International Ballet Academy | Preparatory Program

Preparatory Program

Ages 9 to 16 years old

The International Ballet Academy’s Preparatory Program provides comprehensive dance instruction to prepare dancers for the IBT Professional Program. Our classical ballet training is based on the Vaganova method curriculum as taught at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia.

To provide a well-rounded education in dance, non-ballet styles of dance are also offered in Jazz/Theater Dance, Character/Flamenco, Modern, and Tap. Performance opportunities with the International Ballet Theatre will become available to help students develop a strong body and technique. Through this comprehensive curriculum, IBA students gain a strong work ethic, confidence in valuable life skills, and self-discipline.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The International Ballet Academy strives to achieve a high level of education for our dancers. Our curriculum is not only designed to elevate our students' talent, technique, and artistry but to provide them a strong foundation for their next steps. IBA graduates go on to earn scholarships and apprenticeships at prestigious ballet companies and universities all around the world, such as The Juilliard School, UC Berkeley, and Harvard, along

with Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, The Dutch National Ballet, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York.

Prep Summer

Classical Ballet Curriculum

Non-Ballet Styles of Dance

Level One | 9 to 10 years old

This is the first year of formal training in classical ballet technique. At this level, students will start a detailed study of the fundamentals of ballet to include: beginning barre work, beginning center work, and stretching. Students will develop muscular control, self-discipline, and turnout. At this age, dancers may begin other forms of dance such as Character dance, Theatre dance, Flamenco, and Modern. At this age, dancers may begin pre-pointe exercises to prepare the legs and feet for pointe shoes.

Dancers may participate in the End of Year Performance as well as in IBT’s annual Children’s production and The Nutcracker.

They can also audition to participate in other select productions with the International Ballet Theatre.

Requirement of 2 ballet classes per week and 1 pre-pointe class per week
Dancers should not purchase pre-pointe shoes until after their first month in class assessment and further instructions.*

Level Two | 10 to 11 years old

Students will start to build on the fundamental training they received in Ballet One. They will develop increased focus, musical awareness, muscle control, and stamina, as well as foundational, and classical techniques. After assessment by the class instructor, the dancers may begin pointe work.

Dancers may participate in the End of Year performance as well as IBT’s annual Children’s production and The Nutcracker.

Requirement of 2 ballet classes per week and 1 pointe class per week
Dancers should not purchase pointe shoes until after their first month in class assessment and further instructions.*

Level Three | 11 to 12 years old

At this level, students are exposed to a variety of more advanced skills while building on the foundational training they received in the previous two levels. More intermediate movements are introduced, developing better coordination, musicality, balance, and muscle control. Training in pointe work continues.

Dancers may participate in the End of Year performance as well as IBT’s annual Children’s production and The Nutcracker.

Requirement of 3 ballet classes per week.
Classes include pointe work
Dancers new to pointe should not purchase pointe shoes until after their first month in class assessment and further instructions.

Level Four | 12 to 13 years old

At this level, students are introduced to a variety of more complex skills, as well as more difficult choreographic and musical patterns during the lesson. They continue to develop their classical ballet technique through rigorous and consistent practice of their foundational material. Students will continue developing pointe work.

Dancers have broader performance opportunities with the International Ballet Theatre.

Requirement of 4 ballet classes per week
Classes include pointe work

Level Five | 13 to 14 years old

This level concentrates on the mastery of more complex movements and choreography. There is an emphasis on the ongoing development of the classical ballet technique and performance skills. Dancers begin advanced pointe work.

Dancers have broader performance opportunities with the International Ballet Theatre.

Requirement of 5 ballet classes per week
Classes include pointe work

Level Six | 14 to 15 years old

This level continues the mastery of increasingly complex movement patterns and variations. Musical phrasing and choreography become more challenging and dynamic. With a strong foundation, the student moves forward into more advanced material with a strong focus on developing agility, strength, elegance, and flexibility. Dancers increase the difficulty and dynamics of their pointe work training, learning more challenging combinations and classical variations.

Dancers have broader performance opportunities with the International Ballet Theatre.

Requirement of 5 ballet classes per week
Classes include pointe work

Level Seven | 15 to 16 years old

At this level, students work to refine their technique, artistry, style, and performance skills into a more professional level. With a strong foundation, the student continues to move forward into advanced material with a strong focus on developing dynamic movement, stamina, elegance, and strength. Dancers continue to increase the difficulty and dynamics of their pointe work training, learning more challenging combinations and classical variations.

Dancers have broader performance opportunities with the International Ballet Theatre.

Requirement of 5 ballet classes per week
Classes include pointe work

Level Eight | 16 years old and up

Students will continue to refine and train their technique, artistry, style, and performance skills at the professional level. Dancers continue to increase the difficulty and dynamics of their pointe work training, learning more challenging combinations and classical variations.

Dancers have broader performance opportunities with the International Ballet Theatre.

