Many adult beginners are eager to explore graded ballet work, often following RAD’s Graded Syllabus (up to Grade 8) or vocational exams (from InterFoundation through to Advanced 2). Having completed both grades and vocational work as an adult, I understand the appeal of an exam-based approach to ballet training. I’ve taken many exams and have been asked about this topic frequently, which has led me to reflect on the benefits I gained from the experience—as well as some of the drawbacks.
If you're still deciding whether pursuing exams is the right path for you, this concise list of pros and cons may offer some clarity:
Photo of LBC students by photographer Emily Durham Photography
Pros
Graded work provides a solid foundation: The syllabus introduces ballet step-by-step, helping students build a strong understanding of technique. This structured progression prepares you to take on more challenging movements and sequences later on.
Repetition enhances technical refinement: Practicing the same routines each week allows you to shift focus from memorising steps to perfecting their execution. It also reinforces ballet terminology, which can help you pick up combinations faster in open classes.
Exams promote detailed learning: Since graded classes focus on working towards an exam, they tend to offer more structure than drop-in or open classes. Teachers often take extra time to explain concepts and refine technique, creating more opportunities for questions and personalised feedback.
Opportunities to learn complete dances: Higher-level grades and vocational exams often feature full dances and variations, which help develop musicality, artistry, and individual expression. In contrast, most open classes focus on shorter, technical exercises.
Developing musicality with live accompaniment: Advanced grades and vocational exams sometimes require students to work with a live pianist. This is a fantastic challenge, as each pianist brings unique interpretations of tempo, helping you become a more versatile and musically responsive dancer.
Cons
Limited adult-appropriate grade levels: As an adult beginner, you’ll likely start between Grade 4 and Grade 6. These classes often include younger students, which some adults may find uncomfortable. However, it’s worth checking local studios for adult-only graded classes.
Graded work may not align with open class content: The syllabus covers specific steps, which may leave gaps when transitioning into open or drop-in classes that include movements not featured in the curriculum.
Repetition can limit adaptability: While graded work helps with memorization, it may not develop the quick-learning skills required for advanced open classes, where students are expected to pick up new material rapidly.
Focus on technique over dance quality: Graded work emphasizes executing movements correctly, which builds technical understanding but may neglect artistry and performance skills. Although recent changes to the syllabus aim to address this, technique still takes precedence—especially in the earlier grades.
Risk of losing motivation: Repeating the same routines over time can become monotonous, leading to a loss of inspiration and interest.
Finding Balance
If you’re considering graded work, I recommend taking a combined approach early in your ballet journey. Use graded classes to establish a strong foundation with structured lessons and the clear goal of an exam. At the same time, supplement these with drop-in classes to develop skills often overlooked in exam-based learning, such as adaptability and spontaneity. This way, you’ll benefit from both the structure and repetition of graded work, along with the variety and challenge offered by open classes.
LBC student Valentina in our ‘The Dream’ Workshop
Where Can I Take Grade Lessons?
Check with local studios that offer RAD exams. Some may run adult-only classes or allow you to register independently for exams.
Where Can I Study Vocational Work?
The RAD Headquarters in South Kensington offers vocational classes for adult beginners, including InterFoundation and Intermediate. You will need a teacher to register you for these programs.
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Does LBC offer RAD exams?
LBC has opted NOT to offer RAD exams to our students (though we often work with RAD-certified teachers). Instead, we have developed our own teaching methodology over the past eight years, which we continue to update and refine in line with the latest research and innovations in movement education.
Our approach places a strong emphasis on anatomical education, body awareness, and injury prevention—essential elements for adult movement education that are not typically addressed in methodologies designed for children’s bodies (such as RAD). We believe adults deserve a curriculum designed for their unique needs, rather than adapting syllabi meant for children. This philosophy is at the core of why we have pioneered our own approach.
The LBC Methodology: A Curriculum Designed for Adult Ballet Students
Learning ballet as an adult is a fundamentally different experience from learning as a child. However, most ballet schools and syllabi approach adult education using techniques designed for children, which is inefficient and can be counterproductive.
One of the greatest advantages of starting ballet as an adult is that you are already a skilled learner. Adult students have refined cognitive abilities, body awareness, and motor control—tools that should be leveraged to streamline the learning process.
Cognitive Learning as the Foundation for Physical Development
Adults can better comprehend detailed instructions and explanations, which aids in the motor learning process. Rather than relying on years of repetition (as with children), we believe adults benefit from receiving clear, detailed instruction right from the start. Adults often bring prior movement experience from other practices (even if they don’t seem complementary), which further enhances their ability to learn.
