Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Discover Exceptional Pittsburgh Ballet Training At The Ballet Academy Of Pittsburgh

By Lela Perkins


The Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh is one studio that offers Pittsburgh Ballet experiences of exceptional quality. There are many wonderful studios in the city, but this one has a special affinity for teaching youngsters how to dance. The founders have spent formative years in the area, and share their love of dance with their young students regularly.

The Pipers, a married team raising their own children, have lived and worked locally for years. Lindsay grew up in South Hills and Steven was a Pittsburgh Ballet Theater company member. They have created a dynamic and diverse faculty devoted to proper dance education. With all instructors firmly committed to teaching foundational dance technique, the students who attend are watched over carefully and provided extensive, yet sequential, activities.

The children's classes are divided into four levels, with special emphasis on the basics of childhood learning. Music, movement, rhythm, creative thinking and expressive use of props are all part of these engaging classes. Grouped by age, these include 3 to 4 years old, 4 to 5, 5 and 6, and 6 through 8. As their bodies train and become stronger, classical dance vocabulary is learned, preparing them for future advancements.

While the instructors focus on teaching foundational exercises, each student can improve at a personal pace decided by acquired skills. The learning process is enjoyable as dancing is learned gradually. The opportunity to participate in studio performances adds to the excitement. Performances are optional, so that those particularly shy need not feel pressured to be in the public eye before they are ready.

Summer is a busy time in this studio. Campers attending a wide selection of intensives fill the spaces with action. There are camps for beginners that include learning basics, trying on costumes and making crafts related to famous dance stories. Older students can choose to spend their days improving technical skills in classes focused on traditional repertoire, en pointe, or pas de deux. These do assume that requisite skills have been mastered, and often help advanced dancers to prepare for future careers.

Each Winter, the holiday season brings the annual, and quite popular, Nutcracker performances. Students numbering one hundred plus choose to take part. There are rehearsal fees required of those who do. Attendance is mandatory for performances, but costumes owned by the studio are provided. Fees collected help to defray costs such as theater rent, scenery and all sorts of things that help to make programs such as this run smoothly.

In Spring, students present selections from the classical repertoire and often new works choreographed by faculty members. The Celebration performance showcases the best of each participant. Many have passed their annual studio examinations are are eagerly looking forward to studying at a higher level in the fall. April and part of May are devoted to these engaging performances.

Pittsburgh Ballet is a thriving art, as many studios work to provide top quality training for students young to old. The Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh demonstrates a high level of classical experiences for youth. For families looking for traditional training, examinations and engaging performances, this is one studio to try.




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