Age requirements 8.0 and up
The ballet program at Charlotte Klein Dance Centers focuses on the classical style of ballet dance and technique. With roots in Italian Renaissance and seventeenth century France and Russia, ballet is widely known in the dance world as the foundation to almost all other dance styles. In addition, several styles of ballet dance have evolved from Classical over the centuries, including Romantic Ballet (emphasizing emotion through dance, the use of Pointe work and soft, flowing movements); Neo-Classical Ballet (Classical Ballet but with abstract plot and costume) and Contemporary Ballet (a combination of Classical Ballet and other dance styles).
Pointe class will be offered to students when the teacher feels the student is ready, as well. In Pointe, a female dancer wears special shoes, called Pointe Shoes, made of canvas and hardened so that she may stand on her toes and dance. A student who has interest in Pointe class is required to take at least two ballet classes per week and must be recommended by a teacher.
The benefit of a ballet class lies not only in cementing a foundation of technique and terminology that our students carry through to other dance training; learning ballet will help with coordination, muscle toning, discipline of the mind, and an understanding of body, posture and grace.