Placement

At Fenton Ballet Theatre, we strive to challenge students according to age and ability.  While our classes do have age parameters, we will determine your dancer’s placement at registration.  This is based on several factors including age and experience.  Our faculty will further evaluate your child during class for the first couple of classes to ensure that they are properly placed.

Class Advancement

Our Ballet 1-6 levels are structured for the serious ballet student.  That said, advancement to the next level is not an annual guarantee.  Children are evaluated mid-year by the instructor and if needed a conference will be scheduled with the parent.  It is not unusual to repeat a level of ballet and it is not an indication of failure.  Dancers develop at different rates and our goal is to encourage each student at the appropriate level.  At ballet levels 2,3,4,5, & 6 dancers will remain in a level for a minimum of two years before advancing to the next.  Students must complete the entire year in Ballet Levels 1-6 (2 consecutive semesters) before being considered for advancement to the next level.

Class Conduct

• Students must be ON TIME to class and wearing proper attire. Students who are more than 10 minutes late may not participate in class. Repeated late arrivals and absences are disruptive to the class as a whole and the student’s progress.

• No gum or food allowed in the studio.

• Use the restroom before class.

• Students must adhere to the studio dress code.

• Students are not allowed in studios that are not being used, unless given permission from an instructor.

• Ballet is a disciplined art form. Students must show respect to instructors at all times by being attentive and engaged in class.

• Parents may not approach instructors in between classes. Please email or call the studio if you need to speak with an instructor.

• NO STREET SHOES ALLOWED IN THE STUDIOS

 Parent Conduct

• Parents/Guardians are required to supervise siblings and younger children at all times.

• Parents/Guardians and siblings that are disruptive will be asked to leave during operating hours in order to maintain a quiet learning environment for our dancers.

• Parents/Guardians may not drop dancers off early for classes as they will not be supervised.

• Parents/Guardians must come into the studio to pick up dancers and must pick dancers up on time.

• If a parent/guardian needs to speak with an instructor, they must email the studio first. Do not interrupt classes in session to speak with an instructor.

• Parents/Guardians should be supportive of dancers at all times.

• Parents/Guardians will show respect to instructors, coaches, and guest faculty at all times.  This extends to any and all events FBT is participating in or any summer intensives recommended by FBT. 

• We ask that you not raise issues of disagreement publicly.  Address the issue directly with the director of FBT and/or the instructor.  This ensures an open line of communication for all.

• Should an issue arise we ask that you wait 24 hours to approach the director. 

• Please do not contact instructors through social media.

• We ask that Parents/Guardians monitor social media.  Our hope is to encourage responsible behavior on social media for our dancers.

Studio Safety

• Students are not allowed in Bloom Pilates or around any of the Pilates equipment at any time unless in a private lesson with an instructor.

• Please supervise siblings at the studio at all times.

• Food and drink is allowed in the lobby only

• There is no supervision for your child after their class time so please be prompt during pick up. Younger students may not enter and exit the parking lot on their own so please come into the studio during drop off and pick up.

Attendance

Please notify the studio by phone or email if you will miss class or if you will be tardy.  You may make up a class in a lower level with permission from the instructor.  No make ups will be allowed for tardiness so please be on time to class.  Students more than 10 minutes late may observe only for their own safety.  Classes have a warm up and cool down period.  It is dangerous to the health of the dancer to dance without a proper warmup. 

Class Cancellations

Classes will be closed for inclement weather.  Please check our Facebook or Instagram pages for updates as they will be posted for your convenience.  We will also send out a school email.  There are no makeup classes for cancellations due to weather.  The studio will be closed for all major holidays.

Tuition

An annual registration fee of $25 is charged per student (max $40 per family).  Tuition is due at registration.  Tuition must be paid in full for the entire semester.  Discounts are given for multiple classes.  Monthly payment plans are only available for dancers in Ballet Levels 1-6 taking fulltime, unlimited students, and company dancers. There are 10 monthly payments and tuition will be charged on the first of the month.  There is a $15 fee for any returned check along with all bank charges incurred. Tuition not paid by the 15th of the month will incur a $75 late fee.  Tuition, intensives, and all camps are non-refundable.

Performances at FBT

Dance is a performing art and we strive to give our dancers as many opportunities on stage as possible.  Our goal is to include all students at the Ballet 1-6 level in our main performances.  There will be a commitment fee for these productions. All students will participate in our End of the Year Student Showcase (recital).  There is no cost to participate in our Student Showcase outside of a costume fee (approx. $65-$85 per class).

2024-2025 Lobby Policy

Parents may come into the studio to drop off/pick up dancers. Parents may observe classes via the TV screens and viewing window. Parents/siblings that are loud or disruptive to classes in attendance will be asked to leave.  We strive for a quiet learning environment for all of our dancers. 

Social Media Policy

When using ALL forms of Social Media (including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok) all students, parents/guardians must adhere to this FBT Social Media Policy.

• Students and parents may not photograph, video or record any material in classes or rehearsals

• Where permission has been given to record a class/routine for rehearsal purposes, use of that recording has been authorized for that purpose only and under no circumstances must it be posted on any Social Media platform

• Any and all choreography for solos, FBT productions, annual performances, etc., taught by FBT staff and guest teachers, remains the property of FBT. Should any material be posted to Social Media (in agreement with this policy) credit must be given to FBT. This includes footage purchased from all FBT performances.

• No footage of FBT performances is are to be shared to social media without permission from FBT.

• The recording and airing, sharing, posting, distribution of teachers’ routines, is a serious breach of copyright and may result in offenders being asked to withdraw from FBT.

• Under NO circumstances are any photos or video footage to be taken in changing rooms.

• Students/Parents are not authorized to contact FBT instructor via Social Media at any time or for any reason. Should a teacher be contacted and it is their duty to let the staff of FBT know so it can be monitored.

• Social Media is not to be used to communicate attendance, queries or any other administrative information. This must be done by emailing info@fentonballettheatre.com.

• Bullying/harassment of any kind over social media will not be tolerated and may result in termination of students’ enrolment.

• Students, parents/guardians and teachers are not to post any content that may bring FBT into disrepute.

• If given permission to post on social media from FBT, all posts be appropriate and tasteful. Any posts seen on social media that are deemed inappropriate or distasteful will result in the students and parents being notified and the post being taken down of all platforms.

• Failure to abide by all of the above may result in disciplinary action.

• WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK BEFORE YOU POST

Classroom Uniform

Shoes

Any brand of ballet shoes is acceptable.  They must be snug fitting and in good condition.  No holes.  Please ask instructor if you need help.  Pointe shoes must be approved by the director for all first-year pointe students.

Tights

All tights must be “ballet pink” and may be footed or convertible.  No runs or holes allowed.

Appearance

Hair must be pulled pack secured in a bun.  No bangs.  No jewelry.  Stud earrings may be worn.  Warmups may be worn at the discretion of the instructor in Ballet 6 only.  Skirts are permitted for center practice in Ballet 6 only.  No shorts allowed.

Enrichment Classes

All ballet enrichment classes must follow dress code from the document above. Tights and shoes must be worn. Dress must properly reflect the style being represented.  No half tops or shorts.

*Fenton Ballet Theatre reserves the right to dismiss any student who does not adhere to its policies.