The mission statement for Gulf Coast Ballet is to teach the art of dance in the most loving way possible. To achieve this goal the syllabus is designed to enhance the physical, emotional, and mental development of each individual child. The lessons are presented in a manner that improves each child’s self-discipline, self-image, and self-confidence and in ways that make learning fun. Besides learning the beautiful art of ballet, children are given the opportunity to learn to behave respectfully, to understand music and dance history, and to present themselves before an audience. At the end of the dance season each student will be richer in body, mind, and spirit and take with them a deeper love of dance, music, and learning, along with many joyful memories. Students who continue to train at GCB gradually build accurate classical technique and far exceed non-dancers in coordination and grace as well as self-discipline and personal motivation.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child’s life. It is an honor and a trust that we hold dear. Please do not hesitate to talk to us about any concerns.
Overview of GCB Classes
AGES 3/4/5 - The goals for our pre-school classes are to learn how to follow instructions both as individuals and as a group, to work with others (moving in time with one other dancer, then with a group, taking turns, maintaining your place in a group, and more), and to identify and understand muscles, bones, body parts and how they work alone and together. Young dancers learn to skip, gallop, march, leap, hop, balance, and the following ballet poses and steps: arabesque, tendu, plie, grand battement, chasse, passe, bouree, port de bra, grand jete, saute, and eschappe. Then they learn to do most this backwards. The five year olds add balance' de cote and a simple pas de bouree. Every skill is learned with music and much effort is made to teach them to understand timing and move in time with music. Many skills are taught in the form of games to keep classes fun. Combinations of skills are increased until dancers are able to memorize a one minute dance. There is some tumbling introduced at this age, also. We present two ballets each year and students learn all that accompanies performing on stage before an audience.
BALLET I AND II - All the skills and steps listed above are enhanced and improved (for instance, now a classical step like pas de bouree must be mastered with pointed feet and proper arms, later the head position will be added). Students begin barre work at this level and build on it throughout the rest of their dancing careers. "Turnout" becomes our new best friend! New center steps added in the syllabus for these dancers are glissade, pas de basque, pas de cheval, soutenue turn, tombe, changment, coupe, jete, chanies, and more. Less games are played at this age but six, seven and eight year olds still need classes to be fun as well as challenging. Some students take one or both of these classes for 2 years because advancedment is now based on their skill level, not on their age. The families' schedule is also taken into consideration and adjustments can be made as needed.
BALLET III - Now that students are 8, 9, and 10, classical training can begin in earnest. Barre work now focuses on proper alignment and building strength for future pointe work. Fun new steps, jumps and turns are added to center work such as pique, assemble, pirouette, more complex pas de bourees and old steps are continually improved with higher and higher standards. Most students take this class at least two or three years.
BALLET IV and V - Taught by Andrea Dickey, ballet IV is for the 10, 11, and 12 year olds for a year or two of Pre-pointe training and for their first year or two on pointe. When Ms Dickey feels they are ready, students move into our highest class, Ballet V where they continue to improve their technique and meet new challenges in the beautiful art of ballet!