Taken from a brochure by Cecchetti Ballet Australia Inc.

“Cecchetti-trained dancers have achieved great success throughout the world. They are generally well-regarded for their purity of line and for their ability to adapt easily to other forms of dance.

“The timeless Cecchetti Principles of grace, balance and line form the basis of a sound training syllabus that has been developed to meet the needs of today’s modern child – teaching co-ordination, poise, confidence, rhythmical sense and musicality while ensuring that the process is still fun!

“The fully qualified, carefully trained and registered teachers of Cecchetti Ballet Australian Inc. are committed to providing a stable and secure foundation for each student’s training – whether for purely recreational enjoyment or as the beginnings of a career in dance. The Cecchetti teacher training courses prepare them to teach with a safe and secure technical base, sound knowledge of anatomy and basic physical faults, good teaching practices and the historical background of the art of classical ballet.

“The syllabus has been carefully structured to ensure that the student receives a well-balanced training, with each level for younger dancers designed to build progressively to the senior levels. Two separate examining streams have been formulated to meet the different needs and requirements of recreational and professional dancers.”

Exams and Performance Awards begin at Pre-Primary level in the form of class examinations which are especially designed to encourage and develop young students. Initial exams and tests are informal and gently lead into Standard and Level examinations which are an individual’s record of achievement and ability and are an event to aspire to. These examinations are judged on an international level and standard. Classes are ongoing for students who participate for recreation.

Students will only be entered for exams when their teacher is confident that they have acquired a full understanding of the required level. Children will vary greatly in their development, absorbing knowledge and mastering skills at different rates to each other. It is important that the exam system enhances the learning experience, adding to their confidence and strengthening their self esteem. These qualities will be significant for some children and not for others. Please discuss any concerns with the teacher by phone or appointment. Special exam classes are offered for the more dedicated and serious students.

Classical ballet lays the foundation for professional dancers, including the best jazz dancers. It also provides the discipline required for many of life’s other pursuits. Whether ballet is studied for health, pleasure or as a future career its benefits are numerous and we suggest students study at least two classes per week when they reach Primary level in order to develop a strong, healthy and well poised body.

Our aim is to encourage the pleasure of classical dance throughout the community. By careful instruction we aim to ensure your child’s physical and emotional well-being, developing confidence, self-esteem and a healthy strong body in a friendly, nurturing environment. Our syllabus (Cecchetti) is recognised world-wide as training for dance professionals and we aim for the highest standards for our young dancers.

Alternatively, students looking to engage in ballet for recreation will be offered the opportunity to complete the internally run Performance Awards. Students will demonstrate their set exercises in a lower stress but still professional environment, to assess their progress and provide them with a high sense of achievement.

Our teachers want to see their students succeed to the best of their abilities and are keen to nurture them to reach their highest potential.