Classical ballet placement and requirements:
Ballet I
Ages 7-8 (6.5 by approval)
1 hour per week required. Students usually remain in level for 2 years.
Class Leotard Color: Dark Purple
Ballet II
Ages 9 – 10
Two, one hour classes per week required before promotion to level III. Students usually remain in level for 2 years.
Class Leotard Color: Burgundy
Ballet III
Placement by level
Minimum of two, 1.5 hour ballet classes per week required, 3 recommended (+ pre-pointe classes when preparing for promotion to level IV)
Class Leotard color: Forest Green.
Ballet IV
Placement by level/audition
Minimum of three, 1.5 – 2 hour ballet technique classes per week required, four recommended, + pointe classes. Conditioning required as well as jazz and/or contemporary. Students are encouraged to add on at least one lower level class
Leotard Color: Royal Blue
Ballet V
Placement by level/audition
Minimum of three (4-5 recommended) ballet classes per week (equal to 6+ hours technique) plus pointe, contemporary, jazz technique and conditioning classes required. Any split level IV/V is allowed as at least 4th class only with the exception of comprehensive track students who have already been through sufficient training and are approved by the director. This is for the safety of our students. Level VI classes are an add on to Level V.
Leotard Color: Black
Pointe
To dance en pointe, students need to attend three 1.5-hour ballet technique classes per week for a significant period before being eligible for pointe shoe testing. New students at IDT must obtain approval from the School Director before using pointe shoes in class. This approval covers shoe purchase, as well as instructions on sewing, preparing, and caring for the shoes. New pointe students (those with less than 1 year of pointe experience), should expect to wear their pointe shoes 1-2 times per week or as directed by the director.
Level guidelines for level IV,V,& Teen:
Level IV (1st Year):
Level III/IV and Level IV classes only. Not Level IV/V classes.
Level IV (2nd Year):
Level III/IV, Level IV and Level IV/V classes
Level V:
Level IV/V and Level V classes.