Frequently Asked Questions
If my child is outside of the recommended age range for a particular class, can he or she still participate?
Students who exceed the age range may participate as long as the parent acknowledges class content and pacing will not change significantly to accommodate more advanced levels of dance or comprehension. If the dancer turns the age minimum before half of the classes are over in each semester, he or she may participate without special permission. If you feel your dancer's experience or maturity level merit an exception, please email BalletAligned@gmail.com for approval. If not, please subscribe to BalletAligned.com to hear about classes opening for younger students.
My dancer's age aligns with multiple classes; which one should I register for?
Within the description for each class there is an indication of the experience level the dancer should have when registering. Base registration on the dancers age AND prior training. The only exception might be if the dancer is in the upper limits of the age range. If the class is not a good fit for your dancer, the teacher may recommend another class, or if one is not offered, refund your unused tuition. (As a rule of thumb, it is more ideal to move a dancer UP a level than down.)
Can parents stay and watch?
Ballet Aligned's Semester-long classes are targeted primarily to children in first grade and beyond. Classes for younger dancers are provided and can be taken 4 weeks at a time, so if your dancer is not ready to be autonomous, you can re-register him or her later in the same year when he or she is. Aside from the Mommy and Me Movement and Story Time class, it is expected that ALL students will be able to participate without present parental support. The small studio where most classes for younger dancers are held has a foyer with windows from which you can check in on your dancer from time to time. Each class WILL provide a parent watch week opportunity for students to showcase their progress. If your child needs more support, please email BalletAligned@gmail.com to work on a solution. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. (Parents are required to remain with their dancers for "Mommy and Me Movement and Storytime.")
Are there refunds offered? Can classes be pro-rated if we know there is one in the session my dancer will miss?
Classes will not be prorated for any reason. If you need to miss a class, please ask the teacher for instruction about the concepts covered in the class not attended or make-up options. Ballet Aligned WILL offer refunds if Ballet Aligned must cancel a class and is unable to offer a make-up. Refunds (full and partial) are NOT offered for Mini Sessions or Mommy and Me Movement and Story Time classes, as they represent brief 4 week commitments. If you are uncertain about the fit of a class for your child, please request a free trial class if you have missed the free trial week at the beginning of the year. After trying a class, you may request a partial refund (but Ballet Aligned does not guarantee one) or apply your unused tuition to another class.
What should my dancer wear?
Class-specific dress codes that become part of the dancer's performance costume will be emailed to you after the first few weeks of class. These must be obtained in order to perform. However generally speaking, dance attire (pink tights and black leotards without skirts for girls, shorts above the knees and white t-shirts for boys) helps dancers move, is non-restrictive, and ballet shoes are best suited for studio floors (not too slippery, while still allowing dancers to spin and turn). Mini Session Classes and Ballet Beginnings has no specific dress code, though dance attire as described above is encouraged. For Basics classes and beyond, the dance attire described above is required. Additionally, hair should be secured in a neat bun (skirts should NOT be worn beginning in Ballet Basics II and are discouraged at all times). Teen/Adult and Modern classes encourage appropriate footwear (socks, ballet slippers, or jazz shoes) and clothing that allows for movement.
What peformance opportunities are offered through Ballet Aligned?
Ballet is a peformance art, and performing is skill crucial to the full expression of the artform. For that reason, we are pleased to provide a number of performance opportunities: 1) Ballet Aligned will be partnering with a number of non-profit humanitarian causes in the valley to create orignial ballets as benefits to these causes. All Ballet Aligned students will receive parts in these performances if they can commit to class attendance, rehearsals, and the performance dates. Dancers MAY opt out for any reason and will not be charged the $25 participation fee if they select to not register for the performances. (Mommy and Me, Teen/Adult, and Modern classes are the exceptions.) 2) Dancers in the Performance levels will learn classical choreography in small groups or as solo "variations" and will be encouraged to participate in the annual Youth American Grand Prix showcase in Salt Lake City (typically in Feb) where they will recieve feedback from famous current and former top professional dancers in the country. (More information on that below.) 3) Additionally, these pieces may be shared at Ballet Aligned events, story times, etc.. 4) Because recital pieces or learned dances often are NOT a thorough representation of your dancer's individual growth IN CLASS (instead averaging what an entire class is able to master and memorize), Ballet Aligned offers opportunities for students in ALL levels to highlight their ALL their class work and progress with their parents during Parent Watch Classes.
How do I get answers to questions not answered here?
If you have a question not answered on this page, please email steffaniecasperson@gmail.com and include your question in the subject line. Thanks!
How do I register for classes?
Registration links will be posted beneath each class description 2-4 weeks before each class begins. Registration is only complete when you have completed payment for the class. Registration closes when the class is full (number varies by class) or once the rehearsal for the performance is well underway - whichever comes first.
What is YAGP and your policies regarding competitions?
YAGP, mentioned above under the question regarding performances, is the "Youth America Grand Prix" worldwide dance competition and the only competition Ballet Aligned students in the Performance levels are encouraged to participate in. While social media has led to a rise in dance competitions, which CAN provide benefits to the dancers, often participation is seen by schools as a markeing ploy to grow their business, and burned out or jaded dancers, exploited by the coach or the competition organization itself, can be the result. Because ballet is a classical art form, the primary way to succeed as a dancer is to participate in better, more elite, and more professional and challenging training, productions and roles; NOT to win awards or high scores at competitions. However, limited competition participation CAN give advancing dancers an opportunity to perform, AND take responsibility for the multiple facets of preparing a performance. They are also an opportunity to be seen by judges who are at the top of their fields, and who can give meaningful feedback on areas the dancer needs to improve. In other words, the process and the learning ARE the prize, not the placement or the score. (If your dancer has another competition he or she wishes to receive help from Ballet Aligned to prepare for, you may mention the details to your instructor, who will aprove supported participation based on whether or not the competition aligns with our goal to help you become a better ballet dancer and NOT based on its exposture potential for our school. Hint: if it's going to be an easy win for the dancer, it's not likely to be approved for Ballet Aligned coaching.)
Ballet Aligned has the following policies regarding partipation at YAGP (and all other potential competitions). In order to receive coaching from Ballet Aligned teachers:
1) Students may not register for more than 2 competition locations (and one is preferred).
2) Students MUST be fully registered for, and regularly attending all the classes for their respective Ballet Aligned levels.
3) Students may not represent other studios or teachers in their classical work, including additional variations.
4) Students must perform a variation chosen by the Ballet Aligned teacher or coach, with the student's input, and not the other way around.
As an additional note, Ballet Aligned recognizes that the talent of our dancers, and that they enjoy multiple opportunities to perform outside of Ballet Aligned programming. However, Ballet Aligned teachers will not rehearse or coach students in roles for other organizations. We hope our dancers' participation in all their chosen activities is a positive one and we endeavor to pursue policies that minimize conflict for the dancer and respective organizations.