Pre-Ballet Division (ages 5-8)

Our nurturing and age-appropriate Pre-Ballet curriculum introduces children to the fundamental positions of classical ballet, musicality, and classroom etiquette while sharing the joy of dance.

2025/26 School Year (September 2, 2025 – May 31, 2026)

Important Dates:

• Registration for current students opens June 16, 2025
• Registration for new students opens July 1, 2025
• Open registration closes October 1, 2025. For mid-year registration consideration, please email school@washingtonballet.org for NW classes and twsbse@washingtonballet.org for SE classes

Pre-Ballet 1

For children ages 5–6 years old. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of classical ballet movement, spatial concepts, and musicality through creative learning. Children continue to explore basic dance principles in a creative, though progressively structured environment where ballet etiquette is first introduced. Children are guided through a more formal progression of exercises beginning with stretch and strength exercises and progressing to gross-motor activities including skipping, galloping, marching, and jumping. Students are first introduced to basic ballet posture and classical movement concepts.

Pre-Ballet 2

For children ages 6–7 years old. Students develop an understanding of classical ballet shapes and lines through center barre work while expanding their repertoire of movement and musical concepts. Children will build on the knowledge of movement concepts acquired in Pre-Ballet 1. Class begins with stretching and strength exercises and continues with the gross-motor activities introduced in Pre-Ballet 1, with emphasis on differing musical tempos and combinations of increased length and difficulty. The introduction of formal ballet steps such as plié and tendu are practiced with beginning work at the barre, commencing in the second semester. Children learn dance sequences as individuals, and in pairs, as they demonstrate an increasing awareness of proper ballet posture and movement concepts.

Pre-Ballet 3

For children ages 7–8 years old. This class offers a structured ballet setting with an emphasis on understanding classical ballet line, positions and port de bras movement while developing muscle memory that prepares the dancer for the Lower Division syllabus. Children will continue to build upon the knowledge of movement concepts, ballet posture, steps, and etiquette acquired in Pre-Ballet 2. Class commences with stretch and strength activities intended to promote leg, foot, core, and back development and progresses to basic barre work. Center exercises are aimed at increasing coordination, musicality, and proper body placement. This class offers a structured ballet setting with an emphasis on building technical fundamentals such as strength in the supporting leg, proper transfer of weight, and a demonstrated understanding of proper ballet posture in positions and steps. By the end of Pre-Ballet 3, children should be cognitively and physically prepared to undertake comprehensive ballet instruction beginning in Level 1A.

Questions about NW Programs? Email school@washingtonballet.org

Questions about SE Programs? Email twsbse@washingtonballet.org

The ACTIVE registration fee is approx. 4.5% which includes credit card processing fees normally embedded in Tuition.

Photos by Sonia Bartolomeo for TWB