2025 - 2026 SCHOOL HANDBOOK

The Louisville Ballet School prides itself on being a center for classical ballet, complementary dance and health & wellness for students of all ages and abilities. We strive to challenge each student, whether his or her aim in dance is for recreational or pre-professional training. To guide students through the exploration of their own potential as performing artists, our highly-trained faculty take great care to instruct students with proper technique and great discipline in a safe and respectful environment.

We thank you for choosing The Louisville Ballet School as a place to continue your dance education.

By enrolling in The Louisville Ballet School, I/my child will respect the art and discipline of ballet by:

• Respecting my instructor, accompanist and fellow dancers at all times
• Coming to class with a positive attitude, being fully attentive and ready to learn
• Standing up to bullying and knowing that bullying is not acceptable
• Dressing in the proper dress code for my program level
• Arriving a few minutes early so that I/my child is ready to dance when class begins
• Keeping the studios, dressing rooms and lobby areas clean

We encourage parents to become involved in their child’s dance education and ask that you share the information from this handbook with your enrolled child.

STAFF                                                          

Director of The Louisville Ballet School

Christy Corbitt Krieger x250 ccorbitt@louisvilleballet.org

Lower School Principal and Administration Manager

Amanda Rollins, x232 arollins@louisvilleballet.org

Registration & Enrollment Manager

Tara Perry, x245 tgardner@louisvilleballet.org

School Administrator

Elizabeth Hines, ehines@louisvilleballet.org

Administrative Assistant

Joe Henn

SCHOOL PROGRAM MANAGERS

Children’s Program Manager

Molly Kays, mkays@louisvilleballet.org

Complementary Program Manager

Pre-Professional Program Program Manager

Nicholas Bentz, nbentz@louisvilleballet.org

Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble Manager

Brienne Wiltsie, bwiltsie@louisvilleballet.org        

mind. body. balance. Program Manager

Ashley Thursby, athursby@louisvilleballet.org 

TEACHING FACULTY        

^ Louisville Ballet company dancer
* Louisville Ballet Artistic Staff

~ Former company dancer

Accompanists

Javier Cendejas, Ethan James McCollum, Justin Gray, Douglas Schultz

STUDIO LOCATIONS

Louisville Ballet Downtown Studios

315 East Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 583-3150 x 245

school@louisvilleballet.org

St. Matthews Studios

4121 Shelbyville Road, Suite 201, Louisville, KY 40207

502-895-3700

school@louisvilleballet.org

ABOUT US

As the official training center for Louisville Ballet, we celebrate the traditions of classical ballet.

Through world-class programming, we challenge our students - from young children to adults - to explore their potential as performing artists by inspiring technical and artistic excellence in a nurturing learning environment. Through our outreach programs, we take rich and engaging arts experiences beyond our studio walls. Our outstanding faculty  includes past and current Artistic Directors as well as Company and Studio Company members from the Louisville Ballet, and some of the finest dancers and instructors in the area. We nurture each student in developing their skills and, above all, a lifelong appreciation for dance and movement.

The universally accessible language of dance nurtures creativity in movers of all ages and levels of ability; it is our mission to provide the very best in dance education here in our city and in communities across our state. The Louisville Ballet School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or national or ethnic background.

CURRICULUM

The Louisville Ballet School offers a distinguished recreational, pre-collegiate and pre-professional program in dance, combined during the school season with opportunities to audition for, and perform in, Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble and productions with Louisville Ballet’s professional company. Year-round programs are taught by a dedicated faculty with extensive professional credentials, providing intensive training and performance opportunities for talented young dancers.

The School’s comprehensive Vaganova-based curriculum focuses on strong technique that is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet and inspired by a contemporary vision of the future. This curriculum is designed to serve dancers of all ages by supporting the continuing quest for greater athleticism, artistry, clarity, grace, speed, and musicality. Annual performances of classical and contemporary works are also an important part of the training model at The School, allowing students to develop discipline, endurance, choreographic memory, and stage presence.

