THE BALLET CONSERVATORY
TEL: (972) 317-0194
d e d i c a t e d t o e x c e l l e n c e
4-Time Winner of Youth America Grand Prix's "Outstanding School" Award
Top 5% of Prestigious Ballet Schools in the U.S.
"Best of Denton County" Winner 2021
Distinguished Teaching "Best of Lewisville" Winner 2023
Take Your "First Steps" at The Ballet Conservatory!!!
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Introducing "First Steps," a Preschool Dance Program!
Strong Technique begins long before Pointe Shoes!
In order to have more choices & better age divisions in our Preschool Program, we are introducing FIRST STEPS for 3, 4, & 5 year olds who are not in 1st Grade yet! It’s never too early to work on basic motor skills, coordination, memorizing simple patterns, musicality, & following instructions in a group setting.
FIRST STEPS will focus on the FUN-damentals of dance using creative play, imagination, story-telling, themed dances & fun props to keep the interest of our youngest dancers. Even though we are having fun, our teachers are working hard to gently instill focus, correct habits with muscle memory, & teach proper dance terminology. We are so proud of our 3 to 5 year old dancers when they enter the more formal training in Ballet 1, Tap 1 and even Jazz 1 at age 6 because they are prepared with the technical basics, good coordination, & body awareness,
& they know the class etiquette required in any dance class.
This does wonders for their confidence!
What to expect from our "First Steps" Program:
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In a class setting, our younger dancers will have fun while learning the foundation of ballet technique which is fundamental to all dance forms. The 5-year old class also has the option of learning tap skills which helps them to develop fine motor skills, timing, rhythm and musicality which prepares them for other dance forms and quicker ballet work some day.
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Nurturing adult teachers with college degrees and/or professional experience. We learn with beautiful music and creative imagery how to warmup and stretch before dancing with an emphasis on straight legs, pointed feet and good posture. Very basic ballet steps and concepts will be introduced as well such as jumping, turning right and left and fun locomotor movements like walking, running, skipping and leaping! Teachers will follow lesson plans written by our School Director and use music designed for the theme of the month. This helps young dancers who would like to make up a missed lesson in another class feel more comfortable and familiar with the structure of the class. Each class ends with your child getting a stamp or sticker to reward and celebrate their progress and success!
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On the first Saturday in December, we host Clara's Nutcracker Party at the studio for all our FIRST STEPS dancers and parents where LakeCities Ballet Theatre dancers (including Clara!) perform and engage with the children in games and photo opportunities!
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Dancers age 5 and older have the opportunity to Audition for our community Nutcracker produced by LakeCities Ballet Theatre.
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At the end of the school year, we perform with all our Ballet Conservatory students (young and old) at our Annual Recital in a real theatre! This teaches our dancers how to memorize sequences and patterns and the importance of practice. Dancing in front of parents, grandparents and friends builds confidence at that age! Especially when they cheer our dancers on for a year of growth!
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We look forward to dancing with you in our FIRST STEPS program and starting you on your dance journey! After 35 years of sharing our love of dance, we look at each child with excitement! Whether they dance with us for a few years or until high school graduation, we know how they will be shaped by the wonderful benefits of a dance education!
"First Steps" Levels
First Position: Ages 3 - 4
(45 min class, Ballet Only -
must be 3 by September 1.)
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Dancers in this class are ready to participate in class without the help of a parent or caregiver.
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Focus is on basic ballet and the introduction of dance terminology. Gross motor skills, coordination and creative movement are emphasized.
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Dancers will have the option to participate in the Studio’s recital in early June.
Second Position: Ages 4 - 5
(45 min class, Ballet Only - 4 year olds must have one year of 1st position class & be recommended by your teacher to enroll in this class.)
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Continued emphasis on important ballet steps and terminology.
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Introducing awareness of correct muscle engagement in our port de bras, posture and balance by using fun images!
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This class can be repeated at age 5 or you may move to our 3rd Position Class.
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Dancers will have the option to participate in the Studio’s recital in early June.
Third Position: Age 5
(1 hour class, 30 min ballet & 30 min of tap (tap shoes needed) - must be 5 by October 1.)
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Continued emphasis and practice of important ballet steps and the coordination needed.
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Introducing awareness of correct muscle engagement in our port de bras, posture and balance by using fun images!
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The second half of class will work on fine motor skills and coordination using basic tap and jazz steps. This also improves rhythm, timing, and musicality which are important skills for a dancer to have.
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Dancers will have the option to participate in the Studio’s recital in early June.
First Steps Tuition
1st Position and 2nd Position - $65 a month
3rd Position - $70 a month
*Add another First Steps class each week for $40 a month
REGISTRATION FEE: To make it simpler for new dance parents, our First Steps Registration Fee is $75 but includes the items you need to start your class. This fee is slightly higher than our regular BC
registration fee but includes the following fun perks:
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"First Steps" pink leotard/ tutu ($43.00 value)
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One pair pink tights ($15.00 value)
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One Princess Tiara ($5.00 value)
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BC "First Steps" T-Shirt ($15.00 value)
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BC "First Steps" Dance Bag ($5.00 value)
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Invitation to the Nutcracker Party in early
December. (Priceless!)
Total Value: $92.00
All "First Steps" Girls will need Capezio or Bloch
Pink Ballet shoes. Boys need Capezio or Bloch ballet
shoes in black. Girls and Boys in the Third Position class also need black tap shoes. Girls tap shoes must have Velcro straps and not laces. Shoes may be purchased at any dancewear or online store.
Boys in the Program will need to purchase their own dance items and will not be charged the $75
registration fee. They will receive a dance bag designed especially for our boys and an invitation to the
Nutcracker Party! Boys will need:
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A White t-shirt
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Black tights or black leggings
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Thin white socks
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Black ballet shoes.
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Black tap shoes (Only for dancers in the Third Position class)
Tips for Success and
Things to Remember:
1. Arrive 5 minutes early so the dancers can get their dance shoes on and can say hello to their friends in the lobby. They should also be encouraged to go the bathroom before class begins. When dancers arrive late or have to leave class, it can disrupt the flow of class and distract attention away from the teacher.
2. Practice quiet voices and calm bodies from the moment you walk in the front door. It’s easier to maintain a calm and focused energy in class when students are already calm and focused walking into class.
3. Dancers and parents should wait until they are invited into the classroom by their teacher before entering the room.
4. Dress for success! Always come prepared with appropriate dance wear and shoes. Hair should be pulled back away from the face and off the neck as in a bun or pony tail. Short hair should be pulled back with a headband.
5. Lastly, we must also remember that these children are still very young! They will make mistakes, fall out of line, and should not be expected to behave “perfectly” in class. We are gently guiding them as they learn how to behave as students. While it’s important that they practice their dancing, it’s just as important that they learn to follow direction from a teacher, how to wait their turn, and how to line up for an activity. Celebrate their victories with us and help us encourage a positive relationship with dance that will last a lifetime! Communication with your teacher is key.
