Upper School

New Student Placement 2010/11

Ages 11 and older (With previous dance experience):

• Students age 11 and older, with previous dance experience, who are new to Ballet Austin, will be required to attend a placement class to determine their level for the fall. CLICK HERE for placement class information.

Ages 11-12 (No previous dance experience):

• Students age 11 to 12, with no previous dance experience, are recommended to attend Beginning Ballet on Ballet Austin’s Butler Community School (BCS) Kid’s Zone schedule. CLICK HERE for the BCS Kid’s Zone summer schedule of classes.

Ages 13 and older (No previous dance experience):

• Students ages 13 and up, with no previous dance experience, are recommended to Ballet Austin’s Butler Community School (BCS) for dance classes. CLICK HERE for a summer schedule of BCS Teen/Adult dance and fitness classes.

Students placed in the Upper School have shown they have the discipline and determination to commit to a serious ballet program as well as having the required technical ability and physical strength.

Progression to the next level is based on the student’s mastery of the vocabulary and the physical understanding of the syllabus in his or her current level. Since students progress at different rates this may be a two or three year process.

All Upper School students attend class 7 – 14.25 hours per week, depending on the level. Ballet technique and pointe, with partnering added in Levels 6 and 7, comprise the core curriculum of the Upper School.

Level 4A and 4B students have one mid-year conference in January or February with Academy Artistic Staff. They will receive a written evaluation with registration packets sent out in June. Girls in Level 4A will begin the process of getting their pointe shoes in early spring of the school year. 

Levels 5–7 have conferences with Ballet Austin Academy Artistic Staff twice a year. In addition, they may take advantage of "Opening Night at the Ballet" and receive one complimentary ticket to each opening night performance of Ballet Austin’s season, with the exception of The Nutcracker.

All Upper School students may audition for Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker as well as participate in the Academy's Spring Performance in the AustinVentures StudioTheater. The Young Artists program is open to all who wish to have an opportunity to work with a choreographer on an additional piece for the Spring Performance.

Dress Code

Level 4A and 4B Girls: Royal Blue Mirella, Bloch or Sapphire Capezio leotard, cap-sleeve or short-sleeve style only, pink tights, pink ballet shoes. No skirts. Hair must be secured in a bun.

Level 5, 6, and 7 Girls: Black leotard - simple camisole or sleeved leotards only, no halter tops, no criss-cross backs - (solid colored leotards may be worn in Saturday classes), pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and pink pointe shoes. Hair must be secured in a bun.

All Upper School Men: Bloch white short-sleeve leotard or Body Wrappers fitted T-shirt, black tights, white ballet shoes, white socks, Baltogs or Body Wrappers dance belt. Boy’s hair should be tidy and away from the face.

Electives through the Butler Community School (Upper School)
Additional dance and fitness classes are offered through the Butler Community School. While enrolled in the 2010/11 school year, Academy students may purchase a Class-Card at 50% off the regular Class-Card rate.

2010/11 Class Schedule
The 2010/11 school year begins September 7, 2010

Levels 6-8 Student Warm up schedule 09