Dance With Me

Helen24 February 202630 March 2026Simply Balletpreschool, Toddler dance

Toddler ballet classes for age 2-4.

Dance with Me is for age 2+ with a caregiver in the classroom.

You and your toddler can learn creative and fun dance skills at an age-appropriate level through nursery rhymes, simple dance movements, and basic rhythm exercises.

Students learn co-ordination, music, and social skills while you get out of the house and get moving yourself!

There’s no upper age limit to Dance With Me so you can stay until your child is ready to dance on their own in our Dance to Your Own Tune classes.

Book an Introductory Class

Try Dance With Me for Free!

Tuesday 21st April

9:45-10:15am

Join us in studio for a free Dance with Me taster class!

Before you enrol for Term 2, come along and try it out to see if Dance with Me is the right fit for you and your child.

You’ll step into our warm, welcoming studio, meet our friendly teachers, and see first hand how your child engages with music, movement, and storytelling. Plus, you get out of the house, get moving, and meet other mums and dads just like you.

Free Beginner Ballerina Bundle!

Because we love making first experiences extra special, the first 8 families who enrol on the day for Term 2 will receive our Beginner Ballerina Bundle!

This delightful little gift pack will help your dancer feel confident and excited as they start their ballet journey. Full of ballet accessories and activities, there’s even a gift for you too!

Places for this free session are limited, and our preschool classes fill quickly each term.

Secure your spot now to let your child try the class before Term 2 begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens in the class?

Students choose an activity from the dancing envelope for the class to do. The teacher then leads everyone through the movements and we dance together to the music.

Some activities involve props or stories, moving about the room or interacting with partners – it just depends on what gets pulled out of the dancing envelope!

How long is the class?

Dance With Me classes run for 30 minutes.

We find this is the perfect length of time for this age group to remain engaged having fun, without getting distracted or overwhelmed.

Who can be the caregiver in class?

We welcome parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or any other carer who is responsible for your child.

Do I need a uniform or ballet shoes?

No.

Dance With Me does not have an official uniform. Your little dancer can wear whatever dancewear they feel most comfortable in.

Ballet shoes are a good idea, but not necessary for your first class. Socks are ok if you are coming for the first time.

When you enrol you can purchase ballet shoes from our studio shop or the local dancewear store.

I have a newborn - can I bring them too?

Yes.

Most parents in this situation bring their newborn in a harness or capsule and can still participate in class with their toddler.

There is no charge for bringing a younger sibling who is too young to participate in the class.

How much does it cost?

Dance With Me is invoiced per 10 week Term, aligning with the public school term calendar.

You can find out all the details of costs in our Fee schedule here.

How do I book?

Book your first class using the button above.

You’ll just need to provide some details about yourself and your child, then we’ll be in contact with more information about how to find us and what to expect.

What are Dance With Me Classes?

Dance with Me is a 30-minute pre-ballet class for age 2+ with a caregiver in the classroom.

You and your toddler can learn creative and fun dance and music skills at an age-appropriate level.

You’ll twirl, clap, stretch, and move through fun adventures inspired by music and stories.

For many children, Dance With Me is their first class experience. Having a parent or caregiver participate in the class provides comfort and encouragement while creating a enjoyable shared activity. You’ll also benefit by getting moving and meeting people just like you.

Students learn co-ordination, music, and social skills while you get out of the house and get moving yourself!

There’s no upper age limit to Dance With Me so you can stay until your child is ready to dance on their own in our Dance to Your Own Tune classes.

Dance With Me Classes Term 2

Tuesday & Friday 9:45-10:15am

Classes are held at
Simply Ballet
King George Hall
Koongarra Court, Magill SA

10 week Term $132

Terms and Conditions.

Offer available to new students only. This class is not exchangeable for any monetary value or credit, and cannot be re-book for a different date or time. By booking a free trial class you acknowledge you have read and accept Simply Ballet’s Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. Free gift is redeemable at your first Term 2 class after Term 2 class fees have been paid in full.

