Ballet School #2

In July 2009 I did a post called Ballet School

( http://justanotherdancingteen.blogspot.com/2009/07/ok-so-i-decided-that-im-going-to-do.html )

about SAB. This one is going to be about Pacific Northwest Ballet school (PNB).

***All of the information is from ( http://www.pnb.org/). I am not claiming any of it is mine.

Founded in 1974, Pacific Northwest Ballet School is recognized as one of the top three ballet training institutions in the United States. Under the direction of Peter Boal, the School offers a complete, professional curriculum to more than 900 students. The School's Open Program attracts 600 teens and adults who wish to pursue recreational dance instruction in a supportive and encouraging setting.

The Children's Division is divided into Pre-K for ages 2–4, Creative Movement for ages 5–6, Pre-Ballet for age 7, and Children's Division Boy's Class for boys ages 5–7. No auditions are required. These programs are a prelude to formal ballet instruction and introduce children to music and movement through a structured progression that stresses creativity and group interaction.

Student Division consists of Level I through VIII, beginning at age 8. Auditions are required for Level I and above or for students age 8 years or older. Classes in this division are carefully graded by age, physical strength and development. Students are introduced to progressive levels of ballet technique as described in the School Syllabus. They are promoted according to individual progress in acquiring technique and strength. Entrance by audition only.

Pacific Northwest Ballet School's Open Program classes are open to the public (age 13 and older).

Pacific Northwest Ballet School has two facilities ideally suited for dance: the Phelps Center in Seattle and the Francia Russell Center in Bellevue. The curriculum, faculty, tuition, dress code and audition requirements are identical at the Seattle and Eastside Schools.

Pacific Northwest Ballet's DanceChance program strives to reach into the community and discover talented, Seattle-area elementary school students. Children who show they have the physical ability to become professional dancers are provided with classical training, allowing them the opportunity they might not otherwise have to pursue a dance career. Students attend classes twice a week on full tuition scholarship with dance attire, transportation and complimentary tickets to company performances provided

In the fall, the DanceChance screening team visits partner schools to audition third-grade students. Students are selected on the basis of their musicality, physical ability and coordination. The Introductory Session runs for 9 weeks from October through December. A select number of students who demonstrate strong interest, talent and willingness are invited to continue their training in the spring. Students study ballet fundamentals as well as character dance, modern and jazz.

Children who show interest and promise are invited to continue as second-year students, focusing on classical ballet as well as character dance, modern and jazz. Students attend classes twice a week; once on a regular school day and once on Saturday. In their third year, students join regular PNB School classes. The DanceChance students have auditioned for and been placed in such company productions as PNB's Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Here is a video about DanceChance (http://www.pnb.org/PNBSchool/Classes/DanceChance/#Media)

For Info on the Summer program (http://www.pnb.org/PNBSchool/Classes/SummerCourse/)