your experience
AT Ballet West Academy
a short paragraph written by a current student explaining what makes her feeling good in balletwest
CONFIDENCE
Our methodical teaching, supported by a defined syllabus provides milestones for the students to guide them in their learning journey. Clear goals enable the student build their confidence, enhanced every year by their performance at the end of year concert, and by the exam where all our high attendance students succeed. For those who wish to take part to competitions, we also prepare and coach students.
fulfilment
At Ballet West, Academy, your child is taught by a team of professional, experienced teachers who are mindful of your child's physical, emotional and social development. (Beside our experience as professional dancers and teachers, we are respectively Osteopath and Pedagogue, but also Parents!) We aim make learning a fun process, and we guarantee your child satisfaction and improvement thanks to limited student numbers in each class.
STRENGTH
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Very importantly, when taught well, Ballet and Contemporary dance technique create very strong, lean muscle development, core strength, postural awareness, flexibility and natural grace. It is an excellent way to build gross motor strength and fine motor control. We know that both dance technique and music can have a very clear therapeutic effect on developing motor and learning pathways. It is a wonderful blend of the athletic and the artistic.
achievement
Throughout the year, we set short term goals in Ballet and Contemporary technique. We are careful to ensure that every student receives attention in class so that they have the best opportunity to succeed and gain a sense of achievement as they are able to meet their goals. We also encourage self-assessment. As they achieve their goals, students gain a stronger level of engagement, satisfaction and motivation. We often see that the confidence this creates then spreads to other facets of their life... including school!
education
Traditionally, Ballet is understood to develop a high level of discipline, focus and attention to detail. Whilst these attributes are important, learning structured forms of dance such as Ballet and Contemporary also gives the opportunity to engage and broaden creative thinking. It gives an opportunity for children to gain an artistic education: ballet culture and dance repertoire, musicality, expression, drama, grace, strength, coordination, posture and more! Students also develop skills of team work as they work towards their end of year performance.
stage experience
From 3 years of age, our students have the opportunity to perform at least once each year on stage in a professional theatre with stunning, individually tailored costumes. Instead of single items, we choose to create a traditional story ballet which gives the students both a wonderful opportunity to dance and also engage them in the drama of story-telling.
This in turn, gives them a more sustained experience on stage, which is a greater reward for all of their dedication (and yours!) throughout the year.
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We know that our students make a huge leap in confidence with this experience.