Parent/Teacher Guides

There are five major teaching syllabi used by ballet institutions throughout the world: Vaganova, Royal Academy of Dancing, Cechetti, Paris Opera and Bournonville. All contain similar components but vary in their prime focus. At Ballet Theatre Midwest, we utilize a syllabus that combines elements of the Vaganova and Royal Academy of Dancing Syllabi. This sounds technical but it amounts to teaching students in a manner similar to the way they are taught reading or math. One begins with the basic elements, strengthens them and then adds further complications, thus expanding the student’s competency and knowledge. Rather than teaching steps in a random fashion, the syllabus arranges movements as building blocks. Both students and instructors are able to assess strengths and weaknesses more easily. As instructors, we work with students to reinforce how much they have accomplished. We have been pleased with the use of the syllabus and students’ progress in the past and have found that the students find the challenge exciting and motivating.