Elementary Ballet and Level 1 ages 7-9+

REGISTRATION FOR 2nd Semester open

For new students:

AGES 2.5-6: Register for class in your age group. No placement or audition needed. 

AGES 7-8: Elementary Ballet. Space is limited please call if you are interested 651-690-1588.

AGES 9-19 in the School-Year Training Program: Please contact School Director Christina Onusko at conusko@spballet.org or call 651-690-1588 to arrange a placement class.

AGES 13+ who wish to take on a recreational basis: Register for Adult-Teen classes without a placement class. Call or email with questions spb@spballet.org or 651-690-1588.

FALL 2023 – SPRING 2024

This program provides students with exceptional clarity and strength while encouraging a life-long love of dance and healthy body image. Live accompaniment, enrichment in modern and character dance along with promotion of health and well-being complete the training.

Students enrolled in the School-Year Division build the foundation for college-level programs, conservatory or a professional career. Over 100 students each year are trained in the Vaganova-based progressive curriculum augmented by modern dance and other genres to create the well-rounded dancer. 

Advancement is determined by the students’ progress in developing technical skills, strength, and artistry. Parental support is encouraged and welcomed.

We welcome new students at anytime. Please call or email for more information 651-690-1588 and spb@spballet.org
Studios at 655 Fairview Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55104

Semester 1: September 11, 2023 – January 27, 2024
Semester 2: January 29 – June 1, 2024

Do you offer scholarships? Yes, we offer need-based scholarships. If tuition is a barrier, please complete the application HERE OR call and ask for a scholarship application. We would like to provide dance for any child who would like to try! Please complete the application and mail, email or bring it to our studios at: 655 Fairview Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55104
SPB_2023_Financial_Aid

Sunday, Sep 10 from 12:45-1:45pm: Parent Meet and Greet. It’s powerful when we all come together to support our kids.
Parents, caregivers and families are essential partners in the training of your dancer. Hear from families of students in all levels about their experiences and help the school thrive for everyone. This meeting covers school policies, calendar, and performance information with time for Q&A and meeting each other.

Theater performances this season:
Dec 1-2, 2023 SPB@25: Nutcracker Reimagined at The O’Shaughnessy
May 31-June 1, 2024 Spring Showcase at The O’Shaughnessy

FACULTY

Elementary Ballet and Level 1

MON TUE WED THR FRI SAT
Elementary Ballet  10:45-12:15p
Level 1 4:30-7:00p 4:30-6:00p

Elementary Ballet

AGE 7-8 (age 7 by Sep 1, 2023)

Saturdays 10:45-12:15pm (Technique and Creative Workshop)
Dancers at SPB experience the joy of moving to live music!

One day per week for the school year. 1.75 Class hours.
Instructor: Hannah Pierce

Elementary Ballet focuses on the basics of ballet vocabulary and technique, traditional structure and etiquette of the ballet class. Workshop time fosters creativity and introduces rehearsal skills needed for SPB winter and spring performances. Evaluation conferences are conducted twice a year with students and their parents. 

Annual Tuition: $920.00
3 payments $316.00 or 9 monthly payments $106.00 available. Register for annually online below. To set up semi-annual or monthly payment plans please call the studio 651-690-1588.

What to wear:
See our Discount Dance Order Page for St Paul Ballet

Leotard in Lavender (click on Elementary Ballet), tights and ballet slippers. Tights and slippers should match in color. Students should choose the color which is closest to their natural skin tone or the color in which they feel most comfortable.

Boys — White crew-neck short-sleeved top, bike shorts, plain thin white ankle socks, white ballet slippers.

Hair and jewelry: Hair pulled neatly away from face and neck. For the safety of the students, only simple stud earrings are permissible. Dangling earrings, necklaces and bracelets can come off while dancing and create a hazard on the floor. Leg warmers or other warm-up gear must be removed after class warmup exercise.

Level 1

AGES 8.5-9+
September 11, 2023 – June 1, 2024

Mondays 4:30-7:00pm (Technique and Creative Workshop)
Fridays 4:30-6:00pm (Technique)

Two days per week for the school year. 4 Class hours.

