Baby Ballerinas is a unique Pre-School Dance Program based in Newcastle, Australia. The program was first taught in 2002 and opened with 6 students, by the end of 2005 there were 280 Baby Ballerinas with classes operating six days per week. The immense growth atests to the strength of this program.
The Baby Ballerinas program was designed by Karen Barker-Rogers, Australian Ballet School graduate, with many years experience as an international professional dancer, a ballet teacher and adjudicator. After juggling working, teaching and raising two children, Miss Karen realised the need to cater for Pre-School children and families of this new, often time poor, generation. Miss Karen’s Program is especially designed to expand each child’s individual creativity and artistic abilities.
Baby Ballerinas guide 3 to 5 year olds through creative imagery and role-play rather than the technical approach traditionally associated with ballet. It develops an appreciation of rhythm and timing, music, movement and grace during the most receptive time in their lives. This Program also develops gross motor skills, stimulates social interaction and ability to follow instruction and, gain confidence to take that first step on stage!
Baby Jazz, ages 3 to 5 years, is another popular alternative dance form offered in this program. Ideal class for boys and girls, with high energy impact.
Baby Tap ages 3 to 5 years, is another popular alternative in the program.
Miss Karen’s teaching is unique, combining her ballet experience and love for children with a specific aim to enhance the enjoyment of movement, dance and music at an early age.
Operating Principles:
Develop a child’s gross motor skills and stimulate a social involvement with music and dance.
Expand the student’s own individual creativity and artistic abilities.
Assure students achieve a sense of rhythm and expression.
Create an appreciation of dance and music, which will remain with the student always.
To develop a technical classical ballet base that will provide a solid platform for future growth.
Central School of Dance
The children operate in Baby Ballerinas between the ages of 3 to 5 years at which time they Graduate. When the children start “big school” or Primary School they then go into the “Grades” at the Central School of Dance operating from 6 of age. The principles established in Baby Ballerinas provides a strong platform to build dynamic dancers. The Central School of Dance can provide RAD based exams and eistedford participation. The areas covered in the school are Classical Ballet, Character, Jazz, Tap and Ballroom.
The Teaching Practices of Baby Ballerinas:
Parents can watch the baby classes (sorry no siblings please).
Morning classes for Baby Ballet and Baby Jazz.
Positive use of imagery & weekly themes.
Introduction to a wide range of classical music.
Exams & eisteddfods are by request.
A morning end of year concert of 3 hours only. The Babies spend only one term on concert preparation.
Baby Ballerinas wear pink tu-tus for all classes
For the babies a Certificate of Merit each term. A medal is presented to the Grades once in term 3. All students receive a trophy for the concert participation.
All birthdays are acknowledged for each student
End of the year concert is held in the day and of approximatley 2 hours duration, with the date projected well in advance
This site operated by "Baby Ballerinas & Co" Registered Trade Mark
Baby Ballerinas is a unique Pre-School Dance Program based in Newcastle, Australia. The program was first taught in 2002 and opened with 6 students, by the end of 2005 there were 280 Baby Ballerinas with classes operating six days per week. The immense growth atests to the strength of this program.