Training Philosophy & Assessments
Southern California Ballet’s training philosophy has been carefully honed by its Artistic Directors with the goal of providing effective, healthy, and foundational ballet training.
Training Principles
Artistry and Expression
Above all, dancers are artists! Everything we do stems from the joy of being an artist. Think about the performers who draw your attention on stage: it is performers who draw you in and share something with the audience. We can only share something with the audience if we give something; therefore, everything we do must be inspired or influenced by why we do it, or what we are trying to say.
Quality over Quantity
We understand that dance bridges the gap between art and athleticism. This balance is very delicate and the temptation to pursue measurable success over artistic growth can be very strong. It is very important to us that quantity—things like the number of turns you can do, or how high your leg is, for example—is only pursued once quality is achieved.
This is not to say that we do not appreciate and aim for the extreme athletic ability of dancers today, as we do in fact train our dancers to the highest technical standards possible. We also, however, focus on technique from a perspective of artistry. Why is that leg so high? What effect does a beautiful triple pirouette have on my performance vs a rushed quadruple? Dance is still an art and we therefore must train ourselves to communicate through our art form. We can do this only through focusing on quality, thus gaining a foundational technique to build upon.
Holistic and Healthy
Our holistic approach to ballet training takes into account the “whole” of each dancer, including their physical ability and health, as well as their mental focus and their emotional capacity to deal with the challenges of dance. A dancer’s ability to work with others, communicate well, and listen is crucial to a successful career whether in dance or not.
We also take into account the “whole” of the dancer when it comes to actual ballet technique—making sure that we are not only trying to achieve a step, but that we are achieving it well and with an understanding of how we do that. It is no use, for example, if we are managing to hit positions or perform an impressive technical feat if we cannot hold those positions or repeat the feats reliably, nor if we can do seemingly amazing things but are injured so often that we do not get to perform them. Well-rounded and healthy dancers are the ones that succeed in dance.
System of Training
Southern California Ballet’s system of training aims to provide students with a foundation which will empower them to enter the professional and university dance worlds, should they aspire to do so.
Drawing on the professional experience of Southern California Ballet’s artistic directors and faculty, as well as their mentors, SCB’s training method was designed to bring structure, transparency, and objectivity to ballet education through an updated assessment process, the creation of a progressive syllabus to foster progress in-line with international standards in the dance world, and the inclusion of modern anatomy and movement science in the broader curriculum.
Ballet Technique classes at SCB follow the SCB syllabus, and instill a strong ballet foundation focused on developing technique, strength, individuality, and expression. These classes involve annual assessment by a panel of professional experts, and focus on developing both mindset and the physical skills required to pursue dance.
Annual Assessments
About Assessments
Southern California Ballet is the only dance studio in the area to offer annual ballet exams assessed by a panel of independent professionals, allowing the student to progress in ballet following a structured curriculum in their Ballet Technique classes.
Assessments are an invaluable training tool. They top off a year of hard work by providing an achievable goal, a different performance experience outside of the theater, and an opportunity to receive valuable feedback from other dance professionals.
What Comprises the Assessment Process?
An annual exam taking place around May, evaluated by a panel of current dance world professionals
Input from the student’s academy teachers, reflecting on their work, concentration, and behavior throughout the year
Why Does SCB Have an Assessment Process?
To increase the dancer’s exposure to the dance world outside of our own walls
To provide constructive personal feedback, allowing dancers to focus on the substance of what is being achieved rather than merely earning a grade—we believe this focus is essential to entering dance professionally
To provide dancers with structured learning and the foundation to set & achieve goals in dance
To ensure effective level placement, so that dancers are in the class levels that will most benefit their development
Are Assessments Required?
Passing your assessment is required for dancers in Level 5 and above to move to the next level.
Dancers in Level 4 or below who decide not to participate in assessments will not officially “pass” that level, but will be recommended to either repeat their current level or advance to the next level as evaluated by their teacher and Artistic Directors.
About Levels at SCB
Level Assignment & Progression
Southern California Ballet is an exemplary dance training institute and, as such, student placement is of utmost importance to us. Correct level placement ensures that all dancers learn and solidify each aspect of their training before moving on, creating a strong foundation to build upon and maintaining the level of excellence that you expect for your child.
We also take into account certain milestones (pointe work, for example) in a dancer’s training that can only happen at a specific age or point in their physical development. Therefore, early advancement often only leads to a student having to be held back and feeling frustrated in the future.
Level Divisions
SCB’s academy is divided into 6 broad levels:
Creative
Pre-Primary
Primary
Elementary
Intermediate
Company
A student’s broad level is determined by the ballet syllabus level that they are studying (e.g. Ballet Technique Level 3 is part of the broad Primary level), such that when one takes extra classes (Tap, Jazz, Modern, etc), everyone in that class will be at the same skill level, facilitating better progression.