Levels, with the ages and the skills

• Walking tall and holding a position

• Feet in first and second position

• Skipping and tiptoeing to the piano

When the steps of the class come calmly and in order, the teacher moves a dancer up at the start of a session.

• Pliés and tendus, to the front and the side

• Counting a phrase of eight

• Small jumps with quiet landings

When the barre is steady and a dancer can repeat a short combination from memory, the teacher says so at a session break.

• Battements and rond de jambe at the barre

• Chassé and sauté across the floor

• A first adagio, slow and held

When the jumps land quietly and the barre needs no hand from the teacher, the teacher talks with the family about Ballet 3 at a session break.

• A longer barre with balances

• Pirouettes from fifth position

• Petit allegro, quick and light

When turns and jumps hold together inside a whole combination, the teacher invites a dancer to Ballet 4 at a session break.

• A full barre, then adagio and grand allegro

• Turns to both sides

• A short variation for the May recital

When a dancer takes a full class with ease, the teacher talks with the family about Ballet 5.

• Barre, center and allegro in one long class

• Variations rehearsed for the recital

• Pointe, when the teacher says the dancer is ready

This is the top level. Dancers stay as long as they like, and the teacher sets new work with each of them.