PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
MUSIC & DANCE
The Pre-Professional Division is a structured and progressive program that is semester-based. Providing each student with the highest quality of instruction, students are expected to treat attendance seriously and to demonstrate their progress in an end-of-semester studio performance.
MUSIC METHOLDOLGY
The goal of the pre-professional music program is to develop musicians who are performance ready and capable of winning music scholarships on the university level. To achieve this goal, intensive private lessons with experienced teachers and visiting artists as well as participation in ensembles is vital.
Under the watchful eye and the sharp ears of experienced music educators, each student is held to a high standard of excellence whereby he/she will acquire the skills, technique and habits necessary to attain to the stature of a professional musician.
DANCE METHODOLOGY
The dance program utilizes the teaching methods of the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) and of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. The RAD syllabus emphasizes pure movement devoid of affectation. Dancers from this tradition are known for their clean footwork, simplicity of movement and regal carriage. Dancers trained in the Vaganova method are known for their expressive movement quality, extended lines, and most of all, the exquisite use of their back and shoulders (Fr: “épaulement”).Younger students will learn the fundamentals via the RAD system. Gradually, as they pass to higher levels of training, they will be taught in the Vaganova tradition.
MUSIC & DANCE LEVELS
Students are assessed on their abilities and their level of maturity commensurate to the level to for which they will be assigned. The assignment will take place subsequent to an interview process with the prospective student and parent. After the student receives notification of acceptance into the Pre-Professional Division, the student, parent and Conservatory representative will meet to discuss which level is deemed appropriate for the student and what the specific program entails. Ultimately, the dance program will consist of 7 levels that span from beginning to advanced. The music program consists of 8 years of training from beginning to advanced, or to a level wherein the student is prepared to compete for university scholarships and/or audition for professional work.
If the student needs financial assistance for tuition, the Conservatory will assist the student and parent in the scholarship application process.
BALLET CURRICULUIM
In addition to technique class (traditionally known as ‘ballet class’), advancing ballet students will take classes in: pointe (girls), pas de deux (partnering), variation, repertoire, character/folk and tap dance. Character dance and tap dance are excellent forms for learning rhythm and is vital for students who wish to participate in musical theater. For boys, there is ‘men’s class’ where they will learn the essentials of jumping and turning and will learn the choreography to classic men’s solo variations. Pas de deux (partnering) class is also required for our advancing male and female students. Male dancers are required to be strong in order to lift female dancers overhead; therefore boys will learn the fundamentals of weightlifting. It is part of the Conservatory’s vision to build a gym wherein all students may utilize fitness equipment to correct physical imbalances and improve overall strength.
