Mr. Andahazy's Ballet

The Convent of the Visitation School provides an excellent education within a Catholic environment rooted in Salesian Spirituality. Student development is sought through the arts. The school wishes to develop an understanding of aesthetics through experience with a variety of art forms. Graduates should be able to integrate aesthetics with all forms of learning and be sensitive to natural and created beauty, support the creative endeavors of others, and remain interested, if not active, participants in the arts. The Ballet program seeks to provide precise physical training for both the development of the students' neuro-muscular system and to develop an internal sense of harmony through coordination, self-discipline and beauty of form. “Not for School, but for Life” remains an inspiring motto for all we experience in the classical ballet lessons.

Upper School students may elect to receive a Fine Arts, or a Physical Education Credit, for participation in any of the ballet courses offered.

Introduction to Classical Ballet, Level I
An introductory course in the theory and practice of classical ballet, with an emphasis on alignment, strength, coordination and flexibility. The class will introduce the students to elementary exercises designed to master the basic stance of the body, positions of the legs, feet, arms and head.
There is no prerequisite for joining a Level I Course and no auditions are required.
This class is offered during the school day as well as after school.

Classical Ballet, Level II
A repetition of the exercises already learned in in the Level I Courses, but now with a greater quantity and utilizing faster tempi. The development of the strength of the foot and the instep by means of alternating movements on the whole foot and on demi-pointe (the ball of the foot).
Prerequisite: Level I
This class is offered during the school day as well as after school.

Classical Ballet, Level III
The beginning of the study of center exercises on demi-pointe. The preliminary study of simple turning movements. The study of turns on one leg is introduced as well as elementary jumps which include changes of the legs in mid-air (entrechats). There is a gradual acceleration of tempo in comparison to the preceding courses.
Prerequisite: Levels I & II
This class is offered only after school on Wednesdays during the second semester and on Thursdays during the first semester.

Classical Ballet, Level IV (with Beginning Pointe)
The strengthening of stability (aplomb) in various turning movements in exercises on demi-pointe and on full pointe. The development of plasticity and lyricism, along with tensile strength, of the arms and the torso.
Prerequisite: Levels I-III
This class is offered only after school on Thursdays during the second semester.