Continuation of ballet technique according to a Vaganova-based curriculum, with a focus on increased strength, stamina, flexibility, and coordination. Classes include modern which is essential in nurturing versatility and growth in creativity and repertory to create and rehearse choreography. Instructor: Alejandra Iannone

Annual Tuition: $1,985.00
3 payments $682.00 or 9 monthly payments $228.00 available. Register for annually online below. To set up semi-annual or monthly payment plans please call the studio 651-690-1588.

What to wear:
See Dancewear Order Form 2023-24

Leotard in Light Blue (click on Level 1), tights and ballet slippers. Tights and slippers should match in color. Students should choose the color which is closest to their natural skin tone or the color in which they feel most comfortable.

Boys — White crew-neck short-sleeved top, bike shorts, plain thin white ankle socks, white ballet slippers.

Hair and jewelry: Hair pulled neatly away from face and neck. For the safety of the students, only simple stud earrings are permissible. Dangling earrings, necklaces and bracelets can come off while dancing and create a hazard on the floor. Leg warmers or other warm-up gear must be removed after class warmup exercise.

We remain committed to equity and inclusiveness, especially for those who are unrepresented, and understand that the pandemic has hit some in our community harder than others. ​Over the next 18 months, our main concern is the financial health of artists and children in our program as we build back to pre-pandemic levels.

Our organization is a non-profit and our staff are hourly employees. Please consider a DONATION to sustain the excellence you have come to count on from our teaching artists and musicians.  Their contribution to the vitality of our lives is hard to quantify: beautiful movement and music sparks our imaginations, gives us meaning, helps us understand our world and gives us great personal satisfaction. 

Registration & More Information

• FAQs
• Dancewear Order Page

TUITION PAYMENTS:

Tuition payments are due before the start of classes for the year by September 11, 2023.

For convenience, tuition may be paid by semesters or monthly (please contact the Administrative Assistant at 651-690-1588).

  • Three payment options by check/cash or credit card:
    1. One annual payment.
    2. Semester payments: September 11, 2023 and January 29, 2024.
    3. 9 Monthly payments: due on the same day each month.
  • Entire tuition payment MUST be completed before the Winter and Spring Showcases for a student to be able to participate in performances.
  • Sibling discount: 5% on the lower tuition for Children’s Division  |  10% on the lower tuition for School-Year Division

Do you offer scholarships? Yes, we offer need-based scholarships. If tuition is a barrier, please complete the application HERE OR call and ask for a scholarship application. We would like to provide dance for any child who would like to try! Please complete the application and mail, email or bring it to our studios at: 655 Fairview Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55104
SPB_2023_Financial_Aid

New Student Admission

New students ages 2.5-8: Register for class in your age group. No placement/audition needed. 

New students ages 8.5-19 in the School-Year Division: Please contact School Director Christina Onusko at conusko@spballet.org or call 651-690-1588 to arrange a placement class for the School Year Division.

Performing

Performances:
SPB@25: Nutcracker Reimagined is for all students enrolled full-time in the School-Year Division. Performances December 1-2, 2023. Casting is at the sole discretion of the directors.

Spring Showcase: A Celebration of Our Students for students enrolled full-time for the School-Year Division and the Children’s Division. Performances in May 31-Jun 1, 2024.

Performance fees: This fee helps defray the costs for cleaning/repair/replacement of costumes in SPB’s inventory.
$40 fee due October 1, 2023 for students participating inWinter Showcase.
$40 fee due March 1, 2024 for students participating in the Spring Showcase.

Volunteering:
We couldn’t do it without you! Over 100 parents, family members and friends of semester or full-term students are needed to volunteer during performance production weeks. From loading scenery, driving trucks and transporting costumes to sewing, chaperoning and distributing posters and flyers we have plenty of jobs to fit your busy schedules.

Summer Study

Two audition weeks:
Mar 2024 – 1st Summer Audition Week for new students 
April 2024 – 2nd Summer Audition Week for new students
Call the school to schedule placement that is convenient for your schedule. 

Summer Study offers serious students a healthy progression of continuous classes in classical ballet, modern and more with accomplished faculty, live accompaniment and acclaimed guest artists.

Summer study is designed to offer training that is more demanding than during the school year. You will have a chance to explore new styles while growing in your technique. Continued study through the summer gives you the chance to grow exponentially and prepare for the upcoming season.

