It’s Time to Dance
Never Stop Moving
Intensive Program VS Enrichment Program
The Intensive program has requirements regarding the number and kind of classes that an Intensive student must take in order to participate in the program. The Workshop and Conservatory classes are part of the LDA Intensive program. Participation in the Intensive Program is by invitation from the student's Teacher and Mr. or Mrs. Logrea The Conservatory & Workshop classes have ONLY Intensive students in the classes, which guarantees the students in the Intensive Program that all students in these classes are taking multiple lessons per week (the minimum for their level). Therefore, these classes can progress faster and work with more difficult and complex combinations, etc. Each student accepted into the Intensive program has been identified as capable of handling the multiple classes and the faster progression and this allows greater progress and higher potential for our Intensive students.
The enrichment program has no requirements other than that students who wish to take jazz or modern or Musical Theater must also take a ballet class. The regular Ballet technique classes (Ballet III, Ballet IV, etc) are made up of students in both the Enrichment Program and the Intensive Program. Students who are not in the Intensive Program are in the Enrichment Program.
Placement Guidlines
Description of Classes
Your quest for the perfect dance studio ends right here. Our extensive list of classes included many types of dance and a variety of skill levels, to make sure there's an ideal option for you. Have a look at our class descriptions below.
Ballet
The foundation for all other techniques, Ballet training strengthens and tones the muscles while focusing on proper body alignment and good posture. It requires flexibility, stamina, memorization, focus and discipline.
Ballet Levels:
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Ballet I - 6 Years Old First Grade & Up
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Ballet II - 7-9 Years Old
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Ballet III - 8-10 Years Old - By evaluation ONLY
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Ballet IV - 9- 10 Years Old - By evaluation ONLY
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Ballet V - 10-12 Years Old - By Evaluation ONLY
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Ballet VI -10 & Up w/Previous Training - By Evaluation ONLY
Elementary Ballet
(Pre-School Ballet) 3 Years old
Beginner Class with out a Parent
Pre-Ballet
For 3-4-year-olds, this is the first step for the young dancer, incorporating ballet movement in a semi-structured class using improvisation, musical play, and introducing the concepts of barre and center-floor work. Children typically take only one class per week, and sessions for this age group are shorter than the normal one-hour class. Children should be toilet-trained and developmentally ready to separate from their parent and participate in a group in order to enroll.
Elementary Levels I and II
For children 4 through 6 years of age, these classes instill the most basic skills of barre and center work at an age-appropriate level while developing strength, coordination, and musicality.
Pointe
Pointe Training
Students ages 10 and up are evaluated on a regular basis to determine their readiness for pointe class, but neither age nor placement level is a guarantee of being invited to go on pointe at the Academy. Other variables that weigh in this decision are experience, basic alignment, and strength in ankles and back. To be considered for pointe, students must have been taking ballet classes for at least 3 years, at a minimum of 2 classes per week for the past 2 years. Students are notified via Email that they are eligible to begin studying on pointe.
Pointe Levels:
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Pre-Pointe V-10-12 Years w/training
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Master Pointe
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Pointe A
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Pointe C
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Pointe BC
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Pointe C
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Pointe CD
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Pointe D
Tap
In Tap, students will learn vocabulary, musicality, rhythm and different styles of this technique. Students of the classical tradition will find challenge in the mastery of Tap's syncopated rhythms and stylized movements.
Tap Levels:
Does NOT require to take a ballet technique class
Beginners Tap - 6 Years old and up with no dance experience
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Tap IV - Starting at age 8 - 1 year dance experience
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Tap CVI - 9 Years Old and up w/Min 2 Years Experience
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Tap C/DII - 12 Years old and up by Evaluation ONLY
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Tap Intermediate Advanced - 14 Years Old w/Evaluation ONLY
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Adult Tap - NO Evaluation Needed
The Broadway theater continues to reinforce the popularity of Tap
with each new season. From this quintessential American dance form comes the "time step", an important – and fun – part of every dancer's repertory. Tap may be studied at the Academy at all levels of ability, on its own, or as a supplement to the pursuit of other disciplines. Students of the classical tradition will find challenge in the mastery of Tap's syncopated rhythms and stylized movements.
Jazz
Jazz is an energetic and expressive form of movement. The music and the styles vary from traditional such as Luigi and Fosse (Broadway Jazz) to the very expressive and dramatic Lyrical and Contemporary.
Jazz Levels:
Requirements: Take at least one class per week with a Ballet Technique class
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Beginner Jazz: 7 Years old and Up with no dance experience
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Jazz II: 8 Years old and up with previous experience (Needs Placement)
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Jazz III: 10 Years old and up with previous experience (need placement)
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Jazz IV/V: 9-11 years old and up by evaluation- 2 years minimum experience
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Jazz VI: 10-12 years old and up by evaluation - 3 years minimum experience
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Jazz Beginner Intermediate: 11 Years old and up by Evaluation ONLY
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Jazz Intermediate: By Evaluation ONLY
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Jazz Intermediate/Advanced: 13 years old and up by Evaluation ONLY (Requires a WBC membership)
Jazz remains our connection with the Here and Now, in dance as well as music. Academy dancers are encouraged to develop their technical skills in this contemporary and highly exciting dance form, building on the fundamentals of ballet for placement, stability, and line. Jazz classes are eclectic in style, drawing on the background of the individual teacher.
