Originally developed by Lynn Parkerson and Oona Haaranen, Elevate uses Dr. Ann Hutchinson Guest's "Language of Dance" (LOD) system to teach children basic ballet vocabulary and achieve a physical and intellectual understanding of dance.

Elevate addresses problem solving, comparison and contrast, verbal clarification of movement, and analysis in fun yet challenging ways. As Elevate teaches patience, order, self-reliance, self-control, balance within the individual, and harmony within a group, the fundamental principles of ballet become lessons in being a good student. Our program provides a positive example of the way repeated effort can yield skill and achievement.

Each Elevate residency begins with a lecture demonstration called “What is Ballet?” performed by Brooklyn Ballet’s professional dancers. Then, public school students receive 6-8 weeks of hands-on ballet training. Some extended residencies allow students to participate in Take Ballet to the Streets performances, and gifted students discovered in our Elevate residencies are offered scholarships to continue their dance training at Brooklyn Ballet School.

Elevate is currently offered to K-12 grade students throughout New York City.

For information on how Elevate can be of value to your students, email: tristan@brooklynballet.org.