School of Ballet

Ballet is our expertise

At Dance It Forward, we are an American Academy of Ballet Certified School where students receive only the finest training from faculty who have specific knowledge of our syllabus, philosophy and legacy. It is both our privilege and our responsibility to joyfully pass on the ballet traditions of classical ballet. Under the guidance of our instructors, students learn new positions and movements – repeating and refining them until each becomes part of the body’s muscle memory. Students are encouraged to take lower level classes in addition to their own level to reinforce their strength an understanding of technique and to broaden their knowledge and enhance versatility.

Student Progress All students move at different rates and unlike grades in school, some students spend more time in a level than others while the foundation of their technique develops. When the student has learned the technique appropriate to a level, the student is then moved on to the next level. Advancement is based on ability rather than by age. Those pursuing pointe need to take a minimum number of classes per week to gain strength and maintain overall fitness in order to prevent injury. Pointe is simply an extension of ballet training, and it is decided by faculty when a student is ready, never before age 10.

performance opportunities

For the serious student, we recommend performance training with the Midstate Ballet, the South Central Pennsylvania's professional Youth Ballet Company.

Classes of the School of Ballet perform (by audition) in the Nutcracker Ballet & other Spring Ballets at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts.

A Studio Summer Showcase is held in conclusion of the Summer Ballet Intensive. The American Academy of Ballet Performance Awards are often held with a professionally trained visiting adjudicator. Each dancer is evaluated and awarded for their work.