We are proud of our alumni who have gone on to dance professionally with the American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Louisville Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet Magnificat!, Barcelona Ballet, Boston Ballet II, Ft. Wayne Ballet, Houston Ballet, Missouri Ballet Theatre, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, and Sarasota Ballet. We also applaud those who have continued their dance education (many on scholarship) at the Royal Ballet School, New York University/Tisch School of the Arts, Fordham University, Stanford University, Cornell, Butler University, Florida State, University of Arizona, Point Park University, and Southern Methodist University. Many have received awards for their choreography and outstanding technique as well as scholarships to study with other professional schools including the Royal Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet School,  the School of American Ballet and Ballet West.

SCHOOL POLICIES

COMMUNICATIONS

The Louisville Ballet School uses email to communicate information to families. Please ensure that an adult’s current email address is listed in your online portal account. Please add school@louisvilleballet.org to your safe senders list or address book and check your email regularly to ensure you receive important school information in a timely manner. Students and parents are encouraged to monitor School update emails containing information concerning class changes, upcoming events, rehearsals, performances, and other School-related information. Should you have two or more students enrolled in The School, a separate email address may be necessary to receive pertinent information relative to each child.

When time permits, The Louisville Ballet School staff will make every effort to communicate urgent and important information via email blast. Similar information that applies to the general school population will also be available on our website, Facebook page and the bulletin boards for your convenience.

Get The Louisville Ballet School app! The app will allow families to register for classes and make payments directly from a smartphone. The School calendar, social media links, and contact information are also easily accessible from the app.​ The Louisville Ballet School app is an easy-to-use, on-the-go way to access everything The Louisville Ballet School has to offer. Download the free app through iTunes or Google Play.

REGISTRATION

Registration begins in June and continues on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is available online through the Customer portal. Payment can be made with credit card or echeck. We are not able to accept phone registrations. Class sizes are limited and a waiting list will be available if a class fills. Classes not meeting minimum enrollment may be rescheduled or canceled.

TUITION

Tuition rates are available on our website on each of the respective program pages and in the Class Catalog. Tuition prices listed are for each semester. Special discounts are available for families with multiple students and for those students registered in Complementary Program classes.

Students are generally enrolled for the entire school year, which consists of the Fall and Spring Semesters. No deductions or refunds will be made for absence or withdrawal, voluntary or involuntary, unless for medical reasons with documentation from your doctor. Each withdrawal will be managed on a case by case basis. Each student is allocated one complimentary schedule change request during the school year. Any additional modifications to a student's schedule once the semester has begun will incur a $25 fee per class change. All schedule change requests must be submitted in writing to school@louisvilleballet.org.

Students enrolled in the Fall Semester will be automatically re-enrolled and billed for the Spring Semester unless written notice that a student does not intend to return has been submitted to the Registration & Enrollment Manager prior to January 1, 2026. Additionally, please inform the Registration & Enrollment Manager in writing of all address changes (street or email) or student status during the semester. Students with overdue accounts will not be re-enrolled for the next semester until their balance is paid in full or a payment plan has been put in place.

Payments must be made online through the Customer Portal.

As a rule, students will not be admitted to class without having paid tuition and fees in advance, according to the payment requirements specific to their program and level. The School reserves the right to remove any student who fails to comply with its rules and regulations or who engages in any activity contrary to the fulfillment of its objectives. In such an event, The School will be owed fees for the entire semester.

Tuition is to be paid in full by the close of business on the weeks listed in the installment payment schedule that follows. Delinquent accounts will be charged a $25 late fee. An additional $5 late fee will be charged each week that accounts remain delinquent. Checks returned for insufficient funds or declined credit card transactions will incur a $30 fee per transaction. Contact the Registration & Enrollment Manager to arrange payment of overdue accounts.

MONTHLY PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• Tuition payments are automatically scheduled into 4 monthly payments per semester.
• The account holder must provide a credit card or e-checking for payments to be divided evenly and deducted automatically on the designated due dates listed below.

• A reminder of upcoming payments will be included in The Louisville Ballet School’s weekly newsletter, Tutu Tuesday, 10 days prior to the processing date. Printed statements may be requested at any time.
• A grace period of 5 business days per scheduled installment will be granted and after such time, a $25 late fee will be assessed.

