The ABT® National Training Curriculum is a program for the development and training of young students that embraces sound ballet principles and incorporates the elements of the French, Italian and Russian schools of training. Under the direction of ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, ABT’s National Training Curriculum was designed and written by Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens in collaboration with ABT Artist Advisors and the Medical Advisory Boards.
ABT’s National Training Curriculum is a program for the development and training of young students that incorporates elements on kinetics and coordination, as well as anatomy and proper body alignment.
Artistically, the National Training Curriculum strives to provide dance students with a rich knowledge of classical ballet technique and the ability to adapt to all styles and techniques of dance.
CSB Faculty Accredition
CSB faculty includes Certified and Affiliate teachers in the ABT ® National Training Curriculum.
The ABT® National Training Curriculum has been adopted by schools around the globe.
Class Attendance & Absences
The students must attend their classes on a regular basis in order to participate and be fully prepared. Four (4) weeks before the exam, students should not miss more than 1 class. We reserve the right to withdraw the student from the exam if absences are affecting her/his training.
Primary Levels are required to attend a few additional practices—scheduled just prior to the exam date.
The Examination and Preparation
- - Students are required to memorize their exercises
- - Students take the exam with their classmates, each student has a number pinned on the front and back of their uniform.
- - The teacher announces each exercise, but does not coach the students.
- - Students arrive for the exam a minimum of 45 minutes before the scheduled exam time.
- - The examination is to be presented like a performance, the exercises rehearsed and memorized.
Dress Uniform & Grooming
Students are to wear the school uniform. It must be performance ready, clean and neat. Female students must wear their hair in tidy ballet bun.
The Adjudicator
An adjudicator is from the ABT Board of Examiners presides.
Rubrics and Certificates
A Rubric and Certificate of Achievement is presented to the student approximately 1 month after the examination.
Benefits
- - Students master ballet technique in a recognized standard of training that has been adopted by professional schools in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Australia
- - Students gain; poise, self-confidence, focus, self-discipline, increased physicality, acute awareness of technique and musicality, stamina and a greater understanding that ballet is a deeply rooted historic art form that is scientific in nature and artistic in delivery
- - Students reach milestones
A Student’s Perspective
“My participation in ballet examinations has helped me develop both as a dancer and as a student. The examinations focused on tangible goals, motivating me to develop my technique, strength, artistry, and musicality as well as the practical attributes of determination, discipline, and focus. I carry these invaluable skills, mastered during preparation for these exams, into my college studies as I work towards earning my MD-PhD in Chemistry.”
- Maggie Minett, CSB Alumni 2017