Dance Program Curricula

MFAB educational system is based on an integrated curriculum. Our departments of Dance, Music, Drama, Visual Arts, Scholarly Arts, Technical Arts and Theater Craft work together so the students develop a broad understanding of all aspects of material learned. In addition, the goal of an MFAB education is to prepare every student to work at the highest level of Fine Arts from graduation to grave, far beyond their active career on stage.

In the profession of ballet, dancers must be familiar with a wide array of dance styles. MFAB teaches them Bournonville, Vaganova, Russian, English and Balanchine technique classes, but also technique-based modern classes (Graham, Hawkins, Cunningham, Ailey and others) as well as contemporary, improvisation and more.

In addition, they learn from the beginning traditional, court, folk and ritual dance styles, learning the music, historical origins and notable uses of these dances in concert dance.

Academy Method

The Academy Method teaches the fundamental principles of movement as they relate to classical theatrical dancing. Fonteyn developed an approach to the wide variety of choreographic styles demanded of dancers in the 20th century, looking forward to the 21st century and beyond. This approach views the 284 steps of classical ballet technique as recipes of force, so that the dancer develops a sense of how the body moves efficiently and effectively.

A dancer in their career has the job of performing choreography with authenticity and integrity, rather than making a public showing of classroom steps. Choreography of any kind is by definition unique, each work with its own specific movement language. The Academy Method technique allows dancers to perform all styles with alacrity, and present choreography artistically and with maximum impact on the public.

International Students’ Program

ESL — English as a Second Language training is required of all MFAB students. To graduate from either school, each students must achieve an ESL rating of 6 or higher. MFAB offers individualised ESL training to all students as part of the curriculum. ESL 6 level means that the individual is able to read and write English at a college level, can give lectures, can converse at the level of Diplomatic Corps and can write at an acceptable level for magazine, news paper or published paper. It is not related to one’s accent, only one’s workable knowledge of the English Language.

International Baccalaureate (IB) — MFAB is developing a program to offer access to training and testing for the IB. Students who wish to have IB credentials must register individually through MFAB administrative offices to schedule their IB program participation. Costs for IB are in addition to tuition for MFAB.

Provide education and training for top-tier student artists from graduation to grave

Performance Opportunities

Défilé

In Fall MFAB students perform for a ballet luminary, presenting themselves and having personal exchanges. They perform barre and center floor exercises, and have a short conversation about an iconic star from the history of ballet.

The Nutcracker

Every 2nd year MFAB students perform in the Nutcracker with Les Ballets du Monde, featuring leading dancers from ballet companies around the world.

My Song

MFAB’s My Song program, in which students write songs that are then performed by professionals, has included the following musical artists: Chuck E. Costa (2009); Jennie Walkerand Tommy Farragher (2010); and Michael Loweand Esther Knudson(2011). My Song albums are available through MFAB.

Grand Défilé

In Spring students perform a full evening featuring assigned variations from famous ballets, original choreography and a song each student has written. Students are graded on every point of interface with the public by a panel of professionals.

Summer Intensive Performance

At the end of the Summer Intensive, students perform the work they have done during the course, including dance, drama and music. The performance is open to the public.