Requirement of 5 ballet classes per week
Classes include pointe work

Jazz | 11 years old and up

Based on the Luigi Jazz Technique, students learn jazz-oriented movement and dance using extension and strength. These skills blend together to produce a very sophisticated and elegant dance style for all ages.

Two Levels: Intermediate/Advanced

Character | 11 years old and up

Character Dance takes folk dances from all over the world and combines them with elements of classical ballet. Students learn original dances from many countries to include Poland, Hungary, Russia, and Spain, as well as character scenes from various age-old ballet productions.

Three Levels: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

Flamenco | 11 years old and up

Flamenco is the traditional song and dance of the Gypsy people of Andalucia in Southern Spain. Developed over several centuries from a fusion of various eastern cultures, Flamenco is a powerful expression of history, culture, and art. Students will be immersed in this living art form by learning beginning technique and choreography. Classes will incorporate arm movements, footwork, stylized body positioning, and basic Flamenco rhythms.

Three Levels: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

Modern | 11 years old and up

Modern dance is a broad genre of stylistic movements not commonly recognized as having a strict structure. These classes provide a unique and challenging approach to dance.

With a focus on free movement, students learn how to strengthen and develop their natural flow into sophisticated, artistic expression. Various techniques are used in this class, including the Martha Graham technique (Percussive qualities), the Limon technique (Circular qualities), the Merce Cunningham technique (Angular qualities), and the Lester Horton technique (Isolations).

Three Levels: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

Pas de Deux (entry by Instructor Permission)

A "dance for two people", the Pas de Deux is commonly performed with difficult stunts and virtuosic promenades. Dancers will study techniques suitable for choreography with a partner, as well as develop coordination and communication skills they will utilize on stage.

Usually, it takes many years of classical ballet training before one can build sufficient stability, strength, and coordination to enter such a class.

Pointe Shoes - Level One & Two

Dancers in Level One and Level Two are asked to not purchase pointe shoes until they have met with the Artistic Director regarding fitting and preparation.

Pointe Shoe Meeting

For Level One and Level Two

Date: TBA

Time: TBA

Location: IBA Facility

Registration & Tuition | 2024-2025

Entrance to our Preparatory Program is by audition only and is open to dancers with previous experience.

To arrange an audition, please contact IBA at (425) 822-7694 or via email at info@intballetacademy.org

Schedule, Documents, and Fees

Audition Class Fee: $75 (upon acceptance, fee will be credited to registration fee)

Annual Registration Fee - $75 (due at time of registration.)

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Please review the Parent Portal Instructions before registering.

Parent Portal Instructions

Lessons

Per Week

Monthly Option (AUTO PAY only)

$952

$896

$831

$737

$620

$467

$326

$222

BALLET CLASS REQUIREMENT

Please review the published IBA curriculum information to learn more about specific requirements in each level of study. Each level requires a minimum number of ballet lessons per week. You may request a copy at the IBA business office, or visit the IBA website.

TEEN/ADULT OPEN CLASS PROGRAM (age 13+)

IBA offers teen/adult drop-in classes in various genres of dance. Skill levels are noted on our open class schedule; however, if you need assistance determining which classes to attend, please get in touch with our business office at 425.822.7694.

Drop-In Class Fee = $ 20.00 (cash, check, money order)

Drop-In Class Fee = $ 23.00 (credit card, tap to pay)

Class cards are available. click here for more information

Purchase 20 classes and get one class free.

See registration forms and the IBA Parent & Student Manual for more information about all of the IBA tuition policies and any specific requirements for your program of interest.

STUDIO RENTALS: Available upon request. Please contact the front office staff for booking details.

Registration with IBA signifies your commitment to a full 19-week semester.

Tuition is divided into 10 equal monthly payments for the 10-month season, including payments from Sept 1st through June 1st.

IBA accepts full semester payments for the Professional Program only. All other students may enroll in our monthly auto-pay.
Auto payment options may only be established during the first month of each new semester.
Payments are accepted in cash, check, bank check, money order, and credit card (excluding American Express.)
Tuition is due on the 1st of the month. IBA offers a generous grace period; however, a late fee of $30 will be assessed on all unpaid accounts on the 11th day of the month. Late fees will continue to accrue monthly until all past-due tuition is resolved.
Accounts left past due for longer than 60 days will be placed on a hold until past due tuition is resolved.
A $60 fee will be assessed for all returned checks.
All tuition and fee payments are non-refundable.
A $75 annual registration fee is required for all dancers in the following programs: Children, Primary & Preparatory. Registration
fees for other programs are specified in their specific registration forms. Additional or special programming may be subject to additional registration or administrative fees.

Dress Code

Regulation attire is enforced.

All attire may be acquired at On Pointe Dancewear in Bellevue.
Pointe Shoes are to be worn with permission from the instructor only.

BALLET ONE

Nikolay Academy “Colette” adjustable camisole leotard with IBA logo (Purple)

with Nikolay “Celine” mesh skirt (Lavender)