Level Requirements (Skills)

What We Are Looking For…

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Minis (Ages 6 & Under)

Requirements:
None 😊
Just come ready to dance, learn, and have fun!

 

Pee Wees (Approx. Ages 6–8)

Technique & Skills:

• Almost or perfect splits on both sides

• Clean single pirouettes on both sides

• Cartwheels on both sides

• Backbend (no mat)

• Front & back walkovers (in progress)

• Must know the 5 ballet positions

• Heel stretch on at least one side (started on the other)

• Close to a 180º needle on one side (started on the other)

Across the Floor & Turns:

• Chassé in correct position

• Chaine turns (proper placement, both sides)

• Chassé step leap (almost 180º, at least one side)

• Piqué turns mastered on one side, developing on the other

Ballet & Technique:

• Cecchetti Grade 2 knowledge & terminology

• Adequate ballet walks and runs

• Overall technique appropriate for level

 

Rising Stars (Approx. Ages 7–10)

Technique & Flexibility:

• Perfect splits on both sides

• Heel stretch on both sides

• 180º needle on both sides

• 70º+ arabesque

• Ponche at 120º+ (at least one side)

Turns & Progressions:

• Clean double pirouettes (coupe & pencil) on both sides

• Piqué turns mastered on both sides (doubles started)

• A la seconde turns nearly perfected (one side)

• Controlled leg hold in a la seconde at 90º (both sides)

Acro Skills:

• Front handspring & one-handed cartwheels (both sides)

• Side aerials started

• Front & back walkovers mastered

Leaps & Across the Floor:

• Chassé step leap at 180º (both sides)

• Chaine turns perfected (both sides)

Ballet & Technique:

• Strong tendu & dégagé placement en croix

• Proper rond de jambe placement

• Knowledge of 5 positions (correct arms)

• Introduction to 8 body positions

• Cecchetti Grade 3/4 knowledge

• Ballet walks and runs mastered

• Proper battement placement en croix

Expectations:

• Strong overall technique

• Maturity, work ethic, and dedication at a Rising Star level

 

Elite Stars (Approx. Ages 11–15)

Technique & Flexibility:

• Perfect splits (both sides + middle)

• Heel stretch (preferred both sides)

• 180º needles (both sides)

• 70º+ arabesque

• Ponche at 120º+ (at least one side)

Turns:

• Clean double pirouettes (both sides)

• Piqué turns mastered (doubles started)

• A la seconde turns nearly perfected

Acro:

• Front handspring & one-handed cartwheels (both sides)

• Side aerials started

• Walkovers mastered

Ballet & Technique:

• Strong tendu, dégagé, rond de jambe, battement placement

• Knowledge of 5 positions + introduction to 8 positions

• Cecchetti Grade 3/4 understanding

• Ballet walks and runs mastered

Expectations:

• Strong overall technique

• Maturity, work ethic, and dedication at a Rising Star level

 

Juniors (Approx. Ages 11–15)

Advanced Flexibility & Extensions:

• Perfect splits (one hyper-extended)

• 180º needle (both sides)

• Heel stretch & heel-in-hand at 180º

• Scorpion (one side nearly perfected)

• 90º+ arabesque

• Ponches at 120º+ (both sides)

Turns:

• Clean triple pirouettes (both sides)

• Quadruple pirouette (at least one side)

• Double piqué turns (both sides), triple on one

• A la seconde turns perfected (one side)

• Advanced turning sequences (floats, spot changes)

Acro:

• Front & back handsprings, side aerial (perfected)

• Front aerial & back tuck started

Leaps & Skills:

• 180º leaps (both sides)

• Advanced jumps: sauté de chat, grande jeté, switch leaps, firebirds, axels, Russian pas de chat, etc.

• Standing tilts

Ballet & Technique:

• Full knowledge of 5 & 8 positions (correct arms)

• Strong placement: tendu, dégagé, battement, rond de jambe

• Proper sur le cou-de-pied foot placement

• Cecchetti Grade 5 knowledge

• A la seconde hold at 120º with control

Expectations:

• Absolutely NO sickling

• Strong, consistent technique

• Maturity, work ethic, and dedication at a Junior level

 

Seniors (Approx. Ages 13–18)

Elite Flexibility & Control:

• Hyper-extended splits (both sides)

• Hyper-extended needles

• 120º+ arabesques (both sides)

• 180º side extension (hands-free, at least one side)

• Ponches at 180º+ (both sides)

Turns:

• Clean quadruple pirouettes (both sides)

• Quintuple pirouette (at least one side)

• A la seconde turns perfected (both sides)

• Advanced turning sequences fully mastered

Acro:

• Strong side aerials (both sides)

• Multiple back handsprings

• Front aerials & back tucks

Leaps & Skills:

• Fully developed and hyper-extended leaps & jumps

• Advanced turning jumps & transitions

• Standing tilts

• Scorpion (perfected one side, strong both sides)

Ballet & Technique:

• Full mastery of 8 body positions

• Excellent port de bras

• Strong turnout (approaching 180º)

• Cecchetti Grade 6 knowledge

• Proper battement placement en croix

Expectations:

• Absolutely NO sickling

• High-level technical consistency

• Maturity, work ethic, and dedication at a Senior level

 

📌 Important Notes from the Studio Director

• These are guidelines for placement and will be evaluated at auditions.

• Dancers should be prepared to demonstrate these skills independently.

• If you are unsure about a skill, please ask Miss Lorraine ahead of time.

• At auditions, we will not be able to teach or explain unfamiliar skills.

Placement Considerations Include:

• Technique level

• Performance quality

• Work ethic and attitude

• Overall readiness

While exceptions may apply, dancers will be placed in the level that best matches their technical ability and development.

We appreciate your trust as we make the best decisions for each dancer’s growth and well-being 

 

Additional company levels may be added based on auditions