OVERDUE BALANCES

• A statement will be emailed for the amount due including late fee charges assessed for overdue accounts.
• Any student with an overdue balance of more than 30 days will not be allowed into class until payment in full is received or payment arrangements have been made.
• Students withdrawing from classes for reasons other than documented medical necessity are obligated to pay for the balance of the semester in addition to any overdue balance, including late fees.

SCHOLARSHIP & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Louisville Ballet School wants to share the joy of dance with students from our entire region.  For students who demonstrate exceptional aptitude and merit as well as families who require financial assistance, there are a limited number of partial tuition scholarships awarded for the 2025-2026 school year. The School Scholarship Program application and tax forms are due by 1:00 pm on August 2, 2025. No late or incomplete applications will be considered. Awards are only applicable to the 2025-2026 school year (August through May).

Students who are granted scholarship awards are ambassadors of The Louisville Ballet School and are strongly encouraged to participate at various School and public events. Scholarships are open only to those enrolled in Pre-Ballet and above. Award letters will be sent out via email 2 weeks after the application deadline, and will include an agreement that must be signed and returned. The scholarship status for all recipients may be reassessed at any time during the school year at the discretion of the Director of The Louisville Ballet School, Christy Corbitt Krieger.

STUDENT TICKET INFORMATION

Actively enrolled students of The Louisville Ballet School are entitled to one complimentary and four discounted tickets to each Mainstage Production in the Brown Theatre or Whitney Hall. Discounted tickets for In Studio productions are available on a first come first serve basis based on inventory. Seat locations will be limited to Price Levels B and C. If you have access needs please contact the Box Office.

Please follow the below steps to claim your complimentary and discounted tickets online:

1. Login at at https://my.louisvilleballet.org with your email that was used for school registration
2. Choose your performance date and time
3. From the seat map choose a seat in Price Level 3 or 4
4. Once you have hovered over the seat you must click the line item to add it. Choose the Standard Price Type or the discount will not work.
5. Add to cart
6. Proceed to checkout by clicking the Check Out button. Once on the checkout page you will see the price has been changed and one seat should now have a $0 value

Please note that families with more than one child in the school will need to call or email the box office to request any additional complimentary tickets beyond the standard one.

If you have any issues or questions please email the Box Office at boxoffice@louisvilleballet.org or call (502) 583-2623 at least a week before the production.

Student Tickets

Student tickets may be available online for select performances based on demand. You may see this as an option when selecting your seats- however your complimentary and 20% discount will not work if you select this price type. These are Student tickets available for public purchase and you are free to purchase tickets for your student at this price. We will not apply the Student Price retroactively to an order you have already placed.

Troubleshooting and FAQ

The discount is not automatically applied, what do I do?

The discount appears in your shopping cart once you have logged in and progressed all the way to the checkout page. The complimentary tickets should appear first and then the discounted tickets underneath. Please see the photo below of what your cart should look like on the checkout page. The complimentary ticket will be the top line item and the discount has been automatically applied.

I am getting an error message. What should I do?

Try resetting your cache and deleting your browsing data. Our website can be temperamental and it is likely that the error is temporary. Error messages usually disappear once you have reset your cache and started your order over.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY & GUIDELINES

Students follow a set curriculum that is designed to increase skill, endurance, and discipline in accordance with age, maturity, physical development, as well as technical and artistic progress. The frequent and consistent repetition of steps during class is elemental to the study of ballet and cannot be replaced by individual study. Notes and corrections are an essential part of ballet instruction; therefore, teachers will verbally and physically guide the students to ensure proper body placement and execution of movement. Students may not receive individual corrections in every class, but should assume that every correction given (whether to the class or to an individual) applies to each and every student. Students in the Classical Ballet, Academy, and Pre-Professional Programs are to keep a notebook in class in order to record and review corrections, study ballet terminology, and set goals. Proper implementation and retention of corrections in class supports continued progress.

Dancers are a work in progress. Learning from frustrations as well as achievements will guide students toward personal, technical and artistic growth. Focused effort is expected each day in order to make each student’s experience positive and successful. It is extremely important that students are self-motivated and enthusiastic in their approach to class work. Teachers are a constant source of information and guidance, but should not have to repeatedly ask students to take a proactive approach to learning. Students who push themselves to meet their goals in each class or rehearsal can feel proud of themselves, knowing that they have done their best.

PLACEMENT

Placement is based on many factors such as age, bone & muscle development, and mental & social maturity. There is no exact formula to dictate when a child will be placed into the next level. All students are placed into the level that will allow for maximum growth and improvement for the child. Accordingly, we rely heavily on the expertise of our faculty and Program Managers to observe each student’s understanding and application of class material, physical strength and development, as well as intellectual and artistic maturity observed throughout the school season. Additionally, the level of technical achievement within the general student population can and does change, affecting overall placement standards throughout the levels of The School. Students should generally expect to spend a minimum of one to two years at each level before being promoted to the next level.

It is of the utmost importance that students are not only able to execute class material safely in order to avoid injuries caused by improper technique, but also to excel in their mastery of the skills required at each level. It is with these criteria in mind that The Louisville Ballet School supports each student's fulfillment of his or her potential as a dancer, while learning and growing as young artists.

The School reserves the right to determine the class level for every student, regardless of prior training. Students are required to attend all assigned classes according to level and placement.  Class placement is for the entire school year.

• Returning students shall register for the class level recommended in the Assessment process at the end of the prior school year.
• Class selection for new Children’s Program students should be made according to the student’s age as of August 31, 2025.
• New students in the Classical Ballet, Academy, and  Pre-Professional Programs will be evaluated in a placement class held at Fall Open House prior to the beginning of the semester.

Occasionally, changes in placement will be made when a new semester begins and The School reserves the right to make placement changes that it deems necessary for the safety and well-being of the student. Parents or guardians may request a placement re-evaluation in writing by submitting a written request form and submitting the $25 re-evaluation fee during the first five weeks of the semester. The School will take steps to schedule an appointment with their child’s instructor and/or the Program Manager to review the child’s progress.

ASSESSMENT

Tremendous care and attention are devoted to the assessment process in order to provide clear goals for our students as they develop their technique and love of dance. In addition to comments given by each student’s instructor(s), all students enrolled in the School’s Classical Ballet, Academy, and Pre-Professional Programs will be formally assessed to help determine student advancements for the next school season. At the end of each school year, all students will receive an emailed letter indicating their placement for the following school year.

RETENTION POLICY

The Louisville Ballet School faculty is trained to identify individual students whose learning trajectory suggests that they may benefit from repeating a level. Students are not automatically promoted each year and those who are suspected of needing more than one year in any given level will typically be notified at the end of the Fall semester. These students are encouraged to take advantage of the recommended mid-year conferences during which they are given individual feedback on how to expedite their progress in the spring semester. The School is cautious in their placement of dancers, assuring physical readiness for each level and retention is intended to keep dancers from getting injured and able to achieve the material in each level.

Notification of possible retention in any level is not a final placement until the completion of the spring semester assessments.

Each student in the Classical Ballet (starting at level II), Academy, and Pre-Professional Program is assessed at The Louisville Ballet School for the adequate strength, alignment, coordination and maturity (mental and physical), required of the next level.  Placement is based on both their work demonstrated throughout the entire year, as well as their final Assessment class. All students may request a re-evaluation, held at the end of the summer shortly before the fall semester begins. Since ballet is such a physically demanding art form, The Louisville Ballet School takes very seriously the level placement of its students. Student's physical readiness may be a greater factor in considering their placement than their age. All students should expect to repeat at least one level at some point in their training at The Louisville Ballet School.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Louisville Ballet’s production of The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

The Louisville Ballet School students, as well as students from the Louisville community, are given the opportunity to audition for children’s roles in this magical production. This is a chance for young dancers to be a part of a long-standing Louisville holiday tradition and to rehearse and perform alongside the professional dancers of the Louisville Ballet. For additional information, please visit louisvilleballet.org/childrens-auditions.

Spring Dance Festival

The Spring Dance Festival is a main stage weekend of performances designed especially for the students of The Louisville Ballet School. Performers discover the art of storytelling through dance, while sharing in the traditions of the full-length classical ballets. Spring Dance Festival dancers attend regular rehearsals in addition to his/her regular classes.

