Ballet For Kids – Ages 5-7

No Snootiness allowed  : )

Ballet For Kids: In addition to the ballet for kids class offerings on this page, American Dance Institute offers a comprehensive selection of adult ballet classes, ballet & tap dance classes for ages 5-7, ballet classes for ages 8-10,  ballet classes for for ages 11-14,  and Teen ballet classes.

Ballet For Kids Ages 5-7

  • Ballet for kids ages 5-7, or Pre-Ballet, continues working on all the elements of our Creative Dance class series, but also introduces the basic ballet positions and preparatory steps.
  • Kids ballet classes focus more attention on ballet etiquette, terminology, musicality, and phrasing.
  • Progressing levels of our pre-ballet program gradually increase the emphasis on ballet technique, building the grace, poise, and strength required to execute the more demanding technical work in our ballet program.
  • Beginning students start in Pre-Ballet I. Promotion to levels II and III is by instructor recommendation.

The Importance Of Teaching via Ballet Syllabus

Ballet is a journey. As ballet students progress in their training,  their bodies grow stronger, muscle memory improves, and their confidence grows.

This combination of benefits allows them to continuously build on the skills and choreography learned in earlier classes. It is critical that they not be taught new positions and steps before their bodies are ready for the challenges those steps demand. 

As your child progresses, they may be assigned a new teacher. You will want that teacher to continue with the same syllabus and not change with every new teacher. That results in inconsistent, haphazard student progression and it can be risky if they don't have the proper foundation to build on. 

This is why a carefully developed syllabus is so important. Your child's physical health, safety, and progress is consistent, safe and seamless over many years. Their confidence and self image grows as well and who doesn't want a confident child with a healthy self image? :)

Pre-Ballet Class Schedule

  • We willl continue live streaming many classes through the Fall session. Any in-studio classes will be limited to five students and will adhere to Washington Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines.

Fall 2020 Live-Streamed Class Schedule

Fall 2020 In-Studio Class Schedule

Our State Of The Art Live Streaming Technology.

ADI's State of the art live streaming technology
Mihkai Wickline in an onine ballet class at home.

The Quality Online Class Room Experience - At Home.

  • All studio broadcasts are via hard wire ethernet connections to insure best broadcast quality.
  • Large TV screens that allow teachers to clearly see their students.
  • Teachers make student corrections very effectively.
  • Allows students to see and visit with each other mainting friendship bonds.
  • Excellent voice quality allows students to clearly hear teacher.
  • Excellent music transmission quality allows students to hear music in real time (without lags).

Dennis Landmesser

We asked Dennis Landmesser, how he liked his live streamed class today with instructor Dakota Crist.

The class today with Dakota was more than I could have hoped to expect.  I don't know what to rave about more, the quality of the production or the excellence to the class.  Dakota thought to ask at the start of class if there were any injuries which was especially  meaningful to me today because I have a sore knee.  Her instructions were clear and complete and made perfect sense.  The corrections were thoughtful and meaningful.  Dakota is golden and to be highly valued.

Since March, I've suffered through six months of ZOOM frustrations.  ADI has excelled in solving that misery.  I could have been watching a high definition BlueRay with Dolby sound.  

Thanks for asking,

Dennis Landmesser

Dress Code: Pre-Ballet Class Attire

  • Girls wear short sleeve cotton leotard (Bloch Style #CL5402) in light pink, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers. Boys wear black dance pants or sweats, white T-shirt, white or black ballet slippers. 
  • Hair should be pulled back in a bun if it will fit. If short, it should be pulled back off the face.
  • Attire is available at Centerstage Dance Shop, or check our swapbox.

Six Dance Studios In Four Convenient Locations

Our In-Studio Classes Are Temporaily Closed To Stop The Spread Of Coronavirus

Shoreline, WA

1240 NE 175th Street, Shoreline, WA 98155

Greenwood

8001 Greenwood Ave North, Seattle, WA 98103

Magnolia

2410 32nd Ave West, Seattle WA 98199

Wedgwood

NE 7500 25th NE, Suite 1, Seattle, WA 98115

Our Shoreline dance school dance studios 1 and 2 are located very close to the corner of NE 175th Street and 15th Ave Northwest, in the North City neighborhood. Enter the 2nd floor dance studio by the door nestled in the middle of this L shaped building. Open for live stream and in studio classes.

Our Greenwood dance school dance studios 1 and 2 are located at the corner of 80th and Greenwood Ave North, cater corner to Diva Espresso. Our office is in the back of the building as are the studio entrances. If you are new, check in at the office and say hello! Open for live stream and in studio classes.

Our Magnolia dance school neighbors are Ace Hardware & Magnolia Garden Center. There's plenty of street parking and in the back alley. Enter the dance studio lobby by the back (alley) door. Open for live stream and in studio classes.

Our Wedgwood dance school dance studio is located at the corner of NE 75th and 25th NE  across the street from Shell station, and just 1/2 block from Dahl Playfield.  There is some parking in the lot and plenty of street parking. Open for live stream and in studio classes.

American dance institute Shoreline

Shoreline from NE 175th Street

american dance institute studio front, 8001 greenwood ave north, seattle, wa 98103

Greenwood 

Magnolia

Wedgwood

Go here for hours of operation, contact info and maps.

Kid's Ballet: Meet Your Teachers

"Just as in the best schools, the quality of the dance school teacher makes all the difference to your child's experience."  Elizabeth Chayer

Alyssa Brillinger, American Dance Institute

Alyssa Brillinger

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Margaret Behm, Modern dance instructor American Dance Institute

Margaret Behm

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Shoreline Ballet classes, Jazz classes shoreline, shoreline dance classes, Ballet dance classes for beginners

Dakota Crist

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Shoreline ballet classes, kid's dance classes shoreline, shoreline dance classes, ballet classes for beginners in lake forest park

Emily Curtiss

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A Review From A Student and Parent

Image of Kathy Swat's daugter who attended American Dance Institute.

​Click Here to read authentic Google reviews on American Dance Institute.

Fresh Chalk readers have declared American Dance Institute the Best Seattle Dance Classes.

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Check out Fresh Chalk, Seattle's exciting new start up that's better than Google Reviews!


How to Recognize An Excellent Kid's Ballet Class

  • Children should not start formal ballet training until they are nearing eight years of age. Little 5-7 year old bodies are not ready for the strenuous demands of formal ballet training. Your child can start building a ballet foundation in our pre-ballet classes.
  • Look for a non-competitive ballet school. Competitive ballet schools have their place, but not with very young children. At our non-competitive school students, staff, and parents are friendly, less stressed, and more relaxed.
  • Find a class where the teacher understands that the pace of the class has to be good for your child. Look for a dance studio with 'sprung' floors that give to protect little feet and ankles. 
  • Seek out ballet dance schools with accommodating customer policies like a guaranteed credit if you don't like your class for any reason. 
  • And look for a school that has expert ballet teachers who will give your child personalized attention so they will progress quickly and safely.

Join our mailing list to get new class announcements & helpful dance tips here.

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