FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. "What is different about ballet at City Ballet?"
We are the ONLY school in the area that SPECIALIZES in ballet! Why? Because with excellent classical ballet training, you can do anything. Did you know that ballet is the highest level of training and experience you can receive in dance?
Our performances move beyond the recital experience, and provide each student with opportunities to perform full length ballets all season. For the 2014-2015 Season, City Ballet Company and School students presented Phantom of the Opera, The Snow Queen, and Coppelia. The 2015-2016 Season, City Ballet will present A Carolina Nutcracker (the full length ballet) and the premier of Cinderella a magical ballet set to the wonderful Prokofiev music score and choreographed by City Ballet's Artistic Director Andrea Hill.
Only City Ballet students and professional guest artists are involved in our performances. This assures the quality of the performances, the ability to maintain a professional and supportive atmosphere, and that we can provide excellent performing opportunities for our students (they have made a commitment to City Ballet and we are committed to each student).
2. "Doesn't my child need more than ballet?"
After 22 years of teaching, it is sad to see the number of parents/ dancers that are encouraged to believe that their kids need to have numerous dance styles. The truth is that the more they take, the less they benefit! We do offer Pointe, Partnering, Men's and Modern/ Contemporary styles as students advance, because it is beneficial for the advanced levels.
There is a popular quote - "Jack of ALL TRADES and master of NONE."
3. "Isn't ballet boring?"
At City Ballet, we have the opposite problem. Our students love ballet, and want more... and more..and more! This summer we have over 50 students from ages 9-18 taking 6-7 weeks of our Ballet Summer Intensives (12 - 27 hours of Ballet Intensive Classes per week).
At City Ballet the passion for what we offer continues to grow...and with it our enrollment (did we mention registering early)!
4. "Why City Ballet? My child just wants to dance for fun!"
This is where the parents need to ask IMPORTANT QUESTIONS...what kind of dance atmosphere/ experience do you want for your child. Just as friends can influence your child's choices in life, the culture of the dance studio (and it's values) WILL INFLUENCE your child.
At City Ballet, students learn valuable life lessons that enrich their lives and the lives of others. Immersion in City Ballet instills a love and respect for living life with a spirit of generosity, encourages respect (for themselves and others), and inspires a passion for learning! Values are reflected in the students class attire and costumes (Different from many schools, we do not allow bra tops, bare middles, or plunging necklines at City Ballet).
City Ballet classes are FUN and the students love learning and being challenged!
5. Can ballet be harmful?
City Ballet is committed to providing safe correct technique from the beginning (how you dance can either help or hurt you). City Ballet studios are equipped with sprung floors (important protection for dancers bodies), we provide Marley dance floors for all performances (proper dance floor surface), and we discuss health and nutrition. We want to insure that dancers are getting the proper food and rest they need. We are also extremely cautious about pointe preparation and pointe work (going on pointe without the proper instruction, strength, development can cause permanent damage).
6. Why don't you send dancers to competitions?
We AVOID the competition route for many reasons.
NOT NECESSARY: Professional Training Schools and Companies do not accept students based on trophies and awards. They look at the quality of training, and hours devoted to class time.
EXPENSE is outrageous (hundreds to thousands of your dollars)! We receive the studio director information for competitions - let's just say...competitions are not designed for the student.
TIME COMMITMENT - the amount of time spent on preparation, travel, and events takes away from the time that can be spent on classes and excellent performances!
7. Should I supplement with classes at other dance schools?
Only if you want to slow your progress, and confuse your training. We are very careful about the faculty we hire, and what the students will receive each class. We want to assure the very best training possible. Supplementing interferes with a students progress - and can also result in the student being pulled in too many directions, or developing overuse strain/ injuries.
Proper muscle development and technique is critical for the best progress!
REGISTER TODAY
1. "What is different about ballet at City Ballet?"
