Bucktown
Academy Ballet Program
Our Academy Ballet program is dedicated to educating children and teens with an engaging and innovative classroom curriculum. Classes offer enhanced ballet education by studying classical ballets and their characters, composers and choreography over 3-6 week periods.
Pointe, Tap, Contemporary and other Specialty Classes are available for students who wish to further their dance education.
*Pods and private/semi-private lessons now available.
Beginning Ballet
CLASS DIVISIONS FOR K-3rd GRADE
Whether your ballerina is new to our program or continuing from our Fairytale Ballet division, our beginning ballet classes are the perfect combination of technique and fun with incorporations of classical ballet stories, dances and props. Annual performances opportunities.
Class selections below / In-person & virtual class offerings available
Benefits
Enhanced gross motor skills, strength & flexibility
Mathematical enforcements through counting & rhythms
Spatial, group and musical awareness
Pre-Ballet
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Our Pre-Ballet classes gently ease out of the Fairytale Ballet Division in the Fall into the Academy Division where Ballet Stories are studied over 2-3 weeks with props and costume pieces. Students begin to focus on body placement and group awareness while continuing to learn steps in an engaging environment.
Details
Division Length: 2 years
Performance opportunities: The Nutcracker Ballet & June Recital
Dress Code: Class leotard, pink tights & pink ballet shoes. Hair in bun or ponytail. Details upon enrollment.
Ballet 1 or 2
B1: 2nd & 3rd Grade
Ballet I classes continue learning Ballet Stories in class with an emphasis on character development. Students learn core ballet movements advancing throughout the year.
B1 Details
Division Length: 2 years
Performance opportunities: Nutcracker Ballet & June Recital
Dress Code: Class leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, tan tap shoes if applicable, and hair in bun. Details upon enrollment.
B2 Details
Division Length: 2 years/ LAKEVIEW LOCATION ONLY. VISIT LAKEVIEW WEBSITE HERE or email for placement HERE
Annual Performance opportunities: The Nutcracker Ballet & June Recital
Dress Code: Class leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, tan tap shoes if applicable, and hair in bun.
Combination Ballet/Tap/Jazz
4th-6th Grade
This class is designed for students wanting a beginning dance combination class. Students will learn basic movements & techniques to gain knowledge of each of the three genres.
Details
Annual Performance opportunities: The Nutcracker Ballet & June Recital
Dress Code: Any color leotard, convertible tights, pink ballet shoes, tan tap shoes, and hair in bun.
Ballet Classes
CLASS DIVISIONS FOR 4th-12th GRADE
Our progressive ballet classes create a well-rounded ballerina with the incorporation of all aspects of a ballet. Students learn core ballet movements advancing throughout the year while learning how the ballet stories, characters, and composers combine to create a Ballet.
Annual performance & AFB Repertory Theater opportunities.
Class selections below / In-person & virtual class offerings available
Benefits
Core strength & flexibility
Mindfulness to body and breathing
Artistic growth & development
*Ballet 2 and up Classes offered at our LAKEVIEW LOCATION Currently
Ballet 2-5
Levels
Ballet II: 4th-6th Grade
Ballet III: 6th-8th Grade
Ballet IV: 8th & up
Ballet V: 10th & up
Details
Division length: 2+ years
Annual Performance opportunities: The Nutcracker Ballet & June Recital / Repertory Theater details below
Level Recommendations: Two classes per week is highly recommended with Pre-Pointe or Pointe as the second class.
Repertory Theater: All students have an opportunity to join and participate in our student dance company.
Dress Code: Class leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, tan tap shoes if applicable, and hair in bun. Details upon enrollment.
Specialty Classes
All Specialty Classes offered at our Lakeview location.
Contemporary / Cont. & Jazz
7 years & up
Contemporary class blends the dance styles of ballet, jazz and modern to evoke emotional movement and create a fluidness with music.
*Held at our Lakeview studio
Details
Division length: 1+ years
Annual Performance opportunities: The Nutcracker Ballet & June Recital
Dress Code: Solid color leotard, tights/leggings or jazz shorts and barefoot.
*This class is currently available at our Lakeview location
Pre-Pointe
4th Grade & up
This class focuses on strengthening the feet, ankles, core and turn-out muscles. An essential class for a solid foundation, but particularly for continuing Pointe education and on to Ballet III class
*Held at our Lakeview studio
Details
Division length: 2 or 3 years
Performance rehearsal during class time: None
Dress Code: Solid color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and bun.
Level Recommendations: Students who are recommended for Pointe I in the Fall are encouraged to continue Pre-Pointe during Summertime.
Beginning Pointe
6th Grade & up
Pointe I trains the dancer to perform basic ballet techniques on pointe. This class is intended for the serious dancer who is taking 2 additional ballet classes per week which insures the student is physically prepared. Recommended for Ballet III or IV.
*Held at our Lakeview studio
Details
Division length: 1-3 years
Prerequisite: Pre-Pointe or teacher approval.
Performance rehearsal during class time: June Recital
Dress Code: Solid color leotard, pink tights, pink pointe shoes, and bun.
Level Recommendations: Students not physically prepared for Pointe will find it painful and frustrating. For a successful class, it is important to wait until the body is ready.
Advanced Pointe
8th Grade & up
Pointe II is recommended for Ballet IV or V continued training.
*Held at our Lakeview studio
Details
Division length: 1+ years
Prerequisite: Pointe I or teacher approval.
Performance rehearsal during class time: June Recital
Dress Code: Solid color leotard, pink tights, pink pointe shoes, and bun.
Ballet Technique
6th Grade & up
This is a technique only class serving as a second class for students currently enrolled in either Ballet 3-5
*Held at our Lakeview studio
Details
Division length: 1+ years.
Dress Code: Class leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes. Hair in bun.
*This class is currently available at our Lakeview location
Repertory Theater
AFB Repertory Theater
All Academy Levels
AFB Repertory Theater is A Fairytale Ballet’s Academy student dance company. Company experience is gleaned outside of weekly class time through weekend rehearsals and Summer intensives.
*Rehearsals at the Lakeview location for show preparation. If your child is interested in AFBRT, please inquire with the studio for additional details.
AFB Repertory Theater divisions
Prima Ballerina Members: Participate in Nutcracker and June Recital Rehearsals and at least 1 Summer Intensive.
Principal Members: Participate in 2 of the above.
Corps de Ballet Members: Participate in 1 of the above.
Weekend Rehearsals:
The Nutcracker (Dec) : B1-5
Ballet Recital (June): B3-5
Nutcracker Rehearsals
Rehearsals occur over 6 to 8 weeks on Fall weekends at the Lakeview studio. Students will learn how to use movement to tell a story, perform choreography considerably longer than June Recital choreography, and work with dancers from other levels and locations. Rehearsal blocks are usually 3-4 hours, but most dancers will only need to attend 1-2 hours. Before the first rehearsal, all students will be notified of their specific rehearsal days and times.
Prerequisite: Ballet I & up
Dress Code: Solid color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and bun
Nutcracker Roles: Characters: Ballet I-V, Waltz of The Flowers: Ballet II-IV, Waltz of The Snowflakes: Ballet III-V, Sugar Plum Fairy Core: Ballet V
Recital Rehearsals
Rehearsals occur over 6 to 8 weeks on Spring weekends at the Lakeview studio to prepare for the June Recital. Students will prepare character roles and additional group pieces. Before the first rehearsal, all students will be notified of their specific rehearsal days and times.
Prerequisite: Ballet III & up
Dress Code: Solid color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and bun.
Recital Roles: Ballet III & up: Roles vary by Ballet performed/ details given during school year.
