Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make advancement recommendations?
Advancing to the next level is an exciting ballet milestone and may indicate progression and a level of mastery of material in any given class. HOWEVER, ALL Ballet Aligned classes are designed to be taken for MORE than a single year as needed. An extra year can give additional time to master concepts, build strength and coordination, AND/OR increase confidence, as returning students become the leaders of the class/the students which other class members look up to. Parents and students should NOT expect to be advanced year after year. Student progression rates vary. Our teachers are committed to ensuring each dancer is placed in the level that will provide the most appropriate challenge for the dancer. Placement in Foundations Prep, Foundations I & II and in the Intermediate/Advanced levels is by approval of the teacher and artistic director. (Students who are 11 yo may be registered directly in Foundations Prep, but the teacher and/or artistic director may move a student’s registration in any of these classes to classes more appropriate for the student’s level.) That being so, there are some BASIC concepts that teachers look for when considering advancement. They are as follows:
Advancing from the Mini, Beginnings, and Basics I levels:
Advancing from these levels is according to parent preference based largely on the student’s age. All levels are appropriate to take for 2 years as needed/desired. The Mini class will focus on different famous classical ballets each year. Concepts covered in Beginnings - fundamental to ALL dance forms - can be re-established and strengthened over a second year. Basics I is 15 minutes longer than Beginnings/Minis, and Basics II is 15 minutes longer than Basics I. When a student shows interest in dialing into technique specific to ballet and has the required attention span for longer classes, progression is appropriate.
Considerations for advancement from Basics II to Foundations Prep:
Does the student come to Basics II class consistently in dress code with her hair in a ballet bun (where applicable)? These tasks demonstrate a serious commitment to progressing within the technique of ballet - beyond an overall interest in dance or general exercise.
Does the student demonstrate a sufficient attention span and class engagement that could be sustained for a 1.5 hr class 2 days/week?
In the student’s technique/coordination, is he/she demonstrating a basic understanding of outward rotation of the legs from the hips and is the student’s supporting leg fully straight when not in plie?
Considerations for advancement from Foundations Prep to Foundations I:
In addition to the requirements of consistent attendance in class, wearing dress code and with the dancer’s hair in a bun (where applicable), showing sufficient attention and focus and consistently rotating the hips and keeping the standing leg straight (see above):
Has the dancer progressed from general ballet “shaping” to demonstrate the beginnings of proper muscle engagement?
Does the student demonstrate a beginning awareness of core placement and is it sustained through his/her barre work?
Progression into the Intermediate/Advanced class is by invite only and will likely come in the form of trying the class for a few weeks in addition to Foundations classes before a registration is recommended.
What are some differences between Ballet Aligned and other programs?
What's NEW for the 2025-26 School Year?
- We are have new management! Where possible we are keeping the same classes, teachers, and structure you have come to love from Ballet Aligned, but will combine managment with another school to boost enrollment, streamline processes, and give added sustainability. Details TBA.
- Performance fees will be adjusted. As our costs to put on our productions have risen, so too will our performance fees increase. We are hoping to spread these costs over a larger student body to minimize costs to the individual (so help our program grow by spreading the word!). Performance fees will continue to cover costumes and additional rehearsal time in the studio and theater. They will be increased to cover theater rental. (This fee MAY be rolled into tuition as it is the aim of the school to provide a performance opportunity for EVERY student.) Due to few parent volunteers, fees MAY also be increased to cover production costs (costs like lighting design, set creation, and crew). Costs related to guest artists, printing, and marketing will continue to be taken from ticket proceeds. Whether or not performance fees will cover photography and videography is TBD.
- We will be enforcing a specific dress code for Basics and above levels. Unfortunately this past year, many families opted to purchase non-dress code leotards. This led to confusion, a lack of uniformity in performances, and increased our costs to provide performers with the leotards for the costumes in our shows. Students will be required to be in the correct, dress code attire earlier and off-brand purchases will not be allowed.
- We are continuing to hope to mount a NEW Ballet, Velveteen Rabbit, in the Spring of 2026. More details on that will be announced as the year progresses. We need 75 performing students to cover the costs of our shows. Be sure to perform with us!
What should my dancer wear?
- Specific dress codes for each class can be found here: Dress Codes – Ballet Aligned. These must be obtained in order to perform. First time buyers get a discount at DiscountDance.com (linked on our Dress Code page), and every dollar spent in our studio store offsets costume costs! (Mini Ballet, Ballet Beginnings, and Teen/Adult Classes have no specific dress code, though dance attire as described and linked to above is encouraged.) For Basics classes and beyond, the dance attire listed is required.
- Additionally, long hair should be secured in pony tail for boys or a neat bun for girls - see tutorial here: Ballet Bun Tutorial - YouTube.
- Skirts should NOT be worn beginning in Ballet Basics II and are discouraged at all times because they inhibit the teacher from correcting proper pelvis and core placement.
- 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. Ballet Aligned students will receive parts in these performances as they commit to class attendance, rehearsals, and the performance dates. Dancers MAY opt out for any reason and will not be charged the costume and rehearsal fees if they select to not register for the performances. (Mommy and Me, Teen/Adult, and Modern/Contemporary classes do not perform.) There may be an optional, in-house recital at the end of the year for dancers who have not made a performance commitment.
2) Dancers in the more advanced levels will learn classical choreography in small groups or as solo "variations." Additionally, they MAY 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 and ballet roles 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.
What is Ballet Aligned's Private Lesson Policy?
Ballet Aligned instructors ARE the best Cache Valley has to offer! And with our "Once Upon a Storytime" Performance Series, we believe our dancers are receiving every necessary tool to achieve their dance goals. Contrary to unique, local dance culture, serial private lessons are NOT the best way to build better ballet dancers, and CAN be a net negative by 1) removing dancers from an environment where they can learn from, be challenged by, and set examples for peers, 2) diminishing the dancer's capacity to build muscle memory as he/she navigates conflicting messages from too many teachers, and 3) disincentivising schools to build robust programs that meet all the dancers' needs and employ the most qualified teachers. Therefore, Ballet Aligned teachers will only offer private lessons to Ballet Aligned students (full or partially enrolled) who are NOT enrolled in other ballet schools.
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 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.
Why do you have classes for older/advanced students starting before school let's out?
There are 3 main reasons our Performance Classes start so early in the afternoons.
The first is due to the class size. There are far fewer dancers training at an advanced level than there are at beginning and intermediate levels. This means advanced classes are often operated at a loss after paying the teacher. Offering them later would diminish the number of classes we are able to offer whose enrollment offsets the cost of the advanced classes. It's not financially feasible to offer these classes where classes with far more robust enrollment could take place.
Second, beginning classes earlier ensures we are able to work with these older dancers for a longer stretch, honing and refining their performance and technical capacities before their evening obligations, additional training programs, and homework dominates their schedules.
And third, in Junior High and High School, schedules can often be re-arranged to allow students to miss their physical ed requirements when placed at the end of the day. Not only is ballet a fantastic substitute, but dancers training at advanced levels often need to be more intentional and selective about their physical activities than is allowed by general curriculums for these classes. Replacing Phys Ed with ballet prevents sports and overuse injuries from occurring in dancers and/or ensures dance injuries can be properly and quickly recovered from.
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.
How do I get answers to questions not answered here?
If you have a question not answered on this page, please email balletaligned@gmail.com and include your question in the subject line. Thanks!
How do I register for classes?
Registration links will be posted 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.