Taglioni Academy of Performing Arts is committed to a progressive approach to ballet instruction that emphasizes proper alignment based on anatomical principles. A full curriculum—pre-ballet through advanced ballet classes—is offered for children and adults and encompasses nine graded levels. Students are placed and promoted into the appropriate level based on ability. Each of the instructors at TAPA has been carefully selected based on a demonstrated ability to teach and guide students with a sound awareness of good body mechanics.

Taglioni Academy of Performing Arts is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 9 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels. Pre-Primary-Level 3 will be taught by ABT Certified Teacher, Rachel Staff, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.

Pre-Primary and Primary Ballet- These classes are designed for children 3 to 5 (Pre-Primary) and 5 to 7 (Primary). Dance training during the formative years prior to Kindergarten, involves exploring natural movement before learning a “foreign” technique such as classical ballet. This concept is then explored in fun and creative ways using dance games, simple barre exercises, obstacle courses, and simple choreography in the center. Children develop basic concepts used in dance such as an understanding of space or rhythm, as well as, fundamental dance movement like balancing, stretching, jumping, and turning. The emphasis in classes for this age is to foster a love for movement and dance.

Boy’s Class is an introductory class for boys combines expansive movement, stretching, and basic ballet positions in a fun atmosphere geared toward the unique movement required of male dancers.  Boy’s class contains students from age 8 to 15 who begin with an introduction to ballet, and often move on to one of the graded classes.

In Level 1 (ages 8-10), dancers are introduced to a more serious study of classical ballet.  Level 1 is designed for students who are ready to commit to two classes a week and have a basic foundation of ballet fundamentals.

Level 2 is designed for students who are ready to commit to three lessons per week and have some technique and mastery of basic steps. Students typically remain at this level for 2 to 3 years. Level 2 classes meet for a longer time period and include built in muscle activation and conditioning exercises taught by an instructor trained in dance physiology.  Students in this level will be evaluated for readiness for pointe work and may be invited to take our Pointe Conditioning class.

Pointe Conditioning Class is a muscle activation and conditioning class designed to safely transition a dancer into her first pointe shoes and to provide strengthening exercises to those who are rehabilitating after injury.  This course is made available to any student Level 3 or above who is interested in building proper alignment and foot strength.  This class is based on Lisa Howell’s “Perfect Pointe” System and ABT’s “Healthy Dancer” curriculum.  Students must take Pointe Conditioning in order to progress to pointe work.

Level 3A is designed for students who have very solid ballet fundamentals in terms of technique and placement and who are ready to begin basic pointe work.  Students in this level will take two ballet technique classes and one pointe class per week.  It is also recommended that these students continue to take pointe conditioning class.

Level 3B is designed for students who have basic pointe work abilities and are ready to move to center work on pointe.  This level will be exposed to more complicated barre exercises and center work on flat. These students will meet twice weekly for ballet technique and one pointe class per week.  Students in Level 3B or higher are eligible to take contemporary ballet, modern dance and lyrical jazz classes.

Level 4 is designed for dancers who are comfortable on pointe and/or those who are ready for more challenging barre and center work.  Level 4 dancers are eligible to take Classical and Contemporary Variations classes. Level 4 requires two technique classes and two pointe classes per week. A strength and flexibility class for dancers is recommended.

Level 5 students begin advanced barre and center work as well as more in depth pointe work.  Students in Level 5 are required to take three ballet technique classes per week and a one hour pointe class.

Advanced is designed for students who are more proficient and beginning to move towards a professional track. Advanced students work on artistry, refining technique and preparing to dance at the highest levels of the profession.

Teen/Adult Ballet Class

These classes are designed for teen and adult students at the basic to intermediate level. We encourage all ages and levels to participate. Classes are warm and inviting. Adults are allowed to wear dance attire that makes them feel comfortable.