About Pure Ballet
About Me
Teacher/Owner: Sarah Walston, Qualified Associate Member of The Cecchetti Council of America
Email: sarahwalston at pureballetstudios. com
Phone: 210-827-0749
I have been dancing since the age of 3 when my Mom enrolled me in a tap class. My love for music, movement and dance took off, and I haven’t stopped since! We moved a lot as a child and this afforded me the opportunity to study at large and small studios, with private teachers, and in community classes. I have always loved ballet but never had a strong enough desire to dance as a professional. I wanted motherhood more; I married and began a family in my early 20′s. However, during my freshman year of college I discovered the Cecchetti Method and fell in love with the clarity of the work. My previous training lacked any real direction and the Cecchetti Method brought to my training repertoire the credibility any dance student deserves. My previous Cecchetti teachers have included Deborah Korpi in Waco, Tx, Renata Sanford in Austin, Tx and Dr. Kathleen Tenniswood who recently moved from San Antonio to Houston, Tx. I have recently finished my Professional Elementary Teacher Exam from the Cecchetti Council of America. I have experience teaching a wide variety of students (older beginners to highly advanced youth, baby ballerinas, to beginning boy dancers.) I enjoy working with students who have never had a class and students who are working towards professional status. I also enjoy working with professionals to assist in helping them maintain clean technique in their work.
Some students may elect to take examinations through the Cecchetti Council of America. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
References are available upon request.
About the Studio
Location: 4530 Bridgewood, San Antonio, TX 78217 CLICK FOR GOOGLE MAP
The studio is located in my home and is complete with a wood sprung floor, floor to ceiling mirrors and double barres.
About The Program
I prefer to utilize The Cecchetti Council of America’s nationally accredited curriculum. Below is detailed information about the syllabus.
The following is from The Cecchetti Council of America’s website:
The Cecchetti Council of America holds examinations in classical ballet for students and teachers who are training in the Cecchetti method. The Syllabus tests the technical and artistic accomplishments of student candidates who have been prepared by member teachers. It offers students an opportunity to demonstrate their technical ability and understanding of the material. Each level provides attainable goals that build self-confidence in their developmental progress and successful achievements.
Student Grades
Early Childhood Development:
The CCA offers three pre-syllabus examinations for younger children that will develop poise and musicality in a fun and creative environment. The primary I, II and IIII materials were devised to ensure student enjoyment, allowing for creative applications. The teacher directs and leads the students during the examination.
Grade I and II Syllabus:
For students on a more serious track, the two lower student grades will develop proper placement of torso, hips, and legs without exceeding anatomical limitations. The coordination of arms and head are developed with a concentration on smooth transitions throughout the exercises.
Grade III and IV Syllabus:
A more mature sense of musicality and quality of movement is emphasized in the third and fourth levels. Students develop strength and stability in the demonstration of the pirouettes and grand allegro. Suppleness and smooth graceful movements are developed in these levels along with the coordination of head, arms, legs, and body. Students present a one-minute dance for the Grade IV examination demonstrating the ability to perform through unset movements. The dance provides teachers the opportunity to help develop the student’s awareness of choreographic concepts.
Professional Examinations
Elementary Syllabus marks the beginning of the professional level examinations and links the student to the final three professional levels that demonstrate Maestro Enrico Cecchetti’s work. It provides a culmination of the material in the graded work, demonstrating a mature and professional approach. In addition to adages and pirouettes that prepare the student for the more advanced levels, pointe work and the execution of beats are demonstrated in this syllabus.
The Intermediate, Advanced, and Diploma examination material used by the Cecchetti Council of America is maintained by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, London, England. Cecchetti’s legacy and tradition continues to flourish and survive the test of time in this universal work that is shared among seven Cecchetti Societies across the world. The syllabus demonstrates the beautiful adages, pirouettes and allegro used by Enrico Cecchetti. It develops strong classical lines, solid anatomical placement, as well as virtuoso jumps and beats.
