Adult/Teen Classes

I emphasize a non-competitive atmosphere in all my classes

Ballet from the Beginning

Preparation for Basic Ballet

1 hour and 30 minutes Fri. and 1 hour 15 minutes Weds.

A 12-week series of classes designed for adults and teens who have never had a ballet class. It is also for those who have had classes in the past and want to gently reintroduce their body to ballet and review the basics before starting their studies again. Each class builds on the exercises from the previous week, and by the end of the 12 weeks, students can graduate to Basic Ballet, or take Ballet from the Beginning again.

The goal of this series of classes is to:

Introduce students to the basic exercises and body positions of ballet
Slowly build students’ muscle strength and control while improving balance, posture, and flexibility
Show students how to modify ballet exercises, when necessary, to meet their individual needs
Provide students with a foundational knowledge of ballet vocabulary
Give students the opportunity to move and express themselves with classical music.

A minimum of four students must sign up for this class before a new session is scheduled. I accept new students for the first 3 weeks of the class. During weeks 4 - 12, new students are accepted only if they have had ballet in the past.

Senior/Older Adult Ballet from the Beginning

Mondays 1 hour and 30 minutes at Borne Arts Collective

This class was created for older adults who have never had a ballet class, or have not had a class in a very long time. The pace is slower than Ballet from the Beginning on Weds and Fri.. Each class builds on the exercises from the previous week, but more time is spent clarifying, refining, and repeating the movements. New material is added when the students are ready.

The goal of this class is to:

Introduce students to the basic exercises and body positions of ballet
Slowly build students’ muscle strength and control while improving balance, posture, and flexibility
Exercise the mind by coordinating arm and leg movements with music
Show students how to modify ballet exercises, when necessary, to meet their individual needs
Provide students with a foundational knowledge of ballet vocabulary
Give students the opportunity to move and express themselves with classical music.

New students may enroll in the existing class if they have had ballet in the past. Each session lasts approximately 12 weeks. When a new session starts new students may join and existing students may take the class again or graduate to the next level. The maximum capacity of this class is 12 students. Enrollment is open to all adults.

Basic Ballet

1 hour and 30 minutes

Basic Ballet is our beginning ballet class for students who know the basics from previous ballet classes or for adults and teens who have completed Ballet from the Beginning. This class covers all the basic barre exercises common to ballet classes, as well as simple center exercises, and helps each student create the firm foundation needed to improve and progress to the next level of study.

The goals of this class are to:

Reinforce and strengthen students’ basic ballet technique
Introduce simple combinations of steps
Develop core body strength, graceful arms (port de bras), and correct turn out based on each student’s anatomy and muscular development
Address body alignment challenges and give every student solutions that fit their body and will help them progress to the next level
Increase students’ ballet vocabulary
Allow students to experience the beauty of dance as an expressive art.

Before advancing to Intermediate Ballet, students must be able to execute the exercises learned in Basic Ballet safely and correctly, both at the barre and in the center. Questions are welcome and encouraged!

Intermediate Ballet

1 hour and 30 minutes

Intermediate Ballet moves at a slightly faster pace than Basic Ballet, with greater reliance on the students’ existing knowledge of ballet exercises and terminology.

The goals of this class are to:

Introduce barre and center combinations that move faster, are more complex, and incorporate more relevé and balances on one leg
Introduce students to a wider variety of pirouettes and jumps
Teach students to synchronize head and arm movements with leg movements when appropriate
Emphasize proper placement as students learn new exercises and movements
Continue to develop turnout based on individual ability and strength, along with posture and core strength
Develop students’ ability to memorize a combination

Intermediate/Advanced Ballet

1 hour and 30 minutes

Intermediate/Advanced students are expected to have basic ballet vocabulary memorized so that when they hear a term, such as plié, they automatically bend their knees. Pointe shoes are allowed with the instructor’s permission.

The goals of this class are to:

Continue to improve and strengthen students’ ballet technique, both at the barre and in the center
Provide barre and center modifications appropriate for advanced dancers, including increased relevé, multiple pirouettes, beats (batterie), and sustained balances
Increase students’ stamina with longer combinations and more repetitions
Emphasize changes of direction in combinations
Increase students’ musicality and ability to move to different rhythms
Develop students’ creativity by encouraging them to match their movements to the feeling of the music.

Mixed Level Ballet

Instructor permission req.

1 hour and 30 minutes

Mixed Level is a straightforward ballet class for confident beginning through advanced students. All the exercises at the barre and in the center are modified to fit the individual level of each student in the class that day. It moves at a slightly faster pace than Basic Ballet but is still suitable for students in that category.

The goals of this class are to:

Allow individual students to take a class appropriate for their level at a time that fits their schedule
Give students the opportunity to try an exercise above or below their normal class level and see other students doing the same thing
Provide classes at less popular times of the day and on some holidays

Pointe and Pre-Point

Instructor permission req.

1 hour on Thursdays and 1 hour 45 minutes on Saturdays

Pointe and Pre-Pointe may be taken by students who are already on pointe, or not yet on pointe, to further develop and strengthen the muscles necessary to go on pointe. Students who are on pointe must take at least two additional ballet classes per week. Readiness for pointe work is determined by each student’s strength and physical development. I will tell adult students when they are ready to go on pointe. In the case of teens, parents will be informed as well. Pointe and Pre-Pointe may be taken only with my permission. To prepare for pointe, students are expected to do a few strengthening exercises outside of class as assigned by me.

Please, do not buy a first pair of pointe shoes without Heidi's permission. Your feet can change as you prepare for pointe. A pair that fits you now might not fit when you are approved for pointe work. Plus, pointe shoes are expensive!

Stretch and Strengthen + Barre

Yoga mat req.

1 hour and 30 minutes

This class is taught on the floor and at the barre. The goal of this class is to identify which muscles need strengthening, and which need increased flexibility to correct ballet technique problems. The exercises on the floor are designed to build core strength, improve extension, and strengthen turn-out. After each exercise students go to the barre to apply what they have learned. While the stretches and strengthening exercises performed in this class are designed to improve ballet technique, they are equally useful for other dance forms and for students who want to improve their muscle strength and flexibility in general. Each student receives individual attention during class and questions are always welcome and encouraged.

This class sometimes involves working in pairs, but modifications can easily be made for students who don’t feel comfortable with that.

Basic Ballet Barre + Stretch

Yoga mat req.

1 hour and 10 minutes

This is an early morning class that begins with 25 minutes of stretching on the floor followed by a 45 minute “Basic Ballet” class barre. To be successful in this class students should already know how to do simple ballet barre exercises. It is beginner friendly, but some previous ballet experience is necessary. Bring a yoga mat for the stretch part of the class.