Our Philosophy
In contrast to ballet schools which demand that a
child’s
body conform to rigid expectations of technique, ARB's
Princeton Ballet School is known for nurturing the
developing dancer in a
safe
and progressive way. Our approach is to coach our students
in discovering for themselves how their bodies relate
to ballet technique, and then, as they mature, to help
them grow technically by “feeling 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 understanding
technique,
so that safe work habits, personal responsibility,
and concentration become second nature. The outcome
of this
approach is that our students acquire the tools of
mind and body they will need not only to become
professional
dancers or lifelong friends of the arts, but to foster
self esteem, self-discipline, and fitness that provide
a powerful edge in any future endeavor.
The ARB's Princeton Ballet School Advantage |
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- 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
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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 |
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Hand In HandA 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. |
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Download the Spring 2010 Hand-In-Hand Information Packet
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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 ARB’s 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. |
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Photo: Eduardo Patino, NYC |
Beginning Dance
BEGINNING DANCE: is a special dance class for the four or five year old pre-Kindergarten boy or girl, which prepares them for studying ballet with our curriculum. 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, 2009 |
Maximum enrollment: |
12 dancers per section |
Prior experience necessary: |
none |
Offered in: |
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton |
Uniform: |
See Dressing for Dance for more information. |
Download the 2009-10 Overview Brochure
Download the Fall 2009 Children's Division Information Packet
Download the Uniform Order Form
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Photo: Ellen Crane |
Children’s Ballet 2
Children’s Ballet 2: is for the slightly older beginner, age 6 through 9 (grades 1-3). Dancers are introduced to the basic barre and center work of the ballet class, concentrating on safe alignment. They work as a group 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, 2009 |
Maximum enrollment: |
18 dancers per section |
Prior experience necessary: |
none |
Offered in: |
Cranbury, New Brunswick, Princeton |
Uniform: |
See Dressing for Dance for more information. |
Download the 2009-10 Overview Brochure
Download the Fall 2009 Children's Division Information Packet
Download the Uniform Order Form
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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. |
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Weekly time commitment: |
once a week for 60 minutes |
Minimum age: |
6 to 10 years old (must be 6 by October 1, 2009) |
Maximum enrollment: |
12 dancers per section |
Prior experience necessary: |
none |
Offered in: |
Princeton, Wednesday, 5:45pm - 6:45pm |
Teacher: |
Douglas Martin |
Suggested clothing: |
See Dressing for Dance for more information. |
Download the 2009-10 Overview Brochure
Download the Fall 2009 Children's Division Information Packet
Download the Uniform Order Form
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Photo: Ellen Crane
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Middle School Ballet
Middle School Ballet: is suitable for young people with some prior dance training, who are seeking to review their skills and improve their technique, and also for young people who are starting ballet for the first time. |
The teachers adapt the class to the level of the group, teaching them the most important elements of balletic placement, port de bras (carriage of the arms), turnout, and foot usage, while also introducing and/or reviewing the basic elements of the jumping work, or petit allegro. All attempts are made to prepare the students to move ahead several levels at the end of the year. |
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 Dressing for Dance for more information. |
Download the 2009-10 Overview Brochure
Download the Fall 2009 Children's Division Information Packet
Download the Uniform Order Form
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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 ARB’s 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.
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Photo: Ellen Crane
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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, 2009 |
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 Dressing for Dance for more information. |
Download the 2009-10 Overview Brochure
Download the Fall 2009 Children's Division Information Packet
Download the Uniform Order Form
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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 Dressing for Dance for more information. |
Download the 2009-10 Overview Brochure
Download the Fall 2009 Children's Division Information Packet
Download the Uniform Order Form
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Photo: Diane Bladecki
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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 Dressing for Dance for more information. |
Download the 2009-10 Overview Brochure
Download the Fall 2009 Children's Division Information Packet
Download the Uniform Order Form
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For more information on Children's Division classes,
please call
the the Princeton studio (609) 921 - 7758.
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