Vaganova Methodology Study Program

“Dancers, many dancers today can do so much technically. You can give them steps that are complicated, then more complicated, pyrotechnical – and they can execute these steps to perfection. But to do simple steps with a pure classical line, that is truly difficult.”Natalia Makarova (Russian Ballet Dancer & Choreographer – b.1940)

Into this programme students who have completed the Preparatory Division curriculum at Pro Dance will have priority for the registration.However, if there are still vacant places, the new students will be accepted by audition only. Classical ballet is an extremely rigorous; therefore, students must be selected in order to provide quality and safety.Students are encouraged to fully understand the implications in performing to their maximum potential. However, every dancer has a unique developmental rhythm based on natural ability, maturity, and temperament, it is important for their physical and mental health that they not be pushed to achieve any physical goals that may be beyond their reach.

Level 1 – Junior [10 Years]
In first level the placement of the body, legs, arms and head in the exercises at the barre and in the centre of the studio are the most important. The jumps are studied and mastered at the barre then to centre. All the exercises are taught with 2 hands at the barre. Later, the exercises are studied with one hand at the barre. Level 1 classes at Pro Dance includes also pointes technique started in the second half of the year.

Level 2 – Junior [11 Years]
In this level, all the level 1 is reviewed and practised introducing the Épaulement. In order to strengthen the legs, the exercises are longer and the tempo is faster. Demi-pointe at the barre is also included. Large poses at 90 degrees in attitude and arabesque are introduced and practiced in exercises and in adagio. The coordinations are more complex. The Port de bras is evolving in more difficult combinations.

Level 3 – Junior [12 Years]
The Demi-pointe at the centre is introduced and the exercises are now done in an faster tempo. The notion of en-tournant, pirouettes, and battus are more developed. The coordination of movements and the expressiveness in each exercise are more required and stressed. The Pointes Technique will have longer time during the lessons and en-tournant is introduced in simple steps.

Level 4 – Junior [13 Years]
Stability on demi-pointe and pointe goes further with the introduction of grand poses. This level come with a major introduction in preparation for turns and tours lent in grand poses, as well as the technique of tours in mens class and pirouettes in women’s class. The en-tournant and battus at the centre are more intense, the coordinations and the Port de bras become more difficult.

Level 5 – Junior [14 Years]
Students continue to develop balance and stability. Are Introduced the turns in big poses, and pirouettes from different preparations (both stationary and on a diagonal). More difficult forms in grand adagio and in grand allegro with different tempos are introduced. Mens class work more on perfection of the tours.

Level 6 – Senior [15 Years]
The tours in big poses with double pirouettes, and with different preparations, are are getting more time during the centre work, focusing to clean the pointes technique work into these big tours. Adagio is getting in a larger form, similar with the classical repertoire variations.

Level 7 – Senior [16 Years]
The Adagios are more complex with big tours and big jumps. The fouettés are more difficult in all their forms. 

Level 8 – Senior [17+ Years]
The graduating level reviews everything that has been studied in previous years. The artistry and the knowledge of stylistic differences in combinations depending on the character of each piece of music are developed. Fouettés are introduced and developed in all exercises.