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: