Frequently Asked Questions
& Policies
New Student Questions
At what age can my child begin classes?
We welcome children as young as 4 years old (provided they are potty-trained) to join our ballet classes! At this age, children are often eager to learn and explore new movements, and we love to help them discover the joy and beauty of ballet.
How much does it cost?
We try to provide as much transparency as possible in pricing. We have no hidden competition or costume fees. Please find our tuition and all other fees here.
Can I watch class?
While we typically do not allow parents to watch their child's ballet class, we understand that it's important for parents to see their child's progress and celebrate their achievements. That's why we offer a special Parent Viewing Week each year, usually held in January, during which parents are invited to observe their child's class and see how much they have learned and grown. This provides a great opportunity for parents to share in their child's passion for dance and gain a better understanding of what goes into ballet training. We kindly ask that parents refrain from watching classes outside of Parent Viewing Week, as it can be distracting to both students and teachers and may disrupt the learning environment.
Is there a uniform? Does it need to be a specific leotard style, or is it just the color?
Yes, we do have a uniform. Our uniform consists of a specific leotard color and style, tights, and ballet slippers. Wearing a uniform helps create a sense of unity, ensures proper attire for class, and allows teachers to see the lines and movements of the body. It also instills discipline and professionalism in our students.
For information about uniform requirements for each class type and level, please visit our Dress Code page.
How many hours should my dancer sign up for?
We recommend that dancers take the same amount of hours as their level. This means that for Ballet 1, at least 1 hour of class per week is recommended. For Ballet 2, at least 2 hours are recommended, and so on. Because this does become more complex as students progress to higher levels, please refer to our Classes and Levels page, which lists the hourly expectations per level.
We believe that consistent and regular training is essential for progress and improvement in ballet, and that students should aim to attend all classes at their level in order to fully develop their technique, strength, and artistry.
Of course, we understand that every dancer has unique needs and schedules, and we are happy to work with students and families to find a class schedule that fits their individual goals and circumstances.
Other Class Types Questions
When can my child begin taking other types of dance classes, such as character or jazz?
At our academy, we prioritize classical ballet training for our young students. For this reason, we only offer other forms of dance, such as character or jazz, to students who have reached the appropriate level (read about the classes available at each level here). This allows our students to establish a strong foundation in ballet technique and develop their artistry before branching out into other styles.
At the Primary level, students can begin taking character and jazz. Then, after completing the Primary level, they may choose to add other forms of dance to their training, either as supplementary classes or as part of our diverse range of performance opportunities. We believe that a well-rounded dancer benefits from a solid grounding in ballet technique, which serves as the basis for many other dance styles.
What is character dance?
Character dance is a style of dance in classical ballet that involves portraying a character or a specific nationality through movement and music. Unlike classical ballet, which focuses on abstract movement and technique, character dance incorporates elements of traditional folk dance, using steps, gestures, and costumes to represent a specific culture or character.
Examples of character dances include the Trepak dance from "The Nutcracker" ballet, the Mazurka from "Swan Lake," or the Cossack dance from "Raymonda." Character dance often involves lively, energetic movements and a strong emphasis on rhythm and musicality. At its core, character dance is a celebration of cultural diversity and storytelling through movement, adding richness and depth to the classical ballet repertoire.
Withdrawal and Tuition Questions
What do I do if I plan on going away for the summer?
If you plan on traveling for the summer and will be missing more than two weeks of classes, please inform the studio as soon as possible so that we can arrange for a makeup class or pro-rate your tuition. To determine what’s best for your situation, please refer to our Temporary Withdrawal guidelines and our Absence and Makeup Slip guidelines.
If you plan on withdrawing from the program entirely due to summer travel or any other reason, please notify the studio via our Withdrawal Form at least two weeks before the first day of the month in which the change is to take effect, to avoid being charged in-full for the next month.
Will my tuition be prorated over breaks?
Our tuition is calculated for every class throughout the entire year, then divided into 12 equal monthly payments for your convenience. Because tuition is already spread evenly across the entire year, we do not prorate for breaks, holidays, or other scheduled closures. We understand that breaks and holidays may disrupt your regular attendance, but we hope that our monthly payment system and flexible makeup class policy will help accommodate any missed classes. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our tuition system fair and consistent for all of our students.
Policies
Leaving Class Early
Dancers who need to leave class early should:
Inform their teacher before class begins that they will be leaving early and provide the estimated leaving time.
Stand near the studio exit during class, making sure their items are already gathered so they can leave quietly and cause the least amount of disruption to other students.
If a dancer needs to be picked up early and is still in class, please inform the front desk and they will go into the studio to get your dancer.
Picking Up Students from Class
Pick-ups later than 15 minutes after the ending of the last class/rehearsal of the day, or after an event or program, will incur a charge of $5.00 for every 5 minutes (or portion of) after the initial 15 minutes. This charge covers the wages to supervise your student beyond the paid hours.
Students finishing after Office Hours will not be supervised by an adult in the lobby (see Office Hours on reverse side); therefore, please arrive early to pick up your student.
Dancer’s are to be picked-up in front of the studios. Dancer’s are not allowed to exit out the back doors and be picked-up behind the studios.
Late Class Arrivals
Dancers who arrive more than 10 minutes after the start of class may be refused entry by the teacher or will be allowed to enter and observe. This is because when a dancer arrives late, the dancer’s body is not properly prepared or warmed up for the class, thus increasing their risk of injuring themselves. We want to ensure that all of our dancers get the most out of their classes and that they are healthy.
Dancers who arrive late to class should:
Wait to enter until either the teacher has finished talking or the current exercise is finished.
Quietly walk up to the teacher with a curtsey or a bow, and ask permission to join the class.
If the student is more than 10 minutes late and asked to observe, they may come to the front desk to ask for a pen and paper to take notes during class observation.