ABA Classes

Follow these links for more information on registration, tuition, class schedules, summer camps or for a yearly calendar. You can also download and print out the ABA welcome packet here in PDF format.

Dance is an art form created for presentation before an audience and is a skill that needs to be practiced to be done well, just like anything else. In order to maintain an atmosphere that students can thrive in, students are asked to follow a few basic ground rules for the classroom and theater.

Following are guidelines for ballet students at ABA:

Class Levels

Alameda Ballet Academy consists of several levels, with relevant ABA attendance requirements as follows:

Mommy & Me Ages 3-4 1 class per week
Pre-Ballet Ages 4-5 1 class per week
Ballet 1 Ages 5-6 1 class per week
Ballet 2 Ages 6-8 2 classes per week
Ballet 3 Ages 8-11 3 classes per week
Ballet 4 12 & up by invitation 4 classes per week
Ballet 5 13 & up by invitation 5 classes per week

For information on tuition at the various levels, click here.

Punctuality & Classroom Etiquette

In order to maintain an atmosphere that students can thrive in, students are asked to follow a few basic ground rules for the classroom and theater. Students must arrive prepared, properly dressed, and on time for all classes and rehearsals so as not to disrupt the entire group. Tardiness will be noted in the attendance book, and students who arrive late for class or rehearsal will receive a verbal warning the first time. Subsequent late arrivals without an acceptable excuse will result in a student being asked to observe rather than participate. Repeated and ongoing tardiness may result in the loss of performance roles and/or being excused from the school.

Parents of younger students can help by making sure your child uses the restroom before class as it is very disruptive if they have to leave during class. Students are requested to keep conversation during class to an absolute minimum. Cell phones are to be turned off before every class or rehearsal. No gum is allowed in the building. No food or drink besides water is permitted in the studios. Students are expected to show respect to the teachers and staff, the studio, to each other, and to approach their work with integrity, passion, and a positive attitude.

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Dress Code

A neat and tidy appearance is a necessary element of the graceful discipline of ballet.

Hair
Pre-Ballet students should wear their hair pulled back in a secure ponytail. If they have short hair, it must be pulled away from the face. Please leave unnecessary hair accessories at home as they only cause distraction.

All levels except for Pre-Ballet must come to class with their hair in a bun or they will not be permitted to take class. During the first weeks of classes we will be giving instruction on how to properly wear your hair in class so that everyone knows what is expected of them. Dangly earrings, heavy bracelets, and other excessive jewelry are not permitted. All jewelry must be removed for Pas de Deux class.

Attire
Each level is required to wear a specific color leotard in class. This is a common practice at ballet schools affiliated with performing companies, and gives the students a sense of accomplishment as they progress to the next level. We will be ordering leotards, tights and shoes from a dance school distributor, Revolution Dancewear, at a substantial discount. During the first month of classes, we will determine the sizing for each child and provide an order form for parents to submit. The requirements for each level are as follows:

Pre-Ballet: Pink tank leotard, pink tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet 1: Light blue tank leotard, pink tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet 2: Lavender tank leotard, pink tights, pink leather full-sole ballet shoes
Ballet 3: Burgundy tank leotard, pink tights, pink leather or canvas split-sole ballet shoes
Ballet 4: Forest tank camisole leotard, pink tights, pink leather or canvas split-sole ballet shoes
Ballet 5: Black camisole leotard, pink tights, pink leather or canvas split-sole ballet shoes
Pointe: Add pink pointe shoes (Note: We will not be ordering pointe shoes)
Pas de Deux: Add a ballet skirt or practice tutu
Please note: No skirts or other costume accessories are allowed in class with the exception that levels 4 & 5 may wear skirts during center floor work.

Boys: White t-shirt, black jazz pants/shorts, black socks, black ballet shoes

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Performances

Dance is an art form created for presentation before an audience and is a skill that needs to be practiced to be done well, just like anything else. Students are in encouraged to perform in both our Nutcracker and the school's Spring Recital. A passion for performing and the skills it involves represents an important part of the performing arts education that we strive to teach and we hope that it will serve them well throughout their lives. Our students are the most precious seeds that we can plant to ensure a garden of arts for the future and to develop the audiences of tomorrow. more...

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Withdrawl Policy

Alameda Ballet Academy's academic year runs from September 7, 2010 to May 26, 2011. Students are enrolled for the full academic year. You are responsible for paying tuition unless you withdraw from the school with 30 days notice. To download the ABA drop/change form, click here.

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Student Teaching

We are continuing our student teacher program as we have found that it is a wonderful way to teach our older students mentoring and leadership skills, and it is beneficial to the younger students by providing role models. All students ages 13 and up are encouraged to talk to the Artistic Director about this opportunity and will receive tuition credit in exchange. Students who demonstrate are asked to set good examples by being consistent in their attendance, arriving 15 minutes prior to each class to help set up and greet the students, and be professional in their appearance. (Demonstrators do not have to wear the dress code and may wear skirts, but must have their hair in a bun).

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Non Discrimination Policy

Alameda Ballet Academy admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities accorded or made available to students at the Academy. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs or any other school-administered programs.

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You can also download and print out the ABA welcome packet here in PDF format.

Ballet classes at Alameda Ballet Academy