Ballet Academy

Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet training.
WeDance curriculum has been developed by world renown Principal Dancer Artem Yachmennikov. Pre-Professional division is separated into Primary, Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4. Placement into each level is according to dancers skills and experience, not by age. Placements are determined during evaluation classes by the Artistic Director. To schedule your evaluation class, please contact the studio.
Creative Movement Ages 3-5
We all know that almost every little girl dreams of becoming a ballerina! This is understandable, after all, the ballet is the embodiment of grace, beauty, elegance, musicality and lightness. Through ballet your child can be involved in the world of Sylphide and cupids. We are happy to see the children's eyes light up when they wear colorful skirts, ballet tutus and ballet shoes, and begin to spin and dance to the classical music. Our main tasks - to reveal the rich creative world of the child, to teach them to move gracefully, to feel the music, to focus, and to provide a lifetime of skills for any employment.
This 45-minute class is designed for 3 - 5 year old boys and girls as a pre-curser to the Ballet program. No experience necessary. The class includes warm up, stretching, easy floor barre exercises, several diagonal combinations to improve coordination, balance, rhythm, musical counting, self-confidence, muscle isolation and development, taking turns and following directions. Students will be exposed to multiple movements and musical styles. Students in this class will be introduced to elements o the Ballet programs. Students will learn simple choreography to be performed for family and friends at year end. Sometimes young dancers will have a "dance game" break for a couple minutes to rest and have fun before the next combination. We also include some interactive dance games for kids to socialize with each other and repeat what they've learned.
WDA's students have multiple performance opportunities throughout collaboration of our academies with the Classical Arts Entertainment. And a unique opportunity to dance on the King Center for the Performing Arts stage in world class ballet productions, such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

Primary Ballet, Ages 6-8
Through dance your child will acquire a healthy figure, beautiful posture, flexibility, coordination, graceful movement and the ability to carry oneself socially. Among so many lessons, ballet teaches discipline and tempers the soul and the body. Dance helps to protect our youth from aggressions of the external environment so they may grow healthy, happy, confident and soulful. The skills learned at We Dance Academies will prove useful both in and out of the dance studio and well into his or her adult years. Classical ballet is so much more than good posture and the ability to beautifully "flit" around the stage. At We Dance Academies our students receive comprehensive aesthetic education, have opportunities to perform their artistic talents, get acquainted with the best personalities and creations of classical culture and build character.
During this 60-min class, students will learn terminology, rhythm, coordination, and the basic positions of the feet and arms. They will learn 1st position, 2nd position, and 3rd position (forward and back). Students will be introduced to Battement Tendu and Demi Plié, at barre and centre. These two exercises are the building blocks for all other exercises. Two additional exercises, Battement Jete and Relevé demi-pointe, will also be introduced. Students will learn their first jump, Sauté, in 1st position. Students will be introduced to Pas des Bourrée on the diagonal and Pas Marché. Students will build upon all exercises and techniques. Students will be introduced Adagio, Ronds de Jambe Par Terre, Grand Battement, Fondu, Frappés, Sauté in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions. In addition, students will learn stretching exercises at barre, which will help them to perfect their leg extensions. In centre, they will be introduced to a higher level of exercises.
WDA's students have multiple performance opportunities throughout collaboration of our academies with the Melbourne CIty Ballet Theatre. And a unique opportunity to dance on the King Center for the Performing Arts stage in world class ballet productions, such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

Level 1 Ages 9-11
At We Dance Academies we believe that students should have numerous opportunities to showcase what they have learned. Through beautiful productions of famous ballets, national ballet competitions, international intensives, camp programs and performances at community events, students will live out their wildest dreams on stage. MCDC students qualify for world wide prestigious intensive ballet programs as Bolshoi Ballet Intensive, Royal Ballet Theatre Intensive, San Francisco Intensive, American Ballet Theatre Intensive, Pacific North Ballet Intensive and Boston Ballet Intensive.
During the classes students will concentrate on graceful movements, expression, and musical understanding. They will build strength, coordination, and technique while being introduced to advanced steps and combinations, including petit jeté and pirouette. They will also learn and improve assemblé, ronds de jambe á terre, battement fondue, changement de pieds, jeté in croisé and éfface, battement frappé, and ronds de jambe en l’air. They will also be required to learn short variations in centre, be able to execute one pirouette on the right and left sides, and be able to demonstrate 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th arabesque, pas de valse, pas glissé, etc. Prerequisite: Primary 2.
WDA's students have multiple performance opportunities throughout our collaboration with the Melbourne CIty Ballet Theatre. And a unique opportunity to dance on the King Center for the Performing Arts stage in world class ballet productions, such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

