West Hawaii Dance Academy
Classical Ballet Program
Founder and Artistic Director Virginia Holte has created her own syllabus combining different methods of ballet training, including the Cecchetti, Royal Academy of Dance, and Vaganova Methods, to provide the broadest ballet education possible. This “mixed-plate” approach equips WHDTA students with the edge they need to compete when they attend summer programs, college, and dance-based programs, often skipping levels that have already been fulfilled by WHDTA.
More experienced WHDTA students frequently participate in summer internships with established dance programs, traveling to the mainland to pursue their passion, even earning scholarships and merit awards.
Youth Division
Pre-Ballet & Creative Movement
Age 3-5
These classes will introduce the basic ballet positions and vocabulary to build upon in later training. The emphasis is on rhythm skills, spatial awareness and fun, easy choreography with games to build coordination, strength, and flexibility. This class is geared towards inspiring the young dancers’ dreams and developing an appreciation for dance.
Primary Ballet I
Ages 5-6
This 2-year program introduces the younger student to the basic elements of dance. Class begins with a brief introduction to the ballet barre, followed by simple stretches and isolation exercises. Basic dance positions and movements and the French words for them are introduced, and coordination and musicality are explored with traveling steps across the floor such as gallops, skips, and waltz steps. Dancers also learn about listening skills and class etiquette.
Age 8-12
Classical ballet
Technique I, II, III
Comtemporary
Dance Conditioning
Pre-Professional Division
- Performance Groups
- Refinement of technique & artistry
- Junior Performance Group - Ballet III+
- Senior Performance Group - Ballet IV+
- Pointe
- Alumni and current professional dancers
Open Adult Division
- Open to dancers of all levels, from first time beginners to experienced dancers
- Conditioning classes, including Floor Barre
Dance Camp
- Each camp concludes with a studio performance
Summer and Winter Intensives
- World-class guest instructors provide professional insight and mentorship
- Each intensive concludes with a studio performance
Workshops & Master Classes
Each level of ballet is based upon taking the appropriate number of lessons per week on a regular, uninterrupted basis. The minimum amount of lessons per week is not mandatory but taking less than the recommended curriculum will slow mastery of each level.
Progression to the more advanced levels will be affected if one is not regularly attending. Each level has it’s own standardized curriculum syllabus and will take anywhere from 12 months or longer for completion.
Advancement depends on a variety of things: age, maturity, inherent ability, adherence to the program, and aptitude. Students are moved up when they are ready or by teacher recommendation. To achieve promotion students must pass a written exam and demonstrate that they have mastered the curriculum required for that level. Personal development and command of technique and steps is accelerated in the beginning levels. As the student progresses, more time must be spent on the development and maintenance of strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility.