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The Children’s Division emphasizes creative
expressive response to music and the development of strength, poise,
and group interaction skills. Special attention is given to the
physical, emotional and mental developmental needs of our youngest
students. In young children the muscles and bones are delicate and
must not be over-stressed during their formative years. Our faculty,
under the expert guidance of Principal Maxine Mahon, carefully watches
for proper, healthy alignment in the legs, lower back, and stomach.
A graduated, progressive approach to muscle effort insures the proper
development of young bodies. The levels in this division gradually
introduce students to the balletic syllabus and
prepare them to enter the Intermediate Division. In the Children’s
Division students build the foundation that is crucial to further
development and a lifelong love and appreciation of dance, movement,
and the arts.
The primary focus of this division is on developing technique, musicality,
proper placement, strength and poise. Pointe work is introduced
in Ballet 4.
Students in the Intermediate Division have the opportunity to broaden
their dance skills by exploring various dance styles in addition
to ballet. California Ballet School offers Spanish dance and five
levels of Jazz dance as part of a complete curriculum of dance genres.
Because dance is a performing art, students in Ballet 4 and above
participate in weekly workshops to develop performance skills and
experience. The students learn to understand how steps taught in
ballet class relate to choreography. Dances taught in workshop are
performed in outreach venues year-round.
Focusing on professionally oriented students, the pre-professional
division emphasizes commitment, artistic integrity, performance
quality, and technical excellence. The curriculum in this division
is designed to nurture and develop dancers for a professional career
in dance. The intensive curriculum requires a high level of motivation.
Students receive thorough training in classical ballet technique
and repertoire, pointe, variations, pas de deux, Spanish dance,
character dance, jazz dance, and body dynamics. Dance related academic
classes include anatomy, injury prevention, nutrition, dance history,
and the study of great ballets and dancers.
Selected students from the Pre-Professional Division perform with
the California Ballet Company in all major productions. Each season,
CBC Director Maxine Mahon chooses a select number of advanced students
to study as apprentices with the professional
Company. Dancers are occasionally chosen from this division to participate
in international ballet competitions.
The Pre-Professional Division is taught at the Main Centre in Kearny
Mesa. Faculty include School Director Maxine Mahon, CBC Ballet Mistress
Judith Sharp, CBC Ballet Master Paul Koverman, and CBC Ballerina
Denise Dabrowski. A placement class is required for this division.
We strongly recommend a personal consultation with the Director,
Maxine Mahon. Placement classes and consultations are arranged through
the registrar. Please call for information or come in to observe
our classes.
We are proud to present our program just for boys aged 4-10. The
arts, dance, and especially ballet, have often been regarded by
boys in the United States to be a girls only
endeavor. However, once a boy has experienced a ballet class he
learns that dance is definitely not for “sissies” and
learns the elegance and gentlemanly deportment that are part of
the classical arts.
The boys’ classes are geared toward a male dancer’s
technique and abilities, requiring focus, strength, stamina, discipline,
and effort. Boys develop the physicality necessary to move with
grace and strength in equal measure. Motor skills improve, enhancing
all physical activities. Self discipline and respect for others
is stressed, and a love and respect for the art of dance begins
to develop.
In a boys-only class, young men delight in an atmosphere where they
can interact with each other in a challenging and disciplined setting,
without feeling self-conscious.
Whether or not the male student pursues dance as a career, the mental,
physical and social skills he acquires in the ballet class will
benefit him throughout his life. He will also have the knowledge
and experience to appreciate the value of the arts in today’s
world.
California Ballet School offers ballet classes for adults who wish
to enjoy the physical and aesthetic benefits of dance in a more
recreational atmosphere. Three levels of instruction are available
to accommodate adult beginners as well as adults with more advanced
dance experience.
Pointe class is also offered to Adult Ballet 3 students.
Dance classes are continual and you can improve no matter what age
you begin. Ballet is also a perfect complement to other forms of
exercise - improving coordination, muscle tone, and flexibility.
Adults have the opportunity to participate in the annual All School
Concert given every June in a local theater.
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