Children’s Dance for Ages 2.5-5

FALL 2023 – SPRING 2024

Everybody dance!

No experience necessary! Bring your joy and energy to explore the fundamentals of movement in developmentally appropriate classes. Experienced teachers with pedagogical knowledge provide a nurturing environment where each child can develop according to their potential.

Choose either Parent & Me (ages 2.5-4) or Creative Dance (ages 4-5 without parent) sessions below.

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

All classes in-studio.

  1. All classes are by pre-registration only. 
  2. NO unbooked DROP-INs.
  3. Classes may be cancelled if less than 6 dancers are registered for a session.
  4. Masks are welcomed but at the discretion of parents. 
    Mask wearing
  5. Please see additional COVID-19 maintenance details below.

FACULTY   

Parent & Me ages 2.5-4 as of Sep 1, 2023

We invite you to St. Paul Ballet’s Parent & Me dance class, for our youngest dancers ages 2.5-4 and their caregivers! Explore movement, music and rhythm. Parents and dancers are encouraged to take what they have learned and continue the joy of movement and body-brain connection at home. This class is preparation for Creative Dance.

Register and pay by first day of session. See Calendar for breaks. Please scroll down to SIGN UP online and book to hold your spot in class or calling (651)690-1588. Parent & Me is one of our most popular classes, register today!

What to wear:
Clothing that allows for fluid movement and stretching. Socks or dance slippers.

PARENT & ME: SCHOOL YEAR 2023-24
Tuesdays 5:00-5:45pm for Ages 2.5-4 | 6 weeks $75
Session 1: Sep 12 – Oct 17, 2023 
Session 2: Oct 24 – Nov 28, 2023
Session 3: Jan 2 – Feb 6, 2024   BOOK
Session 4: Feb 13 – Mar 19, 2024   BOOK
Session 5: Apr 9 – May 14, 2024  BOOK
Instructor: Emilia Garrido Vasquez

Saturdays 8:15-9:00am for Ages 2.5-4 | 6 weeks $75
Session 1: Sep 16 – Oct 28, 2023 (no class Oct 21)
Session 2: Nov 4 – Dec 16, 2023 (no class Nov 25)
Session 3: Jan 6 – Feb 10, 2024  BOOK
Session 4: Feb 17 – Mar 23, 2024  BOOK
Session 5: Apr 13 – May 18, 2024  BOOK
Instructor: Emilia Garrido Vasquez

Creative Dance Ages 4-5 as of Sep 1, 2023

If your 4-5 year old is ready to attend class on their own, Creative Dance class emphasizes movement and musicality. The young dancer will have fun with skills learned through rhyme and rhythm and will explore their imaginations by moving their bodies through space. 

Dancers gain strength, flexibility, self-confidence and are encouraged to create in collaboration with others as they build skills over the session. Creative Dance prepares students for entry into Pre-Ballet for 6 year olds.

Register and pay by first day of session. See Calendar for breaks.

What to wear:
Clothing that allows for fluid movement and stretching. Socks or dance slippers.

CREATIVE DANCE: SCHOOL YEAR 2023-24
BOOK FOR Tuesdays 5:45-6:30pm for Ages 4-5 | 6 weeks $75
Session 1: Sep 12 – Oct 17, 2023 
Session 2: Oct 24 – Nov 28, 2023
Session 3: Jan 2 – Feb 6, 2024   BOOK
Session 4: Feb 13 – Mar 19, 2024   BOOK
Session 5: Apr 9 – May 14, 2024   BOOK– class full
Instructor: Emilia Garrido Vasquez

BOOK FOR Tuesdays 6:30-7:15pm for Ages 4-5 | 6 weeks $75
Session 5 (2nd class added!): Apr 9 – May 14, 2024 BOOK
Instructor: Emilia Garrido Vasquez

Saturdays 9:00-9:45am for Ages 4-5  | 6 weeks $75
Session 1: Sep 16 – Oct 28, 2023 (no class Oct 21)
Session 2: Nov 4 – Dec 16, 2023 (no class Nov 25)
Session 3: Jan 6 – Feb 10, 2024  BOOK
Session 4: Feb 17 – Mar 23, 2024  BOOK
Session 5: Apr 13 – May 18, 2024  BOOK
Instructor: Emilia Garrido Vasquez

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 6-week 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_2023-24_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 11-15 in the Community Division: Register for Young Teen Fundamentals or for for Adult-Teen classes without a placement class.

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_2023-24_Financial_Aid

Fall Parent Meetings: Saturday, Sep 10 10:45-11:45amOR  12:00-1:00pm
An essential meeting for families with dancers in the School-Year Division. School policies, events, and performance information will be discussed. Q&A.

Conferences are held in January and May for students in Beginning Ballet and Levels 1-6.

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 (October 2022)
Winter Showcase (Dec 2022)
Spring Student Showcase (May 2023)
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.
    Find Vaccine
    Get Tested
    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.