Modern
Modern is an expressive style of dance that stems from the core of the body and uses elements such as floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation. In the Modern classes, the focus will be on learning technique, improvisation, and choreography.
Modern Levels:
Requirement- at least one class per week with a ballet technique class
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Beginners Modern: 8 Years old and up
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Modern BC: 10 Years old and up by placement
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Modern CII: 12 years old and up by placement
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Modern Advanced: By Placement ONLY
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Modern Improv: Must take at least one other Modern Class per week
As an enrichment to the student's movement vocabulary
...and an expansion of the dancer's artistic expression, the Academy offers Modern dance classes for intermediate and advanced-level students. Classes provide an eclectic and lyrical approach to the Modern discipline, which continues to be a mainstay of the American dance scene.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance is an expressive style of dance that abandons the rigid, centered aspect of classical forms of dance, and utilizes unconventional movements from styles around the world. It incorporates certain elements of ballet, modern dance, and jazz. This class will include a full center warmup, improv work, and short choreographed combinations that change weekly or biweekly. The warmup will include technique, stretching, and strength work.
This class is a great fit for any student with an interest in expanding their ballet work, performance quality, strength, or preparing for auditions of any sort.
Variations
Variation (Repertoire): Offered for students in Ballet Pointe, who learn current versions of well-known variations from major ballets, as well as the history of each variation’s development.
Advanced Ballet
Conservatory and Children's Workshop
Conservatory class, an accelerated technique class for dancers enrolled at the Ballet IV, V and VI levels, is attended by invitation. Children's Workshop is a performance and repertory class focusing on character dance and, later in the term, provides an introduction to pointe work. Registration in Children's Workshop is by invitation from the Academy directors.
Intermediate and Advanced Levels
All class requirements apply to students in the Intensive Program. Students are not required to follow this schedule if they are not studying pointe or are not performing with Westchester Ballet Company. Students may enroll in any technique classes at or below their placement level. Taking class above the assigned placement level requires permission of the Academy directors.
Junior and Senior Workshops
Junior and Senior Workshops are performance and repertory classes, and registration is by invitation. Turn class and Pas de Deux (partnering) are advanced technique classes, also enrolled by invitation only.
Master Classes
Master classes and special workshops are offered at various times during the regular term. Academy students may be eligible to participate depending on their placement level. Noted teachers and performers who have taught in the past include Jeremy Blanton (former artistic administrator of American Ballet Theatre Studio Company), Russel Fratto (noted artistic consultant and dance educator), Ted Kivitt (noted teacher and former principal dancer of American Ballet Theatre), Natalia Stavro (former principal of the Bolshoi Ballet), Christine Spizzo, Marilyn Miles, and Valentin Bartes and Erica Oshono (principals of the Oshono Ballet
Barre Wellness
Levels A -D
Barre Wellness is a yoga, healing, movement conditioning class for dancers by dancers. Despite oftentimes being hyper-focused on technique, dance is a mind-body practice.
Inspired by yoga asana postures, Mvt109 groundwork, and strength & conditioning training this class focuses on the “whole” dancer and gives dancers the opportunity to prepare their bodies and minds for the work they do in the studio. Taking this class will only help each dancer. The Barre Wellness class is a highly recommend class for students in levels A - D to take this fall.
Stretch & Strength
2 injury prevention classes that we are offering are Strength & Stretch (Summer) and Barre Wellness (2022-2023 season). These classes are specifically designed for dancers so we are encouraging all students in Levels A-D to take these classes, if possible.
This body mindful class is based on general strength and stretching exercises essential to EVERY dancer's health and well being. We will also delve into injury prevention by taking the time to discuss root causes of common injuries while simultaneously learning tools to prevent or mitigate these injuries. We will have time to discuss what is going on with each student; we will finally have time to answer specific questions from each student about particular things that bother them as everyone goes through very technical ballet training. Highly recommended for the upper levels- even if they are not dealing with a specific injury. Let's come together to get strong, have fun (pop music only!) and learn some great self care tools to take with us through our ballet training!
Bollywood
Appropriate for Levels A-D
Bollywood dance is a fusion style originating from India's Bollywood films. It blends classical Indian and western pop dance styles, such as jazz and hip hop. Class begins with a yoga inspired warm-up, and evolves into learning some classical Indian dance steps, including rhythmic footwork and hand gestures. We will build on this foundation and learn
Conditioning
Appropriate for Students taking 3 or more classes a week. Those wishing to join Conservatory are encouraged to register. Ages 8-11 will be coached to their level simultaneously with ages 12-grad.
Every dancer needs a tool kit to keep them on a path of limited injuries and improved performance. And every dancer also needs a regimen to utilize before classes and performances for focus and mental health. Conditioning class will give dancers a series of warmups, targeted muscle exercises, flexibility routines, and meditative cool downs that increase with challenge over the course of the school year and each year thereafter.
What to wear/bring to class:
Leggings or sweats, warmup sweaters are fine. Bottle of water, ballet shoes, a yoga strap OR long winter scarf, two tennis balls in a sock tied closed with a hair tie, and a theraband. Please have hair pulled back in a clean ponytail or bun.