Mendocino Ballet

Classes for teens and adults who have had some ballet training, whether recently or in the past, or are beginners who want to explore the joy of Classical Ballet, this is the class for you! Technique, terminology and musicality are explored and expanded in this class. The student will have the chance to develop their technique while increasing strength and flexibility. This is a mixed level class, offered to all levels. A Minimum of 3 people are needed to ensure class will be held each day. This class offers Punch Cards as well as drop ins which can all be purchased online as well. You can pre-register your drop in so we know to expect you!

Contemporary Dance classes offer an exciting way to explore new textures, style, and freedom in the form of dance. With Ballet as the foundation for all dance forms, students will be introduced to creative new ways to build their movement repertoire and explore learning choreography, floor work, and improv in a safe and family-friendly environment. This is a wonderful class for the new and experienced dancer who loves to explore freedom of expression through dance, as opposed to the rigor of a ballet technique class. This would also be a great add on to those who would like to take both ballet (for foundational strength building) and try a class that can explore movement in a creative way. Come join the fun!

Our beginning/intermediate Ballet class is for the ballet students in the age range of 9-13 years old. Some experience is a plus, but not a requirement. As students get older, more technique and an increased vocabulary of terminology are taught along with a continuation of barre work and center work. Each class builds as we go through the semester, adding to the repertoire of dance steps being introduced and choreography for combinations increase as the class develops.

This class is designed for the 7-8 year old dancers with 1-2 years previous experience who are looking to try out for our Ballet School Program next year, as an intro prior to our Beginning I level. Students will learn the basic steps first starting out at the barre, as more terminology is introduced. As students get older, more technique and an increased vocabulary of terminology are taught along with a continuation of elements from the basic pre-ballet class. Flexibility and strength building exercises are also increased in the class. Musicality is a focus so dancers learn performance skills for the stage. This class is for the dancer who would like to really focus on learning ballet technique. This class is 1 hour long.

This class introduces young dancers to the fundamentals of tap dance in a fun and supportive environment. Students will learn basic rhythms, steps, and combinations while developing coordination, musicality, and timing. Emphasis is on building confidence, listening skills, and a love for movement through tap steps and patterns and short routines. This class building on the skills previously learned from the Tap/Ballet class. 1 year previous experience in Tap/Ballet is required.

Ballet/Tap and Tap classes are offered for ages 5 - 8 years old and beginning tappers. Tap dancing is a fun style of dance that anyone can learn, regardless of previous dance experience. Benefits of tap dance include increasing cardiovascular conditioning, strength, flexibility and coordination. Tap builds strength in the legs and feet in addition to increasing flexibility in the hips, knees and ankles. Tap dancing also develops a great sense of rhythm and timing with a focus on music awareness while incorporating tap steps and combinations. This class is 55 minutes long.

This class is designed for the beginning ballet student, with no experience required for 6 year old's. If you have a 5 year old starting out for the first time, we recommend starting with the creative movement class. In this class, an increased vocabulary of basic ballet technique and terminology are introduced to the student along with a continuation of elements from the Pre-Ballet class: the eight locomotor skills, musicality and rhythm, spatial awareness. Flexibility and strength building are also incorporated in the class as well as using imagination and creativity to create movement phrases. Both boys and girls can benefit from this learning experience in a fun and positive environment. These classes are 50-55 minutes long.

The basic elements of movement and dance are taught in our Creative Movement classes for ages 3-5 as follows: Space and how the student relates to it, the eight basic locomotor movements, musical rhythm, beat and time, opposites and directions, and elementary positions of ballet, which is the foundation of all traditional dance forms. Integrated with these physical concepts are the intellectual concepts of self-awareness, creative expression, and imagination. Students also learn the basic concepts of classroom behavior and manners, which remain the same throughout their dancing years: how to take turns, following instruction, leading the way, waiting patiently, maintaining a positive attitude, and working together with others. Class content is based on appropriate developmental skills for their specific age. Both boys and girls can benefit from this learning experience in a fun and positive environment. This class is 45 minutes long and size is limited to allow for individual attention and space.

This class is for the 3-4 year old's first starting out. The basic elements of movement, dance, and rhythm are taught in our Creative Movement classes for ages 3-4 yr olds as follows: Space and how the student relates to it, musical rhythm, beat and time, opposites and directions, and elementary positions of ballet, which is the foundation of all traditional dance forms. Integrated with these physical concepts are the concepts of self-awareness, creative expression, and imagination. Students also learn the basic concepts of classroom behavior and manners, which remain the same throughout their dancing years: how to take turns, following instruction, leading the way, waiting patiently, maintaining a positive attitude, and working together with others. Class content is based on appropriate developmental skills for their specific age. Both boys and girls can benefit from this learning experience in a fun and positive environment. This class is 30 minutes long and size is limited to allow for individual attention and space.

This class if for dancers who have been on pointe for at least 2 years and have proficient ballet technique and can perform as a corps dancer on pointe. To be in 'Company', dancers must be able to be proficient on pointe for solo's to be awarded and performed en pointe. Dancers at this level will be expected to show performance quality with the use of their épaulement (Head, upper body and arm positioning). Whereas Corps dancers will not be expected to dance en pointe for Solo’s, but for group piece, learning how to dance as a whole, connected group. These classes help prepare our dancers on a pre-professional level, getting them ready for a possible future dance career.

Apprentice II level focus' on the technique as well as learning the art of ballet, as well as the introduction to point shoes. Ankle strength while learning ballet pointe technique is focused on in class as well as épaulment, the proper head, arm and upper body positions in relation to the legs, which is beginning to be utilized more and more. Performance quality and the art of expressing yourself through your dance, while maintaining your technique is being learned in this level especially.

Apprentice I level focuses on maintaining foundational ballet technique, learning and improving their vocabulary of terms, as well as learning to improve their strength and flexibility at barre and center floor. Footwork is a focus, as demi-pointe shoes are introduced in this level, based on teacher evaluation. Ankle strength is a focus preparing for point work in the next years. Introduction to the beauty of dance starts through teaching proper arm, head and shoulders technique, also called épaulment.

Beginning II level builds on the beginning I ballet foundation, where core strength and barre work come together. Basic foundational steps are memorized here, and we look for dancers to be able to articulate their leg muscle and use their upper body with their core engaged with neutral pelvic alignment. New positions are introduced throughout the school year in sequential order, to build their strength and their mind body connection ability.

Beginning I is the first level in our Ballet School. Beginning I focuses on the foundation of ballet technique at the barre, and learning to implement those basics at center floor. Once proper plié, turn out, and proper tendu and footwork are mastered, the class will be introduced to new steps. This class is twice a week, by audition only.

Pilates conditioning class will focus on utilizing the cores muscles while maintaining length through movement. Exploring how to find a neutral pelvic position and the different ranges of motions through the pelvis and spine while training our bodies to work from the inside out. This class is designed for our upper ballet school levels, however we are opening the class up to the public and other dancers 10+, depending on space availability. You can register online for a drop in class to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited. Please bring a pilates or yoga mat.

pop up workshops will be available each month in Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Dance Theatre and more.