Bristol Ballet

Boys Can Dance! Did you know Spider-man Star Tom Holland is a professionally trained dancer? Tom Holland got his start as a dancer at the age of 10 by taking ballet lessons in his garage. He would be discovered later that year at the Richmond Dance Festival and go on to star on stage and screen as Billy Elliot. “I’m very happy I had that training. It’s been so valuable to my career, and I’ve used it on almost everything I’ve done since.” said Holland in an interview. Ballet improves your balance, flexibility, strength, and endurance. Each of these benefits will improve physical performance across the board -- including in other sports. Fast ballet footwork can help with soccer, basketball, or football. Flexibility and strength will help to prevent injury. And endurance is key to making it through ballet class and overtime. Dance allows for defeats and triumphs in the classroom and on stage, and dancers learn to handle the emotional roller coaster of life through the highs and lows of their training. Ballet also teaches us to show our emotions through our body language and that is key to expressing feelings that young dancers might not be ready to share verbally and that more mature dancers might not have any other outlet to express. There are fewer men in ballet than there are women. That means better roles, a better chance of a college scholarship, and a possible professional career. Boys who take karate, soccer, basketball, football and hockey should all take ballet. It improves balance, lateral movement, footwork, coordination, timing, leg and core strength, and most importantly flexibility. Both the ability to avoid hits and increased flexibility reduces the risk and extent of serious injuries. Considering the risks associated with concussions and other risks to growing athletes, ballet could be great training for aspiring football players. Overall, ballet is proven to improve an athlete’s strength, speed, agility, jumping, balance, and flexibility. Ballet also provides a mental training and concentration under stress that is directly applicable to team sports. Ballet provides a unique and dynamic body training that many team sport athletes do not receive on a regular basis. The benefits are immeasurable.

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Named “Contemporary” because it describes a genre that developed during the mid-20th century it and has since grown to become one of the dominant genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world, with particularly strong popularity in the U.S. and Europe. Three levels of Contemporary are currently offered at Bristol Ballet – Beginning (minimum age 8), Intermediate, and Advanced. The Intermediate/Advanced levels are for ballet dancers who have a minimum of five years ballet and/or contemporary training. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that contemporary dance students take ballet in addition to the contemporary class.

Progressing Ballet Technique is an innovative program developed by Marie Walton-Mahon for students to understand the depth of training muscle memory in achieving their personal best in classical ballet. Each exercise has been developed with care and guidance with a team of physiotherapists. Marie’s former ballet training was in Newcastle Australia passing all RAD examinations including Honours in Advanced and the Solo Seal award in 1970. This innovative program has now gone world-wide, with certified teachers continuing to educate students to be their personal best. Bristol Ballet is proud to have five certified PBT teachers. While dedicated PBT classes at Bristol Ballet begin at Ballet Three level, exercises for Ballet One and Two may be incorporated into the students’ classes as the instructor deems appropriate. Special summer classes of PBT are often offered as part of a conditioning/stay in shape course.

The study of pointe work can begin at Ballet Five level and continues through the most advanced levels. These classes are included in the levels Ballet Five and Intermediate/Advanced, and not necessarily listed separately, since pointe students must also take regular technique classes in order to qualify for pointe study.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. Performing company members will perform in major productions in December and May, and will perform smaller scale productions in local schools in the spring, to educate elementary school children about the arts and dance, and other small performances as opportunities arise. Other students will be invited as appropriate.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Bristol Ballet's P rimary classes are preparatory classes that provide a structured and creative approach to dance education for preschool age children. Bristol Ballet proudly uses the Discover Dance program for its younger students. Class activities aim at developing an awareness of a dancer's own body and its capabilities as well as providing a foundation for the basic technique of any genre of movement.

Bristol Ballet's Pre Primary classes are preparatory classes that provide a structured and creative approach to dance education for preschool age children. Bristol Ballet proudly uses the Discover Dance program for its younger students. Class activities aim at developing an awareness of a dancer's own body and its capabilities as well as providing a foundation for the basic technique of any genre of movement.

Bristol Ballet's Pre Ballet classes are preparatory classes that provide a structured and creative approach to dance education for preschool age children. Bristol Ballet proudly uses the Discover Dance program for its younger students. Class activities aim at developing an awareness of a dancer's own body and its capabilities as well as providing a foundation for the basic technique of any genre of movement.

