bbodance

The original Espinosa syllabus has been reviewed but remains true to its origins with a focus on  introducing students to the foundations of ballet vocabulary needed to develop strong technique. The movement principles of this genre such as accurate footwork, coordination of limbs, graceful elevation, and precise turns are at its core. At the higher levels, the syllabus exposes students to the variety of artistic styles, choreographic demands, and musical complexities that dancers working in the profession need to master.

Tap is an enjoyable, inspiring education in timing, rhythm, and technique, which encourages individuality in style as well as discipline in group work. Students learn shuffles, beats, rolls, wings, breaks and time steps – all to demonstrate their musical prowess. The BBO Tap syllabus equips students to perform at a professional standard, adapting to varying styles and choreography throughout the levels.

A fun, accessible, and engaging syllabus that prepares students for progression into Vocational Training in Musical Theatre and ultimately provides the groundwork for a potential career in the West End. Inspired by a range of musical productions from stage and screen, this all-encompassing genre draws on a huge range of characterisation and narrative to create versatile dancers with strong movement technique and expressive performance skills. The movement vocabulary used draws on current performance demands and supports students to refine footwork, clarity of line in the body, musical responsiveness, and artistic flair.

AcroDancer is a genre of acrobatics designed specifically for the dancer. This genre fuses the elements of lyrical gymnastics, balance, and tumbling, all coordinated with the beauty of Classical Ballet and the gusto of Jazz. AcroDancer promotes the building of core strength, spatial awareness, and enhanced flexibility. To master the elements of AcroDancer, the emphasis is to ensure safety and build confidence, together with developing sound technical training to be integrated with the choreography in today’s competitive world of dance. This syllabus is designed to accommodate the fun element for young dancers through to the expectations of the elite student.

BBO Jazz is a challenging but rewarding syllabus. From the foundation exercises of Pre-Primary to the complexities of Advanced 1, the work builds strength, control, flexibility, and stylistic interpretation that includes a diversity of movements and dance styles within the syllabus and dances.

BBO Modern is designed to equip the dancer with a strong technical background in the genre. The lower levels develop through fun and enjoyment whilst commencing the basic technical elements through to all the requirements that are needed to produce a Modern dancer today. The Steps and Amalgamations cover the broad spectrum that is Modern Dance from Lyrical, to Jazz, to Musical Theatre, to Street Dance. There is no set music, which keeps the work current and gives the teacher freedom to experiment and utilise the ever-changing styles of music.

The BBO Contemporary syllabus is based on current Contemporary Dance training, with influences of Graham, Cunningham, and Release Technique, and aims to support students in gaining the fundaments of the genre, leading to professional training. Stylistic features include the use of parallel and turnout, the use of the spine, the use of breath and flow, and interest in the process and product.