POLICIES AND INFORMATION

Attendance/Promotions

All students are expected to attend every class in which they are enrolled. Unexcused absences and failure to complete a session may retard the promotion of a student and/or result in dismissal from the school.  If an attendance problem arises, please discuss it promptly with the office.  Class placement through Ballet Level 2A is based on age and takes place in August, January and June.  Ballet Division Promotions (Level 3 and up) are based on teacher recommendations.  We do not offer private lessons to students until they have attained Level 5.

Ballet Division Required Classes

Per Level (Minimums)
    Threshold - 1 to 2 classes per week
    Level 1 - 2 classes per week
    Level 2 - 2 to 3 classes per week
    Level 3 - 3 technique classes + 1-2 pre-pointe/ pointe
    Level 4 - 4 – 5 technique classes + 1-2 pointe
    Level 5 - 5 technique classes + 2-3 pointe classes
    Level 6 – 5 technique classes + 3-4 pointe classes

We encourage students to take lower level ballet classes as well as other styles of dance as time allows, in order to enhance and fine tune their technique.

Performing Opportunities

We offer several different performing opportunities:
 
STUDENT OPEN HOUSE & SHOWCASE
The annual student Open House is held during the last week of the fall semester and our Student Showcase is held the last week of the June semester.  All levels (pre-Ballet and up) will perform a piece they will work on during the spring semester.  Our R&2s and Romper Rhythm classes will perform during their class times.  Costume fees are due the first week of February (2/2 - 2/7).  Cost of costumes ranges from $20 - $65, and dancers keep their costumes.

PETALUMA CITY BALLET COMPANY
The School is the official home of Petaluma City Ballet, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corp., and member of Regional Dance America/Pacific.  Dancers are chosen through an annual audition or may be invited to join by the Artistic Directors.  Directors:  Ann Derby and Zoura O’Neill.
 
PETALUMA CITY JAZZ
Petaluma City Jazz auditions annually -- auditions will be held in early September.  Director:  Heather Visser
 
NUTCRACKER
To participate in the school's annual Nutcracker, a student must be 7 years old by 1/15/09, have taken continuous classes for 1 year, have been enrolled in summer dance classes before the production, take the required number of classes for their assigned level and have all tuition current.  Auditions will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2008.  Times TBA.

Communications

Please check our bulletin boards in the main entrance each time you come into the studio.  We do send out information by email on occasion so please take a moment to sign up on our email mailing list.  Please check your child's mail folder by the office window.  The office staff is available to answer questions during business hours.

Required Dress Code

Rhythm N' 2's: & Romper Rhythm:  pink short-sleeved leotard, pink tights & pink full-soled ballet slippers (no attached skirts)

Pre-Ballet & Pre-Threshold:  Blue, short-sleeved leotard, pink tights & pink full-soled ballet shoes

Beginning & Threshold:  Lavender, short-sleeved leotard, pink tights, & pink, full-soled leather ballet slippers.

Level 1:  White tank leotard, pink tights & pink full-soled leather ballet slippers

Level 2:  Mirella Buttercup yellow tank leotard, pink tights & pink, full-soled leather ballet slippers.

Level 3:  Mirella Periwinkle camisole leotard, pink leather, full-soled ballet slippers, Capezio #9 tights or Danskin #71.

Level 4 to 6:  Black Leotard; canvas pink split-soled ballet slippers, Capezio #9 tights or Danskin #71.

Boys: White or black crew neck T-shirt or tank-top, black or gray bike shorts or full-footed tights, white socks, black or white ballet shoes.

Jazz:  White camisole or tank top, black bike shorts, tights or jazz pants, black jazz shoes. 

School Policies

1. Please wear a cover-up over dance clothing when entering or leaving the school.  No dance shoes may be worn outside the building.
2.  Students not in required class attire will not be allowed to take class.
3.  No rubber pants, leg warmers or sweat pants are permitted in class.
4.  Hair must be pulled back away from face and secured neatly, headbands must be worn with short hair.
5.  NO jewelry other than pierced ear studs may be worn in class.
6.  Students may be dismissed from class for talking, disrespectful behavior and disrupting class.
7.  Parents, please have dancers change clothes in the dressing room (diapers also) and no strollers allowed inside, no cameras, or videos allowed in studios unless it’s Open House Week.

Studio Etiquette

Students may not leave class without permission.  A student who arrives more than 10 minutes late may watch class but may not participate.  Chewing gum is not allowed in the building and food or drink are not allowed in the studios (except water).  Students below Level 3 are not permitted in studios without teacher's permission.