Class Descriptions

Pre Pre Ballet for (Age 3)
SFYBA’s acclaimed Pre-Ballet Program combines creativity, imagination, and structure, incorporating ballet terminology and age-appropriate physical exercises. Students will attend lessons independent of their parents or caregivers. 30-minute class. (Boys & girls)

Pre Ballet for (Ages 4–6)
SFYBA’s acclaimed Pre-Ballet Program combines creativity, imagination, and structure, incorporating ballet terminology and age-appropriate ballet preparatory exercises.  Students are introduced to musicality and classical dance style.  Classes are 45 minutes. (Boys & girls)

Elementary Ballet I (Available for ages 7-11)
This level introduces ballet steps and terminology. Students begin to develop flexibility and muscle strength, focusing on posture and body placement. Dancers are also introduced to musicality and classical dance style. Lessons are one hour long, once per week. (Boys & girls)

Ballet II (Min age 8) *Placement is by audition or teacher placement
Dancers continue the introductory work from Level I.  Ballet II strives to increase memory skills and develop proper muscle placement for classical dance. Students attend TWO lessons per week and should have completed at least a year of Elementary Ballet I. Classes are one hour. (Boys & girls)

Ballet III/IV (Min age 9) *Placement is by audition or teacher placement
These are intermediate levels. Emphasis is placed on improved poise and grace in movement. Dancers continue to develop strength, flexibility & musicality. Students are required to attend TWO lessons per week for 1.25 hours. (Boys & Girls)

Ballet IV(p) (Min age 10) *Placement is by audition or teacher placement
Dancers build upon the skills from prior levels and continue to develop strength, flexibility & musicality with regular technique classes. Girls spend an additional hour per week working toward pointe study, and boys work one hour in a boy’s technique class.  Students are required to attend THREE lessons per week (2, 1.5-hour technique classes, & 1 pointe prep or boys class)

Ballet V (Min age 11) *Placement is by audition or teacher placement
Dancers will spend more hours in the studio training at this level.  Muscle memory and repetition allow students to work toward more advanced study.  Classes include THREE ballet technique classes (1.5 hours each), girls attend two beginning pointe classes (20 minutes each), and boys continue to work in boy’s technique class.  Some ballet V students add one hour of contemporary ballet to their schedule.  It is typical for students to study in Level V for more than one school year before moving on to the advanced levels. SFYBA summer intensive is highly encouraged.

Ballet VI/VII (Min age 13) *Placement is by audition or teacher placement
Dancers enter a more advanced training program to reach a pre-professional level. They attend five or six days per week, and classes include technique, pointe, variations, pas de deux, & contemporary courses. A greater emphasis is placed on artistry in addition to physical accomplishment.  SFYBA summer intensive is a required part of the curriculum.

Contemporary Ballet for ages 11+
Many of the confines of classical placement are abandoned, allowing dancers to move more freely and explore music through movement.  Intermediate and advanced classes are 1 hour long and available by audition or placement.

BOYS Program
Until approximately age 11, boys train in mixed classes focusing on athleticism, flexibility, coordination, and the basics of ballet and dance. Intermediate boys advance in strength & technique with gender-specific training. Advanced boys study pas de deux.

Adult Ballet
For adults who have always wanted to study ballet or wish they had never stopped as a child.  Develop ballet posture, flexibility, and strength in five-week sessions to accommodate busy adult schedules.  SFYBA offers two levels: Beginning ballet for those with little to no experience and intermediate ballet for dancers who have been out of the classroom for many years.  The middle level is also appropriate for trained dancers who want to enjoy a relaxed pace while they stay engaged in the ballet.  Teens ages 16+ may also enjoy the adult ballet program.

Rehearsal & Repertoire
The majority of the SFYBA dancers have the opportunity to perform. Less advanced students learn choreography during their regular lessons beginning in April for a year-end recital.   More advanced students often rehearse outside of their regular ballet program.  Depending on the performance and casting, rehearsal commitment time varies.  SFYBA also offers open auditions for ages five and up for other performing opportunities throughout the year.

Schedule your trial or placement today, and we will see you in a class soon!