Ages 4 to 5
Pre-Ballet
A first ballet class for four and five year olds. Dancers stand at a low barre, learn the feet and the first arm shapes, and move to the piano. Grown-ups wait in the family room, which has a window onto the studio.
Ages 4 to 5
45 minutes
Classes of up to 12
Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon
A class, in order
A Pre-Ballet class, in four steps
The order is the same every week, so a dancer always knows what comes next.
- 01
Step 1: Meet at the door
The teacher greets each dancer and walks them into the studio with the grown-up who brought them.
- 02
Step 2: At the low barre
A hand on the barre, standing tall, and the feet in first and second position.
- 03
Step 3: Across the floor
Skipping, marching and tiptoeing in a line, to the piano.
- 04
Step 4: Scarves and a bow
A short dance with scarves, then a bow to the teacher and the pianist.
Before you come
What to wear, where to start and who teaches
What to wear and bring
A leotard, or a plain top with leggings or a skirt, and ballet slippers or bare feet. Hair is up off the neck. Socks are fine for the first weeks.
Level and moving up
Pre-Ballet is the first level. The teacher moves a dancer up when the steps of the class come calmly and in order.
See the levelsThe teacher
Ernestina Heras teaches Pre-Ballet on Saturday and Sunday and meets every dancer at the door.
Come and see a class
Book a placement visit and a teacher will watch your dancer in Pre-Ballet and talk with you about where to start.