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DANCE PROGRAMS ABOUT SCHEDULE AUDITION FAQ ATTIRE HOME CONTACT |
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Why choose Ballet Studio E for your child's dance education?
Ballet Studio E:
Dance Longevity and Injury Prevention Ballet Studio E’s innovative approach to dance instruction revolves around student health and wellbeing. We have created a ballet program that draws upon personal dance experience, as well as the guidance of medical professionals specializing in dance and dance related injuries. From this, we know that many of the current norms of ballet, such as utilizing turn-out (the rotation of the leg outward from the hip socket) before the age of eight, and the use of 5th position before the age of 13, as well as excessive and advanced dance steps at a young age have the potential to cause harm. While injury and pain may not be immediately present, forcing young muscles and bones into these positions too soon can be the foundation for painful conditions later on in the dancing teen and young adult body, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or Osgood-Schlatter disease. Physical problems aggravated by poor dance instruction may present themselves so gradually that it may take years for the effects to become noticeable. Ballet Studio E v Students do not use turn out until they are eight years of age v Encourages students to be aware of their own bodies and limitations v Ensures that only students ages 13 and up are allowed to use 5th position v Classes take students’ natural growth spurts (a point in time where bones, muscles, and ligaments are at their weakest and young people often at their clumsiest) into consideration and progress at a developmentally appropriate pace v Works to prevent over-use injuries by limiting the number of classes students may take v Believes that a quality over quantity approach develops a better, healthier dancer Ballet Syllabus Ballet Studio E has created a unique developmentally appropriate and graded syllabus based upon personal dance experience and input from medical professionals. Each level has certain criteria that must be met to allow students to safely progress to the next level. Students are provided with a dance education that will enable them to dance at their highest level of achievement. Students also get to experience other ballet methods within their own classes. Younger students classes incorporate the influence of the Royal Academy of Dance, while older students classes follow after the Vaganova (Russian) style. Older students are also instructed in the nuances of different methods, including Balanchine and Cechetti techniques. DanceA’demic The DanceA’demic program is a part of our ballet syllabus that is a unique merging of dance education and academics. Through the natural progression and course of classes, students are shown how language arts, social studies, math, and science are present in dance. Many classes also have a strong French language focus. The DanceA’demic Program utilizes National and State Educational Standards to incorporate meaningful learning connections into our dance classes . As a result, Ballet Studio E has a unique ballet program not only due to its injury- prevention approach to dance education, but also due to its academic content.
Dancer Development Ballet Studio E works to build a love of movement and dance along with a healthy body and mind. This means having a fun and safe dance experience. Our studio beliefs grew out of personal dance experience, seeing young dancers fall victim to poor teaching methods, resulting in injuries, low self-esteem, and eating disorders. Ballet Studio E’s approach to teaching has also been shaped by the advice and expertise of doctors specializing in dance and dance related injuries. While having fun in a dance class is important, careful training to prevent injury is the true foundation of Ballet Studio E. Preventing injury doesn’t simply mean physical injury, but also emotional. We want our students to dance healthily and with joy. Studio Director, Hillary Evans tells that, “As a dancer and as an observer of dance, something I find very disturbing is seeing prevalence of young people performing steps that are too advanced for their developing bodies. Not only does it look bad, but it can cause permanent damage to still growing bones and muscle tissue. Proper training is vital in order to minimize the risk of immediate injury - as well as to prevent permanent muscular skeletal damage that may not show up until years later. You can’t fast-track a young dancer. At some point, too much too soon will take its toll.” Our studio takes the utmost care in developing young dancers. Taking a healthful and whole body approach to dance allows students to have bodies that will dance happily for years to come. For ballet in particular, this especially means allowing students to utilize turn out (the rotation of the leg within the hip socket) only when they have reached Ballet Level One. Students studying at lower levels will execute all steps from a parallel (feet facing forward) position. Fun and Games While proper dance training is important to developing our young dancers’ bodies, classes that have elements of variety mixed in with the usual classroom routine helps to keep students engaged, on their toes, and most importantly, having fun! Learning new dance steps and terminology is always more enjoyable if presented in a non-traditional format. In our dance classes, it’s as likely to see children playing games and telling stories, as it is to see them working at the barre, or dancing across the floor. Some days this means a game of Memory-with a dance twist, acting out a fairy tale, or even learning the different between doll and fairy makeup by receiving a mini-makeup session. Small extras such as these help to create a dance environment where students are really enjoying their learning experience. Curriculum Ballet Studio E is about more than ‘just dance’. Ballet Studio E’s curriculum is based upon the gradual introduction of steps that allow for physical development and a high level of mastery, but dance class doesn’t end there. Ballet Studio E actively incorporates academic material into its classes, along with the French language, and basic tumbling and mat work, as well as strengthening and flexibility exercises to produce strong dancers. The studio follows the DanceA’demic program - a program designed to foster academic understanding along with the arts. This program was designed by the studio owner and director, Hillary Evans, an experienced dancer and degreed school and dance educator, and cannot be duplicated by any other dance institution. Class Size and Structure Classes are structured around students’ needs, and class sizes are kept small in order to ensure individualized attention and full class participation. When class sizes are smaller, it is easier for students to really focus and enjoy class time. Less time is spent waiting to take turns, and more time is available for individual and small group attention. A small class is more productive, and an overall better learning environment for students. About Studio Director, Hillary Evans: Ms. Evans began her dance training at the age of four at the Esther Moody Ballet Studio in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. After high school, wanting to better herself as a dance educator, she enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Education. During this time she also continued her dance training, often traveling to New York City to continue her studies. Ms. Evans has since received her Educator’s License from the Wisconsin Department of Instruction, her Bachelors of Science in Education, and her Bachelors of Arts in Dance, with high honors. She has taught in both classroom and dance settings for the past ten years and opened Ballet Studio E in 2008.
Above: Hillary Evans assisting a Pre-Ballet and Ballet II student.
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Ballet Studio E 3211 S. Lake Drive Milwaukee, WI 53207/ P.O. Box 070294 Milwaukee, WI 53207 © 2010 by Ballet Studio E, LLC - all rights reserved. |