As an important aspect of the training offered at The Louisville Ballet School, all Classical Ballet, Academy, and Complementary Program students are invited to participate in the annual Spring Dance Festival. Participation is mandatory for students in the Pre-Professional Program. Students who wish to participate must register for the Spring Dance Festival in addition to their regular technique class(es). Mandatory attendance at rehearsals is required in order for any student to be allowed to perform unless otherwise pre-approved.

The Complementary Collection features students in a wide range of dance styles offered in the Complementary Dance Program. Dancers will learn choreography during class time that will be presented on stage as part of the Spring Dance Festival performance. Complementary Collection dancers are expected to attend a limited number of additional rehearsals prior to the performance. Adult students of mind. body. balance. are also invited to participate in Complementary Collection. Additional information can be found on the Performances Tab on The Louisville Ballet School website.

The Petite Finale is a showcase of our youngest students’ achievements. All Children’s Program students are invited to participate. This informal showing gives our students a performance experience, allowing them to share what they have learned throughout the year without the stress and anxiety of a traditional “recital”.

Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble

Performing is a crucial component of the overall dance education. The Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble provides performance opportunities to the aspiring dancers and choreographers of our Pre-Professional Program. All Pre-Professional Program students are members of the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble. Founded in 1952 as the Louisville Ballet Civic Company, the Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble is proud to be a founding member of the Regional Dance America/Southeastern Regional Ballet Association (RDA/SERBA).

Fall Showcase marks the first Louisville Ballet Youth Ensemble performance of the school year. Under ordinary circumstances in November, the Downtown studios will come to life with a blend of original choreography and beautiful classics. This year’s Fall Showcase details will be communicated when performance plans are finalized. Classical Ballet VI and Academy students may also perform in Fall Showcase by enrolling in Classical Ballet or Academy Repertoire.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is imperative for consistent progress. Students are expected to attend all classes unless formally excused due to illness or other extenuating circumstances. The Louisville Ballet School must be notified if an absence is anticipated. All absences must be submitted through the Customer Portal, utilizing the Absences & Makeups Feature.

For Pre-Professional students enrolled in classes at the Main Street Studios, please contact your class instructor via email to notify them of anticipated tardiness or absences.

In order to ensure proper attendance records, students at the St. Matthews Studios must check in with the front desk staff before entering the facilities. Downtown students will check-in with their instructor. Children’s Program and Classical Ballet Program students will line up outside of their assigned studio with their instructor and will follow the instructor to the classroom. Academy students may proceed to their studio, but should wait for their instructor to enter the room. Students are not permitted entry to any studio without their instructor present.

Under the advisement of the Louisville Ballet medical team, students arriving more than 10 minutes after the start of class, regardless of the reason they are tardy, may not be allowed to participate in class and may be asked to observe only. Since classes have a progressive warm-up, the student will not have warmed up properly and can be at significant risk of injury. All St. Matthews students arriving after class has begun must check in first with the front desk staff to determine if the student will be permitted to join the class. Academy and Pre-Professional Program students arriving after class has begun must wait at the classroom door until the instructor permits them to enter the room.

MAKEUP CLASSES

Students are encouraged to make up any excused absences, which include those missed due to illness, injury, weather cancellation, or tardiness only. All make-up classes should be completed by the end of each semester as eligible absences will expire. Make-up classes may be taken in an alternate section of the student’s registered class or in a lower level class. Make-up classes are not to be used for altering a student’s class schedule.

Make-up classes must be scheduled or canceled at least 4 hours in advance via the Customer Portal. Due to limited class capacities, some class sections may not be available as a makeup unless an absence is also scheduled in advance. Students who have scheduled a makeup will check in as they would for their regular classes. We are not able to accommodate drop-ins for making up. Students who have scheduled a make-up class and do not check in for the class will be marked as a "No Show" and will incur a $15 fee on their account.

WEATHER
During inclement weather, The Louisville Ballet School will announce our decision whether to hold or cancel classes as early as possible. Please be aware that The Louisville Ballet School does not adhere to Jefferson County Schools closures because afternoon weather and driving conditions can differ considerably from early morning conditions. As a rule, we will remain open unless we have posted otherwise. We will never cancel classes without announcing it on our website, App, Facebook and via direct email. 

