Ballet 2 12yrs+
This Ballet 2 class is designed for dancers who have been taking ballet and have solid, foundational dance experience. It is assumed that dancers know foundational ballet terminology (positions of the arms and feet, and names of classical movements) and can demonstrate a solid technical understanding. This class will build on foundational skills, expand dancers’ ballet movement vocabulary, and increase the focus on technique and artistry.
This Ballet 2 class will run September through April. Because of the progressive nature of this class, it will require consistent attendance, commitment, and dedication throughout the year. Students should be prepared to build on their skills week-to-week and come ready to work and progress as a group. Dancers who don’t feel like this level of focus and commitment are for them are still welcome to enrol in Ballet 1 (ages 12+) regardless of experience.
We may use the first couple of weeks of the season to make adjustments and move students between levels where needed. Our goal is to make sure each dancer is in the class where they can feel challenged and supported, while creating a group.
Why September–April? For some of our higher-level classes, we’ve chosen to run the full September–April season so dancers can progress together as a group, begin showcase choreography sooner, and build skills sequentially throughout the year. As dancers take on more complex movements, consistent training is important for developing strength, flexibility, alignment, and technique in a safe and healthy way. It also allows dancers to build strong connections with their classmates and learn to work together as a team. While our goal is to maintain consistent groups throughout the season, there may be opportunities for dancers to move up a level during the year if they demonstrate significant progress and are ready for the next level. At registration, students will be committing to the full September–April season, including both the fall and winter terms. Payment will still be split between the two terms as usual.
Katie Thiessen grew up in Canmore, Alberta, and moved to Kelowna at 15, where she continued pursuing her passion for dance, which began at age three. She completed her ballet training up to Advanced 2 in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) syllabus, trained and performed as a member of the Canadian School of Ballet’s pre-professional company, and spent seven years teaching ballet and jazz at a local studio in Kelowna while attending university. Katie moved to Nelson in 2023, works as a school teacher by day, and is excited to share her love of dance with the Nelson community.
