Pre-Ballet & On Your Way To Ballet

FALL 2023 – SPRING 2024

We invite you to St. Paul Ballet’s PRE-BALLET dance classes. These Semester long sessions are developmentally appropriate for 6 year olds who are age 6 by September 1, 2023. Dancers gain strength, flexibility, self-confidence and are encouraged to create in collaboration with other through the joy of movement.

ON YOUR WAY TO BALLET is a summer session for dancers ages 5-1/2 to 6 with no ballet experience who want to try basic ballet concepts. Dancers must be age 6 by September 1, 2024 and may wish to enter the Pre-Ballet program in the fall of 2024. 

If your dancer is ages 7 or 8, please see Elementary Ballet in the School-Year Division

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
Summer 2023: June 17 – August 25, 2024

  1. All classes are by pre-registration only. 
  2. Masks are welcomed but at the discretion of parents. 
    Mask wearing
  3. Please see additional COVID-19 Preparedness details below.

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.

FACULTY 

Pre-Ballet for age 6

We invite you to St. Paul Ballet’s Pre-Ballet dance classes. Classes are developmentally appropriate for dancers who are age 6 by September 1, 2023. Dancers gain strength, flexibility, self-confidence and are encouraged to create in collaboration with others through the joy of movement.

See our School Calendar for information on breaks.

What to wear: 

Two options:
1. Solid color leotard, tights and ballet slippers. For tights: Students should choose the color which is closest to their natural skin tone or the color in which they feel most comfortable. 

2. Crew-neck short-sleeved top, bike-type shorts, plain thin white ankle socks, 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.

PRE-BALLET SCHOOL-YEAR 2023-24
Choose either Tuesdays or Saturdays for the semester. See school calendar for days off>

Tuesdays 5:00-6:00pm for Age 6 
Semester 1: Sep 11, 2023 – Jan 27, 2024
Semester 2: Jan 29, 2024 – June 1, 2024 BOOK in your dancer’s name
Tuition: $335.00 per Semester. $670.00 for the school-year.
Payment plan available: 4 monthly payments of $87.00. Please call or register in person for the PAYMENT PLAN

Saturdays 9:45-10:45am for Age 6 
Semester 1: Sep 11, 2023 – Jan 27, 2024 
Semester 2: Jan 29, 2024 – June 1, 2024 BOOK in your dancer’s name
Tuition: $335.00 per Semester. $670.00 for the school-year.
Payment plan available: 4 monthly payments of $87.00. Please call or register in person for the PAYMENT PLAN

What to wear: Pink, short-sleeved leotard; footed or convertible tights, pink ballet slippers. For tights: Students should choose the color which is closest to their natural skin tone or the color in which they feel most comfortable. NOTE: For performances pink, footed tights will be required.
See our Discount Dance Order Page for St Paul Ballet

Girls — Leotard in Pink (click on Pre-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. NOTE: simple pink skirts are permitted but must NOT be attached to leotard. Dancers will be allowed to wear skirts during portions of class at the teacher’s discretion.

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

On Your Way To Ballet for ages 5-6 SUMMER 2024

On Your Way To Ballet is a Session for dancers with no ballet experience who want to try basic ballet concepts and may wish to enter the Pre-Ballet program in the fall. The session is developmentally appropriate for 5.5-6 year olds who will be age 6 by September 1, 2024. Dancers are introduced to the basics of ballet. This is a great way to get your “toe in the water.”

SUMMER 2024: AUGUST
Dates TBA

What to wear: For summer you may wear dancewear you already have. 

Two options:
Solid color leotard, tights and ballet slippers. For tights: Students should choose the color which is closest to their natural skin tone or the color in which they feel most comfortable. 

Crew-neck short-sleeved top, bike-type shorts, plain thin white ankle socks, 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

TUITION PAYMENTS:

Tuition payments are due before the start of classes for each Semester or Session.

For questions, please contact the Administrative Assistant at 651-690-1588.

  • Payment may be made by check/cash or credit card:
  • 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_2022-23_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 9-18 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.

New students ages 13+ in the Community Division: Register for Adult-Teen classes without a placement class. 

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 Meetings: Sunday, August 9  12:45-1:45pm
An essential meeting for families with dancers. School policies, events, and performance information will be discussed. Q&A.

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 Reimagined (Dec 1 and 2, 2023)
Spring Student Showcase (May 31-Jun 2, 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.