Hello Level VIIIs!
This is a friendly reminder you have a Mental Health Seminar THIS Saturday October 1st from 10:15-11:15. We will not be sending weekly reminders in the future, so please make note of your fall 2022 schedule.
Hello Seattle Level VIs!
This is a friendly reminder you have a Mental Health Seminar THIS Saturday October 1st from 11:45-12:45. We will not be sending weekly reminders in the future, so please make note of your fall 2022 schedule.
Dear level VIIIs,
We are delighted to have you back this fall! Individual student/parent conferencing for Level VIII will start mid-October. These 20-minute conferences will remain on Zoom to accommodate working parents and allow for better scheduling.
As always, the Level VIII conferences will include discussions about your progress and mastering technique and artistry. Prior to conferences, your teachers work collectively to communicate their individual observations and corrections for each student. Conferences provide a platform to discuss not only what you are working on in class in the way of technique, but also your plans for the future and how we can help guide you successfully into the next chapter in your life. We want to be able to support you in those steps, whether you are graduating or have another year with us. Parents and students please come prepared with questions and let us know how we can help make this a successful year for you.
Level VIII can be an intense year, with high expectations in and out of the studio. Consistent attendance is a top priority at this level. We want to hear what issues you are coming up against (if any) and we will try, as always, to work with you to maintain this consistency.
Click here to sign up for a conference time. If your schedule allows for more afternoon flexibility, please sign up for one of the earlier 2:00 time slots. Students can use the school library space to log into their conference before their 4:15 or 4:30 class time.
We look forward to meeting with you as we set goals for the year ahead!
Hello level VIII Students,
It has come to our attention that one of our current level VIII leotard styles (the high neck option) does not fit our students correctly and is uncomfortable. We would like to select a different leotard style option for you and we want your help! Below are three new style options; please help us by Clicking here to choose your favorite! You must make your choice by October 1st before we make our decision.
Thank you!
Andie Abercrombie
School Supervisor
PNB School
Hello Level VI, VII and VIII Families,
We want to remind families that students should check the posted schedule grids at the studios every day they attend classes. Class cancellations and schedule changes will be marked on these grids throughout the week. Moving forward we will only notify families via portal or email of day-of changes to the schedule.
This week the following classes are cancelled:
Seattle Level VI Modern on Saturdays
Seattle Level VII Modern on Saturdays
Seattle Level VIII Modern on Saturdays
Best regards,
Andie Abercrombie
School Supervisor
PNB School
A big part of ballet class is coming prepared, and that means having a neat bun. Using the correct tools when doing your child’s hair can make all the difference.
*For hair that’s too short for a bun or ponytail, we recommend pigtails. If it’s too short for pigtails, use a headband or clips to keep the hair away from the face.
Water bottle
Hair Elastics
Bobbly pins
Clips
Hairpins
Hairnets
Hairspray
Students in Levels IV-VIII, Intermediate C and Advanced C will receive ticket vouchers good for two tickets to the following Reps in PNB’s 2022-23 season:
November 4 – 13, 2022
PNB is thrilled to be the second company to present Crystal Pite’s The Seasons’ Canon, which joins Emergence and Plot Point in PNB’s expanding collection of Pite works. The Seasons’ Canon joins a world premiere by international choreographer and artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet Dwight Rhoden and George Balanchine’s musically-modeled Duo Concertant.
April 14-23, 2023
In George Balanchine’s witty adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, joy reigns supreme. Add Felix Mendelssohn’s glorious score, lavish sets, and dazzling costumes and it’s no wonder this exuberant production has been captivating PNB audiences for over 25 years.
Ticket vouchers will be distributed in class a few weeks prior to each Rep. Students will be able to choose from a selection of performance dates and times determined by PNB.
We encourage all students to attend PNB Company performances. The live theater experience provides an essential and enriching component to the education of our students. Students are eligible to purchase a half-priced ticket one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability.
Don’t forget! PNB School students and their families receive a student rate of 20% off tickets to performances. Mention promo code PNBS23 when calling the Box Office or enter the code online when buying tickets. Click here to learn more about PNB’s incredible season.
Dear level IV families,
We’re looking forward to starting our mentorship program with you and wanted to reach out to introduce ourselves. The mentors who joined your students to assist with the pointe shoe sewing last week are Mimi Heffernan, Katie Woodside, Emma McIntosh, Anna Montgomery, and Zoe Betts.
Mimi is a junior at Bishop Blanchet High School and she joined PNBS in 2012 as a pre-ballet student.
