Ballet & Contemporary Classes

A Ballet Class for Every Level

The Dance Conservatory of Charleston offers several levels of Ballet classes, from beginner ballet classes to advanced.

Find your level below to learn more.

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BALLET

CHILDREN'S BALLET

DANCE WITH ME  / BEGINNER BALLET

Dance with Me
A Dance Class for Parent and Child

Designed for ages 18 months to 3-years with one adult, Dance With Me is the perfect way to introduce creative movement, ballet vocabulary & musicality in a fun, safe and stimulating environment made specifically for tiny dancers. Build memories that will last a lifetime as you dance and explore with your little one in this energetic, engaging class!

Beginner Ballet

A fun introduction to dance designed to focus on rhythm, basic motor skills, coordination activities and creative movement. Classroom activities are designed to develop students' creativity through the use of props and imagery, musicality, strength, flexibility and coordination. Dancers will learn correct terminology in a fun and loving environment.

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BALLET

INTERMEDIATE BALLET
LEVEL 3

As the students progress through the levels, the emphasis continues to be on increasing the student’s vocabulary and continuing to refine the correct execution of steps. Girls begin pre-pointe exercises to strengthen their feet, ankles, and legs for future pointe work. The curriculum stresses correct body placement at all levels, in order to facilitate development of strong and flexible bodies. Careful repetition of exercises allows students to make faster and more consistent progress. Level advancement is based solely on each individual student’s growth and development.
 
 
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CONTEMPORARY

INTERMEDIATE
CONTEMPORARY 1

Incorporates principles from modern to teach dancers to move in a new, more organic way while focusing on whole-body connection. Classes include technique, conditioning and combos, as well as improvisation and movement exploration. The fundamentals of choreography will also be introduced in Contemporary 1, and a greater emphasis will be placed on composition in Contemporary 2.
 
 
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BALLET

PRIMARY BALLET
LEVEL 1 & 2

In levels 1 & 2, students begin their formal ballet training with the emphasis on barre work, focusing on muscle development, musicality, and coordination. Children will become familiar with the structure and discipline of a ballet class. The technique is Vaganova based, with an emphasis on vocabulary and correct execution of steps.

 

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BALLET

ADVANCED BALLET
LEVEL 4 & 5

At the advanced level, students are trained in a variety of styles, maximizing their versatility as an artist. Classes are designed with the pre-professional in mind, challenging the dancer with more complicated combinations, use of batterie and pointe work. Variations and pas de deux are added as an imperative component to their ballet training.
 
 
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BALLET

PRE-PROFESSIONAL
HALF-DAY PROGRAM

This half-day program is ideal for advanced dancers looking to take their pre-professional training to the next level with rigorous classes six days a week in technique, pointe, variations, pas de deux, modern, contemporary and Pilates. Weekday classes are held early afternoon allowing students more flexibility and balance between training and academics, and all advanced evening classes are included in the Pre-Pro tuition. With a diverse curriculum, limited class sizes and faculty mentorship, enrollment in Pre-Pro ensures students are supported in pursuing their personal goals and will be well prepared for conservatory programs and professional careers in dance.
 
 
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CONTEMPORARY

ADVANCED
CONTEMPORARY 2, 3 & 4

Incorporates principles from modern to teach dancers to move in a new, more organic way while focusing on whole-body connection. Classes include technique, conditioning and combos, as well as improvisation and movement exploration. The fundamentals of choreography will also be introduced in Contemporary 1, and a greater emphasis will be placed on composition, floorwork, fluidity of movement, theory and critical discussion in the Advanced Contemporary Levels.
 
 
REGISTER
BALLET

CHILDREN'S BALLET

DANCE WITH ME  / BEGINNER BALLET

Dance with Me
A Dance Class for Parent and Child

Designed for ages 18 months to 3-years with one adult, Dance With Me is the perfect way to introduce creative movement, ballet vocabulary & musicality in a fun, safe and stimulating environment made specifically for tiny dancers. Build memories that will last a lifetime as you dance and explore with your little one in this energetic, engaging class!

Beginner Ballet

A fun introduction to dance designed to focus on rhythm, basic motor skills, coordination activities and creative movement. Classroom activities are designed to develop students' creativity through the use of props and imagery, musicality, strength, flexibility and coordination. Dancers will learn correct terminology in a fun and loving environment.

REGISTER
BALLET

PRIMARY BALLET
LEVEL 1 & 2

In levels 1 & 2, students begin their formal ballet training with the emphasis on barre work, focusing on muscle development, musicality, and coordination. Children will become familiar with the structure and discipline of a ballet class. The technique is Vaganova based, with an emphasis on vocabulary and correct execution of steps.

REGISTER
BALLET

INTERMEDIATE BALLET
LEVEL 3

As the students progress through the levels, the emphasis continues to be on increasing the student’s vocabulary and continuing to refine the correct execution of steps. Girls begin pre-pointe exercises to strengthen their feet, ankles, and legs for future pointe work. The curriculum stresses correct body placement at all levels, in order to facilitate development of strong and flexible bodies. Careful repetition of exercises allows students to make faster and more consistent progress. Level advancement is based solely on each individual student’s growth and development.
 
 
REGISTER
BALLET

ADVANCED BALLET
LEVEL 4 & 5

At the advanced level, students are trained in a variety of styles, maximizing their versatility as an artist. Classes are designed with the pre-professional in mind, challenging the dancer with more complicated combinations, use of batterie and pointe work. Variations and pas de deux are added as an imperative component to their ballet training.
 
 
REGISTER
BALLET

PRE-PROFESSIONAL
HALF-DAY PROGRAM

This half-day program is ideal for advanced dancers looking to take their pre-professional training to the next level with rigorous classes six days a week in technique, pointe, variations, pas de deux, modern, contemporary and Pilates. Weekday classes are held early afternoon allowing students more flexibility and balance between training and academics, and all advanced evening classes are included in the Pre-Pro tuition. With a diverse curriculum, limited class sizes and faculty mentorship, enrollment in Pre-Pro ensures students are supported in pursuing their personal goals and will be well prepared for conservatory programs and professional careers in dance.
 
 
 
REGISTER
CONTEMPORARY

INTERMEDIATE
CONTEMPORARY 1

Incorporates principles from modern to teach dancers to move in a new, more organic way while focusing on whole-body connection. Classes include technique, conditioning and combos, as well as improvisation and movement exploration. The fundamentals of choreography will also be introduced in Contemporary 1, and a greater emphasis will be placed on composition in Contemporary 2.
 
 
REGISTER
CONTEMPORARY

ADVANCED
CONTEMPORARY 2

Incorporates principles from modern to teach dancers to move in a new, more organic way while focusing on whole-body connection. Classes include technique, conditioning and combos, as well as improvisation and movement exploration. The fundamentals of choreography will also be introduced in Contemporary 1, and a greater emphasis will be placed on composition in Contemporary 2.
 
 
REGISTER