Classical Ballet Division - Musical Theater Division - Early Childhood Division
CLASSICAL BALLET DIVISION
​
​
Under the directorship of Sandra Balestracci, students enrolled in EVSPA's Classical Ballet Program follow a progressive curriculum. Foundation Ballet is a prelude to formal classical ballet instruction and introduces children to music and basic ballet skills through a structured program that stresses creativity and group interaction.
Classes follow a pre-professional syllabus (based on the Vaganova method) in ballet technique, vocabulary, pointe, history and variations from the classical Ballet repertoire. Classical Ballet Classes are organized into levels ensuring each student's maximum mastery of skills. The Elementary Level starts at age seven. These levels focus more on technique, proper body alignment, and the skills needed to prepare students for the Intermediate Level. Students are moved up based on skill and progress, not automatically.
MUSICAL THEATER DIVISION
​
EVSPA's Musical Theatre Division is headed by Ron Boucher. It offers training in voice, acting and dance through sequential technical development. When taking the prescribed program courses in recommended order, students gain an essential foundation for performance in musical theater. The program dance courses concentrate on providing students with technique associated with styles used in Broadway musical theater choreography including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, ballroom, hip-hop and other folk dances.
EVSPA's acting classes are designed to develop skilled and disciplined theater students that possess a high standard of excellence and an appreciation of artistic integrity. The program strives to challenge students both artistically and intellectually, so they may become critical and creative thinkers in addition to developing professional skills and attitudes. The program includes acting with an emphasis on Musical Theater, combining rigorous training of the mind, body and voice, forming a solid technique and approach to the craft. In addition to actor training, students also develop an understanding and appreciation of design and production, facilitating their growth as complete theater artists.
Also included in the Musical Theater program is choreography.
​
EARLY CHILDHOOD DIVISION
Early Childhood Development classes follow the guidelines established by the National Standards in Arts Education for appropriate activities for children in each age group. Children of this age are not yet developmentally ready for formal ballet training, yet need quality courses designed to stimulate imagination and foster coordination. Grouping by age levels is very important during this phase of development regardless of the intellectual level of each child. During the first phase a child is introduced to the arts, therefore this phase is the most important. Training should be extremely nurturing, full of imagination and creativity and provide a gentle structure for development. The next phase is a continuation of the first but begins to structure exercises differently.More emphasis is placed on differentiating gross motor skill activities while still allowing a creative aspect. Coordination activities are used to link the mind, listening skills, and integrating gross and fine motor skills.
The Children's Division ranges from ages 3-6. Students take Creative Dance and Foundation Ballet. The focus during these stages of development is on the creative process, listening skills and interpretive reaction. We create unique lessons that allow students to learn the beginning principles of discipline. To build your child’s self-esteem we support their creativity and confidence as well as, most importantly, having fun. We pride ourselves on teaching to the appropriate physical, mental and emotional developmental levels of the students so they acquire the motor, cognitive and social skills beneficial for later life.