Katie Woodside is a junior at Cleveland High School and joined PNBS in 2016 as a level 2 student.
Emma is a senior at Issaquah High School and joined PNBS as a creative movement student.
Anna is a senior at Holy Names Academy and joined PNBS as a creative movement student.
Zoe is a senior in the running start program at Edmonds College and joined PNBS in 2015 as a level IV student.
Together we have lots of experience at PNBS and we can’t wait to share some of the important things we’ve learned with you! We’ll be covering a variety of topics primarily related to pointe work, but we’re always happy to answer any additional questions you might have. Feel free to email us any time, and we’ll get right back to you!
Best,
Mimi, Katie, Emma, Anna, and Zoe
PNBS Student Division Class Descriptions
Acceptance into the Student Division at Pacific Northwest Ballet School is by invitation or audition only.
LEVEL I
Children must be at least 8 years old by August 31st of the current school year to be considered for Level I. Students are evaluated for Level I acceptance after taking a year of Pre-Ballet classes with PNBS, or from an audition class.
Level I students meet twice a week for an hour and 15 minutes each class, and all classes are accompanied by live piano music. Level I registration and commitment are for the full PNBS school year.
Proper classroom etiquette and responsible behavior is expected of all students at PNBS. Self-discipline, along with focus and concentration, are important skills for Level I students to develop in their classwork . A strong interest in the work and details of ballet training, beginning in Level I, is an essential element to steady progress.
Level I is considered the first year of formal ballet training at PNBS. Students work to develop the physical strength needed to maintain proper body alignment and correct placement for classical ballet. Emphasis is placed on the quality of movement and the correct execution of each position and skill learned. At PNBS, correct balletic line and clean, simple, articulate work is the most important benchmark in a student’s early ballet training.
Beginning barre work in Level I is done facing the barre and holding it with both hands. This helps to build core strength and stability as our Level I students work towards more muscle control in their exercises. Barre exercises are introduced in one direction, usually to the front first, and many progress to En croix by the end of the Level I year. Relevés and simple jumps are taught at the barre first and then repeated in center. Facing the barre also encourages our students to use the mirror as a helpful tool in applying corrections, and for self-correction as they become more independent in their classwork.
Musicality and the use of different musical timings and accents are an essential part of PNB’s curriculum at every level. Level I students learn how music is used for different steps, and to understand how the musical rhythm and timing can affect the quality and execution of a movement.
Level I center floor work includes exercises for increasing flexibility, working on Port de bras and head positions, exercises for strengthening balance, and simple jumps to build leg and foot strength.
Skips and chassés, which are basic traveling steps, help students to build stamina and coordination while experiencing the joy of moving across the studio. Level I students work to refine these steps all year. Emphasis is put on musicality, body control, pointing feet in the air and making correct ballet positions. A variety of floor patterns and movement directions are introduced to build more spatial awareness and add new challenges as the students’ progress.
Level I students must have a strong mental and physical understanding of all their classwork to progress to Level II.
Level I students are eligible to participate in Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s year end performance at McCaw Hall.
Ballet Terminology: Level I
“Line” in ballet is the physical shape of the dancer’s body. The shape of the body outlined by the space around it. The two main components of shape are curves and angles. These are what the eye sees.
En croix is a classical ballet term meaning “in the shape of a cross.” This term is usually used in ballet class and lets a dancer know the step should be done to the front, side and then back. Doing steps encroix can also be done in reverse where they start from the back, side, then front.
Relevé is a classical ballet term meaning “raised.” It describes the action when a dancer rises up and seemingly is standing “on their toes” in a demi-pointe or a fully en pointe.
Port de bras is a classical ballet term meaning “carriage of the arms”. While the term relates to a broad spectrum of arm movements, port de bras also includes the use of the head in relation to the arms.
Chassé is a classical ballet term meaning “to chase.” When a dancer is doing a chassé, they have one foot extended forward, the back foot then “chases” and meets up with the front for a quick moment before the front foot shoots forward again, all while traveling forward.
More Information:
Additional Ballet Terms and Definitions can be found online via the following link:
PNBS Student Division Class Descriptions
LEVEL II
Students are evaluated for Level II placement after completing Level I with Pacific Northwest Ballet School, or from an audition class.
Level II students meet twice a week for an hour and 30 minutes each class, and all classes are accompanied by live piano music. Level II registration and commitment are for the full PNBS school year.
Proper classroom etiquette and responsible behavior is expected of all students at PNBS. Level II students should be able to maintain self-discipline and show continued growth in their focus and concentration throughout the year. A strong interest in the detailed work and challenges of ballet training is essential for the development of Level II skills.
