FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11th, 2002

CONTACT: Mark Fleisher:

Festival Ballet Providence, 401-353-1129

Festival Ballet Providence Center for Dance Education Registration Open House August 20-22: Ballet to Hip-Hop!

Providence, RI - Festival Ballet Providence Center for Dance Education will hold Registration for fall classes August 20 to 22 at Festival Ballet Providence's home at 825 Hope Street location. Hours are Tuesday August 20 from 10 AM to noon and 4 PM to 7 PM, Wednesday August 21 from 4 PM to 7 PM, and Thursday August 22 from 10 am to noon and 4 PM to 7 PM.

The Festival Ballet Providence Center for Dance Education offers a comprehensive dance program for children and adults who are professional, pre-professional or recreational dancers. The Young Children's Program is available for children ages 3-7 and the Core Dance Program is designed for students aged 8 to adult. In addition to classical ballet training, the Center for Dance Education also offers a wealth of enrichment classes including Hip-Hop, Jazz, Character, Stretch, Modern, Hustle, Salsa, Pilates mat classes, The Festival Ballet Workout and more. Classes are offered throughout the day on Monday through Saturday.

The Festival Ballet Providence Center for Dance Education provides an optimal environment for dance students to flourish to their fullest potential. Faculty members bring to their teaching and coaching extensive performing careers both nationally and abroad, as well as a strong commitment to passing on their acquired wisdom, knowledge and experience to their students. The Center's ballet program adheres to a comprehensive Vaganova Syllabus, promoting steady progress in each student's growth as a dancer, both artistically and technically. Festival Ballet Providence's resident professional Company and pre-professional Junior Company provide exemplary role models for aspiring young dancers. For further information or a registration package, please call 401.353.1129.

Young Children's Program
Creative Movement (ages 3-4)
Designed for our youngest students, this class focuses on coordination, large motor skill development, listening skills, musical and spatial awareness. The use of simple musical instruments and other props help engage the student's attention and foster their imagination and natural creativity.

Pre-Ballet I (ages 4-5)
This class continues to focus on coordination, motor development, listening skills, musical awareness, and spacial skills, and begins to introduce elements of classical ballet through age-appropriate activities.

Pre-Ballet II (ages 5-6)
This class slowly introduces a more formal study of classical ballet through age-appropriate skill development, creative expression, music appreciation, and the relationship between music and dance.

Pre-Ballet III (age 7)
This class stresses fundamental ballet technique and the self-discipline necessary to continue the study of classical ballet. Students will be preparing to advance to Beginner Ballet I.

Core Dance Program
Beginner Ballet Division
Beginner Ballet I emphasizes technique, proper placement, turnout of the hips, correct ballet posture, and coordination of the arms and legs. Beginner Ballet II builds on previously learned skills. More difficult exercises begin to develop strength and memory skills. Beginner Ballet III prepares the student for turns and pointe work.

Intermediate Ballet Division
Intermediate I focuses on simple combinations of previously learned steps. Extension (the height of the leg) is developed and pointe work is introduced. In Intermediate II and III, barre work becomes faster and the vocabulary of dance steps increases. Pointe work is an important part of study at these levels, and there is a strong emphasis on expression and artistry. Supplemental classes include Pointe, Stretch, Character, Repertory (the study of corp de ballet work from the classical repertoire), Variations (the study of solo ballet work from the classical repertoire) and Partnering.

Advanced Ballet Division
Performance quality and artistic presentation are the primary focus of this division. Supplemental classes at this level include Pointe, Stretch, Character, Modern, Variations and Pas de Deux.

Adult Ballet Division
This division is open to teens and adults with minimal or no ballet training. Classes are offered at the beginning and intermediate levels. Men and women who want to experience dance as a recreational activity for fun and exercise are welcome. Stretch classes are also available.

Enrichment Division
The following classes are offered for children and adults who want to broaden their dance experience for fun and exercise: Hip-Hop, Jazz, Hustle, Salsa, The Festival Ballet Workout (exercise class based on ballet technique), Pilates Mat class and Modern Dance.

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The Festival Ballet Providence and the Center for Dance Education are together a not-for-proft arts organization whose EIN is 05-0377245 and whose Rhode Island Corporate ID number is ND-27-137.