CLASS DETAILS


Schedule listed is for the upcoming Summer Term 2024.  This may be different from the previous term.

Firebird Academy of Ballet dance classes offer a combination of the traditional English ballet style and syllabus that the RAD has refined since its inception with elements from the Vaganova, Balanchine, Bournonville and Ceccheti ballet styles.  Classes include the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, components of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) syllabus, set choreography, opportunities for student choreographic exploration and intercontinental free enchainment dance combinations.

The teacher, in consultation with FAB’s Principal, will assess each new student during the free trial class to determine where to place the student. It may take several classes to accurately assess the most appropriate level for the student.

Class Locations: Coulsdon Community Centre

Preschool Ballet

This class, which runs for 30 minutes, is for little budding dancers 3 to 4 ½ years old to explore their movement in a fun, safe, and caring environment. While using their active imaginations, we work on the fundamental skills in coordination and musicality with opportunities for creative improvisation.

Classes for Preschool

  • Tuesday 16:30 – 17:00
  • Friday 16:00 – 16:30

Pre-Primary Ballet

Primarily following the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, this class runs for 45 minutes and is for students approximately 4 ½ to 6 years old. Using imaginative scenarios, dancers are taught the core fundamentals of dance movement including body and spatial awareness, balance, flexibility, musicality, and posture with opportunities for creative improvisation.

Classes for Pre-Primary

  • Wednesday 15:45 – 16:30 (RAD Syllabus)
  • Friday 16:30 – 17:15 (RAD Syllabus)

Primary Ballet

Following the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus with elements of other syllabi added in, this class runs for 45 minutes and is for students in an approximate age range between 5-7 years old. This class encourages the dancer’s focus on core fundamentals of dance movement including body and spatial awareness, balance, musicality, flexibility, and posture with opportunities for creative improvisation. It is encouraged that dancers who are keen to develop their skill to the best of their ability take 2 ballet classes per week at this stage.

Classes for Primary

  • Wednesday 16:30 – 17:15 (RAD Syllabus)
  • Friday 17:15 – 18:00 (RAD Syllabus)

Grade 1 Ballet

We have divided our syllabus into two different classes for Grade 1. It is encouraged that dancers who are keen to develop their skill to the best of their ability take both ballet classes each week at this stage. Our RAD syllabus class teaches primarily the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and dancers enrolled in this class can optionally participate in the RAD exam process with us. Our Ballet Technique class teaches elements from other syllabi and has been designed to complement the RAD training. Either class can be taken independently, but when taken together provide our dancers with the most comprehensive training.

Classes run for 1 hour and are for students in an approximate age range between 6-8 years old. Dancers focus on core fundamentals of dance movement including body and spatial awareness, balance, musicality, and posture with opportunities for creative improvisation. Classes include barre work, exercises to stretch and strengthen the body, choreography, syllabus, and free work dance combinations.

Classes for Grade 1

  • Wednesday 17:15 – 18:15 (RAD Syllabus)
  • Friday 18:00 – 19:00 (Grades 1 & 2 Ballet Technique)

Grade 2 Ballet

We have divided our syllabus into two different classes for Grade 2 with an additional body conditioning with PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) class as another option to augment the dancer’s training. It is encouraged that dancers who are keen to develop their skill to the best of their ability take both ballet classes each week at this stage. Our RAD syllabus class teaches primarily the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and dancers enrolled in this class can optionally participate in the RAD exam process with us. Our Ballet Technique class teaches elements from other syllabi and has been designed to complement the RAD training. Either class can be taken independently, but when taken together provide our dancers with the most comprehensive training.

These classes run for 1 or 1 ¼ hours and are for students in an approximate age range between 7-12 years old. Dancers focus on core fundamentals of dance movement including body and spatial awareness, balance, musicality, and posture with opportunities for creative improvisation. Classes include barre work, exercises to stretch and strengthen the body, choreography, syllabus, and free work dance combinations.

Classes for Grade 2

  • Thursday 16:15 – 17:15 (Junior Stretch & Strengthen with PBT – Progressing Ballet Technique, for Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5/Inter-Foundation)
  • Friday 18:00 – 19:00 (Grades 1 & 2 Ballet Technique)

Grade 3 Ballet

We have divided our syllabus into two different classes for Grade 3 with an additional body conditioning PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) class as another option to augment the dancer’s training. It is encouraged that dancers who are keen to develop their skill to the best of their ability take both ballet classes each week at this stage. Our RAD syllabus class teaches primarily the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and dancers enrolled in this class can optionally participate in the RAD exam process with us. Our Ballet Technique class teaches elements from other syllabi and has been designed to complement the RAD training. Either class can be taken independently, but when taken together provide our dancers with the most comprehensive training. To be an RAD exam candidate with us, our Grade 3 dancers must be enrolled in both ballet classes each week.

