Beginning Ballet

GENERAL POLICIES

• As our sessions run for 17 weeks, please prioritize extra-curricular activities accordingly.
• If Petoskey Schools are closed due to snow, there will be no classes.
• If a student misses class due to illness, they may make it up any time during the current session. If a student has an injury, they are encouraged to watch class and take notes.
• Dancers must arrive to class on time prepared and ready to dance. Levels Intermediate-Advanced are expected to be at least 10 minutes early to stretch as they are responsible for warming themselves up. If a student is less than 10 minutes late, they may ask permission to take class. Students who are continuously late for class, will be asked to sit out of class.
• There is absolutely NO talking during class, unless it is a question or comment to the instructor. Disruptive students may be asked to sit out of class, or sent home.
• No gum or food may be brought into the studio for ANY reason.
• The School of Ballet dress-code is based on classical standards for dance training. This dress code helps students focus on their work in class, and prepares them for performances. Students feel pride in themselves when they are dressed properly and ready for class.
• Students and their parents are responsible for understanding the dress code.
• Students in violation of dress code will be asked to correct the problem prior to class. If there are ongoing problems, the student will be asked to sit out of class when he/she is not prepared for class.
• More serious students are encouraged to attend more than one class per week, as regular study ensures more rapid progress.
• Advanced dance classes are by audition/invitation only. Advanced ballet students are required to attend 4 ballet classes per week.
• We recommend purchasing dance wear at:
  * Bottoms Up – Okemos 517.349.0158
  * The Dance Center Boutique – Traverse City 231.947.6820
  * Diva Dancewear – Traverse City 231.941.7552
  * Kicks – Grand Rapids 616.776.5966
  * Discount Dance Supply – www.discountdance.com

ATTIRE FOR BALLET

• Leotard
  Solid colored leotard (black is preferred) for ladies. White tee, leotard or tank for gentlemen.
   
• Tights
  Ladies; full-footed pink tights (with or without seams), no footless or rolled-up tights.
  Gentlemen; black tights, sweatpants or shorts.
   
• Ballet Slippers
  Pink leather (preferred) or canvas ballet slippers for ladies and white or black ballet slippers for gentlemen. Ballet slippers must be properly sewn with narrow elastic prior to entering class. Please adjust drawstrings and tie them in a KNOT, rather than a bow. Trim the ends to about 1 inch, and tuck the ends inside the shoe. Please do NOT tie the drawstrings in a bow, or leave the ends outside the shoe. (This is for the safety of the dancers.)
   
• Point Shoes
  A student must receive permission by Ms. Heather in order to wear, or be fitted for pointe shoes. Upon approved fitting, pointe shoes must be reviewed by Ms. Heather prior to wearing them.
   
• Warm-Ups
  When students wear warm-ups, their technique is not fully visible to teachers. The studio temperatures are kept suitably warm, so there is no need for students to wear clothing over their classroom attire. If a student has a specific injury that requires a warm-up, please speak to Ms. Heather for special arrangements prior to class.
   
• Accessories
  Absolutely no tank tops, camisole tops, sweatshirts, pants or shorts are allowed in ballet class. Ballet skirts are acceptable.
   
• Jewelry
  Absolutely no watches or jewelry in class, with the exception of small, secure earrings. Students who wear jewelry to class will be asked to remove it.
   
• Undergarments
  Girls’ tights serve as underwear beneath their leotards. (Please be sure to buy dance tights, which have a cotton crotch.) Underpants inhibit movement and are very unsightly, and are not allowed under tights. While this can be a bit of a surprise to younger dancers, they adjust quickly.
  
  Please avoid an uncomfortable situation for your dancer by explaining this aspect of ballet dress code to them ahead of time, and making sure they come to class in proper attire. This will also prepare dancers for our year-end performance. 
  
  Male dancers must wear a dance belt or dance briefs under their tights. 
  
  Nude-colored body stockings or bras may be worn by female dancers who need extra support
   
• Hair
  Improper hairstyles are not only messy, they interfere with dance training. Standard ballet hairstyle for girls is a secure, slicked-back bun with no bangs. Standard hairstyle for boys is short and neat, or pulled into a ponytail if hair is long.
  
  Students in violation of hair code will be required to correct their hair prior to entering class. This means secure buns with hairnets. Absolutely NO loosely-tied hairdos. Absolutely NO ponytails, with the exception of Beginning Ballet students.
  
  Students are expected to bring adequate hair supplies with them to the studio. We recommend keeping a bag or other container with hair supplies in dance bags, along with hair spray or gel.
  
  Girls with short hair are still expected to pull hair back using clips.
  
  If you need help with buns or other hair questions, please ask Ms. Heather prior to class for help.

ATTIRE FOR DANCE FUSION

• Leotard
  Solid colored leotard (black is preferred) for ladies, or a camisole top with leggings. White tee, leotard or tank for gentlemen.
   
• Tights
  Ladies; full-footed pink tights (with or without seams), or leggings.
  Gentlemen; black tights, sweatpants or shorts.
   
• Shoes
  Specific shoes are required for class, and Miss Karrie will provide parents with information on the first day of class. Until the specified shoes are acquired students may go barefoot.

Student Withdrawal
Requests for cancellation by the student at least seven (7) days prior to the first day of class will be honored (minus a $20 processing fee).  NO REFUNDS will be given for a student cancellation made less than seven (7) days in advance of the first day of the class.

Weather-Related
When Public Schools of Petoskey are closed due to inclement weather, CTAC-Petoskey classes are cancelled. We will do our best to provide a make-up opportunity for the missed class. Refunds will not be given if the student is unable to attend the rescheduled session of class. Workshops and one-time classes will be handled on a per-class basis. School of Ballet students are asked to make up the missed class in an alternate session approved by their instructor.

Minimum Enrollment
Crooked Tree Arts Center reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet its minimum student enrollment prior to the first class session. If a class is cancelled by CTAC for lack of enrollment, CTAC will offer a full refund to the student in the manner in which tuition was paid.  (Cash payments will be refunded by check.)