We are the ONLY school in the area that SPECIALIZES in ballet! Why? Because with excellent classical ballet training, you can do anything. Did you know that ballet is the highest level of training and experience you can receive in dance?
Our performances move beyond the recital experience, and provide each student with opportunities to perform full length ballets all season. For the 2014-2015 Season, City Ballet Company and School students presented Phantom of the Opera, The Snow Queen, and Coppelia. The 2015-2016 Season, City Ballet will present A Carolina Nutcracker (the full length ballet) and the premier of Cinderella a magical ballet set to the wonderful Prokofiev music score and choreographed by City Ballet's Artistic Director Andrea Hill.
Only City Ballet students and professional guest artists are involved in our performances. This assures the quality of the performances, the ability to maintain a professional and supportive atmosphere, and that we can provide excellent performing opportunities for our students (they have made a commitment to City Ballet and we are committed to each student).
2. "Doesn't my child need more than ballet?"
After 22 years of teaching, it is sad to see the number of parents/ dancers that are encouraged to believe that their kids need to have numerous dance styles. The truth is that the more they take, the less they benefit! We do offer Pointe, Partnering, Men's and Modern/ Contemporary styles as students advance, because it is beneficial for the advanced levels.
There is a popular quote - "Jack of ALL TRADES and master of NONE."
3. "Isn't ballet boring?"
At City Ballet, we have the opposite problem. Our students love ballet, and want more... and more..and more! This summer we have over 50 students from ages 9-18 taking 6-7 weeks of our Ballet Summer Intensives (12 - 27 hours of Ballet Intensive Classes per week).
At City Ballet the passion for what we offer continues to grow...and with it our enrollment (did we mention registering early)!
4. "Why City Ballet? My child just wants to dance for fun!"
This is where the parents need to ask IMPORTANT QUESTIONS...what kind of dance atmosphere/ experience do you want for your child. Just as friends can influence your child's choices in life, the culture of the dance studio (and it's values) WILL INFLUENCE your child.
At City Ballet, students learn valuable life lessons that enrich their lives and the lives of others. Immersion in City Ballet instills a love and respect for living life with a spirit of generosity, encourages respect (for themselves and others), and inspires a passion for learning! Values are reflected in the students class attire and costumes (Different from many schools, we do not allow bra tops, bare middles, or plunging necklines at City Ballet).
City Ballet classes are FUN and the students love learning and being challenged!
5. Can ballet be harmful?
City Ballet is committed to providing safe correct technique from the beginning (how you dance can either help or hurt you). City Ballet studios are equipped with sprung floors (important protection for dancers bodies), we provide Marley dance floors for all performances (proper dance floor surface), and we discuss health and nutrition. We want to insure that dancers are getting the proper food and rest they need. We are also extremely cautious about pointe preparation and pointe work (going on pointe without the proper instruction, strength, development can cause permanent damage).
6. Why don't you send dancers to competitions?
We AVOID the competition route for many reasons.
NOT NECESSARY: Professional Training Schools and Companies do not accept students based on trophies and awards. They look at the quality of training, and hours devoted to class time.
EXPENSE is outrageous (hundreds to thousands of your dollars)! We receive the studio director information for competitions - let's just say...competitions are not designed for the student.
TIME COMMITMENT - the amount of time spent on preparation, travel, and events takes away from the time that can be spent on classes and excellent performances!
7. Should I supplement with classes at other dance schools?
Only if you want to slow your progress, and confuse your training. We are very careful about the faculty we hire, and what the students will receive each class. We want to assure the very best training possible. Supplementing interferes with a students progress - and can also result in the student being pulled in too many directions, or developing overuse strain/ injuries.
Proper muscle development and technique is critical for the best progress!
REGISTER TODAY
City Ballet
5814 Oleander Dr. #3 Wilmington NC 28403 Email: achill@cityballetofwilmington.org
5814 Oleander Dr. #3 Wilmington NC 28403 Email: achill@cityballetofwilmington.org
