ABOUT THE ABT® NTC PROGRAM AT THE INDUSTRY
The Industry Dance Academy is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 9-level program that combines high-quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skills levels. It incorporates elements of the French, Italian and Russian schools of training. Students can master ballet technique in a recognized standard of training that has been adopted by professional schools worldwide.
Primary through Level 3 will be taught by ABT® Certified Teacher, April Ayers, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Level 1 through Level 4 will be taught by ABT® Certified Teacher, Anh Dillon, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 7 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Both Anh Dillon and April Ayers achieved the status of Affiliate Teachers with ABT® National Training Curriculum after presenting students who successfully passed the National Training Curriculum Student Examination with ABT® in 2022.
To learn more about American Ballet Theatre® and the National Training Curriculum, visit their website here!
ABOUT THE STUDENT EXAMINATIONS
The Industry Dance Academy ballet classes for levels Primary C, 1A/B, 2A/B, 3A/B, and 4 follow the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Some of these levels will build up to a formal examination at the end of the school year. An adjudicator from the ABT National Training Curriculum Artistic Board of Examiners will observe the students perform a prepared examination class, which is conducted by the students’ ABT® Certified Teacher.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE EXAMINATIONS?
- Examinations serve to assess students’ skill level and artistic presentation.
- Students are offered the opportunity to have their achievements in dance recognized through entering into ABT® National Training Curriculum Examinations.
- Examinations are a tool to document progress and a way to build confidence in ability.
- Students receive a personalized Rubric with constructive feedback.
- Students also receive a Certificate of Participation with their name, date of the examination, Class Level and Level of Distinction, if applicable.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE EXAMINATIONS?
At this time, the ABT® examinations are a selective process and student participation is by invitation from their ABT® Certified Teacher. Invited students are highly encouraged to participate, but not required.
Regular weekly attendance to the following classes is required to be considered for an examination invitation:
- Primary C: two (2) ballet classes
- Level 1: two (2) ballet classes
- Level 2: two (2) ballet classes + pre-pointe + pilates
- Level 3: three (3) ballet classes + two (2) pointe + pilates
- Level 4: three (3) ballet classes + two (2) pointe + pilates
HOW ARE STUDENTS PREPARED FOR THE EXAMINATIONS?
We want students to succeed and practice makes progress! In order for students to fully prepare, off-schedule Exam Prep Classes are added and tailored specifically for the groups of students taking the examination.
Attendance is required for all Exam Prep Classes.
TIMELINE
All students will be assessed for examination in their regular class during the fall semester.
November/December: ABT® Certified Teachers will invite students ready to participate in the examination.
January: Confirmation of participation will be requested and tuition due.
February: Exam Prep Classes will start, loosely on a weekly basis with some blackout dates due to other studio activities (such as performance shows or competitions) or closure. Exam Prep Classes are scheduled outside of the regular schedule (most likely on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). Primary C Level will only need to attend a few additional practices scheduled just prior to the exam date. Attendance is required for all Exam Prep Classes.
May: ABT Student Examinations.
This timeline is subject to change. Exact dates will be determined at a later time.