Information

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Every student registered in our Recreational Program (Movement & Dance, Syllabus Ballet, Adult and other classes) is invited and encouraged to participate in our performances. Students in Syllabus Ballet do not use regular class time for rehearsals. Students who wish to perform are expected to attend the required number of rehearsals; the permitted number of excused absences will be set at the beginning of the rehearsal schedule for each performance. Students missing more than the permitted number will not participate in that performance. This policy is not a penalty; performing adequately requires a minimum number of rehearsals.

NEW ENGLAND CHILDREN'S BALLET:

The New England Children's Ballet (Children's Ballet) is the performing company for NEBC. Children's Ballet has been a wonderful addition to NEBC. Its members, as young as 8, have made impressive progress and have acquired genuine stage experience. The New England Children's Ballet is a great addition to the local community for young dancers who are committed to train and perform in the art of ballet.

Students, aged 8 through 15, accepted into the Children's Ballet must take a minimum of 3 ballet classes and other classes (as required) during a week at NEBC to continue with the company. These dancers will be responsible for one paid class of Syllabus ballet a week and will receive other classes (as required) on scholarship. Rehearsals are in addition to classes. There is no charge for rehearsals. As for other performing students of NEBC, there are neither performance nor costume fees. This is a serious commitment of time, energy and effort for students dedicated to the art of ballet. Progress and commitment will be assessed regularly. NEBC reserves the right to discontinue a student's participation to the company at any time. At the end of the year, members of NECB receive an evaluation.

There are no costume or performance fees at NEBC.

ATTIRE AND HAIR

Students at NEBC must wear proper class attire and this policy will be enforced at all levels to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning for the students. Failure to adhere to the dress code may be reason for dismissal from class.

The Following Requirements Apply To All Classes

• No watches or jewelry can be worn in class. Only discreet stud earrings are permitted.
• Warm-up apparel must be removed before class. (Students in floor barre and conditioning classes may wear dance warm-up apparel.)
• Girls' hair must be secured tightly into a bun. If hair is too short to be made into a bun, hair is to be secured into a pony tail.

We make every effort to maintain the best quality and safest dance floors for our dancers. Patrons must remove their non-dance shoes before entering the studios, since street shoes, even tennis shoes, may damage the dance floor.

ADVANCEMENT

Physical development and emotional maturity vary from child to child. Advancement from one level to the next in the Syllabus Ballet Program is not automatic, but is based on individual readiness for the challenge of the next level. At the end of the year, instructors carefully evaluate individual students for advancement to the next level. If you have a concerns or questions regarding your child's advancement, please do not hesitate to contact the NEBC Director or your child's instructor.

WITHDRAWAL AND REFUNDS FOR MONTHLY STUDENTS

The registration fee is only refundable in the event that NEBC cancels the class for which the registration was submitted.

Refunds for tuition are available under the following circumstances:

• In the event that NEBC cancels a class, the student is entitled to a refund pro-rated for the numbers of week that the class was not held.
• In the event that a student withdraws from classes for any reason after one or two classes, NEBC will refund tuition less the drop-in charge for the classes taken. A student wishing to withdraw must notify NEBC within one calendar week after the last class taken. After the student has taken two classes, NEBC will not refund any tuition paid. Our objective is to give students and parents two classes to decide whether to continue with us. This policy represents a change from our previous refund policy; so if you have any questions about its operation, please ask.

Unlike other local ballet schools, NEBC puts it customers under no obligation to continue making additional payments in the event that a student withdraws.

* THERE IS NO FEE FOR PERFORMANCE OR COSTUMES. PERFORMERS ARE ENTITLED TO TWO DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR THE PERFORMANCE.

* Family rate: 1st child pays full rate (highest tuition), all other siblings receive a 5% discount.

TEN-CLASS ADULT CARDS

NEBC sells ten class cards for adult classes. These cards are good for four months from the date that they are issued. They are non-transferable and non-refundable.

CLASS CANCELLATIONS

NEBC reserves the right to cancel a class or classes. In such a case, NEBC will do its best to place students enrolled in the cancelled class in other similar classes, or to offer a refund.

ATTENDANCE

Even though NEBC maintains an open and flexible Syllabus Ballet program, we recommend that students enrolled in the Syllabus Ballet program attend class more than once a week. As with any other physical activity and other skills, the more the students practice, the more progress they will make and the more benefit.

EXCUSED ABSENCES AND MAKE UP CLASSES

Students are expected to attend all the classes for which they are enrolled. If they are unable to attend class, they should notify the NEBC office. Make up classes are allowed only for excused absences (the student or student's parent call or inform NEBC prior to class to say that the student will not be attending prior to the class or soon thereafter as possible in the case of emergencies). Such make up classes must be completed by the end of the next month during which the absence occurs.

INSTRUCTORS

NEBC makes every effort to maintain instructor continuity, but it cannot guaranty that a particular instructor will be teaching any given class.

TARDINESS AND STUDIO ETIQUETTE

Students should be on time and ready for class. Students who arrive late should not enter the studio while the music is playing. They should wait until the music stops, then step inside the doorway and wait until acknowledged by their instructor. If significantly late, students may be asked to sit and observe the class instead of participating in it.

Students should wait for their instructor before entering the studio. They should enter the studio quietly and take their designated places.