Bristol Ballet offers Dance with Me classes, where caregivers can enjoy movement and dance with their toddlers. We offer a class for 2 year olds and their caregivers and a class for toddlers aged 12-24 months and their caregivers. These classes are introductory dance classes that encourage toddlers and their parents to enjoy the freedom of movement together.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Bristol Ballet's Primary classes are preparatory classes that provide a structured and creative approach to dance education for preschool age children. Bristol Ballet proudly uses the Discover Dance program for its younger students. Class activities aim at developing an awareness of a dancer's own body and its capabilities as well as providing a foundation for the basic technique of any genre of movement.

Bristol Ballet's Pre-Primary classes are preparatory classes that provide a structured and creative approach to dance education for preschool age children. Bristol Ballet proudly uses the Discover Dance program for its younger students. Class activities aim at developing an awareness of a dancer's own body and its capabilities as well as providing a foundation for the basic technique of any genre of movement.

Bristol Ballet's Pre-Ballet classes are preparatory classes that provide a structured and creative approach to dance education for preschool age children. Bristol Ballet proudly uses the Discover Dance program for its younger students. Class activities aim at developing an awareness of a dancer's own body and its capabilities as well as providing a foundation for the basic technique of any genre of movement.

Bristol Ballet's Creative Movement classes are preparatory classes that provide a structured and creative approach to dance education for preschool age children. Bristol Ballet proudly uses the Discover Dance program for its younger students. Class activities aim at developing an awareness of a dancer's own body and its capabilities as well as providing a foundation for the basic technique of any genre of movement.

Bristol Ballet offers Dance with Me classes, where caregivers can enjoy movement and dance with their toddlers. We offer a class for 2 year olds and their caregivers and a class for toddlers aged 12-24 months and their caregivers. These classes are introductory dance classes that encourage toddlers and their parents to enjoy the freedom of movement together.

Classes exploring contemporary dance styles, focusing on fluidity, expressiveness, and diverse movement vocabulary.

Two classes weekly. Continues the development of ballet technique, introducing more complex steps and combinations at the barre and in the center.

Classes in Ballet, Progressing Ballet Technique, Dance History, Contemporary, and more. Learning in longer time periods in consecutive days can help dancers progress and grow exponentially.

Students at this level begin attending two classes weekly, which greatly enhances their learning opportunities at this very important level. More barre exercises are introduced, and their jump vocabulary is increased. In the centre, more positions of the arms and different port de bras are learned, as well as croisé alignment. Beginning petit allegro steps are introduced, such as temps levé and emboité. Basic movements are refined which will later become ballet steps (step and hop becomes temps levé in arabesque, for example).

This level encompasses Ballet Four/Five and Company classes, offering intensive training in ballet technique, pointe work, and contemporary dance.

One class weekly Saturday 9-9:30am. Suitable for very young children and their parents or guardians to engage in dance together.

This first class is designed to give children a creative approach to learning about movement. The children will learn basic movement and concepts through exercises that help them identify different body parts and learn concepts such as place, time, or speed. They will also learn coordination through fine and gross motor skills. Exposure to music and creative stories is a vital part of this class, enabling the young children to experience learning through fun, structured play. Children should be potty trained prior to registering for this class.

Bristol Ballet offers Dance with Me classes, where caregivers can enjoy movement and dance with their toddlers (ages 12 months through 2 years). These classes are introductory dance classes that encourage toddlers and their caregivers to enjoy the freedom of movement together. The classes use a developmentally appropriate curriculum ( Discover Dance ) to help toddlers develop motor skills, muscle strength, and social skills, while also having fun.

Primary students learn beginning barre exercises in the centre, adding pli é s in 2nd and 3rd position, balances on two feet on demi-pointe, beginning tendu a la seconde, lateral movements, poses on one leg, and the beginning of more formal port de bras, and concepts from the Discover Dance program. Locomotor movements are combined in simple forms to help the dancers learn to move from one step to the next. Gallops, polkas, skips, and spring points are used. Dancers begin learning to move the head in the proper method for turning, so as not to get dizzy (spotting), and learn to travel in different patterns, such as en diagonal, clockwise and counterclockwise, forward and backward in lines, and side to side.

One class weekly. Focuses on developing clear ballet technique, musicality, and performance quality through barre and center exercises.

