The Edmonton School of Ballet offers a multitude of dance styles for dancers ages 3 through adult. Click on one of the following to learn more:
The Edmonton School of Ballet offers a multitude of Ballet classes and syllabi. Click on one of the following for more information:
Margaret Flynn's Junior Grades Syllabi & Exams
Syllabi - Margaret Flynn created this pre-ballet syllabus in 1969. It is designed for children aged 3 and up and helps to prepare young dancers for the Cecchetti and RAD grades work. There are 7 levels with examinations possible for all levels.
Courses, Sheet Music, & CD's - There are annual teacher courses offered at the Edmonton School of Ballet to help prepare young and aspiring teachers to teach pre-ballet. Sheet Music and CD's are available for purchase from the Edmonton School of Ballet.
**For more information about the syllabi, courses, or music, please contact the Edmonton School of Ballet.
Margaret Flynn's Ballet Progressions Syllabi & Exams
Syllabi - Margaret Flynn created this program in 2003. It is designed for children who are interested in recreational dance classes. It is also ideal for dancers with physical limitations.
Courses, Sheet Music, & CD's - This syllabi is still currently under construction. As soon as courses and music are available, information will be posted here.
Cecchetti & RAD Syllabi & International Exams
Students training in the Preparatory Program at the Edmonton School of Ballet and in the Dance Program at the Vimy Ridge Academy prepare for syllabus examinations in the Cecchetti and RAD methods of Ballet. Examinations are held annually and students are selected for entry on an individual basis. Placement for examinations is at the discretion of the teacher and Artistic Director. International exams require a very high standard of achievement, therefore, not all students will qualify for the professional examinations. Exams are a privilege that must be earned.
Students must attend exam tryouts to be selected for examinations. Cecchetti Grades 1 to 6 tryouts are usually held on a Sunday in February. Tryouts for major examinations in Cecchetti are also held in February. Examinations for both Grades and Majors are held in June and scheduled by the Cecchetti Society. Students in Grades 1 to 8 and Elementary to Advanced will be prepared for their Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) examinations, usually in the spring session.
Exam fees are not included in student fees. Notices will be given to students regarding amounts and deadlines. If a student is entered for an examination but is subsequently pulled from the exam, the fee is forfeited and is non-refundable according to the International Societies that run examinations. In some instances, students with a medical certificate verifying injury may receive a partial refund applied towards their next examination.
There are several classes available for dancers that are not exam or syllabus based. These Non-Syllabus classes allow dancers to study and grow in new and different areas, including learning new work quickly and accurately. It also allows teachers to focus on areas of technical weakness in a class in a different way than in syllabus class.
All dancers studying ballet at the Edmonton School of Ballet (except those who begin in January classes) and at Vimy Ridge Academy will perform at the Annual Spring Show. Most of the younger students will learn their choreography in class time; however, older students, students in the ESB Preparatory Program, and students in the Vimy Ridge Professional Program will have an additional class for choreography. These Variations/Repertoire classes will be used to learn choroegraphy for the Spring Show and other performances, as well as for festivals and competitions (where appropriate.)
When young dancers achieve a certain level of technique and are at an appropriate level in their physical development may add Pre-Pointe or Pointe classes to their schedule. Students hoping to achieve an Elementary Cecchetti or an Intermediate RAD exam will be examined on their pointe work as well as their regular ballet technique.
Classes in Character Dance, National Dance, and Flamenco are offered at the Edmonton School of Ballet. All students studying the RAD grades will study Character Dance in their regular ballet classes or as an addition class to their RAD syllabus class. National Dance is also a part of the Vimy Ridge Academy Dance Program curriculum. Flamenco classes are also offered in the after school program. These dancers may learn choreography for performance or competition.
Jazz classes are offered for students from the age of 7 or from Junior 2 and up. Students studying jazz will perform in the Contemporary Show each May and may also perform in competitions or festivals (where appropriate.)
Lyrical classes and choreography are added to the schedule/classes of more experienced jazz dancers. Choreography will be performed in the Contemporary Show each May and may also be performed in competitions or festivals (where appropriate.)
Modern classes are offered to all students in the Edmonton School of Ballet who are at a Cecchetti/RAD Grade 3 level and higher and to all students in the Dance Program at the Vimy Ridge Academy. Students studying modern will perform in the Contemporary Show each May and may also perform in competitions or festivals (where appropriate.)
Tap classes are offered to students from the age of 6 or from Junior 1 and up. Al Gilbert Syllabi & Exams are offered at the discretion of the teacher and the Artistic Director to those students who are old enough and technically strong enough. Students studying tap will perform in the Contemporary Show each May and may also perform in competitions or festivals (where appropriate.)
A full range of Hip Hop classes are offered. Students studying hip hop will perform in the Contemporary Show each May and may also perform in competitions or festivals (where appropriate.)