Figure 1.--Most of the pupils here are girls, but there are bioys in the background. They appear to be wearing white "T" shirts and blacl pants.

The Balletschool van Antwerpen (Municipal Institute for Ballet) was founded in 1951 as "The Ballet School of the Royal Flemish Opera" is well known both nationally and internationally. HBC believes that the municipality involved is Antwerp. The Institute has a Primary school (SILO 2). Boys and girls are admitted to the ballet section of the primary school from the age of eight (third schoolyear). The curriculum includes general subjects (which meet the legal requirements) and dance tuition. In the third and fourth year the pupils have 5 hours of ballet tuition a week and this increases to 10 hours in the fifth and sixth year. During these four years the pupils are tought the basics of classical ballet. The school teaches pupils also other dance disciplines, such as character dance. Boys and girls have the opportunity to learn some small choreographies. Pupils who pass their examinations at the end of this primary school period can progress to the Municipal Institute for Ballet. Pupils from other primary schools may of course audition as well. The Insitute believes that for those students intending to make up ballet as a profession, it is considered best to start ballet education at the 8 years old.

Foundation

The Balletschool van Antwerpen (Municipal Institute for Ballet) was founded in 1951 as "The Ballet School of the Royal Flemish Opera" is well known both nationally and internationally. HBC believes that the municipality involved is Antwerp. The Insitute's growth is due largely to the efforts of Jeanne and her sister Jos Brabants. Since 1990 the school is artistically lead by Marinella Pañeda.

Figure 2.--One boy here appears to be wearing tights and a white danceshiort. The other boys are wearing unitards.

Ballet Education

Ballet education has two aims:

To acquire a range of dance techniques as wide as possible Therefore they have to study different branches of the art of dancing. Guestteachers and choreographers are invited to teach a special technique or a particular style or choreography.

The apprenticeship of different techniques is necessary because: graduate students should be able to audition both for classical and modern compagnies the students must be able to work for T.V. and other productions

Students must be prepared for professional life. From the beginning of their education, pupils from the Municipal Institute for Ballet dance in some productions organized by the school. The institute also works with other companies on artistic productions. To offer pupils the necessary experience and to facilitate the passage to a professional company, the institute gives them the opportunity to participate in productions of ‘The Royal Ballet of Flandres’ (ballet and musical) The institute only works on productions with a high artistic level.

Primary School

The Institute has a Primary school (SILO 2). Boys and girls are admitted to the ballet section of the primary school from the age of 8 (3rd schoolyear). The curriculum includes general subjects (which meet the legal requirements) and dance tuition. In the third and fourth year the pupils have 5 hours of ballet tuition a week and this increases to 10 hours in the fifth and sixth year. During these four years the pupils are tought the basics of classical ballet. The school teaches pupils also other dance disciplines, such as character dance. Boys and girls have the opportunity to learn some small choreographies. Pupils who pass their examinations at the end of this primary school period can progress to the Municipal Institute for Ballet. Pupils from other primary schools may of course audition as well. The Insitute believes that for those students intending to make up ballet as a profession, it is considered best to start ballet education at the 8 years old.

Secondary School

The second year of the first grade determinates ballet education. The main subject is classical ballet but other dance disciplines are taught : Spanish dance, character dance, jazz dance. Small choreographies are included in the programme. (on the whole 15 hours weekly) The general subjects, Latin excepted, are the same as those of other schools. (on the whole 22 hours weekly)

In the second grade the professional option is more definite. The pupils have 16 hours of dance tuition. At any moment the opportunity exists, for pupils who are not capable to become professional dancers, to choose for another study guidance.

In the third grade professional dancers are really trained in the third grade. The pupils have 20 hours weekly of dance tuition including modern dance and repertoire. The general subjects (17 hours weekly) aim at a better professional training. At the end of their studies pupils receive a diploma in secondary art education which allows them to study at the higher level.

The curriculum is interesting: moral education, catholique education, protestant education, geography/biology, English, French, data processing, history, art history, Dutch, physical education, music, plastic arts, mathematics, and technology.