Book Now

Silver Swans Morning Tea

Simply Ballet19 February 202619 February 2026Simply BalletSilver Swans

Spend some time socializing with your fellow Silver Swans after class and glide into our friendly morning teas.
Join the flock for a relaxed cuppa, a chat, and a chance to stretch your wings getting to know new friends.
Bring a plate to share if you can, tea and coffee provided.

Silver Swans Morning Tea Dates 2026

Day	Date	Time
Friday	March 6	11:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday	April 7	11:30am-12:30pm
Friday	May 29	11:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday	June 23	11:30am-12:30pm
Friday	August 21	11:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday	September 22	11:30am-12:30pm
Friday	November 13	11:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday	December 8	11:30am-12:30pm

Dates are subject to change.

Spend some time socializing with your fellow Silver Swans after class and glide into our friendly morning teas.

Join the flock for a relaxed cuppa, a chat, and a chance to stretch your wings getting to know new friends.

Bring a plate to share if you can, tea and coffee provided.

Pre-Pointe Training at Simply Ballet

Simply Ballet23 May 202526 September 2025Simply Ballet

Simply Ballet has a tried and tested path to get you on your toes. Our pre-pointe classes are designed to progress students onto pointe in a safe and steady manner.

Pre-Pointe Training at Simply Ballet

The dream of many young dancers is to stand on the tips of their toes in satin pointe shoes. We aim to make those dreams come true – in a safe and steady manner.

Pre-pointe training is a requirement for any student wishing to progress onto pointe, or to return onto pointe after a prolonged absence. Regardless of age or experience, the same criteria must be met by all students to ensure a safe transition.

The criteria for commencing pointe work at Simply Ballet is currently;

Have completed a minimum standard of RAD Grade 5
Be attending classes twice per week on a regular basis
Purchase and complete the Perfect Pointe program under the guidance of a Simply Ballet teacher.

The intention of the Perfect Pointe program is to aid students, parents, and dance teachers with a system of assessing and preparing a student for pointe training. Strict criteria take the subjectivity out of the decision and help the teacher transition students onto pointe in the most integrated and responsible manner possible. The “Perfect Pointe Book” helps students learn the detailed assessment techniques and exercises, and understand why some students can perform movements more easily than others as well as how to overcome technical obstacles.

Areas addressed in the program include:

Postural control
Pelvic stability and alignment
Foot and ankle mobility
Articulation, strength and control of the foot
Turnout control and core stability

Students learn a variety of exercises and techniques in stages and are assessed regularly to see if they are ready to progress to the next level. Students may progress at different rates, and individual progress is monitored by the teacher. Most students will complete the program in 9-12 months.

Students are expected to undertake strengthening exercises at home a minimum of 3 times per week. Using the “Perfect Pointe Book” and the homework guide given by the teacher, students can demonstrate maturity and responsibility for their training – an essential part of their progression onto pointe. If students do not complete adequate homework, this will generally lead to a delay in progressing through the stages. All four stages of the course must be completed, in order, before a student can progress onto pointe after completing a final assessment.

What resources are required?

To complete the pre-pointe program students require;

A copy of the Perfect Pointe Book (purchase below)
Pre-Pointe training manual – provided by Simply Ballet
A theraband – provided by Simply Ballet
A tennis ball

Students should have their own log-in to the Perfect Pointe Book website so they can access the videos and extra content available online.

Pre-Pointe class for Grade 5 will run Thursday 5:00-5:30pm.

Working through this program is an enjoyable and rewarding process.

If you have any further questions about Pre-Pointe training, please contact us

Want to try a class at Simply Ballet?

Book a no-obligation trial class

We want you to help you find the perfect class.

Select the type of class you want to try
Book online
Come and try Simply Ballet for yourself!

Click here to book your trial class now

Learning Pointe as an Adult

Simply Ballet26 February 20254 April 2025Simply Ballet

Is it possible to learn pointe work as an adult ballet student? Simply Ballet has a tried and tested path to get you on your toes.

