Class Descriptions

Ballet Classes

Pre-Ballet (1st Grade)

Ages 6-7

Enrollment: Open to students in 1st grade (ages 6–7). No prior dance experience required.

Pre-Ballet is a fun and engaging introduction to ballet for young dancers in 1st grade. Students explore basic ballet steps, musicality, coordination, and classroom etiquette while developing strength, flexibility, and confidence. Through imaginative movement and age-appropriate technique, dancers build a strong foundation for future ballet training in a warm, supportive environment.

Ballet 1 (2nd Grade)

Ages 7-9

Enrollment: Open enrollment for ages 7–9. No prior ballet training required. Students continuing from Creative Movement or Pre-Ballet are welcome.

Ballet 1 is designed for young dancers who are new to structured ballet training or who are continuing from a Pre-Ballet class. Dancers will learn proper ballet terminology, basic barre and center exercises, and classroom etiquette while building coordination, musicality, and confidence. This is a nurturing, age-appropriate class with a welcoming atmosphere that makes ballet enjoyable and exciting.

Ballet 2 (3rd Grade)

Ages 8-10

Enrollment: Students should have completed Ballet 1 or a comparable level of training. If you are unsure whether your dancer is ready, please contact us before registering.

Ballet 2 builds on Ballet 1, introducing greater attention to detail in alignment, technique, and artistry. Dancers will refine their barre and center work, expand their ballet vocabulary, and begin to learn more complex combinations and movement patterns. Musicality, focus, and discipline are emphasized alongside a continued love of movement.

Ballet 3 (4-5th Grade)

Ages 9-11

Enrollment: Completion of Ballet 2 or placement by teacher recommendation. 

Ballet 3 is a combined-level class for dancers who are building the strength, technique, and understanding needed for more advanced training. Dancers will deepen their work at the barre and in the center, focusing on alignment, coordination, and artistry. Dancers typically spend two years at the Ballet 3 level before advancing.

Ballet 4 (5th-7th Grade)

Ages 9-12

Enrollment: Placement is by teacher invitation only. Two classes per week are required: one Ballet 4 and one Ballet 3.

Ballet 4 is for dancers who have been personally placed by Footlight and are ready for a more focused, challenging level of training. Dancers at this level typically spend 2–3 years building the strength, artistry, and technique required for upper-level ballet. This class is taken alongside Ballet 3 to support consistent progress — two classes per week are required.

Intermediate ½ Ballet

Typically 6th-9th Grade

Enrollment: Placement is by teacher invitation only. Three classes per week are required.

Intermediate ½ Ballet is a pivotal level where dancers begin to be evaluated for readiness to begin pointe work. Most students enter this level in 6th grade or older, with at least three years of prior ballet training. Classes focus on refining technique, building strength and control, and developing artistry and performance quality. Dancers at this level are required to train three times per week to support the physical and technical demands of pre-pointe and pointe preparation.

Intermediate 3/4 Ballet

Typically 7th-12th Grade

Enrollment: Placement is by teacher invitation only. Three ballet classes per week plus Pilates Conditioning are required.

Intermediate ¾ Ballet is an advanced training level for dedicated dancers continuing to build the strength, technique, and artistry required for pointe work and more complex choreography. This level emphasizes precision, stamina, and musical expression. Dancers train three times per week and also participate in a Pilates Conditioning class to support core strength, alignment, and injury prevention.

Advanced Ballet

9th-12th Grade

Enrollment: Placement is by the Director's approval only. Three ballet classes per week plus Pilates Conditioning are required. Summer study is required.

Advanced Ballet is the highest level of training at Footlight, designed for committed dancers who demonstrate strong technical ability, artistry, and leadership. Company dancers take ballet three times per week and participate in Pilates Conditioning. They perform in an annual educational performance tour of Blaine County Schools, attend out-of-town master classes and performances, engage in community service projects, and are eligible for induction into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). Continued summer study is required through Footlight summer workshops and/or other approved intensive programs.

Pointe Classes

Intro to Pointe

Enrollment: Concurrent enrollment in Intermediate ½ Ballet is required for all students. Regular attendance is essential for safe pointe progression. Students are individually evaluated before transitioning from Pre-Pointe to Intro to Pointe.

This class serves two phases of a dancer's pointe journey within one class. In the Pre-Pointe phase, dancers focus on building the strength, alignment, balance, and technique needed for safe pointe training — targeting the feet, ankles, core, and overall posture. Dancers are regularly evaluated for pointe readiness throughout this phase. Once a dancer has been evaluated and approved for pointe work, they transition into the Intro to Pointe phase within the same class, learning the fundamentals of dancing en pointe: how to prepare their shoes, strengthen their feet and ankles, and execute basic exercises at the barre. Both phases emphasize correct alignment, control, and injury prevention above all else. Consistent attendance is essential — progress and safety depend on it.

Intermediate Pointe

Enrollment: Concurrent enrollment in the appropriate Intermediate Ballet level is required. Dancers must demonstrate consistent commitment and progress in their training.

Intermediate Pointe is designed for dancers who have mastered the fundamentals of pointe work and are ready to advance their technique and artistry en pointe. This class introduces more complex barre and center exercises, combinations, and choreography, with emphasis on clean footwork, balance, and fluidity while maintaining proper alignment and injury prevention.

Advanced Pointe

Enrollment: Concurrent enrollment in Advanced Ballet or Company class is required. Director approval is required for enrollment.

Advanced Pointe challenges experienced dancers with complex combinations, extended center work, and performance-quality choreography that demands strength, precision, and endurance. Emphasis is placed on advanced footwork, expressive movement, and artistry while maintaining proper alignment and injury prevention throughout.