OBSERVATION WEEK

Families are invited to observe their child’s progress during observation weeks, which are scheduled once per semester. We ask that those wishing to observe their dancer in class respect the classroom and the dancers by maintaining a quiet working environment. Please silence all electronic devices before entering the studio and refrain from talking or texting during class. The taking of photographs or video is not allowed during class as it is distracting to the dancers. Please view our School Calendar for dates.

TRAINING BETWEEN SESSIONS

Students ages 15 and up in the Academy and Pre-Professional Programs are invited to attend classes from the mind. body. balance. program in between sessions. Eligible students will be offered a complimentary 4-class package between Fall and Spring Semesters. Students wanting to attend Louisville Ballet’s mind. body. balance. classes must book their selected class using the Mindbody App at least two hours in advance to attend. More information about the mind. body. balance. program is available at louisvilleballet.org/mbb

SUMMER STUDY

Continuing your dancing training during the summer is essential for every dancer. The Louisville Ballet School offers summer semester programs and classes for all ages. Summer study is strongly suggested for any serious dance student with pre-professional aspirations in order to maintain the momentum that is essential for continued progress.

MASTER CLASSES, WORKSHOPS & CONTINUING EDUCATION

Master classes and workshops scheduled throughout the year offer our students the exclusive opportunity to learn from experts in a variety of areas of study. Special programming includes master dance classes taught by local and national performing artists, as well as physical therapy and pre-pointe screenings.

Pre-Professional Program Level 3 - 6 students will be selected to participate, by special invitation only, in complementary Encore Classes.

Our faculty members are also encouraged to attend master classes and workshops and share information on teaching methodologies through regular interaction and meetings with the Program Managers and other faculty members.  

OUTSIDE TRAINING

The Louisville Ballet School’s curriculum is comprehensive and demanding. In order to maintain a commitment to each dancer’s artistic and technical growth, The Louisville Ballet School students are not permitted to take classes with or perform with any other ballet studio, school, or company without written permission from the School Principal and appropriate Program Manager. In addition, The Louisville Ballet School does not offer private instruction to The Louisville Ballet School students at any of its locations.

CLASS ATTIRE

In keeping with classical ballet tradition, a strict dress code is followed. Please carefully review the following uniform requirements listed for your child’s class level. For ladies in Classical Ballet III level and above, matte (not shiny or Lycra) pink tights are acceptable. In keeping with Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Ballet School’s mission for inclusivity, we are proud to support our dancers of color opting for tights and shoes that align with their natural skin tone. For the optimal ballet leg and foot line, please ensure that shoes and tights match. 

Parents are encouraged to monitor the fit and condition of all dancewear. Leotards, tights, and shoes that are too small or too large can interfere with technique. Severely small shoes can permanently injure a student’s feet, joints, and back. Oversized garments and shoes can be dangerous and may cause injury. The instructor must check all shoes before elastics or ribbons are sewn.

All leotards, tights, skirts, and dance shoes should be clean, neat, and labeled with the student’s first initial and last name in permanent, waterproof ink. No watches or jewelry may be worn except small earrings.

WHERE TO BUY

Required styles are reasonably priced and must be ordered through The Louisville Ballet School. Families are encouraged to place orders for their 2025-2026 uniforms as soon as possible to ensure delivery prior to the start of the school year. Please contact Elizabeth Hines at ehines@louisvilleballet.org for questions regarding uniforms or to schedule a fitting.

Additional dance accessories can be purchased online at Discount Dance Supply. A percentage of all orders placed through Discount Dance Supply will benefit The Louisville Ballet School by using the Teacher Referral Program code “TP27451.”

HAIR REQUIREMENTS

Front desk personnel and faculty will not be available to assist with students’ hair. Hair must be kept off the face and neck. Long hair must be secured in a neat bun with hairpins and a hair net prior to class time. Girls with very short hair should secure their hair with a headband, held in place with bobby pins and/or clips, and should use hairspray or gel to prevent hair from becoming loose and falling in front of the face. Headbands, hair pins, bobby pins, and hairnets are to be the same color as the student's hair or the color of their uniform leotard. No scrunchies, please. Braids are accepted but should not exceed shoulder length. The thickness of the braids should allow for a safe, secure, appropriately sized ballet bun that does not move. Loose ponytails, braids, or unsecured buns are not permitted. Students may be asked to sit out and observe class if hair is not secured in an appropriate hairstyle. 

