Catherine Bellinger School of Dance

Baby Ballet is for children from age 2-4 and is a great introduction to the world of ballet, movement and music based in a fun environment.  The activities will stimulate your child’s imagination through visual, auditory and basic natural movements with the use of props such as scarves, teddies, musical instruments and ribbons.  This will help them develop their co-ordination, confidence, musicality, listening and social skills.

This is the first grade of the RAD syllabus and is for children age 4-5 who have just started Reception.

Ballet encourages self-discipline and self expression, developing listening skills, encouraging children to follow instruction, learning to work as an individual and in groups, developing co-ordination, good posture, strength and suppleness.

The children begin to learn the basic ballet positions, skipping, jumping and  galloping and turnout is introduced.  Imaginative learning is maintained with short imaginative stories played out through movement.  Props continue to be used and play an integral part of the class.  These include feathers, scarves and pom-poms.  A more structured class is beginning to emerge where children learn to take instruction within a nurturing environment where they develop musical appreciation and artistry.

This is suitable for children age 6-7 and is a progression from Pre-Primary

Children are now encouraged to develop their artistry and musical appreciation and develop their key skills such as listening, self-discipline and self-expression.  Children are encouraged to practise and perfect steps and work towards RAD examinations if they wish.

This is suitable for children aged 7-10

Spinning, leaping, balancing are now introduced.  Character becomes part of the syllabus

Ballet encourages self-discipline and self expression, developing listening skills, encouraging children to follow instruction, learning to work as an individual and in groups, developing co-ordination, good posture, strength and suppleness. Ballet also provides a nurturing environment for the development of artistry and musical appreciation.

This grade is suitable for children age 10-12

Musically inspired exercises motivate students to acquire a well rounded understanding of ballet and character and the children are encouraged to enhance their performance quality.  They work as individuals and within groups and continue to develop good posture, co-ordination, suppleness and strength. Ukranian character dancing is introduced in this grade.

This grade is suitable for children age 8+

We combine Musical Theatre and Tap which offers a chance to experience dynamism and creative expression at the heart of Musical Theatre.  Tap is one of the most iconic forms of dance.  It is both percussive and expressive and you will learn the basic tap steps and rhythms.  You will also sing, act and dance and work towards performances and examinations if you wish.