Academy Dance

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organizations. RAD promotes knowledge, understanding, and practice of dance internationally and seeks to accomplish this through the promotion of dance, the educating and training students and teachers, and the annual RAD examinations, which set standards and reward achievement.

All of our Academy ballet teachers are educated in the RAD Method, from our Tiny Tots classes through to our Advanced 2 and Adult classes. Our goal at the Academy is to provide the highest quality ballet training to all of our students, no matter if this is their life passion or their healthy hobby.

For more information on RAD’s history and impact on the world of dance and ballet, please visit the RAD USA website.

Tiny Tots Ballet
Age 3 by Fall of attending academic calendar year
Available in Fall/Spring semesters
Introduces students to their first year of dance training. Coordination, rhythm, body awareness, and class discipline are emphasized through guided, creative, age-appropriate activities. Students are introduced to elementary ballet terminology, positions, and movements.

Beginning Ballet
Age 4 by Fall of attending academic calendar year
Available in Fall/Spring semesters
Full of age-appropriate movement, songs, games and exercises. Classes consist of activities designed to increase children’s awareness, understanding, and control of their bodies in space and time. Exercises develop basic dance skills such as coordination, balance, spatial awareness and ability to cooperate and dance with others. Classes include practice in all loco motor steps and creative, expressive dancing to music.

Pre-Primary
Age 5 by Fall of attending academic calendar year
Available in Fall/Spring semesters
Consists of the Pre-Primary set of dance exercises designed by the Royal Academy of Dance—which prepare children for beginning ballet—and the creative exploration of the four elements of dance: body, space, time, and effort. Children develop coordination, balance, control, and awareness of space, rhythm, and effort qualities. They also develop their abilities to learn movement combinations and cooperate and dance well with others. Classes include practice in all locomotor steps, expressive dancing to music, and the preparation of creative dances for a performance for parents during the last class of each semester.

Primary
Age 6 by Fall of attending academic calendar year
Available in Fall/Spring semesters
The beginning of classical ballet technique is introduced in this class which includes the study of proper placement, partner and group work, and musicality.

Tiny Dancers
Ages 3-6 by June of calendar year
Available in Summer semester
An all-encompassing summer dance program for our youngest Academy dancers. Weekly classes will primarily focus on early rhythm and awareness, with creative and training-based games and exercises. Meant as a break from the typical yearly ballet, the summer classes will include more collaborative exercises and a light review of material appropriate for all ages.

Grades 1-5
At least age 7 by Fall of attending academic calendar year
Enrollment is for ‘Full Year’ (Fall & Spring Semesters)
A progression of ballet technique and performance qualities based upon the Royal Academy of Dance Grades Syllabus. RAD grades are one year off from school grades, so RAD Grade 1 dancers are typically in second (2nd) grade, and RAD Grade 5 dancers are typically in sixth (6th) grade.

Pre-Pointe, Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 & 2
Enrollment is for ‘Full Year’ (Fall & Spring Semesters)
A more in-depth look and study of ballet technique, these classes may also include the study of Pointe work. Pre-Pointe is an optional class for female dancers in RAD Grade 5. For classes after Grade 5, enrollment is based on the completion and passing of the RAD Exams. Please see our online registration for more information on standard age groups and pre-requisites.

Modern and choreography
At least age 14 by Fall of attending academic calendar year
Enrollment is for “Semester” (Fall, Spring & Summer Semesters)
Modern dance skills are developed for beginners and students with some experience. Students as a class choreograph a dance that they perform at the Spring Performance with the modern dance skills they learn through the semester. Summer students will perform an in-studio performance for their classes.

Progressive Ballet Technique/ Conditioning
At least age 11 by Fall of attending academic calendar year
Enrollment length is dependent on age level
Our Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT)/ Conditioning and Fitness classes are specially designed conditioning and strengthening courses based on the PBT Program. The PBT Program was created by professional ballerina and RAD trained teacher, Marie Walton-Mahon. Classes focus on training students using ballet-specific techniques that enforce muscle memory and weight placement to enhance their posture, placement, and alignment.

Adult Ballet (Beginner and Intermediate)
Adults will enjoy learning the foundations of ballet while developing confidence, mental concentration, physical coordination, and grace. This Adult ballet classes is are for students who are new to ballet, students who want to dance but never had the opportunity, and those who have danced before and want to begin again.

Adult Pointe classes are also available for Adult students. Pointe shoes are required for class. Please see Barry’s Dancewear for information on pointe shoes.

Dance Around the World

Ages 6-10 as of June of calendar year

Available in Summer Semester

Each week of Dance Around the World focuses on a different culture from various countries or regions across the globe. Each week-long class is perfect for first-time dancers or continuing students and explore various dances performed around the world including traditional folk dances. Students get to do daily crafts that correspond with the various countries and put together a mini ballet based on a folktale from the country of the week to share with family and friends on the final day of class! Past featured countries have included: Polynesian Islands, Scandinavia, Africa, Mexico and Spain. Dates can be found on the online registration form.

Science Festival

Entering RAD Grade 1+ in Fall of calendar year

Available in Summer Semester

Classes are held during the last three weeks August, Monday-Thursday, and work towards a collaborative performance in September at the Flagstaff Festival of Science. Sections are divided by RAD Grade levels: 1) Grade 1 – Grade 3; 2) Grade 4 – Int. Foundation; 3) Intermediate – Adv 2. The final performance will occur as part of the opening ceremony for the annual Flagstaff Festival of Science. Please check their website for updated opening night schedule information and other events.

Dancers should plan to enroll in fall, as weekly classes will start before the final performance.

Summer Weekly Ballet

Completed RAD Grades 4+

Available in Summer Semester

Classes are available in various levels divided by age and/or RAD grade completed. Summer classes are sold on a weekly basis and will not be prorated within each week. Please see our online registration for more information on available class times and weekly sessions.

Ballet Intensive Week

Completed RAD Grades 5+

Available in Summer Semester

Week-long ballet intensives include classes in combination with other dancers, an in-depth focus on ballet, pointe, repertoire, and variations.

Enrollment into our Pre-Primary through Advanced 2 Fall classes includes participation in the annual Nutcracker Ballet Performance in conjunction with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.

Enrollment in Beginning Ballet through Adult Ballet and Modern Choreography Spring classes includes participation in our Spring Performance.

All performances come with a nominal fee to cover possible video recordings, costumes, and booking fees. Students may opt out of end-of-semester performances. Spring Performance recordings will depend on student/parent interest upon registration.