West Coast Conservatory of Ballet is now a part of CAAST School of Dance & Theatre, which offers professional classical ballet
training to all students regardless of their ability or their intentions in
studying. We believe that careful training given with individual attention on
technique, expression, musicality, and approach gives each student the
greatest opportunity to fulfill his or her potential.
The benefits of good ballet training are seen not only in the students'
physical development, but in their mental as well, making itself visible
in the respect that one learns for oneself, one's art and the discipline.
Emphasis is placed upon nurturing well-rounded dancers and giving
them a large vocabulary with which to express themselves as well as
providing them an experience of their innate abilities as creative human
beings. It is important to us to inspire students to consciously collaborate in their learning process.
We believe that when they learn through self-discovery they learn in a
deeper and more integrated way.
The school is graded; advancement from one level to the next is usual
but not automatic. Each student is expected to maintain the standard of
his or her level that includes, in addition to physical proficiency, good
attendance and a positive attitude in class.
Beginning students over 12 years of age and intermediate students
over 18 will not be accepted into the children's classes, but are
welcome to study in the teen and adult divisions. Advanced students
who are over 18 will be considered for acceptance into the children's
division by audition.
After the pre-ballet for children 3-6 years old, the curriculum for children
over 7 years old includes basic ballet technique for the first three years,
pointe work is added in the fourth year for students at least 10 years old,
and in fifth and advanced levels, Variations classes are added. We also
have special workshops in Acting for Dancers, Mime, Music Theory for dancers, Dance
History, Movement Dynamics, Mask, Musical Theater, Pilates, Improvisational dance and choreography.
In addition, we have open Jazz, Tap, Modern, and
Hip-Hop classes taught by professionals in their fields.