For Parents/Caregivers

Do you offer scholarships? Yes, we offer need-based scholarships. If tuition is a barrier, please complete the application HERE OR call and ask for a scholarship application. We would like to provide dance for any child who would like to try! Please complete the application and mail, email or bring it to our studios at: 655 Fairview Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55104
SPB_2022-23_Financial_Aid

Fall Parent Meeting: Sunday, Sep 9 12:45-1:45pm
An essential meeting for families with dancers in the School-Year Division. School policies, events, and performance information will be discussed. Q&A.

Conferences:
Jan 2024: Student-Parent Mid-year Conferences for BB I & II thru Level 6 students.  Sign-up online will be available.
May 2024: Student-Parent Year-end Conferences for BB I & II thru Level 6 students.  Sign-up online will be available.
NOTE: Students continue in their same class and level throughout the school year and summer unless the School Director recommends a change in level placement.

Location and Parking:
655 Fairview Avenue N., St Paul, MN 55104 Ample free parking in the lot.  Just 3 blocks north of the Fairview Ave. LRT Station on University Ave.

Volunteer opportunities:  Help support the ballet through volunteering at performances and events. Sign up with the Administrative Assistant.
Fall Open House (August 26, 2023)
Nutcracker (Dec 1-2, 2023)
Spring Student Showcase (May 31-Jun 1, 2024)
and other opportunities as announced throughout the year!

Prepare yourself for in-person classes

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS:

       COMING TO THE STUDIO
       If you do not feel well, please stay home.

  • All classes are by pre-registration only. Please BOOK at least 30 minutes prior to class start time. No refund for ‘no show,’ if booking is not cancelled at least one hour early.
  • Class limit is 20 students. NO unbooked DROP-INs.
  • All dancers ages 5 and above may show proof of vaccination.
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    Mask wearing
  • Masks are welcomed and at the discretion of the wearer. 
  • Do not plan to arrive earlier than 10 minutes before the start of class. There is no waiting area. Only those taking class will be allowed in the studios during class time.
  • The drinking fountain and bottle filler are open. Be sure to bring a water bottle to class. Any water bottles left after class will be discarded.

      ENTERING THE STUDIO

  • Street shoes are to be stored in the cubbies outside of the studios. No street shoes on the studio floors.
  • Bring your personal belongings into the studio. Please only bring the minimum items necessary for class—avoid large dance bags.
  • Come dressed for class if possible. Bathrooms may be used for changing.
  • Please use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before entering the studios.

            COVID PRECAUTIONS under MN Dept. of Health Guidelines as of March 2022:

            Class sizes:

            • In-studio class size is now 100% capacity
            • All classes will require pre-registration and payment online, no drop-in classes
            • Due to class size restrictions, pre-registered/reserved spaces must be paid for at the time of registration
            • There is a no refund policy for ‘no show’, if a class spot is booked but not cancelled one hour before the class begins.

            Overall disinfecting of space/ studios:

            • Studio floors are disinfected with Stagestep Disinfectant Cleaner. ProCleanTM D No-Rinse is a one-step “hospital strength” disinfectant and cleaner that is effective against a broad-spectrum of bacteria and viruses, including Covid 19, and inhibits the growth of mold and mildew
            • HVAC and Ventilation: Our HVAC was brand new in Fall 2019 and is up to current building code. The units on average exchange the air in our spaces at least 3-4 times per hour. If the outside temperatures do not vary more than a few degrees from inside temps, exchange can be as much as 10x per hour. Our 22’ ceilings and large floor area give our studios a large cubic volume and air flow is directed across the ceilings and drops down the walls to avoid creating a draft affect. This is important as it directs the airflow away from people which can increase aerosols from individuals spreading to others.
            • All barres, doorknobs and light switches will be wiped down with disinfectant regularly.

            Bathroom Cleaning:

            • Foot pulls have been installed on the bathroom doors so they can be opened without hand touching
            • Bathrooms are cleaned each day M-F.

              Washing Hands/ Hand Sanitizer:

              • We encourage hand washing, or using hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the space
              • Hand sanitizer can be found in multiple locations around the facility including in each studio

              At SPB, we will be doing our part to watch and remind everyone who enters the space of the policies we have set in place.  The health and well-being of our community is of the upmost importance.