The joy of ballet begins with Pre-Ballet classes at San Francisco Ballet School. We introduce young children to the fundamentals of classical ballet, focusing on proper body alignment, basic ballet technique and terminology, and musicality. As part of the SF Ballet School family, your young child will learn much more than ballet. Exposure to dance reinforces important life skills like creativity, discipline, and team participation—all in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment.
2023–24 SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE:
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
3-YEAR-OLDS
Tuesday 12:00–12:45 PM
Saturday 9:00–9:45 AM
Creative Movement begins with introducing children to the world of ballet. It encourages creativity, musicality, physicality, and begins the development of spatial awareness. Creative Movement introduces our youngest students to a classroom setting and introduces them to age-appropriate elementary ballet vocabulary in a nurturing environment.
CREATIVE DANCE 1 / CREATIVE DANCE 2
4-5-YEAR-OLDS
Saturday 9:45–10:30 AM
Sunday 9:00–9:45 & 10:00–10:45 AM
Creative Dance 1 builds on the experience in Creative Movement. The class continues to introduce ballet terminology, the development of coordination and sense of musicality and the element of storytelling. It teaches children discipline and confidence, how to follow directions closely, and develops new skills.
CREATIVE DANCE 2
5-YEAR-OLDS
Saturday 10:45–11:30 AM & 11:45–12:30 PM
Sunday 11:15 AM–12:00 PM & 12:15–1:00 PM
Creative Dance 2 builds upon Creative Movement and Creative Dance 1. Fundamental ballet steps, terminology, and posture are reinforced. Students learn lateral development, how to stand in lines and rows, transitions between exercises, and begin to develop an awareness of the importance of music and movement.
PRE-BALLET 1
6-YEAR-OLDS
Saturday 10:45–11:45 AM & 1:00–2:00 PM
Sunday 9:00–10:00 AM & 10:00–11:00 AM
Pre-Ballet 1 builds on Creative Movement, Creative Dance 1, and Creative Dance 2 and continues to refine ballet steps and ballet terminology. Exercises develop posture and balance, strength, flexibility, and coordination.
PRE-BALLET 2
7-YEAR-OLDS
Saturday 11:45 AM-12:45 PM
Sunday 11:15 AM–12:15 PM & 12:15–1:15 PM
Pre-Ballet 2 is the final level of open-enrollment children’s classes at San Francisco Ballet School. Students must attend a screening to be considered for enrollment into Level 1. Pre-Ballet 2 builds on Creative Movement, Creative Dance 1 and 2, and Pre-Ballet 1. The continuation of classical ballet training is reinforced and further developed to prepare students to attend the screening for the pre-professional division at San Francisco Ballet School. Coordination, musicality, flexibility, posture, and ballet terminology are all emphasized.
