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Welcome!
Our small classes and individualized instruction accelerate dancers of all levels and backgrounds. We are a community-focused studio dedicated to inclusion, equity, and equal opportunity in dance.
IN & AROUND THE STUDIO
Diversity & Inclusion: WELCOME TO OUR VILLAGE! ABA provides a warm, safe, healthy, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY environment for all dancers. We do not require auditions; we welcome all. We encourage open dialogue. Our BIPOC students are encouraged to choose the tights/shoe color which is closest to their natural tone. We are committed to making our studio a global village where all of our dancers and their families feel safe, respected, and valued. Thank you for being part of our community. #TeamABA
Bullying: ABA has a STRICT ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY on bullying: Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated in the studio, on our social media; physical, written, or spoken; by dancers or family members. Bullying is Conduct for Dismissal. Dismissal is the decision of the Artistic Director/Teacher involved.
Courtesy: Students must give the American Ballet Academy staff their undivided attention and respect at all times. They must be always supportive of their classmates. The ABA staff reserves the right to ask any student to take time out of the Studio if they are not participating properly, showing respect, or displaying the demeanor required of a ballet class. This also applies to ABA events; all students and their families must maintain respectful behavior as they are representing ABA.
Please call or text to let us know your dancer isn’t coming to class no later than one hour before the beginning of class so we can alert our teachers and they can plan accordingly. Dancers who do not notify ABA in advance of missing class will not be eligible for makeup classes.
Families waiting for their students in the Lobby should also be respectful to classes in progress. Please take phone calls outside. Dancers & Families must bring headphones if playing sounds/music/videos on phone/tablet/laptop.
If your child is not fully potty-trained, please make sure they are wearing a pull-up for class.
Class Placement: Each student will be placed based on the professional opinion of the Artistic Director and qualified staff. Students will be placed in classes not by their age, but by their ability, level, and dedication. Proper placement of a dancer is necessary for their health and safety, and for their continuity of training. Open enrollment is available for all classes, depending on placement.
Late Arrivals, Attendance & Absences: On time is late. Students should be 10 - 15 minutes early for class so they can get changed, make sure their hair is done, and be ready to start class on time.
It is essential to the course of study that students be present for all classes. Students arriving late may be asked to sit and observe class. Missing the first, crucial exercises of a class could result in injury; this decision lies with the teacher. Students arriving late should enter during a pause in music or combination.
· The Studio must be Notified of absences at least one hour before the beginning of class. If we are not notified in advance the dancer will not beeligible for makeup classes.
· A student may miss no more than three rehearsals per semester or they may be removed from the show.
· Please notify staff of an upcoming vacation one month before departure so we may make appropriate plans.
· If your student is sick, please keep them home for 24 hours.
· Please contact the Artistic Director for appropriate makeup class times.
Studio Communication: We will communicate with parents and/or guardians mostly via email AND our App. Make sure the studio has up-to-date contact information for the parent/guardian you would prefer us to contact. Please also make sure you go to Facebook and like/follow ABA@Home (our private families & teachers-only group) and American Ballet Academy RI (our general-public group). We love when you share our general-public posts with your friends & family!
You can download our free App via either the App Store or Google Play. Search for AMERICAN BALLET ACADEMY and look for our logo. You can use the app to register for classes, order uniforms, check your dancer’s schedule, pay your bill, link to our Google Calendars, and more! Please enable push notifications to get weather notifications, last-minute information (maybe to bring yoga mats or weights for class); and schedule updates, including the Saturday Rehearsal Schedule.
For Studio Closings/Weather Cancellations we will post on Facebook and send a push notification through the app (if we still have internet!). We will also send an email if we can. Please make sure that you can be safe on your drive in, no matter what our decision might be - Safety First!
In case of emergencies Ms Meg may text one Parent/Guardian; please text back to confirm you received the information.
Coming & Going: Dancers need to wear appropriate clothing coming and going from the Studio. Level 1 students and up must have clothes on over their leotard and tights any time they leave the studio. This is not only for their safety, but also will keep their muscles warm. If they walk outside in the cold without outerwear their muscles will contract causing stiffness and tightened joints.
