Youth Division (ages 8-12)

Printable version of Youth Division flier (including schedule and tuition information)

Beginning in Level 1 of the Youth Division, students start formal training in traditional classical ballet. The syllabus progresses at a rate that allows the student to learn the exercises correctly and with full physicality. Repetition and slow careful work is emphasized in the Youth Division, with the students learning discipline and control of their bodies. Students progress to the next level when they have mastered the material and physical understanding of the syllabus in their current level. For some students, this may take more than one year. Students may be moved to the next level during the year if they have met the requirements of their level before the end of the year.

Core Curriculum
Youth Division students (Levels 1, 2, 2AT, 3 and 3AT) attend class 2-4.5 hours per week and are required to attend all scheduled classes for their level. Ballet technique comprises the core curriculum of the Youth Division. If a Level 1, 2 or 3 student wants to take more classes than scheduled at his/her level, this may be arranged if there are openings in the same level but a different class. This will be done on a case by case basis, and only by going through Lynne Short, Academy Principal.
We recommend that all students in Youth Level 2 or 3 sign up for the AT (Additional Training) classes that meet on Saturdays. The more classes a student is able to take, the quicker the work of each level will be learned.

Michael Joy Memorial Boy's Scholarship Class meets once a week for 1 hour.
Placement in this class is by audition only. Students are selected based upon their level of commitment to dance training. No previous dance experience is required for this class. Although it is recommended, this class does not have to be taken in conjunction with Ballet Technique.

Michael Scott Joy was an exceptional young man from Victoria, Texas who danced for two summers at Ballet Austin's Summer Intensive Program. During that short time, Michael made an indelible impression on the faculty, staff and students with whom he worked. Michael was a vibrant and out-going person with a passion for dance.

To honor his memory, his family established the Michael Joy Fine Arts Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2001, and in 2004, the Joy family generously decided to underwrite the Michael Joy Memorial Boy's Scholarship Class here at Ballet Austin Academy. This class provides, free of charge, an introductory boy's movement class to any boy who is willing to commit to the endeavor, and will serve as a port of entry for many boys, regardless of their means, into the world of dance.

Helping more boys get involved in dance was always of passion of Michael's… now, thanks to the generosity of the Joy family, that legacy will continue.

2007/2008 Class Schedule
To be enrolled in this division, new students who have had previous training must either attend the Placement Class (see below) before the start of a new school year or arrange for a placement class through the Schools Director of Administration.

Placement policy:
New Students to Ballet Austin ages 8 and older
A placement class for students age 8 and older, with previous dance experience, will need to schedule a placement class with the Schools Director of Administration by contacting Vicki Parsons at vicki.parsons@balletaustin.org or by calling 512.476.9051, ext. 126.

Students age 8 to 12, with no previous dance experience, may register for Youth Level 1. Students age 13 and older, with no previous dance experience, may register in Ballet Austin's Butler Community School in the Beginning Ballet Level.

The 2007/2008 school year begins September 10, 2007.

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR NEW STUDENTS ON JULY 5, 2007