dance Class is also available - Tuesdays at 5.30pm and many of our dancers come for the two hours.This class combines modern, contemporary, and ballet techniques to create a unique and expressive dance experience. The focus is on building technique, strength, and dance vocabulary. Each week, we'll work on choreography, allowing dancers to combine their skills and express themselves through movement.
For Senior and Young Adult dancers, the class goes deeper into technique and explores different lyrical styles. We'll study renowned practitioners, discovering their artistry and mastering intricate movements.
Technique Fusion - Thursdays 6:45pm
This class is a fusion of Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary giving dancers the fundamental technique of all 3 disciplines.
Starting on the barre students will be brought through a classical ballet warm up, followed by centre work where students will work on their flexibility, turns and step combinations. Corner work where students will learn alignment for kicks, traveling steps and jumps finishing up with Choreography combining all the technical steps learnt in class.
This hybrid class is suitable for all levels where beginners will learn the basics of dance technique, but more advanced students will be pushed to improved their technical ability, strength and flexibility.
Ballet classes at ITW are based on the encouraging and inclusive classical examination syllabi of the Irish Board of Dance Performance to maximise understanding of various classical ballet styles and techniques such as Checchetti, Russian, RAD syllabus inspired, Balanchine, Bournonville methods and more. Each class focuses on the traditional ballet format:
Barre including plies, tondus, degage/jetes, ron de jambs, frappes, fondus, grand batments, developes, etc.
Centre including adagio, petite allegro, grande allegro, waltzes, pose/pique turns, pirouettes and more
Timetable:
Senior Contemporary: Tuesdays 5.30-6.30pm ITW Clonskeagh
Senior Ballet: Tuesdays 6.30-7.30pm
Young Adult Ballet: Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm and Pointe 8.30-9pm ITW Clonskeagh
Technique Fusion - Thursdays 6.45-7.45pm ITW Clonskeagh
Senior Ballet showing off their Certificates at our Christmas Display 2022
Sacha with the Young Adult Ballet class at their Class Display May 2023
Ballet Class
We offer a range of classes for girls and boys, suited to different ages and technical levels:
Senior (1st -3rd Secondary)
Young Adult (4th-6th Secondary)
Pointe Class (by invitation only)
For your ballet class we do have a few expectations. They are as follows:
Be on time (this allows for proper warm up which prevents injury) and ready to go at start time.
Hair is to be out of the face (bun or pinned up braids,)
Ballet uniform (Please ensure you purchase the correct one for your grade/class)
Bring a water bottle (only water is allowed in class to protect the floors)
Ensure you have a sweat towel if needed
Appropriate footwear is to be worn: ballet shoes absolutely no socks or street shoes.
Emma and Juliette preparing for our Christmas Ballet class recital, 2022
Uniforms
It is essential that students have the correct uniform and ballet shoes for their grade. When signing your child up for ballet, you are signing them up, not only for dance, but for lessons in discipline and hard work as well. With that, comes the ballet dress code:
Although it may seem unnecessary to parents or people unfamiliar with the dance world, ballet dress code has been around for centuries, and exists to make class more focused and structured. Ballet requires a great deal of discipline and giving your dancer a set dress code helps them to understand simple rules.
When children wear their proper ballet attire, it reminds them of where they are-class, and not on a play date or on the playground. This gets them in the mindset of learning. Plus, when children all wear their pink tights and black leotards, they are much less likely to be distracted by their clothing and the clothing of others. Additionally, when hair is pulled back securely, students won’t be be as likely to play with their hair or need to push it out of their face for the majority of their class time or put the class on hold while asking the teacher to fix their hair.
Another reason ballet dress code is important is so that teachers can properly correct the students. Ballet attire makes the lines and body placement much more visible to the instructor, and can help your child dance correctly and safely. This grows even more important the older your child gets.
Not only does the dress code help with the class, but dressing like a dancer makes you feel more...like a dancer. Students in their proper ballet attire are typically so much more eager to learn and feel like they’re a part of a group that has to work together. So please, do your best to observe the ballet dress code. If you need help with any aspect of it, please don’t hesitate to ask a staff member before or after class.