No street shoes are allowed in Studio. Likewise, do not wear any of your dance shoes until you are inside the Lobby and can change. Some dancers get street shoes (like Crocs, etc.) that they can wear outside over their ballet shoes. This is the only instance where wearing ballet shoes to arrive/depart is acceptable.
Do not wear nude leotards for class. They are undergarments and are only acceptable under a costume. If students arrive in anything other than dress code they will sit out of class and observe.
Class Observation: We have a closed-door policy to eliminate outside distractions for all classes.
Safety/First Aid: Students should always remain in-studio for their safety. If dancers leave to get lunch on Saturdays/during ABASI they must have a buddy and inform Ms Meg when they leave and who/how many are going.
The First Aid Kit is beneath the stereo on the teachers’ station. Ice Packs are in the Studio Office in the mini-fridge freezer. The Studio microwave can be used to heat up our heat packs. Please ask Ms Meg for assistance.
Lost & Found: Most lost-and-found items are placed on the top shelves in the lobby above the coloring books & crayons. If we know who an item belongs to we will keep it in the Office. Please check there first. We do not recommend bringing valuables into American Ballet Academy; ABA cannot be held liable for any personal items left in its facilities. At the end of each month items remaining in Lost & Found will be donated.
Food & Drink: Excluding water - in an appropriate/approved container with a flip-down straw - NO food, drinks, or gum are allowed in the studios. Students may bring lunch or snacks to eat in the Lobby. Please make sure to clean up appropriately after yourself (wrappers, food/crumbs, hairnets, bobby pins, etc) so we don’t have ants!
Please do not bring any food/snacks containing nuts into the building.
We have several dancers with severe allergies.
Please ask someone if they are able to have something before sharing.
There is no eating in the changing room; crumbs left behind bring ants to us.
(This includes the Lobby, Hallways, Bathrooms, and both studio spaces).
NO EXCEPTIONS.
Concerns: Any/all concerns must be brought to the attention of the Artistic Director in writing, or during a meeting scheduled by the Studio office.
Withdrawal: If you choose to withdraw your student from ABA Classes, you must notify the studio in Person or via email. If you do not notify ABA, your account will continue to be charged and you will be liable for that amount. There are no refunds on tuition already paid.
Permanent Dismissal from ABA: The Artistic Director has the authority and unilateral discretion to permanently dismiss a dancer at any time if the behavior of the student is not in keeping with all ABA philosophies and policies herein.
Pointe Shoes: It is up to the discretion of the Artistic Director when a student is ready to begin pointe work. Generally, students should not expect to go on pointe until they are at least 10 years old and have had 3+ years of dance training. First time pointe shoe fittings will be made with the Artistic Director, Dancer, and Parent/Guardian to go to Dancer’s Image in Newton, MA or LaBrie in Smithfield, RI. The Artistic Director is willing to schedule a trip for pointe shoe fittings and approval one time per month.
New Pointe students should not expect to be on Pointe for The Nutcracker in the year they are put on Pointe.
Uniform Care: Be sure to wash leotards and tights every time they’re worn so they don’t smell. Make sure to wear deodorant (for all those that need it) and have a spare deodorant in your dance bag. Please be sure your leotard is a dance leotard and not a bodysuit (that snaps closed).
FEES
Registration: $25 annual one-time registration fee; Siblings will be charged a $20/$15 fee. This fee is charged in September for returning students; for students that begin part way through the year, it is applied at time of registration. Students who begin during summer will be charged the registration fee when they begin and NOT again in September until the following year.
Make sure to update your Information via the Parent Portal or return the student registration form by the first class. Please make sure to sign and date both the Studio Waiver and the Photo Release Permission. ABA uses both Facebook and Instagram to promote the school and events. We may also include your photos on our website: www.americanballetacademyri.com Please grant permission (or not) on the Student Registration Form. We will adhere to your signature.
AutoPay: Please remember that when you have AutoPay there will sometimes be additional fees on your bill, such as uniforms, tights, costumes, or performance fees. If you enroll in AutoPay these items will be charged to your card or your bank account during the month after they’re charged. Please be sure you’re ok with that before enrolling.
