Ballet is a beautiful art form that has been around for centuries. It takes years of dedicated practice and training to become a proficient dancer.
As a result, dancers are graded based on their skill level and mastery of technique. The grades of ballet are typically divided into four categories: Pre-Primary, Primary, Grades 1-8, and Vocational Grades.
Pre-Primary: This level is designed for children aged 3–5 years old to begin their introduction to ballet. Children will learn basic steps and positions as well as the fundamentals of musicality, coordination, rhythm, and movement.
Primary: This level is designed for students 6–7 years old who have already completed Pre-Primary training. At this stage dancers will learn more complex steps and positions as well as body placement, control and balance.
Grades 1-8: This is the most advanced level of the four grades. Students 8–18 years old will begin to learn more complex movements such as pirouettes and fouettés in addition to perfecting their technique in all four positions. Students will also learn about ballet history, music appreciation, character dance, mime et cetera.
Vocational Grades: This level is for those wishing to pursue a professional career in ballet. Students 16+ years old will learn more complicated steps such as pointe work as well as advanced technique in all five positions (including pointe). They will also receive instruction on performance skills such as acting and interpretation.
Conclusion:
The grades of ballet provide a structured system for students to progress through the various levels of expertise in this art form. By taking classes within each grade range they are able to refine their technique while learning new movements at an appropriate pace. With dedication and hard work any dancer can reach their full potential regardless of which grade they are enrolled in.