This is why our approach focuses heavily on developing a cognitive understanding of ballet movements. By offering detailed explanations and feedback early on, we help students avoid injuries and prevent the development of inefficient movement patterns (which can be hard to unpack/rewire later on)
Why we think RAD Exams Aren’t the Best Fit for Adult Learners
Traditional ballet methods, including RAD, rely heavily on physical repetition over time. While RAD exams may provide some structured learning, they are still based on a long-term developmental model that assumes students will progress gradually over many years—something more suited to children. Adults, by contrast, don’t have the luxury of dedicating 10+ years to reach an intermediate level. Many adult learners are also at greater risk of injury, as their bodies are less malleable than children’s.
Furthermore, practicing incorrectly—a common risk when condensing learning—can lead to deeply embedded bad habits. For this reason, adult learners need precise, timely corrections.
Key Components of the LBC Methodology vs. RAD or other adapted childrens’ curriculums
Cognitive understanding first: We teach students the why behind each movement to accelerate their learning process, rather than expecting improvement through repetition alone.
Detailed corrections: Adults require more targeted and timely corrections to avoid reinforcing inefficient movement patterns. We don’t expect them to figure it out on their own over time
Body awareness as a learning tool: We leverage the existing body awareness many adults bring from other practices to improve motor learning.
Holistic injury prevention: Conditioning and posture work, including the principles of Pilates exercises, are integrated into our classes to prevent strain, injury, and overuse.
Learning styles matter: We help students identify their learning styles and incorporate them into our teaching framework for more effective results.
LBC Pointe students, with guest artist Sophie Elizabeth Allnatt, dancer with the Royal Ballet
A Progressive Approach with Drop-in Flexibility
Although RAD provides structured learning towards an exam, we recognise that adults have busy schedules and may not be able to commit to regular classes. That’s why our programme offers a progressive pathway through our classes, ranging from Absolute Beginner to Advanced levels. To achieve this, we offer workshops/masterclasses (focused on technical deep-dives) and integration of posture work/conditioning. We also offer two main branches of ballet classes:
Technique Classes: These classes are split into different levels (Beginner, Improvers, Intermediate/Advanced). These classes focus on terminology, sequencing, and core ballet movements, with key steps (focal steps) revisited over a set period, such as one month or a term. This structured repetition allows students to refine essential movements, supporting steady technical improvement—but without the rigidity of exam-based work. A key limitation of exam-based classes is that they do not cultivate the skill of picking up combinations “on the spot.” In contrast, our technique classes incorporate free work, helping students develop the ability to quickly memorise and execute combinations—a vital skill in open adult classes. At the same time, we retain focused repetition, ensuring students have the opportunity to reinforce their technical foundations and integrate them into their muscle memory.
Variation Classes: Every month, we teach a new variation that incorporates choreography and music from classical ballets. (These classes are taught at both Beginner/Intermediate levels). In this way, we embed the development of musicality, artistry and stage presence into our training from Day 1. We think this is key - this is one of the reasons adults start their ballet journey, and they should not have to wait until they are extremely technically proficient before working on these equally important components of being a dancer. The delayed access to variations and solo work in graded programs assumes that students have years to dedicate to gradual progress, which often doesn’t align with the goals or time constraints of adult learners. Our approach respects and supports each student’s unique journey, allowing them to experience the full scope of ballet from the very beginning (in a way that is level appropriate and safe).
LBC dancers Salome and Sharon performing the Kitri Variation, Winter Intensive, December 2023
Coordinated Training Across Classes
There is a coordinated progression across all our classes, ensuring students can build technical skills while also working on artistry and musicality. For example, the focal steps from our technique classes are designed to complement the choreography taught in our variation classes, creating an organised and structured approach to learning - even within a drop-in model.
We also offer workshops that provide in-depth technical training and anatomical education. These workshops give students the opportunity to explore specific areas of ballet in greater detail. Long-term students have the chance to advance through pointe work and higher-level classes, with additional opportunities to learn from guest artists from ballet companies around the world.
How Our Approach Benefits Adult Learners
Designed specifically for adults: We address the needs and strengths of adult students rather than adapting methods meant for children.
Efficient learning process: By utilizing cognitive understanding and body awareness, we streamline skill development and reduce the need for years of repetition.
Balanced focus: We integrate artistry, musicality, and performance skills alongside technical development.
Free work and memory training: Our classes prepare students to thrive in open-class environments by developing the ability to memorize and execute combinations quickly.
A living curriculum: Our methodology evolves with new research and innovations in sport science and movement education.
LBC student Salome in our Pas de Deux Workshop, photo taken by Sharon Yao
A Program for Serious Adult Students
While many people take ballet classes for the joy of movement and music (which we fully support!), we know that some adult learners want to pursue ballet seriously. For those students, LBC offers a comprehensive and innovative program that prioritises their needs and goals. We have created the kind of program that doesn’t exist in mainstream adult ballet education. Our methodology puts adult students at the centre, ensuring they receive the tools, support, and instruction needed to succeed technically, artistically, and personally.
If you are an adult who really loves ballet and wants the chance to learn from teachers who take your passion and potential seriously, come and join us for a class!