New Ballet Ensemble & School

Children bring Sergei Prokofiev’s classical symphonic fairy tale to life through the variety of dance styles representing the story’s characters. They will create their own props for our final performance during daily craft activities.

These classes combine modern and West African movement traditions with essential elements of dance and drumming. West African dance is a great class for both beginners and more experienced movers. Students will explore West African dance techniques and traditional rhythmic forms including KouKou, Joli, Sorsonet and Kassa. Students frequently join in the drumming as their interest grows. Bare feet are preferred.

Beginning Tap Dance emphasizes clean technique, not choreography. It includes a tap barre, across-the-floor movements, and center-floor combinations. Students may enroll in Intermediate Tap. This class focuses on more progressive techniques with emphasis on memorization of multiple combinations. Students should be able to make adjustments quickly and remember longer combinations of steps. Performance skills will be introduced in this class. Permission of teacher required for admission to Intermediate Tap. Tap shoes are required for both levels.

After many years of training, these dancers are ready for prominent roles in main stage and community performances. Opportunities include travel abroad, assisting younger students in classes and leadership positions on the Student Board. Dancers are eligible to apply for jobs as Teaching and Performing Artist Apprentice positions upon graduation. Increased performance opportunities, Horton Technique, flamenco or hip-hop training and master classes with international artists are all included at this level.

Ballet Level 6 dancers begin a rigorous schedule of classes and rehearsals. Horton technique, flamenco, and master classes with international artists are included at this level. There are increased performance opportunities in NutRemix™ and all mainstage productions for students in this level.

Students in Ballet Level 5 are prepared for greater challenges. Dancers begin learning “batterie” of the feet for jumps while beginning and/or continuing pointe work. All Ballet Level 5 students train in flamenco or character dance and have the opportunity to work with guest artists. Training in West African dance and hip-hop begins, leading to additional NutRemix™ performance opportunities.

Ballet Level 4 consists of classical ballet classes during the week, Saturday sessions for NutRemix™ rehearsals in the first semester, and character dance training in the second semester. Core work strengthens the abdominals for higher jumps, more power and the faster footwork required of more advanced dancers. Normally, students will take two years of Ballet Level 4 before progressing to Ballet Level 5.

Acceptance into Ballet Level 3 is based on a child’s development and mastery of the exercises in Ballet Level 2 or through a placement audition. Students at this level practice more turnout at the barre while increasing their knowledge of steps and taking on challenges as they are developmentally ready. Triplets, jumps and spotting exercises prepare students for more complex center exercises in later levels.

Students move to Ballet Level 2 based on their physical development and ability to perform the exercises in Ballet Level 1. In this class, they learn beginning center-floor barre exercises in alignment with American Ballet Theater Teacher Training. Small jumps begin at the barre followed by spotting exercises in preparation for turns. Students will also practice rhythmic jumps across the floor.

Students are introduced to the basic principles of alignment and body placement, rhythmic steps, positions and French ballet terminology. Young dancers will continue to develop line and form in a measurable way.

Pre-Ballet 1 & 2 is a natural progression for children progressing from Creative Movement and preparing for Ballet Level 1. Students work from basic positions while following the structure of ballet class. Instruction includes free movement and beginning center work (plié, tendu, skipping, chassé, gallop and ballet walks). Free movement and “mapping the floor” are still important class components in Pre-Ballet, and class time is also devoted to beginning center work including plié, tendu, skipping, chasse, gallop and ballet walks. Students also learn basic French terminology of dance. Pre-Ballet 1 is for students who have never had Pre-Ballet; Pre-Ballet 2 is for second-year students who are still preparing for Level 1.

Our goal is to cultivate creativity from an early age by providing nurturing instruction in a safe and inspiring family oriented atmosphere. Creative Movement classes are based on the celebrated BrainDance by Anne Greene Gilbert, which aligns basic movement lessons with children’s brain development. Its playful approach incorporates nursery rhymes and free improvisation while also developing motor skills.

Memphis Jookin is unique to the city’s culture and community. Originating in skating rinks in the 1980’s, it has evolved through the mentoring work of dancers such as Marico Flake and other great teachers. Jookin dancers learn and practice the basic elements before applying these skills to their own improvisations and choreography. Memphis Jookin has become internationally recognized through the work of New Ballet graduate Charles “Lil Buck” Riley. New Ballet teaching and performing artists have been fortunate to have learned from and been mentored by him. Sturdy sneakers are required.

Students learn the basics of hip-hop, discipline, isolated body placement and the origin of the genre all while learning rhythmic combinations to today’s music.

This class is a natural progression from Beginning Hip-Hop and includes an annual Overton Park Shell performance.

This class for all young beginning dancers is designed for ages 6-8. Fundamental techniques are drawn from several styles and include free dance, ballet basics, and coordination exercises. Young dancers learn to be self-directed and creative. Classes may include modern dance, hip hop, and student led choreography as the direction of the class is led by student interest and passion.

This co-ed class is designed for students who have the desire to obtain beginning skills in ballet alongside students of the same age, preparing dancers who desire to fast track into a Level 1 + dance class upon completion of the year.

More experienced students of hip-hop continue refining their craft while partaking in various performances.

This co-ed class is designed for students who have the desire to advance their skills and knowledge of dance in the beginning – intermediate level and wish to begin with a group of peers close in both age and experience. These students may aspire to fast track into a Level 3+ dance class upon completion of the year.

Campers explore modern dance, musical theater and dances from multiple cultures. Each style is introduced in a fun and engaging way that allows children to learn and carry this knowledge with them into further dance training.

Our most popular camp introduces modern and hip-hop techniques including spoken word, break dance and Memphis Jookin. Every activity during this week is focused on how peace and community can be realized through dance. No prior experience is necessary.

Inspired by “Anansi Does the Impossible,” this New Ballet adaptation tells the story of Anansi, a trickster, and his wife, the clever Aso. Together, they must capture a hornet, a spider, a python, and fairies in order to win the stories of the people back from the all powerful Sky God! In New Ballet’s danced version, styles include African dance and drumming, modern dance, Spanish dance, ballet and hip-hop! Children bring the characters to life through each genre, dedicating a part of their daily activities to designing crafts around the story.

New Ballet’s musical theater camp offers young artists the chance to explore theatrical dance, singing and acting through learning and performing excerpts from child friendly musicals. This incredibly fun camp is open to young performers of all experience levels.