Dance Styles

The Ashfield Ballet School provides dance tuition in the following genres: Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, National Character, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Acrobatics. Please find below information on what each dance style offers for students.

Classical Ballet

Classical Ballet is a disciplined and beautiful art form. Ballet technique lays a solid foundation for any dancer. It is a compulsory requirement if students wish to take their dance studies further to any full time or tertiary institution or if they aspire to be a professional artist or teacher.

The Ashfield Ballet School offers classical ballet classes from age 3 to Advanced levels. As a school that specialises in classical ballet, we offer a large range of ballet classes for all age groups. We are able to offer senior students a full range of classes to help prepare for their future. The enormous benefits of classical ballet for the recreational dancer are that it will assist all other dance styles, improve core stability, tone the muscles, improve posture and coordination.

We prepare our students for examinations in classical ballet with The Australian Teachers of Dancing (A.T.O.D.) and the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.), so that our students receive well rounded and complete training.

Jazz

Jazz is an evolving dance style that is fun and exciting. We only teach proper jazz technique so that students are learning to dance while enjoying the latest popular music. Our technical jazz classes include warm ups, progressions and routines incorporating fast and slow tempo. Slow tempo may include lyrical, slow modern and/or contemporary.

The Ashfield Ballet School offers jazz classes from age 3 to Advanced levels. We offer a pre jazz class (Mini Movers) for 3 - 5 year olds to introduce them to jazz. We prepare students for examinations in jazz with The Australian Teachers of Dancing (A.T.O.D.). 

Tap

Tap is a traditional dance style making sound and rhythm with the feet. Boys particularly enjoy this dance style and it is very popular due to the movies and musicals that showcase tapping.

The Ashfield Ballet School offers tap classes from age 4 to Advanced levels. Young students love making sound with their feet and it is a great dance style to teach children timing and rhythm. We prepare students for examinations in tap with The Australian Teachers of Dancing (A.T.O.D.).

National Character

National Character is a dance form where students learn traditional dances and steps from countries all around the world. National Character is included in Classical Ballet classes from grade 5 (Gold Medal) and upwards however we also offer separate classes so that students can concentrate on their character technique. This dance style is high energy and interesting for students who enjoy learning about other countries and world culture.

Students normally commence these classes after 3- 4 years of training. We prepare students for examinations in national character with The Australian Teachers of Dancing (A.T.O.D.).

Hip Hop

We teach a hip hop syllabus that offers proper training in this style with age appropriate steps and music as well as open hip hop classes for our senior students.

The Ashfield Ballet School offers hip hop classes from age 7 and hip hop classes are a popular choice for boys. We do prepare students for examinations however they are an optional extra. Students are welcome to attend for recreational purposes and all students are encouraged to learn and progress throughout the levels.

Acrobatics

Acrobatics develops strength, flexibility and agility in a dancer.  It is a combination of basic floor gymnastics and tumbling skills that can increase confidence and strength in dance students.  Acrobatic skills are used in contemporary, jazz, lyrical and hip hop dance forms and can lead dancers into furthering their skills for aerial and circus styles in the future.

The Ashfield Ballet School offers an acrobatics program following the Acrobatic Arts system of training.  Our instructors are certified in the Acrobatic Arts program and we also have qualified gymnastics coaches to further extend our dancers’ skills. 

Our preschool acro program is a great choice for boys and girls aged 3 – 5 years.

Contemporary

Contemporary Dance is a creative and evolving dance style that relies on a very good understanding of classical ballet technique. This dance style is a pre-requisite to further dance studies at a tertiary level and to become a dance educator.  Students enjoy learning about alignment, improvisational skills, composition and enjoy freedom of movement.

The Ashfield Ballet School offers contemporary classes for students aged 10 years and over.  Students are required to study classical ballet as well with a minimum grade level of Silver Medal (Grade 3). We prepare students for examinations in contemporary dance with The Australian Teachers of Dancing (A.T.O.D.).