Classical ballet. Live music.
From first steps to the world stage.
Classical ballet training in Christchurch at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, from a child's first ballet class through Royal Academy of Dance training to audition-only pre-professional pathways.
Counterpointe is The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora’s ballet school, based in the historic School of Art building in the heart of Christchurch.
Rooted in the European tradition of classical ballet, Counterpointe offers a complete pathway from a child’s first experience in Baby Ballet through to the internationally successful Fledgling Programme.
All classes are taught with live piano accompaniment. All performances with live music from our relaxed baby ballet end of year performance with live piano accompaniment through to our annual classical ballet accompanied by an orchestra.
Baby ballet (2.5 -4.5yrs)
A magical introduction to the world of classical ballet. Counterpointe Baby Ballet introduces young dancers to ballet through imagination, beautiful movement and live music, with parents welcomed into the studio for every class.
Our youngest dancers also enjoy their own dedicated performance with live music — a relaxed, family-friendly first experience of the stage designed especially for them. Each dancer receives their own tutu to wear and keep as a special memory of their first performance.
Baby Ballet dancers also have the opportunity to participate in a Royal Academy of Dance demonstration class, offering a gentle introduction to the RAD experience before progressing into Pre-Primary.
With experienced, qualified teachers and a warm, carefully structured approach, Baby Ballet gives children a joyful and memorable beginning to their ballet journey.
Royal Academy of Dance (5yrs +)
From Pre-Primary through to Advanced 2, Counterpointe offers a complete Royal Academy of Dance pathway, taught by an experienced RAD Registered Teacher with professional dance experience.
All dancers work towards annual Royal Academy of Dance examinations, providing clear goals, recognised progression and independent assessment of their development. The RAD is an internationally recognised and highly respected classical ballet syllabus.
Musicality is central to training at Counterpointe. Alongside live music in ballet classes, dancers have opportunities for dedicated musicality training and participation in the Counterpointe Chorale.
Dancers also have the rare opportunity to perform with professional musicians and live orchestra, experiencing ballet as a living theatrical art form in the European tradition.
More than just another ballet school. Counterpointe offers a complete education for the young dancer — combining Royal Academy of Dance training with open ballet, repertoire, competitions, stretch and conditioning, musicality training and Counterpointe Chorale.
Whether dancing for enjoyment or developing aspirations for further training, every dancer is given a strong classical foundation, challenged and inspired.
For the future professional and the young dancer who wants to keep this option open
The Fledgling Programme
Counterpointe’s audition-only pathway for dancers ready for more. The Fledgling Programme combines small-group classical training, individual coaching, live music, repertoire, performance and international audition preparation within a highly personalised environment.
With full-time, part-time and distance options, Fledgling has supported dancers to gain offers and acceptances from leading international schools and programmes including Vaganova Ballet Academy, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, The Royal Ballet School and Princess Grace Academy.
From Christchurch to the world stage.