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About the School

Mary Pat Robertson, Director of Princeton Ballet School, sees it as her charge to make certain that the school provides the atmosphere and training that will nurture both the potential artist and the dance student who studies only for the inherent rewards -- self-discipline, physical fitness, and a greater appreciation of movement and music.

In contrast to ballet schools which require the child’s body to conform to the rigid expectations of the technique, we strive to allow the developing dancer to find out how her or his body can approach the technique; and, as the body matures, to grow technically in a safe, progressive way -- to feel the dancing from within.

Our children’s classes go slowly and allow plenty of time for imagination and exploration, even as the children are mastering the basic concepts. For the older student, we continue to emphasize the importance of understanding the hows and whys of technique, so that safe work habits, personal responsibility and concentration become second nature. Our goal is to give the student dancers the tools of mind and body that they need to become a professional or to become a lifelong friend of the arts, while providing a supportive atmosphere for their endeavors.

Summer Courses for Children

June 28 - July 29, 2010
for children 3 through 12 years old



Photo: Ellen Crane
  • Classes for ages 3 through 12 years old
  • Small class sizes
  • Outstanding faculty with experience in children’s dance teaching
  • Studios in Cranbury and Princeton


The Princeton Ballet School Advantage


Photo: Unknown
  • Classes for ages 4 through 9
  • Special classes for three year olds with accompanying parent
  • Small class sizes
  • Outstanding faculty with experience in children’s dance teaching
  • Optional performance at the end of the year for Children’s Ballet 1 and up
  • Flexible enrollment
  • Studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Princeton
  • Live musical accompaniment for all classes
  • Special dance flooring
  • Competitive tuition

Enrollment in the Children’s Division is based on a combination of age and prior experience. Students must meet the age requirements by October 1 of the academic year. Following are descriptions of our Children’s Division courses for beginners, presented in order of age:

PLEASE NOTE THAT CLASSES FOR INTERMEDIATES WILL FOLLOW ALL BEGINNER CLASS LISTINGS





Photo: Unknown

Hand In Hand

A first Dance Class for Young Dancers and their Parents!

Hand in Hand is designed for three and four year old dancers. The class will focus on discovering the world of rhythm and dance through gentle exercises and dances hand in hand with parents or caregivers.

Download the Fall 2010 Hand-In-Hand Information Packet



NOTE FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH PRIOR DANCE TRAINING:

If your child is four or five years old, and has had prior dance training, we would still like to work with her/him in the age-appropriate class. The training at Princeton Ballet School is very careful and thoroughly thought-out, and we do not believe in moving very young children ahead of their age peers. We want them to pass through our early childhood curriculum at our pace.



Photo: Eduardo Patino
Photo: Eduardo Patino, NYC

Beginning Dance

BEGINNING DANCE: is a class for the four or five year old pre-Kindergarten dancer. This class explores the body’s dance capabilities, and the world of rhythm and music. Each class has a theme relating to movement and music qualities, and features lots of stories and opportunities for creative movement

.
Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 45 minutes
Minimum age:
must by 4 by October 1, 2010
Maximum enrollment:
12 dancers per section
Prior experience necessary:
none
Offered in:
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton
Uniform:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form



Children’s Ballet 1

Children’s Ballet 1: begins the study of classical ballet, combining its teacher directed basics with lots of imaginative dancing. Dancers work on basic body alignment from the very beginning, to build safe habits for future work.


Photo: Ellen Crane
Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 45 minutes
Minimum age:
must by 5 by October 1, 2010
Maximum enrollment:
12 dancers per section
Prior experience necessary:
none
Offered in:
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton
Uniform:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form





Photo: Ellen Crane

Children’s Ballet 2

Children’s Ballet 2: is for the slightly older beginner, age 6 and up. Dancers are introduced to the basic barre and center work of the ballet class, concentrating on safe alignment. Due to the stronger concentration level of older students, the class meets for one hour. The imaginative elements of the young children’s classes are still present, but in smaller amounts.

Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 60 minutes
Minimum age:
must be 6 by October 1, 2010
Maximum enrollment:
18 dancers per section
Prior experience necessary:
none
Offered in:
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton
Uniform:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form



Boys’ Ballet

Boys’ Ballet: introduces boys age 6 and older to the basics of ballet training in a supportive atmosphere. Attention is paid to age-appropriate strength training, as well as teamwork, listening skills, self-discipline and responsiveness to music and rhythm.


