About Our Classes
At South Yarra Ballet Academy, we offer three distinct training streams designed to support every dancer’s unique aspirations. From casual, joyful movement to intensive pre-professional training, our pathways ensure each student receives expert guidance and a supportive environment to thrive.
- Recreational
- Core
- Relevé
Our training programs centre around the Vaganova-based Ballet Conservatoire Syllabus, whilst offering holistic complimentary subjects across:
- Classical Ballet
- Contemporary Dance
- Stretch & Conditioning
- Lyrical Jazz
- Pre-Pointe & Pointe
- Variations & Solos
- Elite Private Coaching
The world-renowned vaganova system
Vaganova-based classical ballet training is internationally prized for developing dancers with exceptional technical clarity, strength, flexibility, and artistry. This leading method is grounded in a unified system that trains the body to work as a whole, rather than emphasizing individual skills in isolation. From the earliest levels, students are taught correct alignment, coordination of the arms and upper body with the legs, and an intelligent use of strength and flexibility. This comprehensive foundation produces dancers with strong classical lines, refined épaulement, and a clear understanding of movement quality, attributes that are highly valued by professional ballet institutions worldwide.
Dancers trained in the Vaganova method are often more successful in securing professional contracts and sustaining long-term careers because of the depth and balance of their preparation. The system develops resilient technique and efficient movement patterns that support physical longevity and consistency under professional demands. Equally important, Vaganova training places strong emphasis on musicality, expressive intention, and artistic responsibility, preparing dancers to adapt seamlessly across classical, neoclassical, and contemporary repertoire. For young dancers, this approach supports healthy physical development while fostering discipline, confidence, and versatility, creating artists who are not only technically accomplished but also equipped for lasting success in the professional ballet world.
“Here at South Yarra Ballet Academy, our faculty prioritises the careful development of strong classical ballet technique, whilst fostering an inclusive, caring, and inspiring learning environment. We hope to make the ballet studio a welcoming space, where all students can embrace the beauty of classical and contemporary ballet, whilst also learning lessons in perseverance, and self-expression.”
Miss Bella, Artistic Director
Ballet Conservatoire levels
Junior
Kinder (4-5 years old)
Creative movement & imaginative play, for early introductions to classical ballet.
Pre-primary (6 years old)
The enjoyment of dance whilst beginning to learn the discipline of classical ballet training and musicality.
Primary (7 years old)
More formal commencement of classical ballet training, but still including free expression work.
Preparatory 1 (8-9 years old)
Careful development of the classical ballet technique, vocabulary of steps and expressivity.
Intermediate
Level 1 (9-10 years old)
Increased vocabulary of steps, including turning steps, greater demi-pointe work, body alignments and use of the head.
Level 2 (10-11 years old)
Development of greater flexibility and strength, increased en l’air work including big poses, greater use of epaulement and more complex enchainement.
Level 3 (11-13 years old)
Increase in complex steps, introduction of pirouettes, increased allegro work and preparation for pointe work.
Arriving in 2027:
Level 4 (12-14 years old)
Continued technical skill development in complex and longer enchainements, advanced adagio and pointe work introduced. Development in artistic performance expressivity.
Senior
Arriving in 2027 :
Level 5 (13-15 years old)
Arriving in 2028:
Senior Level (14-17 years old)
Excellence Award (15-19 years old)
Term Enrolment
$350/60min, $400/75min, or $450/90min Class
$25 discount when booking multiple weekly ballet classes, to support students ongoing development.
Contemporary dance
Contemporary dance is an essential part of a young dancer’s training. It develops strength, flexibility, and coordination in ways that complement classical ballet, while encouraging students to experiment with different movement styles and explore expressive, fluid motion. By practicing contemporary techniques, dancers learn to connect with the music and convey emotion through their bodies, enhancing their overall artistry.
In today’s dance industry, dancers are expected to perform across multiple styles, and contemporary training gives them the adaptability required to succeed. It challenges students to think creatively, respond to improvisation, and develop a nuanced sense of timing and spatial awareness. By engaging with contemporary dance from an early age, young dancers build the technical confidence, musical sensitivity, and expressive skills that are essential for today’s versatile performers.
Term Enrolment (9-10yo+)
$300/60min Class
Stretch + Conditioning
At South Yarra Ballet Academy, stretch and conditioning classes are an essential part of supporting the healthy development of young dancers. These classes are carefully structured and age-appropriate, ensuring that children build strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance in a safe and positive environment.
Rather than pushing young bodies beyond their limits, our approach focuses on teaching correct movement patterns, good posture, and body awareness, whilst also gradually striving for the flexibility required by today’s industry. This helps students feel more confident in their ballet classes and supports the development of strong, well-aligned technique as they grow.
Stretch and conditioning also plays an important role in injury prevention by helping dancers develop the strength and control needed to meet the physical demands of ballet. By encouraging healthy habits and mindful movement from an early age, we aim to support each child’s long-term wellbeing, enjoyment of dance, and continued progress both in the studio and beyond.
Term Enrolment (8yo+)
$175/30min, $265/45min, or $300/60min Class
Lyrical Jazz
Expand your artistic range and technical fluidity in our Lyrical Jazz classes, designed specifically for versatile classical ballet students looking to diversify their movement vocabulary. This class acts as the perfect bridge between classical discipline and contemporary freedom, blending the sharp, powerful foundations of jazz technique with the expressive, fluid storytelling of lyrical choreography.
For dedicated ballet students, this class offers a dynamic environment to release rigid verticality and explore new physical dimensions. You will use your strong classical foundation to master jazz-specific elements, such as kicks, turns, & leaps, basic floor work, isolations, and complex choreography; helping you thrive in today’s ever-evolving industry.
Term Enrolment (8yo+)
$265/45min or $300/60min Class
Private coaching
Artistic Director Miss Bella (ex-ballerina, choreographer, artist, and passionate teacher) offers the important opportunity of private coaching to all aspiring students. These lessons take a detailed one-to-one approach, focusing on the development and understanding of classical ballet technique, tailored individual corrections, and additional solo performance or exam coaching. Private coaching is offered with Miss Bella, as well as guest teachers upon request.
Our Private Coaching Fees
$90/30min or $140/60min
Our Program Streams
For aspiring young dancers, we recommend that students engage in a minimum of 2-3 days of training per week. Without this, students will fall behind the standard and developmental expectations of other pre-professional young dancers.
However, every dancer is unique.
To support the unique goals of the dancers that visit our studios, we have three pathways:
Recreational
Weekly hours: 1-4hrs
+ Annual report card and feedback from our world-class faculty
- 1 x Weekly Ballet Class
- Optional: Stretch, Contemporary, Lyrical Jazz
- Individual Class Enrollment
Core
Weekly hours: 5-7hrs
+ Examinations with the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet
- 2 x Weekly Ballet Classes
- Stretch + Conditioning
- Pre/Pointe
- Contemporary Dance
- Optional: Lyrical Jazz
Relevé
Weekly hours: 8hrs+
+ Examinations, Competitions, Audition support
- 3 x Weekly Ballet Classes
- Stretch + Conditioning
- Pre/Pointe
- Variations + Solos
- Contemporary Dance
- Optional: Lyrical Jazz