Classes
At Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet, we offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to nurture dancers from their very first steps through advanced, pre-professional training. With carefully structured divisions and age-appropriate instruction in ballet, modern, jazz, and more, our classes support each student’s growth in technique, confidence, and artistry. Explore our classes below.
Children’s Division
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Creative Movement- (Ages 3 & 4) offers dancers a space for exploration, improvisation, and expression through movement. Children continue to develop large and fine motor skills, as well as coordination, rhythm, cooperation, and listening skills. Children must be potty-trained.
Dancers should expect to stay in this level one to two years.
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Pre-Ballet (Ages 5 & 6) enhances coordination, balance and flexibility with the teaching of basic ballet positions, steps, and terminology. Barre-work will be introduced as well as center floor exercises and exploration of creative dance and music interpretation.
Dancers should expect to stay in this level one to two years.
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Ballet I (Ages 7 & 8) instills the basics of classical ballet technique. Students are introduced to the structure of a ballet class and the concepts of proper posture, turn-out, and etiquette to build a strong dance foundation.
Dancers should expect to stay in this level one to two years.
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Ballet 2 (Ages 8-11) *Ballet 2xs per week, and optional Jazz 1 or Modern 1
Students should have a basic understanding of classical ballet technique. Class will consist of barre work and longer combinations, as well as increase their ballet terminology. Dancers will build a foundation for ballet including proper alignment, ballet etiquette, and vocabulary. Students are expected to be engaged and focused in class.Dancers should expect to stay in this level two years.
Pre-Professional Division
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Ballet 3 (Ages 10-12) *Ballet 2xs per week, Modern 1 or Jazz 1 Training becomes more serious in this level and builds upon elements learned in level II.
Dancers should expect to stay in this level two to three years.
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Ballet 4 (Ages 12-14) *Ballet 2xs per week, Modern 1 or Jazz 1 and Pointe. Classes are for the advancing ballet student. Students will continue to build upon earlier levels.
Dancers should expect to stay in this level two to three years.
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Ballet 5 (Ages 14-16) *Ballet 3xs per week, 2 pointe classes, and Modern 2, or Jazz 2. Classes are for the advancing ballet student. Students will continue to build upon earlier levels.
Dancers should expect to stay in this level two to three years.
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Ballet 6 (Ages 15-19) *Ballet 4xs per week, 3 pointe classes, and Modern 2, or Jazz 2. Classes are for the advanced ballet student who has a strong mastery of pointe work. This level will explore the concept of artistry, complex combinations, and a broader vocabulary. Commitment, focus, and work ethic are required.
Dancers should expect to stay in this level two to three years.
Open Classes
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Jazz 2- explores dynamics, musicality, self-expression, and performance techniques. Following a warm-up consisting of strength and conditioning, students will explore progressions in center and across the floor, and leaps and turns. Class culminates in a combination inspired by different styles of jazz including classical and contemporary.
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Modern 2- is a release technique class that draws inspiration from Laban/Bartenieff Fundamentals as well as Limon, Graham, Cunningham, Humphrey and Weidman. Class elements include grounding, articulation of the spine, and fall and recovery. Dancers will explore improvisation and partnering.
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Ballet 6 Saturday only by invitation (Advanced Level -Adults with previous dance training) This level will explore the concept of artistry, complex combinations, and a broader vocabulary. Commitment, focus, and work ethic are required.
Summer Programs
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Ages 4-7 no dance experience required
Ballet lesson that follows a different ballet theme each day along with crafts, stories, and related activities. All supplies provided.
10-12pm
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Full Day: Ages 9-12 years old with previous dance training. 4 classes per day taught by SSYB faculty and guest instructors. Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Dance History, Dance Vocabulary, Injury Prevention, and more!
10-4pm
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Half Day: Ages 7-10 years old with previous dance training. Ballet, jazz, and modern classes.
2- 4pm
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Ages 12 & up with pointe training (Placement class or video submission required)
Each day begins with ballet technique followed by pointe. The afternoon consists of a variety of disciplines including Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Gyrokinesis, Pilates, Seminars, and more. Classes are taught by distinguished guest artists and SSYB faculty. This program is designed to enrich and progress the dancer’s training and technique.
10am - 4 pm