Student Open Division

Ages 6-14

Student Open Division classes are appropriate for ages 6-14.  Classes begin August 27, 2018.  Beginning Ballet classes end with a Showcase Performance on Sunday, May 13, 2018.  Youth Ballet classes end with a spring performance June 2, 2019. 

Students ages 9 and up also have the opportunity to audition to perform with Charlotte Ballet in Nutcracker.

This Division provides a program for students who choose to train under 4 hours per week or who enter the Academy needing foundational ballet skills before entering the Primary Division. Most students in this division, at the age of 14, will continue their training in the Adult Open Division. Select students will be able to gain sufficient foundational skills to progress to training in the Primary or Intermediate Divisions. A placement class is not needed for a student to join the Student Open Division.

Class Descriptions

Beginning Ballet classes are recommended for students ages 6-9.  A traditionally structured ballet class which includes French ballet terminology that is for students with little or no ballet experience. Fundamental exercises of ballet are introduced while maintaining an emphasis on musicality, development of overall body strength, alignment and the enjoyment of moving.

Youth Ballet classes are recommended for students ages 10-14. A traditionally structured ballet class for students with a variety of dance backgrounds:

  • • Students who are new to ballet training
  • • Students who have had little or intermittent periods of ballet training
  • • Students who need stronger foundational ballet skills

Class emphasizes proper placement, familiarity with ballet vocabulary and French terminology, musicality, overall strengthening and the joy of movement.

Location

Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance
701 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Map >

2017/2018 Dress Code

In the proud tradition of classical ballet and in encouragement of each dancer’s positive self-image, we strive to have a clean, uniformed appearance for all our students. Please help us achieve this goal by purchasing leotards, tights and ballet shoes that match our dress code requirements and by fixing your child’s hair for class in the appropriate manner as listed.

Girl’s Hair

All Youth Ballet female students are required to wear a high bun on the crown of the head for class. No bangs, loose ends, ponytails or ornamentation are allowed. Please use a hair net to keep fly away ends in place.

Boy’s Hair

Hair should be neat and tidy. Hair longer than chin length must be pulled away from the face in either a ponytail or headband.

2017/2018 Charlotte Ballet Academy Dress Code Update

After extensive surveying and conversation with Charlotte Ballet Academy parents and dancers, the Academy is thrilled to implement an updated dress code for the 2016/2017 School Year.  By partnering with Eurotard brand, the new dress code will offer high quality, reasonably priced dancewear for our Academy families.

A summary of the dress code items may be found on the Eurotard website.  You can also find more details with our Charlotte Ballet Academy Dress Code Update Flyer.  Additional dress code items for Jazz, Modern and Character classes are listed on the Eurotard‘s Charlotte Ballet Academy page.

Families have the option of purchasing dress code items at our local retail partners, (M-Azing Dancewear, Morris Costumes or Lebos.)  You can also order through the Eurotard site, choose a participating retailer and have items shipped to you or pick them up in store.

Morris Costumes (4300 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC, 28205) carries Academy dress code attire.

Questions regarding the Charlotte Ballet Academy Dress Code Update may be directed to Academy Artistic Coordinator Kati Hanlon Mayo at 704.372.0101 or kmayo@charlotteballet.org.