Fundamental Program: Ages 7 & UP

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

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.

Our exams provide individual goals and are highly successful and rewarding for our students.

Our teachers are qualified, experienced and have a passion for dance and their students. 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.


PRIMARY BALLET 7 to 9+ Years
Minimum of 7-years-old in August.  New students 11 – 12 years of age, may take Primary for a few months in addition to their Grade 1 or Grade 2 classes.
* See electives below
.
Meets twice a week for 2-hours per week.
7-Year-Olds will take two Primary classes per week (choose 2 of the listed days/times)
New 8 – 10 Year-Olds will take two Primary classes per week
New 11 Year-Olds will take one Primary classes per week and two Grade 1
New 12 Year-Olds will take one Primary classes per week and two Grade 2
  • Mondays 5:30pm – 6:30pm
  • Thursdays 5:45pm – 6:45pm

Exams: Usually at the end of April.
Performance: All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.


BALLET GRADE 1
Pre-requisite is a successful Primary exam OR placement by director.  Ages 8 – 12 years old; minimum of 8 years in August.
* See elective classes below (Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, Drama, Conditioning)
.
Meets twice a week for 2-hours per week. Both classes are required.
  • Tuesdays 4:45pm – 5:45pm
  • Thursdays 4:45pm – 5:45pm

Exams: Usually at the end of April.
Performance: All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.


BALLET GRADE 2
Pre-requisite is a successful Grade 1 exam OR placement by a director.
* See elective classes below (Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, Drama, Conditioning)
.
Meets twice a week for 2-hours and 30-minutes per week. Both classes are required.
  • Tuesdays 4:30pm – 5:45pm
  • Thursdays 4:30pm – 5:45pm

Exams: Usually at the end of April.
Performance: All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.


BALLET GRADE 3
Pre-requisite is a successful Grade 2 exam OR placement by a director.
* See elective classes below (Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, Drama, Conditioning)
.
Meets twice a week for a total of 3-hours per week.
  • Mondays 4:30pm – 6:00pm
  • Wednesdays 4:45pm – 6:15pm

Exams: Usually at the end of April.
Performance: All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.


BALLET GRADE 4
Pre-requisite is a successful Grade 3 exam OR placement by a director.
* See elective classes below (Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, Drama, Conditioning)
.
Meets twice a week total of 3-hours per week.
  • Mondays 4:30pm – 6:00pm
  • Wednesdays 4:45pm – 6:15pm

Exams: Usually at the end of April.
Performance: All students will perform in the end-of-year Theatrical Production.



MODERN 1:  Primary – Grade 2 Students
Pre-requisite is enrollment in ballet.
  • Tuesdays 5:45pm – 6:45pm

Modern 1 is an introduction to modern and contemporary dance technique including articulation of the spine, isolation of different parts of the body, weight changes, turns, levels, and dynamics.  Individual exploration and expression in movement are also encouraged in each class.

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


MODERN 2: Grade 3 & Grade 4 Students
Pre-requisite is enrollment in ballet. Ballet levels Grade 3 and Grade 4.
  • Mondays 6:00pm – 7:00pm

 Modern 2 continues to build on the principles introduced in Modern 1 and develops basic modern dance concepts such as contract/release and fall/recover.  This class emphasizes moving through space with confidence, clarity, and intention.

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



TAP 1: 7 Years through Grade 2
  • Tap 1 Tuesdays 4:00pm – 4:30pm (7 Years Old through Grade 2)

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 1&2:  6 Years & Up
  • Fridays 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Hip Hop 1&2 is a combined class that is an introduction to hip hop movement.  This class enhances concepts including musicality, coordination, rhythm, style, and improvisation.  Hip Hop 1&2 encourages students to step outside the box by bringing their own individual style and personality to the movement while building strength and stamina as well.

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



CONDITIONING: 12 Years & 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 4:15pm – 4:45pm

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.



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

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 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