Ballet at PAA

Children's Program
Youth Program
Teen/Adult Program

CHILDREN (Ages 3-5)
Delightful age-centered classes for 3, 4 & 5 year olds. Children are encouraged to develop important skills while having fun, as they sing, listen, think creatively, and express themselves through movement.

Young dancers will be exposed to a variety of musical styles - classical, traditional, multicultural, and contemporary. They are encouraged to listen and explore music through movement, and to hear it rhythmically. Each child’s unique creativity and imagination is valued in this program.

Has your little one always wanted to dance to beautiful classical music, jumping and swirling and floating around the room? MOMMY & ME BALLET (Ages 2+) is a great option for those kids that aren't quite over their separation anxiety yet - a fun class for Mommy AND our little dancers! MUSIC & MOVEMENT BALLET (3 year olds) or CREATIVE BALLET (3, 4 & 5 year olds) is for you. We'll focus on the basic French terminology, stretching and coordination exercises, positions of ballet, proper posture, and rhythm exercises.

YOUTH (Ages 6+)
Ballet is the building block of all dance, and students will study a cross-section of different ballet styles. Contemporary ballet as well as classical ballet are included in our curriculum, and pointe is also offered to those ballerinas that are technically and physically ready to study.

In BALLET 1, the student begins the basics of ballet barre and centre work and is exposed to French terminology that forms the basic universal language of ballet. Emphasis is on proper placement, correct body building and development of poise and grace. LEVELS 2 and up are a continuation of this work, and are designed for the student who has had the required amount of beginning ballet training. Students continue to learn ballet terms and build strength and speed at the barre and center floor. We teach more complex adagio combinations, and turns and leaps will be introduced. A great emphasis will be placed on developing strength in the ankles and feet.

ACCELERATED BALLET, a class that is by invitation of the instructor only, is for young, focused dancers who are ready to accept a more challenging, fast-paced class but who have not yet built up their vocabulary. To take this class, dancers must also take a second technique class during the week. 

Our intermediate and advanced dancers (Ballet 3 and up) are encouraged to explore both the classical and contemporary sides of ballet through specialty classes like FEMALE VARIATIONS, JUMPS & TURNS, and CONTEMPORARY BALLET. Dancing with dynamics and emotion is stressed, while excellent technical execution is reinforced.

POINTE PREPARATION strengthens and prepares young dancers for pointe work. Pointe Preparation does not begin until a student has reached the age of ten or older and will continue for at least a year or more until the instructor feels she is ready for the rigors of pointe work.

Intermediate and Advanced dancers are encouraged, but not required,  to learn to dance "en pointe" (on the toes). Our BEGINNING POINTE class works through repetition to strengthen the foot and ankle muscles until the beginning student is strong enough to leave the barre. In our INTERMEDIATE POINTE class, advanced ballerinas continue to strengthen their bodies and train, transitioning the steps and technique from the barre to pointe work in the centre.

TEENS/ADULTS (Ages 13+)
As a fitness activity, ballet has its strengths and weaknesses. It develops flexibility, grace and good posture. It creates strong backs, abdominals and legs. Unlike isolated exercises, ballet takes your body through a coordinated full range of motion. It helps develop balance, which is important to retain as you age. It is a weight-bearing exercise, which can help protect against osteoporosis.

For modestly fit adults, it provides an aerobic benefit. A 150-pound person burns 432 calories per hour with ballet, the same number burned while shoveling snow, chopping wood, using a stair stepper, playing basketball or using a punching bag. Ballet also uses more calories than other kinds of dancing. And it is enveloped in lush, flowery Chopin and Brahms piano music, which belies its tough physical demands!

"It's a misconception that ballet is slow and easy. It is very athletic and strenuous. A dancer expends as much energy as an athlete, only they can't show it," Hawkins says.

In BALLET 1, you'll learn the basics of French terminology and join us for a wonderful workout! Adults are encouraged to dance alongside our high-school and college-aged students as they advance in building more strength at the barre and moving to the center of the room. Class may be done en pointe with the permission of instructor.

If you've heard about the New York City Ballet Workout rage but can't seem to motivate yourself to do it along with your TV at home, then join us for our great BALLET WORKOUT that emphasizes and expounds on the same principals they use! Coordination, strength building, grace, and fluidity are the fundamentals that make this a trip back to your childhood dream of being a ballerina!

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(814) 364-2424     *     200 Old Fort Road     *     Spring Mills, PA 16875