Photo: Unknown
Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 60 minutes
Minimum age:
6 to 10 years old (must be 6 by October 1, 2010)
Maximum enrollment:
12 dancers per section
Prior experience necessary:
none
Offered in:
Princeton, Wednesday, 5:45pm - 6:45pm
Teacher:
Male Company Member
Suggested clothing:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form




Photo: Ellen Crane

Middle School Ballet

Middle School Ballet: is for students 10 and over. This class is suitable for people with some prior ballet training, who are seeking to improve their technique. The class also accepts beginners.

Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 60 minutes
Minimum age:
10 through 14
Maximum enrollment:
16 dancers per section
Prior experience necessary:
none necessary; many participants have prior experience in other dance forms, or are gymnasts or skaters whose coaches have suggested ballet training.
Offered in:
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton
Uniform:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form



CLASSES FOR CHILDREN WITH PRIOR TRAINING:

If your child is four or five years old, and has had prior dance training, we would still like to work with her/him in the age-appropriate class. The training at Princeton Ballet School is very careful and thoroughly thought-out, and we do not believe in moving very young children ahead of their age peers. We want them to pass through our early childhood curriculum at our pace.

Parents of children six and above with prior training should speak to our Dean of Students to set up a PLACEMENT CLASS to determine which level is most appropriate for them. Children who need more advanced or intensive training will be offered that opportunity later on, at the more appropriate age of eight or nine.



Photo: Ellen Crane

Children’s Intermediate 1

Children’s Intermediate 1: continues and deepens the study of classical ballet begun in Children’s Ballet 1. The dancers start working at the ballet barre, to gain strength and balance. The class works on listening skills, responsiveness to directions, and awakening self-control and focus. The second portion of the class centers on gross motor movements, while instilling the joy of dance.

Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 60 minutes
Minimum age:
must be 6 by October 1, 2010
Maximum enrollment:
18 dancers per section
Prior experience necessary:
by evaluation only; most participants have between one to three years of dance training. Click here for information on evaluation process.
Offered in:
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton
Uniform:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form



Children’s Intermediate 2

Children’s Intermediate 2: continues to develop the use of turnout and balletic alignment while expanding the young dancers’ knowledge of the barre work. They continue to work on listening skills, responsiveness to directions, and increased self-control and focus. The gross motor skills become more challenging and balletic, while retaining the joy of movement.


Photo: Unknown
Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 60 minutes
Minimum age:
7 - 10
Maximum enrollment:
18 dancers per section
Prior experience necessary:
by evaluation only; most participants have between one and four years of dance training. Click here for information on the evaluation process.
Offered in:
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton
Uniform:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form




Photo: Diane Bladecki

Children’s Intermediate 3

Children’s Intermediate 3: begins a more sophisticated and in-depth study of ballet. The work includes an expanded barre, plus many new balletic jumps. Expectations for self-control and focus are also raised, while retaining the joy of movement.

Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 60 minutes
Note: at this level, our academy program, known as the PLUS program, begins. They meet twice a week. If you are interested in more intensive training for children, please click here for information on the PLUS program.
Minimum age:
8 - 10
Maximum enrollment:
18 dancers per section
Prior experience necessary:
by evaluation only; most participants have between one to three years of dance training. Click here for information on evaluation process.
Offered in:
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton
Uniform:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form


Intermediate Ballet for Boys

Intermediate Ballet for Boys develops more understanding of the ballet technique. Generally taken in conjunction with Intermediate 3 or Student 1. By invitation only, after at least one year of dance training.

Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 60 minutes
Prior experience necessary:
By invitation only, after at least one year of dance training.
Offered in:
Princeton
Uniform:
See Student Handbook for more information.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form


World Dance Forms

explores the dances and music of many cultures, including South America, Africa, Japan, southeast Asia, and Europe. Class attire will vary accordingly. This class is for students ages 7 and older; some dance experience preferable.

Weekly time commitment:
once a week for 60 minutes
Minimum age:
ages 7 and older
Prior experience necessary:
some dance experience preferable.
Offered in:
Princeton
Uniform:
T-shirts and sweatpants or leotard and footless tights. Sneakers will be required often.

Download the 2010-11 Overview Brochure

Download the 2010-11 Student Handbook

Download the 2010-2011 Children's Division Information Packet

Download the Uniform Information & Order Form


For more information on Children's Division classes,
please call the the Princeton studio (609) 921 - 7758.

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