PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR LEVEL II

A dancer placed into Level II should ALREADY demonstrate the following at the time of the audition. There is a significant difference between Level I and Level II, as well as Level II and Level III. It should be expected and normal for a student to stay in Level II for multiple years.

• All of Level I requirements, plus…
• Demonstrates knowledge of parallel vs. turned out, both stationary and moving through space.
• Demonstrates knowledge and usage of pointed feet vs. flexed feet, both stationary and moving through space.
• Demonstrates correct placement of a pointed foot in retiré (at the knee).
• Correctly uses right vs. left sides.
• Demonstrates and identifies correctly chaîné and pirouette turns.
• Able to use specific arm placements and movements while legs and torso are doing other movements.
• Able to move to counts of the music.
• Demonstrates spatial awareness and ability to change formations without instructor assistance.

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL II

• Modern – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
• Ballet – 1 hr – once a week
• African – 45 min – once a week
• Junior Ensemble – 1 hr 15 min – twice a month
• Total: 5.5 hrs per week
• Tuition: $218/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee (includes costumes for all three classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes)
• Private lessons, skills, and electives are optional
• Please notify us if you are interested in pre-college, as it will require us to change our current schedule

PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR LEVEL III

Dancers who are placed into Level III should ALREADY demonstrate the following at the time of the audition. There is a significant difference between Level II and Level III. Advancement from II into III is not automatic.

• Criteria from Levels I and II, plus…
• Strong awareness of body and line, including alignment and facings of the body.
• Shows enthusiasm and performance qualities while dancing in class, without an audience.
• Learns quickly through both aural and visual means.
• Able to retain and memorize longer phrases of movement.
• Able to dance on counts throughout entire phrases.
• Demonstrates and appropriately uses different qualities of movement, including weightedness, lightness, sharpness, accents (impact, impulse, and swing), quick movement, sustained movement, direct, indirect, and others.
• Demonstrates skill in various types of turns.
• Demonstrates flexibility and strength, both stationary and in movement, including in leg extensions and in the back.
• Demonstrates strength and stability en demi-pointe/relevé.

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL III

Levels III and IV take class and Senior Ensemble together.

• Modern – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
• Ballet – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
• African – 45 min – once a week
• Senior Ensemble – 1 hr 30 min – twice a month
• Total: 7.25 hrs per week
• Tuition: $280/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee (includes costumes for all three classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes)
• Adding Jazz III/IV is encouraged.
• LEVEL III STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO PERFORM A SOLO CHOREOGRAPHED BY AN ACADEMY CHOREOGRAPHER IN THE YEAR-END RECITAL.
• Private lessons, skills, and electives are optional
• Pre-college is encouraged.

PLACEMENT CRITERIA FOR LEVEL IV

Dancers who are placed into Level IV should ALREADY demonstrate the following at the time of the audition. The difference between Level IV and its prior level is the most nuanced. While Level III is mostly technique/skill-based, Level IV leans more toward masterful artistry. It is expected that not all students will reach Level IV before graduating high school.

• Criteria from Levels I, II, and III, plus…
• Shows exceptional strengths in all levels of mobilities and contexts of challenges: floor work, standing movements, gestures, across the floor, in challenging combinations/choreography, and in new movement forms/styles.
• Exceptionally organized and connected body, able to differentiate a Modern Dance body organization (with African organizational patterns) from a Ballet one.
• Is able to phrase movement very well — that is, to use flow, accents, and pauses appropriately and with artistry.
• Differentiates and appropriately uses bound-flow vs. released movement.
• Applies feedback without consistent direction or in-depth explanations.
• Demonstrates an ability to “think in movement” — that is, to embody movement ideas in the body fairly quickly with understanding for the teacher/choreographer’s intent without having to stop and think.
• Is comfortable working without mirrors, having a strong kinesthetic awareness/sense.
• Takes risks in movement.
• Is never bored and always finds opportunities to be challenged.
• Seeks opportunities to help others without superiority; is kind and embodies good sportsmanship.

COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL IV

Level III and IV take class and Senior Ensemble together.

• Modern – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
• Ballet – 1 hr 15 min – twice a week
• African – 45 min – once a week
• Senior Ensemble – 1 hr 30 min – twice a month
• Total: 7.25 hrs per week
• Tuition: $280/month (reflects 20% discount of would-be individual class prices) + $30 registration fee (includes costumes for all three classes, may require some additional pieces from home, does NOT include shoes)
• LEVEL IV STUDENTS ARE PERMITTED TO PERFORM A SELF-CHOREOGRAPHED SOLO IN THE YEAR-END RECITAL.
• Jazz III/IV is encouraged.
• Pre-college is strongly encouraged for dancers of this skill and artistic level.
• Private lessons, skills, and electives are optional