Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary. Ballet has been influential globally and has defined the foundational techniques used in many other dance genres and cultures. Various styles like Cecchetti, Vaganova, RAD, etc., have been created throughout the years as an evolution of the original Italian style.

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Ballet is the cornerstone of Colorado Ballet Society’s curriculum. We currently follow the American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum. Dancers may begin as early as age 2.5 in our Sparkle and Superhero programs, where they learn age-appropriate skills and expression. Dancers have the opportunity to progress through numerous levels, pre-pointe programs, and finally pointe classes. All students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a year-end performance.

Colorado Ballet Society developed and offers this specially designed preparation program as a part of our focus on health and safety for a young dancer. The curriculum for the class includes: a look into the history and how dancing on pointe evolved; a basic understanding of the anatomy of the foot, as well as the structure of the pointe shoe; proper foot care; and how to care for and sew ribbons and elastic onto pointe shoes. Most importantly, dancers will be taught TheraBand, Pilates, and physical therapy exercises designed to strengthen the structures of the foot and ankle, while continuing to work on placement and strengthening of the legs and core.

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Pre Pointe is by invitation only to dancers that have shown physical, mental, and emotional readiness. Pre Pointe is usually begun in the summer and continues into the fall semester. Following pre pointe, dancers go en pointe between October and January.

Variations class is designed to give students an opportunity to work on learning classical ballet choreography that combines technique, style, and performing quality. Students will learn level-appropriate solos or group variations from classical repertoire to help prepare them for the stage, competitions, auditions as well as professional ballet companies. The repetition of working on one variation and focusing on set choreography gives the students the chance to grow as a dancer, explore different dancing styles, express their individuality, as well as gain confidence and consistency. Variations class also teaches the students how to apply personal corrections and how to approach rehearsals for any kind of dance setting.

Character dance is an integral part of Ballet training and is a specific subdivision of Classical Ballet. Character dance classes are much like a Ballet class in that they begin with a complete barre before going to the center, except everything will be in a specific cultural style. It is often the stylized representation of traditional folk or national dance, mostly from European countries, and uses movements and music adapted for the theater. Popular character dance adaptations for ballet include the national dances of Hungary, Russia, Poland, Italy, and Spain: csárdás, mazurka, tarantella, flamenco. These styles are represented and portrayed in many full-length ballets, such as Swan Lake and Don Quixote.

Contemporary dance classes have a large focus on modern technique mixed with elements of ballet and jazz. Dancers will explore different movement styles, a wide range of floor work, and movement through multiple levels of space all while maintaining proper placement and alignment. Dancers are encouraged to strengthen their technique and physicality, enhance their movement quality, and expand their versatility as dancers.”

Classes are available for beginning through advanced dancers, ages 7 and up. All students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a year-end performance. Those who reach a higher level of achievement may audition for our Contemporary Dance Company, Connexus.

Jazz is an energetic and athletic style of dance where students work on strength, flexibility, and stylistic techniques. It combines elements of Ballet, Contemporary, African, and Modern dance. This style of dance is often influenced by the pioneers of Jazz dance such as Katherine Dunham, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and Jack Cole. Jazz dance has an emphasis on strong lines, musicality, and performance skills.

Classes are available for beginning through advanced dancers, ages 6 and up. All students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a year-end performance.

Tap is a type of dance that is defined by the rhythmic, percussive sounds made by the metal taps on the bottom of the dancer's shoes. The style features creative and interpretive body movements that allow a dancer to express themselves. Tap helps dancers improve their musicality by emphasizing the downbeat of the music, and clear rhythm. Tap is included in our two youngest levels of classes. Tap is also offered as an individual class for ages 6 and up. All students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a year-end performance.

Broadway dance, seen in musical theater productions, is a fusion of various dance styles with theater and singing. Elements of jazz, tap, ballet, modern, and contemporary movement are used to tell an integral part of the musical's plotline.  In CBS's Broadway/Jazz class, students will use jazz dance as the basis of their class technique. While exploring a diverse collection of family-friendly musicals, students will participate in a wide variety of theatrical movement styles. This class tends to be high-energy and face-paced while still emphasizing the proper technique needed for student safety as well as technical and artistic growth. Students are highly encouraged to audition for annual musicals with Elevate Productions, the resident theater performance company of Colorado Ballet Society.

Classes are available for dancers ages 5 and up. All students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a year-end performance.

Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or has evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It is a fun, high-energy class that encourages individual style and creativity while learning and developing coordination, confidence, and a wide variety of styles. It includes a wide range of styles, primarily breaking, locking, and popping, created in the 1970s and popularized by dance crews in the United States. All students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a year-end performance.

Colorado Ballet Society offers adult classes for both new and experienced dancers. Unlike many other studios, these classes are true adult-only classes and are limited to dancers ages 18 and up. Even as a beginner, you are in a supportive environment specifically catered to mature bodies and wise minds! Whether you're new to dance or you danced for years as a child and want to get back out on the floor, we have a class for you. Adult Classes are available in the following styles:

• Ballet: Build strength, grace, poise, and flexibility in levels from absolute beginner through advanced.  Ballet training provides a strong foundation for all styles of dance.  Learn techniques and terminology in a progressive program for adults.

• Spanish: An upbeat program where your feet become part of the music.

• Conditioning: We break down the muscle groups being used during specific exercises while focusing on repetition and control throughout the body as a whole. We also study and discuss Kinesiology (the study of the body’s movements) to broaden the understanding of our bodies physically but also to train our minds.

Acrobatic Dance is the beautiful fusion of classic dance techniques and the precision and athleticism of acrobatic elements. It is often defined by unique choreography, flexibility, stretch, balancing, limbering, and tumbling. Acro dancers blend musicality, emotional expression, lines, and extension with acrobatic movements in a dance context.

Stretch is a fantastic class for our young dancers as they grow physically into their bodies. While these dancers are malleable and can be stretched in a healthy and monitored class, we work with them to ensure safety and assist the dancers in learning clear and understandable forms of stretching. While it is important to stretch your body, it is even more important to have a clear understanding of how to do so with attention and care. The result is a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility, and range of motion.

Conditioning class is vital for our dancers to strengthen the body both with attention and care. We break down the muscle groups being used during specific exercises while focusing on repetition and control throughout the body as a whole. Conditioning will ensure that the dancers use their muscles properly while executing exercises in daily dance classes and even in day-to-day life. This class will complement the dancers' training, preventing injuries. We also study and discuss Kinesiology (the study of the body’s movements) to broaden the understanding of our bodies physically but also to train our minds.

PBT is a unique and innovative program designed to help students understand the depth of training in muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet. PBT uses a fit ball, therabands, fusion balls, and other tools to aid dancers in their training. PBT has amazing success in guiding dancers in their understanding of core strength, stability, and alignment. This program will benefit any dancer wanting to enhance technique and strength by offering an understanding of how to use muscles correctly and safely.

Praise class strives to equip students with the skills to dance for Jesus as a form of worship. Students are lead in a short Bible study then proceed through contemporary ballet combinations. During these combinations, students are encouraged to worship while they dance by using principles found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Finally, students are lead through a time of Creative Worship where they can implement the skills they have learned.”

Challenging the stereotype of early childhood dance classes, Superheroes is a class focused on building strength, athleticism, coordination, and determination in a boy-friendly environment, with girls welcome. Superheroes will learn basic dance technique as they explore the world of dance through daring and exciting adventures aboard pirate ships, in outer space, and under the ocean depths. Capes and swords will take center stage over tutus and wands as students learn what it takes to be a gentleman or lady of focused determination. All students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a year-end performance.