BALLET No.9

Ballet Basics · 8-week series

Your first
step into ballet.

A welcoming, carefully paced introduction for complete beginners. Learn the foundations, understand the language, and leave moving with more confidence—one hour at a time.

Try one class freeExplore all 8 weeks ↓
The bright Ballet No.9 studio ready for classNo experience
required
A beginner ballet student working at the barre

Made for real beginners

You do not need to “get ready” for your first class.

Come as you are. The series begins at the beginning: how to stand, where to place your hands, how to follow the music, and what the French words mean. Each exercise has a supportive option, so progress never has to look the same on every body.

Start here ifYou have never taken ballet—or tried years ago and want a kind return.
You will buildAlignment, coordination, musicality, vocabulary and studio confidence.
The paceOne idea at a time, with familiar exercises returning every week.
The atmosphereFocused and encouraging. Questions and modifications are welcome.

The complete curriculum

Know exactly what you’ll learn.

Open any week for the full 60-minute lesson plan. The structure stays familiar while the movement vocabulary grows—so you can spend less time guessing and more time dancing.

Class 01Foundations & alignment
Feel at home in the room.Learn safe posture, comfortable turnout, basic positions and how to hear counts of eight.
PliéTenduRelevéPort de bras
  1. Welcome, studio etiquette, the barre, working and supporting legs
  2. Standing warm-up: breath, shoulders, ankles, parallel pliés and rises
  3. Posture; parallel, first and second positions; preparatory, first and second arms
  4. Demi-plié facing the barre, with knee tracking and even foot pressure
  5. Battement tendu front and side; articulate whole foot, ball and toes
  6. Relevé, low retiré and supported balance
  7. Center positions, port de bras, marches and musical counting
  8. Ballet walks, walk-point-close and simple traveling pattern
  9. Calf release, reverence and recap

Optional practiceFive minutes of posture, foot articulation and arm positions—without forcing turnout.

Class 02Footwork & port de bras
Coordinate from fingertips to toes.Revisit alignment, add dégagé and connect the arms to the movement.
DégagéEn croixSupporting leg
  1. Warm-up: breath, ankles, pliés, rises and weight shifts
  2. Arm pathway from preparatory to first, second and back; add the head
  3. Pliés in first and second, port de bras, weight transfer and balance
  4. Tendu front, side and gently to the back; both sides
  5. Battement dégagé front and side, returning through tendu
  6. Relevé, coordinated arms and low retiré balance
  7. Center combination: plié, tendu, port de bras and balance
  8. Walk-point-close, step-point and introductory chassé
  9. Reverence and vocabulary review

Optional practiceEight slow tendus in parallel while holding a stable surface.

Class 03Circles & weight transfer
Move around a steady center.Introduce circular leg action and transitions between two feet and one.
Rond de jambeEn dehorsEn dedansFondu
  1. Warm-up: pliés, ankles, feet, relevés, hips and port de bras
  2. Pliés at the barre, side port de bras and balance
  3. Tendu and dégagé en croix: front, side, back, side
  4. Rond de jambe à terre, en dehors and simplified en dedans
  5. Fondu preparation with simultaneous bending and lengthening
  6. Relevé, retiré and spotting to the front
  7. Center weight transfers through second with coordinated arms
  8. Ballet walks, chassé and changes of direction
  9. Release, reverence and vocabulary check

Optional practiceTrace small half-circles with the toes while keeping the pelvis quiet.

Class 04Balance & body directions
Discover ballet’s sense of space.Develop one-leg coordination and the facings that make simple steps feel like dancing.
CroiséEffacéÉpaulementRetiré
  1. Warm-up: pliés, feet, rises and gentle torso rotation
  2. Plié with port de bras, side stretch and controlled balance
  3. Tendu en croix with arms and head
  4. Dégagé: slow articulation followed by a quicker tempo
  5. Fondu front, side and back with a stable supporting leg
  6. Rond de jambe, relevé and low retiré balance
  7. Center facings: front, croisé, effacé and simple diagonals
  8. Traveling phrase with chassés, walks, point and presentation
  9. Reverence and recap

Optional practiceBalance in low retiré for up to eight counts with light support.

Class 05Dynamics & introductory turns
Move with clarity and direction.Develop a sharper foot action and understand safe quarter- and half-turn mechanics.
FrappéSpottingPreparation
  1. Warm-up: pliés, relevés, feet, port de bras and spotting
  2. Plié, rise, hold and controlled lower with coordinated arms
  3. Tendu and dégagé en croix with contrasting dynamics
  4. Frappé preparation front and side, prioritizing articulation
  5. Fondu, rond de jambe and balance review
  6. Fourth-position preparation, weight transfer, quarter- and half-turns
  7. Slow center phrase with tendu, transfer, retiré and port de bras
  8. Chassé, step, quarter-turn and walk to finish
  9. Cool-down and terminology

Optional practiceSpot a fixed point while making four slow quarter-turns in parallel.

