Intermediate Program

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.

BALLET LEVEL 5 & LEVEL 6 WITH POINTE
Pre-requisite is a successful Grade 4 exam OR placement by a director.  This is such an important level, our syllabus prepares each student for entering the Advanced Classes.
Meets twice a week for 4-hours 30-minutes per week including a pointe class. A third ballet class per week is always an advantage
  • Mondays 4:45 – 6:45
  • Thursdays 5:45 – 8:15

Exams: Level 6 exam students also take at least one Level 7 class a week and are recommended to maintain strength over the summer months by attending ballet classes and Intensives. Progress through this level takes one to three years. Exams usually take place at the end of April.

Performance: Students will perform in both:

  • Dance With A Purpose: – Our annual fundraiser concert each October/November.
  • Theatrical Production: End-of-year Theatrical Production usually at the beginning of June.
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 5/6 – LEVEL 9
Pre-requisite is enrollment in ballet.
  • Thursdays 4:45 – 5:45

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.

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

TAP 2&3: Grade 3 and Up
  • Int/Adv Wednesdays 6:30pm – 7:30pm (For ESD students G3 and Up)

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 5:30 – 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.

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