Starting as a Teen? ages 12.5-17

8-WEEK INTRODUCTORY Sessions
Ballet 1: TEEN Fundamentals (ages 12.5-17)

This is for the teen with no ballet experience! Learn the basic steps, class etiquette, direction of movement, and more. Ages 12 (by Sep 1, 2024) through 17. 8-Week Session meets two times a week, both Mondays AND Thursdays. Dancers progress to Fundamentals 2. (8 weeks $216 for 2x per week)
Mondays 7:30-8:45pm and Thursdays 6:00-7:15pm | Instructor: Helen Hatch

2025 Winter Session: Feb 3 – Mar 27, 2025 $216.00 for 2x per week BOOK HERE>
2025 Spring Session: TBA

Everybody can dance!

If you are a dancer aged 12.5-17 with little to no ballet experience please email us or give us a call to discuss your goals and schedule a placement class. Call 651-690-1588 or email us at spb@spballet.org with your contact information.

The pre-requisite is that you have passion and basic aptitude for learning classical ballet. To fully engage in ballet training the priority is practicing foundational steps and positions. Rushing to the end result or a focus on getting to the stage may mean that you’re missing out on building foundational ballet training.

When starting at an older age this means you may be placed in classes with younger students so that you do not have “gaps” in your training.

A good dance school will constantly assess your progress to make sure you are receiving the appropriate curriculum.

There are many different life skills you can develop in the process of learning ballet and over time, you will be prepared to enjoy continued study in SPB’s Teen & Adult Program or in some cases moving into the Leveled Program of the SPB School.

We look forward to welcoming you! Please call or email for more information 651-690-1588 and spb@spballet.org
Studios at 655 Fairview Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55104

FACULTY

Registration & Scholarships

• FAQs

TUITION PAYMENTS:

Tuition payments are due before the start of class sessions.

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_2024-5_Financial_Aid

Dancewear for Classes

Teen and Adult Classes are designed for students who wish to begin or continue dance training for health, recreation or self-enrichment. Students are encouraged to grow as an individual artist and to participate at their own pace. Classes are taught by teachers dedicated to the growth and fostering of ballet as an art form and believe dance contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Classes emphasize overall body conditioning and encourage an aesthetic appreciation of dance. Classes are accompanied by professional musicians.

Classes Offered in order of mastery:
Fundamentals 1 – all ages (min 18yrs)
Teen Fundamentals 1 – ages 13-17
Fundamentals 2 – all ages (min 13yrs)
Beginning Ballet – all ages (min 13yrs)
Lifelong Ballet – ages 40+
Boomer Ballet – ages 55+
Intermediate Ballet – all ages (min 13yrs)
Intermediate/Advanced Ballet – all ages (min 13yrs)

DANCEWEAR: Adults are welcome to wear clothing that gives full freedom of movement for bending, stretching and moving. This can be the traditional leotard (fits like a one-piece swimsuit) and tights or a fitted t-shirt and leggings, yoga clothes, or other athletic wear.

Deep colors (black, navy, burgundy, purple, hunter green, etc.) are worn in ballet to make it easier for you and your teachers to check your alignment during classes. In winter months you may want to start the class with a warm-up layer over-shirt or close-fitting sweat-top until your muscles are ready.

If you are interested in a more traditional ballet look, do it! You can find affordable tights, leotards and wrap skirts in straight and plus sizes online from Discount Dance Supply and in stores such as Grand Jete in St. Paul. We recommend ordering dance clothes a size up from what you’d normally wear, and making sure you can move comfortably in them — a leotard should feel like a comfortable swimsuit. If it pinches somewhere, or if wearing it makes you feel anything less than great and confident, exchange it.

FOOTWEAR: Soft ballet shoes are required for adult dancers. They come in black, pink and many shades of skin-color in canvas or leather. We recommend you buy your first pair of dance shoes in-person at Grand Jete in St. Paul. Their staff can help you find shoes with pre-sewn elastics or give you instructions. When it comes to ballet slippers, if they are too tight in the store, they will hurt in class but do not buy shoes with extra length as you may trip over your toes.

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 12.5-17 in the Community Division: Register for Teen Fundamentals 1 or for Adult-Teen classes without a placement class.

For Parents/Caregivers

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 15, 2024)
Nutcracker (Nov 22-23, 2024)
Spring Student Showcase (May 30 & 31, 2025)
and other opportunities as announced throughout the year!