At the Elite Dancers Academy, we believe that ballet is the cornerstone of all dance training. Whether your child dreams of mastering lyrical, jazz, acro, or even commercial dance, a solid foundation in ballet provides the technical precision, strength, and artistry needed to excel in any dance style. In this post, we explore why ballet is so crucial to a dancer’s development and how it helps shape versatile, well-rounded performers.
Ballet: The Core of Dance Technique
Ballet is often referred to as the “mother of all dance.” Its techniques and principles form the basis for virtually every other dance style. At Elite, our ballet classes, from Baby Ballet all the way to senior levels, focus on developing essential skills such as:
- Posture and Alignment: Ballet teaches dancers how to hold their bodies properly, with shoulders back, chins up, and spines elongated. This posture is not only crucial for ballet but also transfers to all other dance forms.
- Balance and Control: Ballet places a strong emphasis on core strength, which is key for maintaining balance and control during movement. Whether your child is performing a lyrical leap or an acro flip, their ballet training will give them the control needed to execute each move with grace.
- Flexibility and Strength: Ballet combines flexibility with the strength needed to sustain positions, whether in a pirouette or an arabesque. These skills are transferable across dance disciplines, giving dancers the physical tools to perform at their best.
- Coordination and Precision: Ballet’s structured approach develops muscle memory and coordination. The precision demanded by ballet helps dancers master other techniques, from the sharp movements in jazz to the fluidity required in contemporary dance.
Building Versatility Through Ballet
One of the most significant benefits of ballet training is that it makes dancers versatile. At the Elite Dancers Academy, we encourage students to take ballet alongside other styles such as acro, lyrical, and jazz, because the technical elements of ballet enhance performance in every other genre.
- Acro: In acro dance, dancers perform gymnastic movements that require incredible strength, flexibility, and balance. Ballet’s emphasis on core strength and control provides acro dancers with the foundational skills to execute flips, jumps, and contortions safely and gracefully.
- Lyrical and Jazz: Lyrical and jazz dance combine elements of ballet and contemporary movement, emphasizing both emotional expression and sharp, dynamic techniques. Ballet training enhances the fluidity and precision required in lyrical and jazz routines, ensuring that dancers can smoothly transition between graceful lyrical movements and fast-paced jazz sequences with ease. The flexibility, strength, and control developed in ballet are critical for mastering the variety of genres taught in these classes, from contemporary to fast jazz and even commercial.
- Commercial: Commercial dance is an energetic and upbeat style, where dancers perform to current music with a focus on sharp, dynamic movements. Ballet provides the necessary stamina and muscle control that commercial dancers need to execute routines with power and precision, ensuring that their performances are both technically strong and visually captivating.
Progressing to RAD Ballet Exams
At Elite, our ballet training is not only designed to foster versatility but also prepares students for the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exams. From age four and up, students progress through this internationally recognised syllabus, gaining classical technique, musicality, and artistry that will serve them in any style of dance.
Preparing for RAD exams requires discipline, dedication, and hard work—qualities that every dancer, regardless of their preferred style, will benefit from throughout their dance journey. The focus and determination developed in RAD ballet exams carry over to every dance form, helping students approach challenges with resilience and perseverance.
Why Ballet is the Long-Term Investment for Dancers
Ballet isn’t just about learning positions and steps; it’s about building a dancer from the ground up. Ballet classes at the Elite Dancers Academy are progressive, focusing on each dancer as an individual to help them achieve their full potential. The discipline and structure of ballet create dancers who are not only technically strong but also creative and expressive, ready to excel in any style they choose to pursue.
While some students may gravitate towards jazz, acro, or contemporary dance, a strong ballet foundation remains one of the most valuable investments they can make in their dance journey. It’s the training that ensures a dancer’s technique, stamina, and grace will translate seamlessly into any performance, on any stage.
At the Elite Dancers Academy, ballet is the heart of our dance training. It provides the technical foundation, strength, and artistry that help dancers excel in every style of dance. By investing in ballet, we ensure our students have the tools they need to succeed as versatile, confident performers. Whether your child dreams of competing on national stages or simply wants to enjoy the beauty of dance, ballet will give them the skills they need to thrive.