Each September, Level II students begin with a review of the Level I year-end classwork. Once the class has been reacquainted with proper body alignment, correct placement and the physicality of basic ballet vocabulary, Level II steps are added in a slow, steady, and logical progression. Emphasis is placed on the quality of movement and the correct execution of each position and new step added. Technically correct and clean, articulate work continues to be the focus of training in Level II.
Level II year starts with the students facing the barre, progressing to students holding the barre with one hand and standing sideways along the barre for many of their exercises. This transition happens slowly and continuously throughout the year as core strength and stability improves in each specific exercise. More Port de bras and arm positions are added in coordination with the leg work throughout the year.
Level II students do all their basic barre exercises En croix and will work towards more speed in the execution of many steps as the year progresses. Demi plie in 4th position is added in Level II, as well as Grand plies in 1st, 2nd, and 5th positions. Exercises for the transfer of weight and for strengthening the transition from plie to releve are introduced in Level II.
Relevé and jump exercises continue to be practiced at the barre in Level II. Preparation for basic pirouettes and simple pirouette exercises are introduced. Jumps progress to steps and exercises that land and push off on one leg. Building strength and stamina are important components of the Level II curriculum.
Level II center floor work includes exercises for increasing flexibility, working on port de bras and head positions, exercises for strengthening balance, and simple jumps and jump combinations to build leg and foot strength. Learning to spot as simple turning exercises are introduced. Croisé and Effacé body directions are added and incorporated into several exercises during the year.
Musicality and the use of different musical timings and accents are an essential part of PNB’s curriculum at every level. Level II students learn how music is used for different steps, and to understand how the musical rhythm and timing can affect the quality and execution of a movement. Learning a polka step, a Balancé waltz step, and Pas de chats are some examples of how Level II students expand their vocabulary and learn to move to different rhythms.
As students refine basic traveling steps (moving across the floor) with correct technique and musicality, more complicated combinations of steps are learned with coordinated arm movements.
Level II student goals are to show a strong mental and physical understanding of all their classwork before they can progress to Level III.
Level II students are eligible to participate in Pacific Northwest Ballet School’s year end performance at McCaw Hall.
Ballet Terminology: Level II
Port de bras is a classical ballet term meaning “carriage of the arms”. While the term relates to a broad spectrum of arm movements, port de bras also includes the use of the head in relation to the arms.
En croix is a classical ballet term meaning “in the shape of a cross.” This term is usually used in ballet class and lets a dancer know the step should be done to the front, side and then back. Doing steps encroix can also be done in reverse where they start from the back, side, then front.
Plié is a classical ballet term meaning “bent,” and refers to bending at the knees in ballet. It is used in jumps and turns to provide spring, absorb shock, and as an exercise to loosen muscles and to develop balance. There are two types of plié:
Demi plié: the dancer bends the knees halfway, keeping the heels securely on the ground.
Grand plié is a plié with the full bend of the knees until the thighs are horizontal with the floor. It is important to note that a grand plié in second position is the only grand plié where the heels do not lift off but instead, remain on the floor. This can be done as the stance is wider in second position than first, fourth or fifth.
Relevé is a classical ballet term meaning “raised.” It describes the action when a dancer rises up and seemingly is standing “on their toes” in a demi-pointe or a fully en pointe.
Pirouette is a classical ballet term meaning “spin.” It describes when a dancer is turning around one leg with the other off the ground and in a position, most commonly in passé.
Passé is a movement in ballet in which one leg passes (hence the name) the standing leg, sliding close to the knee. The leg ends up in a bent position, with the foot positioned right above the standing leg’s kneecap, making a triangle shape.
Croisé means crossed – the dancer is facing a diagonal with one leg crossed or crossing in front of the other.
Effacé means shaded – the dancer is facing a diagonal with one leg in front of the other but in an open position.
Balancé is a rocking step where a dancer moves while alternating balance between their feet. It is a three-step combination, and the rhythm is typically in three counts like a waltz. It has the motion of going “down, up, down” with the legs.
Pas de Chat is a classical ballet term meaning “Step of a Cat” as the step resembles a cat-like jump. It is a ballet leap from one foot to the other in which the feet are drawn up and the knees are bent so that the legs form a diamond. Usually starting from 5th position, the dancer pliés then jumps to the side with the back foot going into passé position, quickly followed by the other foot also going into passé position.
More Information:
Additional Ballet Terms and Definitions can be found online via the following link: