What Is the Correct Order of a Ballet Class?

Ballet

Most people think of ballet class as a series of movements danced to classical music in a tutu and ballet slippers. But what is the correct order of a ballet class?

Ballet classes generally have three parts: warm-up exercises, center work, and adage or petit allegro. Each part has an important role in the development of a dancer’s technique, strength, and artistry.

Warm-Up Exercises
The warm-up exercises are essential to begin every ballet class. This is where the dancer warms up their body with stretching and strengthening exercises.

This prepares the body for more intense movement and helps prevent injury by increasing range of motion.

Center Work
Center work is where dancers practice more complex steps that involve traveling across the floor. It begins with basic steps like pliés, tendus, and dégagés which gradually increase in complexity as the class progresses. The combination of steps will vary depending on the level of dancer.

Adage or Petit Allegro
The final part of a ballet class is either an adage or petit allegro sequence. Adage is a slower section that requires delicacy and control while petit allegro is faster with quick jumps and turns.

These sections are used to test a dancer’s technique by combining all their skills from throughout the class.

Conclusion:

The correct order for a ballet class consists of warm-up exercises, center work, and adage or petit allegro sequences. Each part serves an important purpose for developing strength, technique, and artistry in dancers of all levels. Ballet classes should always begin with warm-up exercises to safely prepare for more intense movement before progressing into center work and then adage/petit allegro sequences at the end to test everything learned throughout the class.