Class 06Lift & beginner jumps
Learn to land before you leap.Explore safe landing mechanics and optional two-foot jumps. A non-jumping version is always available.
SautéLandingDemi-pointe
  1. Warm-up: pliés, feet, relevés, calves and dynamic mobility
  2. Landing mechanics: knees over toes and quiet foot articulation
  3. Tendu and dégagé with quick footwork
  4. Fondu and frappé preparation
  5. Relevé, low retiré balance and optional quarter-turn
  6. Sauté preparation at the barre; parallel and first position
  7. Center sautés or brisk relevé alternative
  8. Traveling phrase: chassé, point, walks and half-turn
  9. Calf release, ankle mobility and reverence

Optional practiceEight slow relevés and controlled demi-pliés; no jump practice needed.

Class 07Coordination & complete phrases
Turn exercises into dancing.Connect familiar steps into longer phrases and introduce changement when appropriate.
AdagioAllegroChangementPhrase
  1. Warm-up: pliés, relevés, feet, arms, spotting and weight shifts
  2. Plié combination with port de bras, balance and transfer
  3. Tendu and dégagé combination en croix
  4. Rond de jambe, fondu and retiré balance
  5. Frappé, relevé and quarter-turn
  6. Center adagio with transfer, fondu and balance
  7. Spotting, quarter-turns, half-turns and optional fuller rotation
  8. Sautés and optional changements, with a no-jump alternative
  9. Learn the final class sequence

Optional practiceMentally rehearse the final phrase and review the vocabulary.

Class 08Review, dance & celebrate
See how far you have come.Consolidate the vocabulary, complete a short ballet phrase and find your next step.
MusicalityReverenceConfidence
  1. Warm-up: posture, pliés, feet, relevés, arms and spotting
  2. Plié combination with port de bras and balance
  3. Tendu and dégagé en croix with arms and head
  4. Rond de jambe, fondu and low retiré
  5. Frappé, relevé and optional quarter-turn
  6. Center adagio review
  7. Quarter-turns, half-turns and optional full turn
  8. Sautés and optional changements
  9. Final combination in small groups
  10. Reverence, celebration and what comes next

Next stepContinue into Ballet Basics II or a regular beginner class.

8Weekly classes
60Minutes each
0Experience needed
1Clear foundation

Eight weeks.
A real beginning.

Every class builds on the one before it. You will repeat what matters, add one new layer at a time, and always understand why you are doing each movement.

Week 01Foundation

Meet the studio

Posture, turnout, positions, plié and your first tendu.

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Week 02Coordination

Find your line

Foot articulation, dégagé and expressive port de bras.

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Week 03Movement

Draw the circle

Rond de jambe, fondu preparation and weight transfer.

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Week 04Balance

Stand with ease

One-leg coordination, body directions and épaulement.

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Week 05Dynamics

Change direction

Sharper footwork, spotting and introductory turns.

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Week 06Lift

Leave the floor

Safe landing mechanics and optional beginner jumps.

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Week 07Flow

Connect the steps

Longer combinations, musical phrasing and confidence.

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Week 08Celebrate

Dance the phrase

Review, a complete final combination and what comes next.

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See the detailed class-by-class plan ↓

Your first ballet class · Free

Try ballet before you commit.

In one welcoming hour, you will sample every part of the eight-week journey: the barre, center work, balance, musicality and a short phrase you can truly dance. It is a preview of the experience—not a rushed test of every step.

No experience60 minutesJump-free optionNo obligation
Check upcoming datesAsk about the free class
Your hour at a glanceA complete first
experience
  1. Arrive & align

    Meet the studio, find a comfortable posture and learn the first positions.

  2. Your first barre

    Demi-plié, battement tendu, simple port de bras and clear musical counts.

  3. Move into the center

    Weight transfers, ballet walks, balance, spotting and an optional jump.

  4. Dance a short phrase

    Connect the movements you just learned and finish in your first ballet pose.

  5. Reverence & next steps

    Celebrate what you achieved and see how it grows across the full series.

Come exactly as you are. Questions and modifications are welcome.

What you can expect

Serious teaching.
A generous beginning.

01 · A clear path

Built to progress

Each week returns to the foundations before adding a new layer. You never have to piece the basics together on your own.

02 · Your body

Options are part of class

Comfortable turnout, barre support and non-jumping alternatives keep the work challenging without asking every body to move identically.

03 · Beyond the steps

Learn the language

French vocabulary, musical counts, studio conventions and thoughtful repetition give you the confidence to join future beginner classes.

Before your
first class.

Do I need any ballet experience?

No. The first class begins with how to stand, use the barre and follow the teacher. This series is designed for complete beginners and people returning after a long break.

What should I wear?

Wear fitted, comfortable clothing that lets the teacher see your alignment. Ballet shoes are ideal; ask the studio before buying if you are unsure about style or fit. You do not need a leotard or tutu.

Do I need to be flexible or “in shape”?

No. Flexibility is not an entry requirement. The class develops coordination, strength and mobility gradually, with ranges adapted to your body.

What if I cannot jump or have an injury?

A non-jumping relevé option is available. Tell the teacher about relevant restrictions before class, and follow advice from your qualified healthcare professional.

What happens if I miss a week?

The curriculum repeats key material, so one missed class does not erase your progress. Contact the studio about the current make-up policy for your series.

What comes after the series?

You will be ready to continue with Ballet Basics II or a regular beginner class, depending on the studio schedule and your goals.

Your place at the barre is waiting

Begin before you feel ready.

Eight welcoming classes. One clear foundation. Come learn what ballet can feel like when every step is explained.

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