Beginner Ballet?

Question

I'm 13 and in September I'll probably be starting ballet and acro. What grade will I be in ballet? Also, what stretches should I be doing over the summer to help me out with ballet. Are the exams hard? What happens if you fail one of them? Are there any important things I should no about ballet? I know there are a lot of questions, but can you help me out? Lol thanks!=)

Answer 1

Yeah, I do RAD too. I'm 13 and en pointe. At our school, you've got pre-primary, primary, grades 1-5 and then they branch off into pointe work and non-pointe work. The pointe work goes onto intermeidate foundation, then intermediate and then advanced (I think... lol). The non-pointe work keeps going into grade 6 and beyond. I'd say, If you're 13, you'd probably be around grade 4 or 5. Stretches: well, try working hard on your flexibility and also strength, so that means holding the stretches for as long as you can. Exams: I've done 6 exams (primary, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and I'm going to do an inter found exam soon). It really all depends on how hard you work, whether you know every excercise and you can also collect easy extra points for looking confident and smiling and stuff. If you work really, really hard, you should have nothing to worry about. In our school, I'm pretty sure that if you fail you either repeat the grade or keep moving up, regardless of the exam. I think that you keep moving up. Important things: try start stretching now (make sure you are doing each stretch right), contact the teachers in the school about the uniform and be prepared to work hard. You could also even try to learn some of the names of some of the steps, my favourite website for that is http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/...

Have fun and good luck whatever you do!

Answer 2

I don't know what grade you'd be in, it depends on what your dance school uses. And not all dance schools administer exams. I used to attend an academy that gave exams from ISTD and RAD, and i know those go by grades. If you're doing that, then I guess you'd be in Grade 3.

And yes, the exams are very hard. Not for everyone, but for me they were. I've been dancing for a long time but i have to work at it, it doesn't come easy for me. If you fail it, you need to stay in the level another year.

Some things you could do is read as much as you can about it, practice dance moves, watch videos, etc.

Answer 3

When I took dance lessons, there were no exams. The instructors just taughts us how to dance & we had a recital at the end of the year. We weren't graded on it.

The different levels were beginners, intermediate, and advanced. It's only when you get into the advanced classes that you'll go on pointe. Your teacher will determine which class is appropriate for you as you gain more experience.

As for stretches, try going to a library and find a book about ballet & gymnastics. They should have some suggestions for good warm up exercises for you.

Answer 4

ballet isnt like school. there arent any tests. and u dont go but grade u go by level. at my school, level 1-4 go by age. if ur 12 and up ud be in level 4. but thats my school. after level 4 the age thing end and u get moved up by how good u are. u would problibly be the level under pointe. ud have to do that level for a feww years before the teacher moves u on pointe. practice ur right, left and center splits.

good luck in class

Answer 5

um ok well i don't know that much but i'll tell you wat i know

first, schools and clubs are different but i'm guessing if thry go by ISTD and RAD exams then about lvl 3-4 maybe. Second, ok well you need tokeep you calfs strong and your achilies. Also, keep your quads strong. For some ppl they are harder and for some ppl theu are easier you,probably medium or so. If you fail them you will probably be moved down to an easier class or have to take the class again. Important things to know hmmm always kep your toes pointed have straight kegs ( if you can) and always act happy hahahaha lol well i hope it helps and do good

Answer 6

I don't know what your talking about about exams and grades. I only know about different levels. Work on your splits, plee-ays rela-vays, extension, balance, and turns. Buy a book about ballet to catch you up to the other girls.

Good luck and hope this helps!!!

Answer 7

It all depends on the way your studio is run.

From my experience: I train in RAD ballet, which goes from grades pre-primary, 1-6, and then intermediate foundations and so on, but those are only for those on the professional route. At my studio, classes are generally by age. Depending on how many students there are and how much experience everyone has, you would probably be around grade 5.

In regards to exams, at my studio they are not mandatory. And even if you do fail (which is very unlikely unless you have no idea what your doing), it probably won't matter and you will move to the next grade regardless. The exam consists of all your bar and centre exercises. Your ballet teacher will probably tell you if you are ready for the exams, and if they believe you are ready, then you are.

As for stretches, any that will increase your overall flexibility. Since you are taking acro as well, stretches for your back and legs would be use full.

Hope this helped :)