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"What do you consider the length of a Semester in Ballet I, and how many hours of training each week would a Semester encompass?"

The three video/DVD set "Teaching the Most Important Levels in Ballet with Mary Lynn - Ballet I", covers Ballet I and consists of three Semesters.  How long it takes to cover the material in each Semester depends on the age of the students and the number of classes per week the class meets.  Here is a guide. If the students are younger (age 6, 7 & 8) and take two 60 to 90 minute classes per week, they could complete Ballet I in a year.  Each Semester would take three to four months.    Older students (preteen, teen, adult), taking two classes per week, at least one hour in length, should complete Ballet I in a year or even less.

I have purposely left it to the schools and teachers to use the syllabus as best it conforms to their particular needs.  For instance, some schools might decide to use Semester 1 as a Pre-ballet Level, then use Semester 2 and 3 as Ballet I.

The essential thing to keep in mind is that it is better to go too slow than too fast.

"What 'style' or'school' is the syllabus based on?"

My own training has been influenced by all the major schools, from Cecchetti to Vaganova, and of course Balanchine.  The syllabus I have developed is based on pure traditional classical training with a priority on understanding placement and line.  Most importantly, it prepares the students with a clean, unmannered style, enabling them to join any company.

I am very proud of the following quote from Betty Oliphant, Founding Director of the National Ballet School of Canada:

"I have had the pleasure of teaching Mary Lynn's students at the National Ballet School in Canada.  I have found it easy to prepare them for any major professional company because of the purity of their work which is presented without affectations or mannerisms."