Performance Division
Dancer Level Hierarchy Descriptions
Soloist
Senior Corps
Senior Corps dancers will be dancing at an advanced level of ballet and an intermediate/advanced level of pointe. Dancers at this level are required to be enrolled in two ballet classes, two pointe classes, one contemporary class, and one jazz class per week. It is recommended that they take as many classes within their level as possible. Senior Corps dancers must have intermediate/advanced skills in non-ballet technique. Dancers should have an advanced understanding of musicality, formations, and choreography retention as well as advanced skills in acting and performance. Dancers should not only find nuance and artistry in their movements, but will also prioritize connecting to the audience when performing. Senior Corps dancers are expected to dance well in large corps roles, small group roles, solos, and lead roles, if awarded. They should hear corrections and notes in rehearsals and feel that they are consistent with what oneself notices about their own performance, and apply them. They will confidently assume lead and solo understudy roles, have experience with partnering or will start to accrue skills in partnering. Senior Corps dancers should become comfortable acting as role models for all lower-level dancers in the company in technical merit, performance etiquette, and general attitude and disposition.
Soloist dancers will not only be dancing at an advanced level of ballet and pointe technique, but will have mastered the qualities of all levels in the hierarchy. Dancers at this level are required to be enrolled in two ballet classes, two pointe classes, one contemporary class and one jazz class per week. It is recommended that they take as many classes within their level as possible. Dancers will be rewarded (but not guaranteed) solos and lead roles in addition to large corps and small group roles. They should have advanced skills in acting and performance and prioritize connecting with the audience as a full embodiment of the role performed. Soloist dancers should behave as role models for all lower-level dancers in the company in technical merit, performance etiquette, and general attitude and disposition. It is not assured that every dancer will reach the Soloist level in their career with Ensemble Ballet Theatre.
Intermediate Corps
Intermediate dancers will be dancing at an intermediate/advanced level of ballet and a beginning/intermediate level of pointe. Dancers at this level are required to be enrolled in two ballet classes and two pointe classes per week. Intermediate Corps dancers must be enrolled in at least one contemporary or jazz class per week and have beginning/intermediate skills in non-ballet technique. It is recommended that they take as many classes within their level as possible. Dancers should have an advanced understanding of musicality, formations, and choreography retention as well as skills in acting and performance. Dancers should feel comfortable finding nuance and artistry in their movements. They should hear corrections and notes in rehearsals and feel that they are consistent with what oneself notices about their own performance, and apply them. Intermediate Corps dancers are expected to dance well in large corps roles, small group roles and may be awarded solos and lead roles. They will assume small group and lead and solo understudy roles and will start to accrue skills in partnering. Intermediate Corps dancers should begin acting as role models for all lower-level dancers in the company in technical merit, performance etiquette, and general attitude and disposition.
Junior Corps dancers will be dancing at a junior/intermediate level of ballet and may have beginning skills in pointe technique. Dancers at this level are required to be enrolled in two ballet classes per week and if given permission, two pointe classes per week. Junior Corps dancers must be enrolled in at least one contemporary or jazz class per week and have beginning skills in non-ballet technique. It is recommended that they take as many classes within their level as possible. Dancers should have an understanding of musicality, formations, and choreography retention as well as skills in acting and performance. Dancers should begin to find nuance and artistry in their movements. They should hear corrections and notes in rehearsals, identify their own notes, and apply them without reminders. Junior Corps dancers are expected to dance well in large corps roles and small group roles and may be awarded solos.
Junior Corps
Preparatory Corps
Apprentice
Preparatory Corps dancers will be dancing at a beginning/junior level of ballet. Dancers at this level are required to be enrolled in two ballet classes per week. It is highly suggested that dancers at this level are exposed to contemporary and/or jazz techniques, though it is not required. Dancers should have an understanding of musicality, formations, and choreography retention as well as skills in acting and performance. They should hear corrections and notes in rehearsals and begin to apply them without reminders. Preparatory Corps dancers are expected to dance well in large corps roles and may be awarded small group roles. In particular circumstances, Preparatory Corps dancers may also be awarded solos.
Apprentice dancers will be dancing at a beginning level of ballet. Dancers at this level are required to be enrolled in two ballet classes per week. It is highly suggested that dancers are exposed to contemporary and/or jazz techniques, though it is not required. Dancers should have an emerging understanding of musicality, formations, and choreography retention as well as beginning skills in acting and performance. They should hear corrections and notes in rehearsals and begin to apply them with reminders. Apprentice dancers are expected to dance well in large corps roles and may be awarded small group roles. In particular circumstances, and small group roles. In particular circumstances, Apprentice dancers may also be awarded solos.
