The School: Curriculum
The syllabus, Sonshine Christian Ballet, with twelve levels of ballet, enhances the learning process, providing individualized instruction that encompasses both technique and expression/artistry.
Benefits of Syllabus and examinations for a student
• Your student will be in a class with others of the same level.
• Provides a detail outline and plan for each student, each year.
• As the director, I know what each student is being taught each year. I know what they had last year, and will have next year.
• Class structure is guided by the syllabus, which insures that no area of ballet training is neglected.
• Exams –testing of learned and practiced curriculum for assessment and personal achievement.
• Achievable goal setting.
Annual performance
Our annual ballets, with their inspirational messages, are held in a local theatre. Students are part of a bigger picture, as they gain performance experience in a ballet along with senior and professional dancers. Learn more
Excelsior School of Dance traines the well rounded dancer by also offering modern dance, tap, hip hop and drama classes.
Ballet classes
We use a syllabus and hold twelve levels of ballet which provides personal, detailed instruction.
Beginners (Ages 3-5) (Tap and ballet) (several choices weekly)
45 minute ballet and 15 minute tap class once a week
The class includes work on co-ordination skills, basic ballet technique, rhythm, timing, miming, and group work. Students gradually develop skills including demi plies, pointing and flexing foot and toes, controlling knees at will, light ballet runs, ballet skips, gallops decote, pony trots, and arm control in a structured class enviornment that develops creativity and enjoyment through achievement.
Pre-Primary (Ages 6-7) & Primary (Ages 7-8)
1 hour class once a week.
After testing in the Pre-Primary level students advance to become Primary students. These classes continue to build on ballet basics with more memorization and arrangements for Primary candidates. Arrangements rotate yearly, so a Pre-Primary's second year as a Primary student will be different. Skills developed include en avant gallops, spring points, and sautes.
Grade 1 (Ages 8-9)
1 hour class held once a week
Primary students progress to Grade 1. Class introduces o barre work, polka, attitude devant, and classical positions of the arm.
Grade 2 (Ages 9-11)
1 hour class held twice a week
Students who have passed the examination for Grade 1 progress into Grade 2. Additionally, this grade level accommodates 9 to 11 year olds beginner ballet students. Techniques taught include full plies, en croix barre, arabesque, balances, glissards and new ballet steps.
Grade 3 (Ages 11-Adult)
1 hour class held twice a week
Grade 3 students include dancers who have passed Grade 2, beginner teens, and beginner adults. This grade level adds more to the barre and center work but is still suitable for laying the foundations for older beginners.
Grade 4 (Ages 12-Adult)
Meets twice a week for a total of 2 to 2.5 hours
The last of the children's grade levels, Grade 4 is for students who have passed Grade 3. However, Grade 4 also accommodates beginners who have had a solid ballet/dance foundation. Coursework includes the addition of new skills like pirouettes and detailed enchainments to be mastered for their exam.
Level 5 / Senior Grade (Praise Preparatory)
Meets twice a week with 2 hr classes , commences pointe
Level 5 is the first of the Major Grades.
Level 6 / Pre-Elementary (Praise)
Meets twice a week with 2 hr classes, including pointe
Level 7 / Elementary (Devotion)
Meets a minimum of twice a week with 2 hr classes, plus pointe
Level 7 is the elementary level of advanced dance. This course is a two year course.
Level 7 is a prerequisite for a Teacher's Diploma
Level 8 / Intermediate (Glory)
Meets three times a week for a total of 6 hours, including pointe
This level introduces dances to pre-professional work.
Level 9 / Advanced
Students dance three to four times weekly for 6 or more hours, including pointe
This is the advanced level for pre-professional and professional work.
These students usually attend modern dance lessons and/or a conditioning class for abdominal, back, arms, and legs strengthening.
Graduate Students
Excelsior dancers have continued dance studies and careers in the following institutes and areas of ministry:
Ad Deum Dance Company (Dancer and Trainee Program)
Texas, United States
Ballet Excelsior of Houston, national and international ministry (including Australia, Russia, Poland, Bulgaria, Greece and China (Dancers and Apprentice Dancers)
Texas, United States
Ballet Magnificat Pre-Professional Trainee Program of Mississippi
Mississippi, United States
Bellhaven University of Mississippi
Mississippi, United States
Christian City College of Creative Arts
Sydney, Australia
Weslely Institute of Creative Arts
Sydney, Australia
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, Australia
Queensland School of Excellence
Brisbane, Australia
YWAM
His Company International
University of Houston
Various other international mission groups and ballet teacher posts in the United States and Australia