Our curriculum.
Classical Ballet Technique.
A strong technical foundation requires a rich understanding of the exactness of each position and movement in the Classical Ballet Vocabulary - as well as adequate strength, stamina and flexibility.
We help students understand not just the vocabulary, but:
✓ the purpose behind each movement
✓ the correct muscle recruitment
✓ personal strengths
✓ opportunities for improvement
Audition Preparation.
We have successfully prepared countless students for acceptance to national and international ballet academies, including the Australian Ballet School, the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, and European ballet academies.
We assist with:
✔ Short-term audition goals
✔ Long-term preparation and planning
✔ Video auditions
✔ Advice on institutions well-suited to the dancer’s physique, abilities and temperament.
Pre-Pointe.
A dancer’s first pair of pointe shoes is an exciting milestone.
With thoughtful and diligent preparation, dancers will be able to:
✓ Execute pointework safely and successfully
✓ Progress steadily and gain confidence
✓ Attain beautiful aesthetic lines
✓ Reduce likelihood of injury
Dancers who take the time to master their pre-pointe exercises will often quickly overtake their peers once their teacher gives them the green light to start. So it pays to exercise patience and really earn those shoes - Your dancing will thank you for it!
Ballet Exams.
We specialise in exam preparation with:
• Ballet Conservatoire
• International Character Dance Syllabus.
Kate has prepared hundreds of students, with many achieving excellence.
We rehearse key areas including:
✓ Memorisation of the enchaînements
✓ Correct technique
✓ Artistry / musicality
✓ Theory work
✓ Examination etiquette
Floor Barre.
In Russia, all ballet dancers practise floor barre.
Benefits are numerous:
✓ Floor provides instant feedback
✓ Strengthen posture
✓ Improve turnout
✓ Correct the foot/ankle alignment
✓ Train musicality and co-ordination.
✓ Tone the musculature
Miss Kate has developed a challenging floor barre program, which has greatly assisted both the technical development of many of her students.
Consider it cross-training for ballet class!
Body Conditioning.
Like a daily dose of medicine for the muscles, body conditioning builds strength from the inside out as dancers engage their deep core and connect the breathe to the body, releasing unnecessary tension.
Grounded in Pilates techniques, body conditioning teaches students to feel improvements in mind-body connection, strength, alignment and muscle tone.
Limber.
Each body is unique. Learn a personalised stretching routine suited to your particular areas of tightness. With the right stretching techniques, students can improve their flexibility safely and effectively.
Variations.
Variations are short showpieces from the classical repertoire, the standard by which all serious dancers are judged. Although very short - usually under two minutes - variations require killer technique and many months of rehearsal to achieve a respectable standard! They are also great fun, with delightful music and challenging steps that will extend you as a dancer.
Variations can be prepared for competition, performance or simply for training and enjoyment purposes.
Musicality.
We help students to:
✓ Identify time signatures
✓ Count each piece of music correctly
✓ Using intro’s intelligently
✓ Place accents
✓ Memorise counts
Understanding musicality will allow you to dance in the front line with confidence, knowing you are always “on top” of the beat!
Professional Advice.
For families without a dance background, navigating career options in the ballet world can be overwhelming.
Independent, professional advice from an experienced teacher can help your family make an informed decision regarding training regimens and next steps.
Conversations may explore:
✓ Individual potential
✓ Training optimisation
✓ Next steps
✓ Audition procedures & strategies
It’s an honour to guide my students & their parents. I regularly mentor former students around the world and locally, offering support and encouragement to each young person as they find their nïche - whether that is within the wonderful world of dance or in other pursuits.