One class weekly. Develops fundamental ballet technique with an emphasis on posture, alignment, and executing basic ballet steps.

One class weekly. Engage in imaginative movement exploration designed to foster creativity and basic motor skills in a fun environment.

Children are taught basic movements, rhythm, and motor skills through creative approaches, with slightly more structure than the Creative Movement class. Now a little steadier on their feet, Pre-Ballet students will begin to learn rudimentary elements to movements and positions geared toward ballet, such as first position of the feet and basic arm movements and positions. Focus is on gross motor skills- such as running, walking while stretching feet, gallops, and marches — along with fine motor skills such as moving hands and fingers, pointing feet, and moving the head in different directions. Concepts from the Discover Dance program are used in this class.

One class weekly. Introduction to ballet fundamentals, focusing on basic positions, steps, and developing coordination and musicality.

A slight step up from Primary level, Ballet One expands on basic exercises in the centre and may begin basic barre work second semester: Students will execute pli és in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position, first facing the barre and later sideways to the barre. A more developed tendu a la seconde is learned, and the basic saut é is expanded into other jumps such as echapp é . Combinations of locomotor steps may be with quicker changes from one step to another, and may also change direction (en diagonal to circular, for example).

This class continues to work on basic skills and positions along with rhythm and musical quality recognition, still referencing the Discover Dance program for concepts. Dancers in this class learn to combine traveling movements with stationary movements, refine basic jumps (saut é ), establish and stand in lines or other shapes, and to match their creative movements to the quality of the music (fast, slow, strong, soft, e.g.). Basic exercises such as pli é , demi pointe, pointing one foot forward (tendu), walking with stretched feet, stopping in a pre-determined position, marching with stretched feet, and skipping are approached.

One class weekly. Building upon pre-ballet concepts, this class introduces more structured exercises and develops foundational ballet technique.

One class weekly. A class designed for adults to learn or continue their ballet training, focusing on technique and fitness.

Adult Ballet is open to everyone, even total beginners! The class is a relaxed, enjoyable take on a traditional ballet class. It is a weekly class on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30pm. If you have always wanted to try ballet, or you used to dance and want to get back in the swing of things, we would love to have you join us. The class is open to any adult, with or without prior dance experience. Adult ballet is a fun and different way to get some exercise and participate in a deeply satisfying art form. And no tights/leotards required!

A conditioning program designed to enhance student's understanding of ballet technique and build strength and stamina.

Six classes weekly including PBT, Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Intermediate Contemporary, and Rehearsals. Advanced ballet training with an introduction to pointe work and contemporary dance.

Four classes weekly including PBT, Ballet, Beginning Contemporary, and Rehearsals. Focuses on advancing ballet technique, introducing contemporary elements, and rehearsal practice.

This class is based on fundamentals. There is an emphasis on basic steps which will be put into phrases of choreography.

This category includes beginning tap classes for various age groups and skill levels.

A more extensive barre is developed, including ronds de jambe, grands battements derriere, and developpé. Full port de bras of the body are introduced. Use of the arm in different positions, head movement, and change of arm and head while using the legs are studied. In the centre, more port de bras, the first two of eleven basic positions of the body, and more petit allegro steps are learned. Students begin learning rudimentary grand allegro for traveling en diagonal across the floor. This level usually takes two years to complete. Second year Ballet Threes will begin the study of Pre-Pointe, a preparatory class for pointe work later on.

This class is based on fundamentals. There is an emphasis on basic steps which will be put into phrases of choreography.

Bristol Ballet offers 3 Tap classes, all suitable for beginners. This class is based on fundamentals. There is an emphasis on basic steps which will be put into phrases of choreography.

One class weekly. A tap dance class tailored for adult participants, focusing on rhythm, coordination, and musicality.

Classes focused on the technique and strength required for pointe work, designed for advanced ballet students.

This class is based on fundamentals. There is an emphasis on basic steps which will be put into phrases of choreography.

Classes are open for all ages 12 months and up. The descriptions below give a general idea of the progression of technique, and age or other requirements and guidelines. All students will participate in the Annual Spring Student Concert at the end of the season, in May, except for our Creative Movement and Dance with Me students, who have class observations for parents and friends at the end of each 8-week session.

Moana themed dance camps for ages 3-9. The Moana camps include dance activities and crafts themed around the hit movie Moana. This is a fun, relaxed time for them to experience different aspects of the arts.