Learning Pointe as an Adult

The dream of many young dancers is to stand on the tips of their toes in satin pointe shoes. We aim to make those dreams come true – even for adults, in a safe and steady manner.

Pre-pointe training is a requirement for any student wishing to progress onto pointe, or to return onto pointe after a prolonged absence. Regardless of age, the same criteria must be met by all students to ensure a safe transition.

The criteria for pointe work at Simply Ballet is currently;

Have completed a minimum standard of RAD Grade 5
Be attending classes twice per week on a regular basis
Purchase and complete the Perfect Pointe Book under the guidance of a Simply Ballet teacher.

Areas addressed in the pre-pointe program include:

Postural control
Pelvic stability and alignment
Foot and ankle mobility
Articulation, strength and control of the foot
Turnout control and core stability

Students learn a variety of exercises and techniques in stages and are assessed regularly to see if they are ready to progress to the next level. Students may progress at different rates, and individual progress is monitored by your teacher. Most students will complete the program in 9-12 months.

Working through this program is an enjoyable and rewarding process, and we look forward to seeing you in class soon.

If you have any further questions about Pre-Pointe training, please contact us

Book A Trial Class

Want to try a class at Simply Ballet?

Book a no-obligation trial class

We want you to help you find the perfect class.

Select the type of class you want to try
Book online
Come and try Simply Ballet for yourself!

Click here to book your trial class now

Simply Ballet History – Vaslav Nijinski

Simply Ballet7 October 20224 April 2025Simply Ballet20thC Ballet, Classical Ballet History, Diaghilev, Nijinski

Vaslav Nijinski was the male star dancer of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in the early 20th Century. After graduating from the Imperial Ballet school, he was accepted straight into the second company rank at the Imperial Ballet in 1907, but left to join Diaghilev’s revolutionary new Ballets Russes in 1909.

Simply Ballet History

Vaslav Nijinski

Vaslav Nijinski was the male star dancer of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in the early 20th Century (More on the Ballets Russes in another post!)

After graduating from the Imperial Ballet school, he was accepted straight into the second company rank at the Imperial Ballet in 1907, but left to join Diaghilev’s revolutionary new Ballets Russes in 1909.

Pictured here in his costume from “The Blue god” (depicting the Hindu god Krishna), Michel Fokine’s choreography was supposed to display the virtuoso dancing of Vaslav Nijinsky, however mainly consisted of a series of poses inspired by Hindu sculpture.

The ballet premiered in 1912, and continued in the company’s repertoire until it was danced during Colonel De Basil’s Original Ballet Russe tour of Australia (1939-1940). In a bizarre twist of fate, a cane basket full of costumes was left behind at a theatre. In the early 1990’s, the National Gallery of Australia purchased the basket unknowingly in a clearance auction, only to discover a treasure trove of authentic early 20th Century Ballets Russes costumes. The pieces have been lovingly restored and are now on display at the National Galley in Canberra, including Nijinski’s ‘Blue god’ costume.

Vasalav Nijinski himself had a sad end to his dancing career. After trying his hand at choreography (not super successfully…) his virtuosity was not enough to repair a falling out with Sergei Diaghilev. He was let go from the company and endeavoured to start his own troupe, however the start of World War 1 forced him to settle in Switzerland. His mental health deteriorated, being diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1919 he was admitted to a mental asylum and never danced in public again.

Simply Educate

Simply Ballet3 October 202217 September 2025Simply BalletAdult ballet, ballet dictionary, Ballet steps

Simply Ballet Dictionary. French Terms for Ballet Class.
When you first start learning ballet it can be a bit confusing because all the steps are named in French.

Check out our online ballet dictionary below to get your head around some of the terms.

Simply Educational

Simply Ballet Dictionary

When you first start learning ballet it can be a bit confusing because all the steps are named in French.

Why? Well for that answer head over to our Ballet History posts here for more info…

In the meantime, check out our online ballet dictionary below to get your head around some of the terms.

