Adult Introduction to Ballet Classes – José Mateo Ballet Theatre

CLASSES / CALENDAR / FACULTY / TUITION / ENROLL / FAQ

The 5-week, 10-class Introduction to Ballet courses are designed for beginners with little to no experience, students with some experience who are not yet ready to take open classes, or dancers returning to the art form after a few years away, ages 18 and up.

The courses give students an overview of the art form and cover all the fundamental elements that comprise the movement vocabulary of classical ballet and how these basics can be best applied by the individual student. Students progressively learn how these elements are used to build steps, phrases and eventually longer choreographed sequences (combinations) that are the basis of the dances of traditional theatrical presentations.

Class size is limited – pre-registration and full enrollment is required.

AGES

18 and above

LOCATION

José Mateo Ballet Theatre
400 Harvard Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 (in Harvard Square)

LEVEL I

Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30–8:00 PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30–8:00 PM
Fridays, 10:30AM–12:00 PM*

Level I is designed for absolute beginners who are new to ballet. Students will learn essential and fundamental elements of ballet technique, including basic ballet positions, posture, terminology, and mechanics. Students will focus on arm and leg positioning, turn out, pointing of the feet, and correct body placement. Students will learn the typical structure of a traditional ballet class, progressing from barre to centre work, and the various steps that feature in each exercise performed throughout class. By the end of the course, students may progress to Level II.

LEVEL II

Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30–8:00 PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30–8:00 PM

Level II is for students with some brief experience and/or who have completed Level I. Students will review and enhance their understanding of the concepts and steps learned in Level I. Steps will be strung together into phrases and combinations to create new steps and more complex exercises, whilst emphasizing correct body placement and control. By the end of the course, students may be prepared to move into the open classes to continue their ballet journey.

Re-enrollment in each class is recommended if the student feels that they are not ready to progress to the next level.
However, students are encouraged to only enroll for a maximum of 3 sessions of each level before it is recommended they move up.

Fall 2024 Schedule