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Pre-Professional Division
Pre-Professional Division
PBT School’s program is distinguished by many elements that make it one of the nation’s finest schools for dance education and training:
Our diverse student body comes to us from across the country, around the world and from right here in Pittsburgh. Students train six days a week in a classically based curriculum supervised by Head of Pre-Professional Division Marjorie Grundvig and School Dean Raymond Rodriguez. Faculty members bring perspectives from a diverse range of professional dance companies and work closely with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Artistic Director to instill a style that reflects their vision and adapts well to the demands of a professional ballet company. Pre-Professional dancers have the benefit of regular exposure to PBT’s professional Company dancers and artistic leadership. More than 100 former PBT School Alumni dancing professionally in 23/24 company seasons
Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Overview
In addition to the rigorous dance training described below, all Pre-Professional students take part in
music theory classes, seminars and workshops.
Graduate
This two-year program helps students elevate their training and bolster their resumes with repertoire ranging from Serenade and Swan Lake to original new choreography including their own. Graduate students represent Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in performance and promotional appearances throughout the city. Graduate students may be offered opportunities to rehearse and perform with the Company. Each year, many Graduate students are offered contracts and apprenticeships with prestigious companies around the country, and more than half of PBT’s current company dancers are PBT School alumni.
Level 8
Training becomes more immersive and students learn more advanced repertoire with the opportunity to develop their own choreography. The curriculum includes ballet technique, pointe, variations, men’s class, pas de deux, repertoire, contemporary dance, modern, jazz and Pilates mat classes.
Level 6 and 7
Students refine their technique into an expressive language. Classes accentuate the clarity of classical line, intensity of pointe work and increased speed and accuracy as a natural extension of existing technique. Curriculum includes ballet technique, pointe, variations, repertoire, modern, jazz and Pilates mat classes.
Observation Opportunities
There are two opportunities for families to observe their dancers classes throughout the school year. We do not permit regular observation as this is distracting to the learning environment, however we do invite families into the studio twice a year to observe their dancer's progress.
Evaluations
Pre-Professional Division students in Levels 6-8 will have two evaluation classes a year, where they will be observed by a panel of faculty and will receive a written evaluation following the audition class. Following the evaluation classes, families and dancers will have bi-annual meetings with their instructor to discuss their progress.
Performance Opportunities are listed here
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