A

Assemblé

To gather or bring together

A jump in which the dancer pushed off from one foot, gathering both together in the air before landing on two feet

B

Balancé

Balancé – To Rock or Sway

A lilting step, generally done on a waltz rhythm. Can be done de côté (sideways) en avant (forwards) or en arrière (backwards)

Batterie

Batterie – The act of beating

An action where a dancer embellished a jump by beating or crossing the thighs against one another in a series of rapid movements. Most jumps can be berformed in a simple form, or beaten.

C

Chassé

Chasseé – A chased step

A linking step performed through a demi-plié. Can be used in a variety of ways depending on choreography

Changement

Changement – to change

A jump from 5th where the dancer changes their feet mid-air to land with the opposite foot in front to where they started.

D

De côté

De côté – Travelling sideways

Used to describe the direction of any travelling step that moves sideways, either in the air or on the ground. Most dance steps can be taken travelling forward, backwards, or side ways (de côté)

Derrière

Derrière – Behind

The term used to describe the placement of the working leg behind the body, or behind the other leg in a extended or closed position such as 5th

Devant

Devant – In front of

The term used to describe the placement of the working leg infront of the body, either extended or in a closed position such as 5th

E

Échappé

Échappé – To Escape

An action where the dancer begins with the feet in 5th position and quickly moves the legs to an open position. Generally performed to 2nd or 4th, it can be a relevé or a jump

En avant

En avant – Travelling Forwards

Used to describe the direction of any travelling step that moves forwards, either in the air or on the ground. Most dance steps can be taken travelling sideways, backwards, or forwards (en avant)

En arrière

En arrière – Travelling Backwards

Used to describe the direction of any travelling step that moves backwards, either in the air or on the ground. Most dance steps can be taken travelling forward, sideways, or backwards – en arriėre

Épaulement

Épaulement – Use of the shoulders

Derived from the verb épauler, the dancer turns the spine to bring one shoulder forward or back

F

Fondu

Fondu – To Melt

A smoothly coordinated movement, bending and stretching both legs which is helpful for developing strength and control. Positions or steps can also be taken en fondus

G

Glissade

Glissade – Gliding or Sliding

A connecting step often used before a jump. Can be performed in all directions and different characteristics depending on the choreography.

J

Jeté

Jeté – To throw

A jump from one leg which lands on the other. Can be taken in many different forms from Jeté ordinaire (ordinary) to Grand Jeté (big throw).

P

Plié

Plié – To bend

A bending of the knees. Can be done as a demi (half) plié or grand (big or full) plié

Penchéé

Penchéé – To slant or tilt

A movement where the leg is held in the air and the body tilts away from the lifted leg. It is usually performed in arabesque, however can be done in any position.

Ports de Bras

Ports de Bras – Carriage of the arms

The training and movement of the arms within ballet is generally refered to as Ports de Bras. This could be an individual exercise, or choreographed arm movements with a dance or movement.

R

Relevé

Relevé – To push up

An action of the legs where the dancers begins in demi-plié or en fondu, and with a strong, quick stretch of the legs, arrives on demi-pointe or en pointe.

Retiré

Retiré – Withdrawn

A position where the working knee is bent with the toe places near the supporting knee. It can be performed in a large number of variations, and is also often a transition into other movements.

Rond de Jambe

Rond de Jambe – Circling of the leg

An action where the working leg performs a circular shape, either on the floor or in the air. Performed ‘outwards’ (en dehor), or ‘inwards’ (en dedans) in relation to the standing leg.

T

Tendu

Tendu – To Stretch

An outstretched position or action of the leg.

Tour en l'air

Tour en l’air – Turn in the air

A changement where the dancer turns in the air once, twice, or sometimes three times before landing!

Download an Info Pack

Simply Ballet6 January 202111 December 2024Simply Ballet

Download an info pack for classes at Simply Ballet. Details on how to book your trial class are included.

Download a Simply Ballet Information Pack

We understand that choosing a ballet school or class can be an in depth process.

We’ve put together all the info you need into a handy pack for you to keep it simple.

Click here to access your information pack for all our classes.

Your pack includes details on class types and ages, fees, concerts, assessments, what to wear and how to book your no obligation trial class.