The Manhattan Youth Ballet program is modeled after the great European schools of classical ballet, wherein students progress through levels of training that are carefully designed to address their physical, technical and artistic development. The syllabus at each level progressively builds a solid technical and artistic foundation. This time-tested approach to training young dancers is in the best interests of the student as well as the future of ballet.
At Manhattan Youth Ballet our curriculum is taught in six levels, each of which has a specific set of skills that the student must master in order to advance to the next level.
The Primary Levels, A through D, offer a curriculum designed for the students at each level offering comprehensive training in classical ballet. Students of all ages may begin in Level A, learning basic ballet positions and ballet vocabulary, progressing through a standard ballet barre and center combinations. Pointe work begins in Level C.
The Pre-Professional Levels continue the comprehensive syllabus in classical ballet for students who have advanced to Levels E & F. In addition to classical ballet technique, they study pas de deux, variations, repertoire, character and modern/contemporary dance.
Performance opportunities are a large part of our curriculum. MYB offers these opportunities in three productions throughout the year as well as in a variety of lecture demonstrations with our Outreach Program.
Students are carefully placed in the appropriate level based upon their technical skills, physical development and strength. The physical and artistic well-being of the student is the main consideration in determining level placement. It is not unusual to spend more than one year in the same level.
The artistic faculty is constantly monitoring each student's progress. When a student achieves proficiency at each level and the faculty feels it appropriate, they advance to the next level. Advancement is based on ability, not age.
Auditions for Primary and Pre-Professional Levels take place during the Summer Term as well as at a Fall Audition scheduled each year. Successful applicants are offered a place beginning in September. Our school year has two semesters: September through January and February through mid-June. |