Level 2 Ages 11+
These are advanced ballet classes that focus on artistic movements, musical interpretation, strength, coordination, and precision in movement. Additional exercises are learned in centre: Piqué Tour, Dégagé en Tournant, Emboîté, Pas de Chat, Pas de Basque, Pas Couru, Pas de Cheval, etc. Delivery of multiple pirouettes and tours (turns) is required. Students must be able to perform complicated variations. Prerequisite: Level 1.
WDA's students have multiple performance opportunities throughout our collaboration with the Melbourne CIty Ballet Theatre. And a unique opportunity to dance on the King Center for the Performing Arts stage in world class ballet productions, such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

Dance Practice
It is impossible to become a good ballet dancer training at the barre only. Level 3 and Pre-Professional classes have Variations & Pointe classes to perfect their dancing skills, but how about the younger dancers? That’s why WDA created a special class, called Dance Practice, to provide our most advanced students of Level 1 students (ages 9-11) and Level 2 students (ages 12+) with extra experience in dance routines and various repertoire: from character to classical. Training program such as this are provided in the best classical ballet institutes of the world, such as Vaganova Ballet Academy or Royal Ballet. And we have it now, right here in Melbourne, FL! During this class, students get to improve their musicality and coordination, and learn new choreography and showcases!
Dancers that have registered will be notified by the Artistic Director if accepted into this class. Some will be wait-listed if they are not quite prepared for the working level of this class.

Level 3 Ages 13+
Our academies have already produced dancers who have joined professional ballet companies, such as Washington Ballet, Orlando Ballet & Sarasota Ballet, spreading the word of Brevard's rich cultural opportunities.
The Level 3 are advanced ballet classes that focus on artistic movements, musical interpretation, strength, coordination, and precision in movement. Additional exercises are learned in centre: Piqué Tour, Dégagé en Tournant, Emboîté, Pas de Chat, Pas de Basque, Pas Couru, Pas de Cheval, etc. Delivery of multiple pirouettes and tours (turns) is required. Students must be able to execute at least 16 Fouettés, and perform complicated variations. Prerequisite: Level 2.
WDA's students have multiple performance opportunities throughout our collaboration with the Melbourne CIty Ballet Theatre. And a unique opportunity to dance on the King Center for the Performing Arts stage in world class ballet productions, such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

Level 4
Level 4 Ballet Training Program offers the most comprehensive training in the performing arts Brevard County-wide. The program includes ballet, pointe, variations, contemporary, ballroom, stretch and conditioning.
WDA students qualify for world wide prestigious intensive ballet programs as Bolshoi Ballet Intensive, Royal Ballet Theatre Intensive, San Francisco Intensive, American Ballet Theatre Intensive, Pacific North Ballet Intensive and Boston Ballet Intensive. Our academies have already produced dancers who have joined professional ballet companies, such as Washington Ballet, Orlando Ballet & Sarasota Ballet, spreading the word of Brevard's rich cultural opportunities.
WDA's students have multiple performance opportunities throughout our collaboration with the Melbourne CIty Ballet Theatre. And a unique opportunity to share the stage with professional ballet troupe and dance on the King Center for the Performing Arts stage in world class ballet productions, such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

Variation & Pointe Levels 2, 3 & 4
Variation Levels 2-3
In Variations class, the studio becomes a stage. Students will learn classical ballet variations from the world’s most loved ballets including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Raymond, Paquita, La Bayadere and more. The focus is on learning the choreography, connecting steps, musicality, port de bra and ballet pantomime.
Pointe Levels 2, 3 & 4
Beginning pointe students start slowly at the barre and will gradually move to center work on two feet. Building strength and establishing proper placement on pointe are the key goals in this class. As students progress they are given more challenging work and will continue to build strength, first at the barre, and then in the center. Corner work involves turns, pirouettes and adagio combinations. Combinations will increase in difficulty as the levels progress. Dancers are required to take two technique classes in addition to a pointe class.
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The difference between Levels 2, 3 and 4 is based on technique progression and the student’s ability to execute necessary skills at each level. As the levels increase, the skills, structure and commitment to instruction also increase. Moving from Level 3 to Level 4 is a very large step. This requires a love of ballet and a serious desire to advance in training.

Floor Barre & Stretching
Floor barre is the basics for any dancer. In this class dancers will build core strength, find and maintain their balance, and increase their flexibility. This class is highly recommended for the serious dancer, as well as, for adults wishing to increase their strength and flexibility. The focus of this class is to improve a dancer's range of motion, enhance muscle flexibility and increase their level of core muscle strength. This is the best way to get in good shape.
