Advanced Program

Directors may place students in more than one level – depending on age and ability.

These daily Advanced classes, with excellent ADVANCED TEACHERS, move the dancers to a new level. They mature a confidence and a freedom of body, so they can move and share their message!  Our students train and perform, preparing them for college (Excelsior has had dancers obtain huge scholarships) and other dance vocations –  for whatever future the Lord has planned for each of them.

Our goal is to nurture and help each student develop in dance and vision, as well as to learn to enjoy the self-discipline involved as their skills and artistry grow.

The exams, and the exercise of self-discipline provide individual goals and are highly successful and rewarding for our students.

We are truly blessed to enjoy the excellent Advanced teachers – who are very qualified, very experienced and have a passion for dance. They are leaders and role models, in addition, most of them are currently professional dancers having traveled the world many times with Ballet Excelsior of Houston. They bring a wealth of knowledge to each class and understand exams thoroughly; and with care and diligence, they know how to coach students.

BALLET LEVEL 7 WITH POINTE
Pre-requisite is a successful Level 6 exam OR placement by a director.
Meets a minimum of twice a week for 4-hours 45-minutes per week including a pointe class. Vocationally minded or exam students also take the Monday and Friday Advanced Level 9-8-7 in addition to maintaining strength over the summer break.
  • Mondays 6:45 – 8:45
  • Tuesdays 5:45 – 8:30

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LEVEL 7 STUDENTS

Exams: Level 7 exam students are required to take the Advanced classes four days a week, as well as Modern and Conditioning. In addition, they are required to maintain strength over the summer months by attending ballet classes and Intensives. Progress through this level takes two or more years at minimum. Exams usually take place at the end of April.

Performance: Students will perform in both:

  • Dance With A Purpose: – Our annual fundraiser concert towards the end of the first semester.
  • Theatrical Production: End-of-year Theatrical Production usually at the beginning of June.
  • Level 7 and Level 8 students are eligible to be a part of the BET (Ballet Excelsior Trainee Program) for more ministry/performance opportunities.
BALLET LEVEL 8-9 WITH POINTE
Pre-requisite is a successful exam from previous level OR placement by a director.
Meets a minimum of three days a week for 6-hours 30-minutes per week including a pointe class. Vocationally minded or exam students also take the Tuesday and Friday Advanced Level 7-8 in addition to maintaining strength over the summer break.
  • Mondays 6:45 – 8:45
  • Wednesdays 4:00 – 6:30
  • Fridays 4:00 – 6:00

Exams: Level 8 and Level 9 exam students are required to take the Advanced classes four days a week, as well as Modern and Conditioning. In addition, they are required to maintain strength over the summer months by attending ballet classes and Intensives. Progress through each of these levels takes two years minimum each. Exams usually take place at the end of April.

Performance: Students will perform in both:

  • Dance With A Purpose: – Our annual fundraiser concert towards the end of the first semester.
  • Theatrical Production: End-of-year Theatrical Production usually at the beginning of June.
  • Level 8 and Level 9 students are eligible to be a part of the BET (Ballet Excelsior Trainee Program) for more ministry/performance opportunities.
CONDITIONING: Ages 12 & Up
This class meets once a week for 30 minutes from August to June, ending the year at the same time as our Theatrical Production, but not performing in the show.
  • Thursdays 4:15 – 4:45

This class is dedicated to strengthening areas of weakness for dancers, focusing on primarily their core, back, and upper body, as well as flexibility and stretching techniques.

MODERN 3:  LEVEL 5 – LEVEL 9
Pre-requisite is enrollment in ballet.
  • Thursdays 4:45 – 6:00

Meets once and week and further develops dance technique through the perspective of body connections, transfer of weight, levels, dynamics, and expression.  While some floor work has been introduced in prior levels, it is more fully explored in modern 3-4.

Performance: All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.

MODERN 4:  LEVEL 8&9 and 2nd Year LEVEL 7s
Pre-requisite is enrollment in ballet.
  • Thursdays 3:30 – 4:45

Meets once and week and extends the modern dance technique foundation with the intention of each student developing an intentional and thoughtful approach to all styles of dance.  Individual and ensemble improvisation structures are introduced and practiced at this level as well, helping to build confidence in each dancer and support for all members of the class.

Performance: All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.

TAP:
  • Tap 2 & 3: Int/Adv Wednesdays 6:30pm – 7:30pm (For ESD students G3 and Up)
  • Tap 3: Advanced Fridays 6:30-7:30 (For ESD Level 7 and Up who have had at least 1 year in tap already)

Tap is a combined class consisting of beginner – advanced students and is personally customized to meet the needs of each tapper.  Beginner/intermediate level students will be introduced to and continue to polish basic tap steps while introducing various combinations of steps and turns as the students progress.  The class is structured to accommodate beginners as well as continuing tap students while remaining challenging and fun for all. Each class concludes with games that allow the students to work on their tap skills in a fun, engaging manner.

Through each class, the warm-up, traveling combinations, and center arrangements are designed to start at a beginner level and progress towards more advanced technique through the addition of turns, extra sounds, and acceleration of speed.  Flash steps such as wings and variations on pullbacks are introduced at this level.

Performance

  • Christmas: Tap students may either perform at a Christmas function, or perform, in costume, for various classes at the studio to celebrate the Christmas season.
  • Theatrical Production: All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.
HIP HOP 3:  Level 7 – Level 9
  • Thursdays 6:45 – 7:45

Hip Hop 3 is designed for intermediate and advanced dancers.  This class builds on the concepts of Hip Hop 1/2 and introduces more complex movement and increasingly intricate combinations.  Hip Hop 3 students will be become familiar several different styles of hip hop and focus on maintaining coordination and style throughout even difficult movements.

Performance – All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.

DRAMA: 6 Years & Up
  • Fridays 6:30 – 7:30

Drama introduces students to acting techniques and the art of communicating meaning and intent on the stage.  In this class, students will enhance skills including creativity, improvisation, imagination, and concentration using both verbal and nonverbal means of communication.  Drama students will have weekly opportunities to perform with and in front of their peers, developing expertise in both confidence and teamwork.

Performance – All students will perform either in the end-of-year Theatrical Production or an in-studio drama.

Annual Theatrical Productions are held in a local theatre.  See Productions  They include:

  • DELIVER US –  The story of Moses
  • SAVIOUR – Gods passion for His People
  • ESTHER
  • ANTSHILLVANIA – Animation of the Prodigal Son
  • THE PARABLE
  • THE BALLET OF THE LION, WITCH, AND WARDROBE
  • AWAKEN
  • CREATION
  • And Many More

1 Cor 2:9 –  No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Directors may place students in more than on level – depending on age and ability.