Timetable
Classes are open to anyone aged 18 years and over - all members of the University of Cambridge and members of the public.
The committee are currently working on a timetable for Michaelmas term. Due to the COVID-19 situation and the latest government advice, we anticipate that the timetable will form a mix of in-person and online teaching.
Meanwhile, there are a limited number of indoor, outdoor and Zoom-based opportunities to participate for Intermediate level dancers who have prior ballet club experience. These may be teacher-led classes or may be untaught.
Please join our Facebook group to access Google form sign up sheets for those classes and to get the most up-to-date information.
An approximate timetable for September is:
Outdoor ballet on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 17:45
Outdoor ballet on Sundays from 10:30-11:30
Indoor ballet on Friday evenings, held at at Colours of Dance, at 19:15 or 20:45
Zoom-based opportunities to follow along with some barre exercises on Mondays and Thursdays at 19:00
Please do not attend Indoor or Outdoor ballet if you suspect you may have coronavirus symptoms, you are awaiting a coronavirus test or you are currently required to self-isolate for any reason.
Meanwhile, there are a limited number of indoor, outdoor and Zoom-based opportunities to participate for Intermediate level dancers who have prior ballet club experience. These may be teacher-led classes or may be untaught.
Please join our Facebook group to access Google form sign up sheets for those classes and to get the most up-to-date information.
An approximate timetable for September is:
Outdoor ballet on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 17:45
Outdoor ballet on Sundays from 10:30-11:30
Indoor ballet on Friday evenings, held at at Colours of Dance, at 19:15 or 20:45
Zoom-based opportunities to follow along with some barre exercises on Mondays and Thursdays at 19:00
Please do not attend Indoor or Outdoor ballet if you suspect you may have coronavirus symptoms, you are awaiting a coronavirus test or you are currently required to self-isolate for any reason.
Scroll down to find out more about our different classes...
Data protection statement: The Cambridge University Ballet Club will store any personal data transmitted to us securely and only use it for the purpose for which it has been provided, i.e. to contact you about ballet club classes and events. From September 2020 to June 2021, contact details provided through in-person class sign-up forms may be shared with the NHS, the University of Cambridge, or any other official governing body for the purpose of COVID-19 contact tracing if we are required to do so. Excepting the previous statement, no personal data will be transferred to any other third parties.
Class Levels
If you are unsure which level suits you best, you are very welcome to try out several classes - many of our dancers attend a range of levels each week, to consolidate technique and push themselves to learn new steps.
Beginner 1
Designed for those with very little or no experience of ballet. Never danced before? Or maybe you gave up when you were five? This class is for you. Come and enjoy the inclusivity of our club and join us in spreading the idea that anyone can dance.
Things you will learn in this class include: Ballet posture, turnout, 1st and 2nd positions, basic port de bras, demi plié, battements tendu, degagé, jéte, and fondu, passé and retiré, cou de pied, arabesque positions, relevé, développé, tombé and temps lié, pas de bourré, balancé, spotting, chaîné turns, simple sautés, and stretching and strengthening exercises.
Beginner 2
This course continues where Beginner 1 leaves off, continuing to introduce the basics and preparing you for the Improvers class.
Things you will learn in this class include: 3rd and 4th positions, grande plié, posé, coupé, grande battement, frappé, petitis battement, chassé, glissade, triplets, basic pirouettes, soutenu, sissonne, assemblé, jeté, and changement.
Improvers
For those who have had a taste of ballet and wish to further develop their technique. This class extends the skills taught in the Beginner classes and introduces some more challenging exercises.
Beginning Pointe
For those who are new to pointe, this class will focus on developing the strength necessary for pointe work.
Important: If you have never studied pointe work before, please attend this class in your flat shoes before purchasing pointe shoes. For your health and safety, it is necessary for the teacher to assess your readiness for pointe work.
Intermediate
For those who generally understand the structure and basic vocabulary of a typical ballet class. This class is taken at a faster pace, designed to improve your ballet knowledge, technique, musicality and expressiveness.
Intermediate Pointe
This class is for those who have developed the strength required for pointe and are looking to progress in the centre.
Inter-advanced
Designed to bridge the gap between intermediate and advanced classes and to give dancers at both levels an extra class each week.
Advanced
Taken at a fast pace, the advanced class teaches more complex technique and especially emphasises musicality, artistry, and developing your own sense of style. It is suitable for those with considerable previous training, general proficiency in ballet vocabulary, and, most importantly, a genuine desire to learn and work towards a higher level of ballet performance.
Advanced Pointe
This class is for dancers who have several years experience dancing en pointe, and want to practice advanced pointe steps and variations.
Pas De Deux
Pas De Deux is dancing with a partner. It is for levels intermediate and above for female-role dancers, participation en pointe strongly recommended. No prior ballet experience is required for male-role dancers.
Beginner 1
Designed for those with very little or no experience of ballet. Never danced before? Or maybe you gave up when you were five? This class is for you. Come and enjoy the inclusivity of our club and join us in spreading the idea that anyone can dance.
Things you will learn in this class include: Ballet posture, turnout, 1st and 2nd positions, basic port de bras, demi plié, battements tendu, degagé, jéte, and fondu, passé and retiré, cou de pied, arabesque positions, relevé, développé, tombé and temps lié, pas de bourré, balancé, spotting, chaîné turns, simple sautés, and stretching and strengthening exercises.
Beginner 2
This course continues where Beginner 1 leaves off, continuing to introduce the basics and preparing you for the Improvers class.
Things you will learn in this class include: 3rd and 4th positions, grande plié, posé, coupé, grande battement, frappé, petitis battement, chassé, glissade, triplets, basic pirouettes, soutenu, sissonne, assemblé, jeté, and changement.
Improvers
For those who have had a taste of ballet and wish to further develop their technique. This class extends the skills taught in the Beginner classes and introduces some more challenging exercises.
Beginning Pointe
For those who are new to pointe, this class will focus on developing the strength necessary for pointe work.
Important: If you have never studied pointe work before, please attend this class in your flat shoes before purchasing pointe shoes. For your health and safety, it is necessary for the teacher to assess your readiness for pointe work.
Intermediate
For those who generally understand the structure and basic vocabulary of a typical ballet class. This class is taken at a faster pace, designed to improve your ballet knowledge, technique, musicality and expressiveness.
Intermediate Pointe
This class is for those who have developed the strength required for pointe and are looking to progress in the centre.
Inter-advanced
Designed to bridge the gap between intermediate and advanced classes and to give dancers at both levels an extra class each week.
Advanced
Taken at a fast pace, the advanced class teaches more complex technique and especially emphasises musicality, artistry, and developing your own sense of style. It is suitable for those with considerable previous training, general proficiency in ballet vocabulary, and, most importantly, a genuine desire to learn and work towards a higher level of ballet performance.
Advanced Pointe
This class is for dancers who have several years experience dancing en pointe, and want to practice advanced pointe steps and variations.
Pas De Deux
Pas De Deux is dancing with a partner. It is for levels intermediate and above for female-role dancers, participation en pointe strongly recommended. No prior ballet experience is required for male-role dancers.