Respectful and proper manners are expected from students on the premises of NEBC. Excessive noise and unruly behavior from students will not be tolerated. Parents are also asked to keep voices and other noise at reasonable levels while waiting for their children.

There is no bathroom break during class, except for Movement & Dance classes. Make sure that your children use the bathroom just before class. No drinking break is permitted during class, unless it is scheduled by the instructor. Plastic water bottles are permitted in the studios.

Talking during class is not permitted. Students who have questions should raise their hand to ask the instructor. No sitting during class is permitted without the permission of the instructor.

FACILITIES

NEBC is located in a new dance center comprising four studios, one of which is more than 2,500 square feet in area. All studios are equipped with Harlequin sprung floors designed to maximize students' safety.

Please help us keep the facilities in good conditions by eating only in designated areas and placing litter in the waste receptacles.

LEVELS AND PLACEMENT

It is important that students enroll in classes best suited to their abilities. We strive to place students in the right class at the time of enrollment. Students may, however, be asked to transfer to another class that is more suitable to their ability during the first weeks of classes. NEBC works with parents to make the new schedule as convenient as possible to parents and children.

THE USE OF CORRECTIONS AND PHYSICAL TOUCH IN DANCE TRAINING

Students should expect to receive verbal corrections and corrections through physical contact in dance, conditioning and floor barre classes. Such corrections are necessary to help students in their training. If students feel uncomfortable about any aspect of such corrections, they should advise their instructor as soon as possible.

VALUABLES AND PERSONAL INJURY - DISCLAIMER

NEBC and its employees, agents, and contractors are not responsible for lost, misplaced or damaged personal property.

The instructors at NEBC strive to furnish the best and safest possible instruction. Ballet is, however, a physical activity for which there is a risk of injury even when competent instruction is given. NEBC asks that all parents and adult students sign a waiver stating that they have been informed of the risk of injury associated with ballet instruction.

PERSONAL SAFETY

NEBC enforces a controlled area policy so that only authorized persons may enter the premises past the lobby area. The front desk is staffed during NEBC's hours of operations. Minor students should not leave the NEBC premises unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian and should wait in the lobby are until picked up by such parent or guardian.

OFFICE

NEBC's office is staffed during hours in which lessons are being given. If you need to meet with our faculty and staff, please make an appointment. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concern or question.

RETAIL STORE

NEBC provides a retail store, found next to the front desk. We sell leotards, ballet slippers, tights and an assortment of other clothing items. NEBC's prices are very competitive.

TUITION

Based on our experience in nearly three years of operation, we have decided to change the structure of our tuition, and our policy concerning refunds for withdrawals. These changes will result in overall tuition reductions for those students who continue with their classes and especially students who take more than one class a week.

Registration fee: $20 per individual, $30 per family. Payable at the time of registration and must be submitted along with the registration form.

Tuition Payments for the Fall Semester (approximately 15 weeks) are due in two installments. The first installment is due by August 31 and the second is due by October 19. Tuition payments for the Spring Semester (approximately 21 weeks) are also due in two installments. The first installment is due by January 9, 2010 and the second is due by March 20, 2010. Late tuition payments incur a $10 late charge. Tuition payments more than two weeks late require a re-registration fee of $20. Dates for mailed-in tuition will be determined by postmark. Pre-payments of the entire Fall Semester tuition will be discounted 2% if made by August 31. Pre-payments of the 2009-2010 tuition will be discounted 5% if made by August 31.

Students registering after the beginning of classes will receive pro-rated tuition, based on the number of weeks that have already passed at the time of registration.

NEBC does not send invoices. A box is available in the lobby area in which tuition can be dropped if no one happens to be behind the desk. NEBC accepts all major credit cards. If you wish to mail your payment, please send it to:

New England Ballet Conservatory
PO Box 64768
Burlington VT 05406

EXCLUSION FROM CLASS FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TUITION

NEBC reserves the right to exclude students from class who are more than two weeks late in payment of tuition.

CLOSING OF THE SCHOOL

Please refer to the SCHEDULE for NEBC's holiday and vacation closings. NEBC follows the South Burlington school closing policy for inclement weather for morning classes, but may open for afternoon classes, as we have often found that roads have been cleared by the time of afternoon classes. If the South Burlington schools are closed, please call the office to check on the status of afternoon classes.

PHOTO AND VIDEO DURING CLASS AND PERFORMANCES:

Taking pictures of and/or filming your child during class is not permitted for safety and privacy reasons. However, you may photograph or film your child in the studio during observation week or by special arrangement.

In order for your child or yourself to participate to our performances, you need to sign a release, since we will take pictures and videos of the performances and may use them in our marketing efforts. If you have not yet signed the release, please stop by the front desk and ask for one. If you do not wish your child or yourself to be photographed or filmed, please let us know as soon as possible. (the mailer has already a release form)

HAND WASHING

We ask that all students wash their hands before beginning class. This is an important step to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases such as colds and influenza.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

NEBC believes that involving the local community and local talents in the various aspects of the school is an important aspect of the NEBC's mission. We encourage parents and family of students to share their talents and time in some of the many functions of the school. If you can sew, craft some theatrical props, play a musical instrument or welcome the public in our events, please let us know.