These classes run for 1 to 1 ¼ hours and are for students in an approximate age range between 8-13 years old. Dancers focus on core fundamentals of dance movement including body and spatial awareness, balance, musicality, and posture with opportunities for creative improvisation. Classes include barre work, exercises to stretch and strengthen the body, choreography, syllabus, and free work dance combinations.

Classes for Grade 3

  • Wednesday 18:15 – 19:15 (RAD Syllabus)
  • Thursday 16:15 – 17:15 (Junior Stretch & Strengthen with PBT – Progressing Ballet Technique, for Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5/Inter-Foundation)
  • Friday 19:00 – 20:00 (Grades 3, 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Ballet Technique)

Grade 4 Ballet

We have divided our syllabus into three different classes for Grade 4 with an additional body conditioning PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) class as another option to augment the dancer’s training. It is encouraged that dancers who are keen to develop their skill to the best of their ability take these 3 ballet classes per week at this stage. Our RAD syllabus class teaches primarily the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and dancers enrolled in this class can optionally participate in the RAD exam process with us. Our Ballet Technique classes teach elements from other syllabi and have been designed to complement the RAD training. Any of these classes can be taken independently, but when taken together provide our dancers with the most comprehensive training. To be an RAD exam candidate with us, our Grade 4 dancers must be enrolled in a minimum of 2 ballet classes per week, one of which must be the RAD syllabus class.

These classes run for 1 to 2 hours and are for students in an approximate age range between 8-16 years old. Dancers focus on core fundamentals of dance movement including body and spatial awareness, balance, musicality, and posture with opportunities for creative improvisation. Classes include barre work, exercises to stretch and strengthen the body, choreography, syllabus, and free work dance combinations.

Classes for Grade 4

  • Tuesday 17:00 – 18:15 (RAD Syllabus)
  • Thursday 16:15 – 17:15 (Junior Stretch & Strengthen with PBT – Progressing Ballet Technique, for Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5/Inter-Foundation)
  • Thursday 17:15 – 18:45 (Grades 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Ballet Technique)
  • Thursday 18:45 – 19:15 (Grades 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Choreography)
  • Friday 19:00 – 20:00 (Grades 3, 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Ballet Technique)

Grade 5 Ballet

Our RAD syllabus class teaches primarily the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and dancers enrolled in this class can optionally participate in the RAD exam process with us. Our Ballet Technique classes teach elements from other syllabi and have been designed to complement the RAD training. Any of these classes can be taken independently, but when taken together provide our dancers with the most comprehensive training. To be an RAD exam candidate with us, our Grade 5 dancers must be enrolled in a minimum of 2 ballet classes per week, one of which must be the RAD syllabus class. In addition, dancers can take our body conditioning PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) class to augment their training.

These classes run for 1 to 2 hours and are for students in an approximate age range between 10 – 18 years old. Dancers focus on core fundamentals of dance movement including body and spatial awareness, balance, musicality, and posture with opportunities for creative improvisation. Classes include barre work, exercises to stretch and strengthen the body, choreography, syllabus, and free work dance combinations.

Classes for Grade 5

  • Tuesday 18:15 – 19:30 (RAD Syllabus)
  • Thursday 16:15 – 17:15 (Junior Stretch & Strengthen with PBT – Progressing Ballet Technique, for Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5/Inter-Foundation)
  • Thursday 17:15 – 18:45 (Grades 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Ballet Technique)
  • Thursday 18:45 – 19:15 (Grades 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Choreography)
  • Friday 19:00 – 20:00 (Grades 3, 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Ballet Technique)

Intermediate Foundation Ballet

These classes are the start to our vocational pathway. They are for keen ballet students who show dedication and commitment to pursuing their passion for dance. Enrolment is at the discretion of the school Principal after a trial period. Students must be taking ballet classes a minimum of 3 days a week with FAB and must be enrolled in the RAD Inter-Foundation syllabus and Beginning Pointe classes.

Our Inter-Foundation syllabus is divided into three different classes with an additional body conditioning PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) class as another option to augment the dancer’s training. Our RAD syllabus class teaches primarily the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and dancers enrolled in this class can optionally participate in the RAD exam process with us. Our Ballet Technique classes teach elements from other syllabi and have been designed to complement the RAD training. Inter-Foundation students can also enrol in the Grade 5 class to meet their minimum class requirement, or as an additional fourth weekly technique class.

These classes run for 1 to 2 hours and are for students in an approximate age range between 10 – 15 years old. Dancers focus on core fundamentals of dance movement including body and spatial awareness, balance, musicality, and posture with opportunities for creative improvisation. Classes include barre work, exercises to stretch and strengthen the body, choreography, syllabus, and free work dance combinations.

Classes for Intermediate Foundation

  • Tuesday 18:15 – 19:30 (RAD Grade 5 Syllabus)
  • Thursday 16:15 – 17:15 (Junior Stretch & Strengthen with PBT – Progressing Ballet Technique, for Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5/Inter-Foundation)
  • Thursday 17:15 – 18:45 (Grades 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Ballet Technique)
  • Thursday 18:45 – 19:15 (Grades 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Choreography)
  • Friday 19:00 – 20:00 (Grades 3, 4 & 5/Inter-Foundation Ballet Technique)
  •  Saturday 10:00 – 11:30 (RAD Syllabus)
  • Saturday 11:30 – 12:00 (Beginning Pointe)

Boys Beginning Ballet Technique for Sports Cross-Training

This beginning ballet class only for males between the ages of 7 – 18 years old is designed to provide an unintimidating place to explore the many benefits a ballet dance training can offer for sports cross-training and life in general. Exercises are specifically designed to both teach the fundamentals of ballet technique in a non-threatening atmosphere and to provide fitness training for other sports. Emphasis is placed on core strength building, spinal alignment, quick weight transference, speedy footwork, flexibility, ankle strength, jump height, controlled and quick changes in direction, and coordination. Our uniform is optional for this class.

  • Saturday 9:00 – 10:00 (Boys Beginning Ballet Technique for Sports Cross-Training)

Adult Beginning Ballet

This class is ideal for the adult dancer who is either brand new to ballet or is keen to take up ballet again after a hiatus. It includes an introduction to classical ballet steps with an emphasis on developing fitness, as ballet is an excellent form of exercise! It builds core muscle strength and tones the body. It also improves circulation, flexibility, and posture, all while having fun learning to dance. No previous experience is required.

  • Wednesday 19:30 – 20:30 (Adult Beginning Ballet Technique) 

Adult Intermediate Ballet

This class is for the adult dancer who is keen to maintain and continue to develop the skill they have already attained in ballet. The class follows the classic ballet class format including a warm-up, barre work, stretching, and centre work with adage, turns and jumps.  More varied dance steps are introduced, progressing beyond the beginning level, and further focus is brought to mastering ballet technique. Dancers will require 4 years or more of experience in dancing ballet to confidently participate in the class.

  • Tuesday 19:30 – 20:30 (Adult Intermediate Ballet Technique)

Adult Beginning Pointe

This class is to be taken together with the Adult Intermediate ballet class. Enrolment is contingent upon the teacher and/or Principal’s approval that the dancer has a sufficient skill and strength level to dance on pointe safely.

  • Tuesday 20:30 – 21:00 (Adult Beginning Pointe for Intermediate) 

Stretch and Strengthen with PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique)

This class has been designed to augment the training that our dancers get in their RAD syllabus and ballet technique classes. Floor Barre exercises are given to develop strength in the use of core stability and turn-out muscles, develop spinal alignment and proper positioning of the body for ballet, and increase flexibility. Some of the exercises are taken from the Progressing Ballet Technique syllabus.

  • Thursday 16:15 – 17:15 (Junior Stretch & Strengthen with PBT – Progressing Ballet Technique, for Grades 2, 3, 4, & 5/Inter-Foundation)

Ballet Choreography Workshop/ Rehearsal

When FAB is preparing students for a performance, rehearsals take place in this separate time from class time which may occur on a different day than their lesson(s). In addition, Choreography Workshops often include opportunities for students to learn other pieces of choreography, solos, or corps de ballet dances, which they may not yet be ready to perform for FAB. In this way, students are given the opportunity to develop their dance skills and expand their repertoire.