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Academy Students 2008-2009
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The world of classical ballet needs many more male dancers coming through
the ranks. The Academy will conduct constant educational and promotional
events to expose young men to the idea of dance. Outreach programs into the
school systems will be developed. The Academy will also invite fathers to
participate in father/son movement workshops (see Body Mechanics below).
Due to the need for more male dancers, there will be different fees for male
dancers in many cases, a variety of scholarships, and other programs to
encourage and support enrollment.

The introduction of dance competitions and the impact of demi-character
dancers in the classic prince role have altered the way male dance technique is
taught. These new additions are spectacular and make for much better male
dancers, but have eclipsed many traditional types of male dance steps,
particularly petit allegro. At the same time, many contemporary
choreographers have simplified the lexicon of dance vocabulary (the steps).
It is currently believed that learning the full complement of dance somehow
limits or interferes with the prowess of the male dancer in his current
incarnation. In truth, however, the “competition” mentality that is common in
many of today’s male dancers does not prohibit the male dancer from
performing the full complement of male technique. Male Academy students
will be required to develop their full technique, particularly petit allegro, to
remain enrolled in the Academy.

Male technique classes will be required of male students starting in Level 4
and throughout the rest of their work in the Academy, both Lower and Upper
schools.

The Academy will conduct special classes and programs for male students.
There will be special Body Mechanics workshops for athletes held regularly
for male students (or female) who are athletes and wish to achieve the highest
form of achievement within their sport. These workshops will be required for
all male students of the Academy, and these students will be used as example
in the workshops.