At Ballet West Academy, we use The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet (ACB) syllabus, However, our classes evolve throughout the the year, and our students keep learning new steps and routines class after class.

 

The ACB Syllabus is a twelve-year programme based on the Russian (Vaganova) method of classical ballet. Devised by former international Ballerina, Christine Walsh AM, it is adapted from the traditional full-time programme that commences at age nine to a twelve-year programme designed to suit the needs of students who study classical ballet part-time.

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The ACB training and assessment programme emphasises correct placement, dynamics and performance quality, which are all qualities inherent in the Vaganova method.

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In addition to this, the ACB programme aims to develop in the student a professional attitude that will assist them in the pursuit of a career either as a professional dancer or dance teacher.

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The ACB programme is designed for use by the dedicated ballet teacher who has had a good deal of experience constructing general open classes and not uniquely teaching from a syllabus manual. The teacher writes class plans for each term covering the vocabulary at each level. At Ballet West Academy, all teachers have professional performance experience, which enables them to impart essential artistic performance quality.

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Many ACB graduates have entered dance companies such as the Royal Ballet, Houston Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Kiev Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, Bavarian National Ballet, Deutsche Staatsoper-Berlin, Ballet Ireland, Ballet du Rhin, Tokyo Ballet and many other European companies.

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"Most professional ballet companies give classes in the Russian style because of its acknowledged strength and performing quality, it is therefore more logical to teach students this method from the early stages right through their training years."
- Christine Walsh AM