The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Ballet Students Pass Examinations

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There are eleven grades in ballet in the French method. Each grade is marked out of 100 marks. Students have to earn 65 marks to pass, 75 for commendation, and 85 marks or higher for honors. Students really have to work hard to pass these exams.

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Proudly displaying their certificates for passing Grade II Ballet are: Lorelai Goodermote (Berlin), Lexie Bull (Petersburgh), Catherine Bitteker (Bennington), Chloe Bruno, Ella Hunt, and Elizabeth Lauver (Cambridge). These students all attend Miss Olivia's British School of Ballet in Hoosick Falls. Photo courtesy of Olivia Sumerlin.
Proudly displaying their certificates for passing Grade II Ballet are: Lorelai Goodermote (Berlin), Lexie Bull (Petersburgh), Catherine Bitteker (Bennington), Chloe Bruno, Ella Hunt, and Elizabeth Lauver (Cambridge). These students all attend Miss Olivia’s British School of Ballet in Hoosick Falls. Photo courtesy of Olivia Sumerlin.

The grading is not all physical either, especially in the higher grades. There are more than 1,000 steps in the eleven grades, all in French terms, so it takes a lot of brain power.

Some students passed all eleven grades and have gone on to be professional dancers; some have won scholarships to college. One student won a $30,000 scholarship, another won a $20,000 scholarship, and others have recieved smaller amounts.

Even if students do not complete all eleven grades, they are still eligible for scholarships. Ballet training has been proven to help students in academics, not to mention good posture.

Miss Olivia has been running her dance school for 38 years and it is rated one of the best in New York State. The school also has an excellent reputation in North and South Carolina, Virgina and Beverly Hills, California. Miss Olivis also has a wonderful program for three, four, and five-year olds. Please call Miss Olivia at 518-686-9440 if you would like more information about ballet, Irish step dance, tap, or gymnastics classes.[/private]