CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR DANCERS FOR PASSING YOUR 2012 CLASSICAL BALLET CECCHETTI EXAMINATIONS!! WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF YOU!!

2013 Cecchetti Day

Canada’s National Ballet School, 400 Jarvis Street, Toronto, ON

Cecchetti Day is tentatively scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 24th at NBS in Toronto. Exam classes at this workshop are mandatory for all CSD Cecchetti ballet students. Other classes are optional, but highly recommended.

Arrive at NBS at least 45 minutes before your first class so that I can give you your class ribbons and tell you where to go for each class. Students must arrive at NBS in their uniform bodysuit, pink ballet tights with ballet shoes and pointe shoes (if participating). Hair must be in a performance quality classical ballet bun using gel. Students with a CSD yoga suit should wear this over your dancewear. Bring a water bottle, snacks and a lunch if you will be attending more then one class.

Parents are not permitted to watch classes & photography is strictly prohibited. Parents must remain downstairs at all times.

Cecchetti Day Fees are due February 1, 2013.

2013 Cecchetti Examinations

Our exam date is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 sometime between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Exam students are required to participate in five additional exam rehearsals in June, please see below for the tentative dates.

June 11th, 13th, 17th, 19th & 21st*

* Rehearsal with Pianist, Kevin Tam

General Examination Information

We teach the Cecchetti method of ballet at CSD. Cecchetti Classical Ballet examinations are an important part of serious and qualified students’ training. The exam is similar to a regular ballet class, consisting of rehearsed exercises and a dance, appropriately set for the examination level. Exams are held annually in June and are subject to an additional examination fee.

Exams provide students with a concrete goal and a valuable assessment by a professional teacher (Examiner) from outside of CSD. The examiner awards marks supported by written comments, and students also receive a signed Classical Ballet Cecchetti certificate. With patience, hard work and regular attendance, an exam is a positive and rewarding experience for all candidates.

Students attending a ballet class and twice-weekly Cecchetti Exam classes are eligible for the examination process; however, each dancer is assessed for participation in exams on an individual basis. Ms. Stone carefully observes each dancer throughout the course of annual classes to determine readiness for examination.

To receive the most value from ballet examinations students should pursue them every year starting at the age of seven. While it is possible to skip an exam level, it is not commonly recommended because with each level important technique and new steps are learned. Cecchetti exams begin at the “Primary” level and continue to “Grade One” through “Grade 6”, followed by major exams at the “Intermediate”, “Advanced One” and “Advanced Two” level.

Students selected to participate in the exam will receive invitations via email or personal letters in April. Examination fees are due May 1st so that they can be submitted to the Cecchetti Society of Canada.

The Cecchetti Method

The Cecchetti Method is a disciplined system of ballet instruction designed with careful regard for the laws of anatomy. The Cecchetti trained student is better able to absorb the basic principles which govern the art rather than the mere imitation of an individual's teaching style. Students study the Cecchetti Method over a ten month period, and must be given permission from the Artistic Director to participate in their examination in June.

The Cecchetti Method offers set Syllabi for ages 7 through professional levels, student examinations, certification examinations and teacher training courses. Based on international standards, examinations are designed to give students and instructors of the Cecchetti Method a greater sense of purpose while insuring that each level has been successfully accomplished before progressing to the next. Cecchetti exam classes combined with open ballet classes provide the perfect balance of training for all dancers.