THE TRAINING SCHOOL:

Ballet training is based on The Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus. The Lower School trains children kindergarten through sixth grade in ballet with jazz technique classes available once a week for ages eight and up. Classes are limited to ten children each. From level three to five, children are required to attend two ballet classes per week. The School calendar is based on thirty weeks of classes.

The Upper School, in addition to increasing the number of days its students are required to study ballet, introduces pointe work to qualified students, modern dance, jazz dance, and Pilates Body Conditioning. Three levels, A, B, and C, divide students by ability in 7th through 12th grades. Qualified talented students in sixth grade are accelerated into Level A. Pianists are used to accompany ballet classes in both the upper and Lower Schools.

TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM:

The Teacher Training Program provides serious students with the opportunity to gain experience working with young children and learning the teaching of ballet. Students who are at least fifteen years old and are in Level C (the most advanced level of technique for ballet class) are selected to participate. The program, which spans three years, gives the student hands on experience as he or she works along side the professional teacher in the ballet class.

Some of the objectives of the program include: thoroughly learning the level of the Royal Academy of Dancing Syllabus being taught, achieving adequate classroom behavior, and learning to use the voice in a rhythmical and dynamic fashion. Successful candidates culminate by being able to teach class independently, and understanding basic time signatures and effectively communicating musical requirements to the pianist. Students are gradually given increased responsibilities as they progress through the program and demonstrate their abilities upon completion of the program.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES:

The Amherst Ballet Theatre Company performs one major repertoire performance each spring in addtion to smaller performances that have included touring to schools and participating in childrens' concerts with the Springfield Orchestra, in Springfield, Massachussetts. Dancers are selected each year by the choreographers to fill the requirements of pieces in ballet, modern dance and jazz. Spanish Flamenco dance has also been part of the training and performing in past years. In 2000 the Company presented its first full length story ballet conceived by artistic director Catherine Fair, based on the C.S. Lewis book THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW from The Chronicles of Narnia. A cast of 86 with 112 costumes brought this story alive to audiences of 2500 children and families in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall at the University of Massachusetts.

In addition to repertoire performances, each December the school holds presentation night for parents of the Upper School and visitors' week for the Lower School classes. In May, there is a school presentation for parents and friends in a local auditorium, in which each class performs a short dance in leotards and skirts. The Lower School also invites parents to observe last classes of the year called CERTIFICATE DAY when the technique learned is shown. Each child receives a certificate to indicate that they are ready for the next level. Opportunities are also available to take a royal Academy of dancing ballet exam through Catherine Fair, a certified R.A.D. teacher.