Overdraft Check Fee: $35/first check; $50/thereafter
Withdrawals: No refund on monthly tuition if student withdraws mid-month.
Tuition is due on the first of the month. Tuition must be paid each month; If our teachers are here, our students are expected to be present. There is no pro-rating for personal commitments of current students. Holidays and Vacations are considered when setting rates. Rates are hourly; full-time students are given a discount.
Students can attend different class days in consultation with the Artistic Director to make up classes if they are sick or have family commitments, but only if ABA is notified in advance.
There will be a $20 late fee automatically applied to the same month for any payment not made by the 10th of the month.
Creative Movement $75/month 45min/class
Pre-Ballet $80/month 60Min/class
Level 1 $90/month 75Min/class includes PBTTM
Level 2 $105/month 90Min/class includes PBTTM
Level 3 $224/month 5.75hrs/wk includes Technique x2, PBTTM, Contemporary, Jazz, Character & Yoga I
Level 4 $280/month 7.75hrs/wk includes Technique x2, PBTTM, Contemporary, Jazz, Character & Yoga I
Level 5 $312/month 8.5hrs/wk includes Technique x2, PBTTM, Contemporary, Jazz, (Pre)Pointe, Character & Yoga II
PreProfessional A or $393/month 10.75hrs/wk includes Technique x2, PBTTM, Contemporary, Jazz, Pointe x2, Character, Yoga II
Recreational A
PreProfessional B or $445/month 12hrs/wk includes technique x4, PBTTM, Contemporary,Jazz, Pointe x3, Character, & Yoga II
Recreational B
Adult: Beginner $80/Month 90min/Class Includes PBT & Technique
Adult: Intermediate $80/Month 90min/Class Includes PBT & Technique
Adult: Modern $80/month 90min/class Includes PBT
Please see/email Ms Meg for a more specific class breakdown and prorated costs per class.
PreBallet through Level 3 will be called to Angels/Mice/Soldiers Rehearsal every week from 11:00a – 12:30p.
ALL classes Level 4 & Up also include up to 4.5 hours of (free) rehearsal time on Saturdays each week. Students will be called only when needed.
All Private Lesson Fees are due to the teacher on the day of the private; Parents can check with teachers about how they accept their fees (some have Venmo, PayPal, or prefer Check/Cash).
Ms Carolyn’s private lessons may be paid through the Parent Portal. Privates must be given a 24-hour cancellation notice (with the exception of illness, emergency, etc.) or the fee is still due.
Please let us know if there is something specific you’d like your dancer to work on with our teachers, or if you’d like the teacher to work based on what they’re seeing in class. Please also let us know whether you’d prefer visual/vocal corrections, or if it’s ok that our teacher adjust your dancer manually.
Private Lessons Range, depends on teacher:
· 30 Minutes: $30 – 50
· 45 minutes: $40 – 75
· 60 minutes: $50 – 100
See Ms Meg to ask the rate for the teacher you’d like a private with and to begin a conversation about scheduling studio/Teacher time. Please also discuss Semi-Privates or small groups with Ms Meg.
Sewing/Restringing pointe shoes: $5
Performances
Please see our new Performance page!
Competition
Dancers must be invited to compete in Universal Ballet Competition and ICON Dance. If your dancer is invited, they will receive an additional information packet concerning competitions; please read through it, discuss it with your family and sign the confirmation page. Cost per Competition, Dates, and basic travel information will all be available in the competition information packet. We will update and provide this information as soon as it is posted on each competition’s website. Dancers are not eligible to compete until at least age 9.
Students invited to take part in competitions are required to take one Private of at least 45min each week for their Classical variation. A 45 minute private is required for each Contemporary piece.
ABA Jackets & Backpacks are required for competition wear. Competitors are strongly encouraged to have booties (we recommend Bloch, but that is by no means a requirement) for cleanliness and keeping feet & ankles warm backstage.
If your dancer is doing a Contemporary piece 50% of the Choreography fee payment will be required at the time of the first choreography session;
Parents agree to reimburse Artistic Director/Studio for any last-minute, unforeseen fees or requests (such as make-up or food purchases at competition).