DRESS CODE BY LEVEL

In keeping with Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Ballet School’s mission for inclusivity, we are proud to support our dancers of color opting for tights and shoes that align with their natural skin tone. For the optimal ballet leg and foot line, please ensure that shoes and tights match.

Children’s Program

Boost! participants should come to class in comfortable clothing so that you and your child have freedom of movement. Shoes are optional; however, if you do choose to wear shoes, try to make sure they are CLEAN! Some babies will be crawling on the floor and we want to keep the floor as clean and free of germs as possible.

Intro to Creative Movement (Spring Only)

*Uniform optional, however participants should come to class in comfortable and simple clothing so that your child has freedom of movement. Ballet shoes are required.*.

Creative Movement 1 - 2

Girls: White Eurotard dancewear styles as listed in online order form.

Plain white socks and pink leather full-sole ballet shoes. No tights, please.

Boys: White Eurotard shirt and black shorts as listed in online order form.

White ankle socks and white full-sole leather ballet shoes.

Pre-Ballet 

Girls:  Pink Eurotard dancewear styles as listed in online order form.

Plain white socks with pink leather full-sole ballet shoes and black tap shoes. No tights, please.

Boys: White Eurotard shirt and black shorts as listed in online order form.

White ankle socks with white full-sole leather ballet shoes and black tap shoes.

Classical Ballet Program

Ballet I - II

Girls:  Lilac Eurotard dancewear styles as listed in online order form.

Plain white socks and pink leather full-sole ballet shoes. No skirts or tights, please.

Boys: White Eurotard shirt and black shorts as listed in online order form.

Nude colored dance briefs or dance belt

White ankle socks and white leather full-sole ballet shoes

Ballet III - IV 

Girls:  Purple Eurotard dancewear styles as listed in online order form.

Tights and leather full-sole ballet shoes. No skirts, please.

Boys:  White Eurotard shirt as listed in online order form.

Black shorts OR black tights with nude colored dance belt

White ankle socks and white leather full-sole ballet shoes.

Ballet V - VI

Girls:  Eggplant Eurotard dancewear styles as listed in online order form.

Tights and leather full-sole ballet shoes (pre-pointe shoes for pre-pointe class). No skirts, please.

Boys and Young Men: White Eurotard shirt as listed in online order form.

Black tights with nude colored dance belt

White ankle socks and white leather full-sole ballet shoes.

Teen Ballet

Ladies may wear a solid color leotard of their choosing and tights or form-fitting athletic attire, split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes.

Gentlemen may wear a form fitting, solid color t-shirt with black tights or dance pants with dance belt or dance briefs

​​Inclusive Dance

Students may wear form fitting dance or athletic attire of their choosing.

Academy Program

Ladies Wear Moi Burgundy leotards must be purchased through The Louisville Ballet School.

Tights and split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes (pointe shoes for pointe class). No skirts, please. Young men wear a white cap sleeve fitted top, black tights with nude colored dance belt, and choice of white or black canvas split-sole ballet shoes. (Shoes must match color of corresponding tights/socks)

Young Men: White Eurotard shirt as listed in online order form.

Black tights with nude colored dance belt

White ankle socks and white leather full-sole ballet shoes.

Pre-Professional Program

Level 1 - 2 Ladies Wear Moi Sky leotards must be purchased through The Louisville Ballet School.

Tights and split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes (pointe shoes for pointe class). No skirts, please. Young men wear a white cap sleeve fitted top, black tights with nude colored dance belt, and choice of white or black canvas split-sole ballet shoes. (Shoes must match color of corresponding tights/socks)

Levels 3 - 4 Ladies Wear Moi French Blue leotards must be purchased through The Louisville Ballet School. Tights and split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes (pointe shoes for pointe class). No skirts, please. Young men wear a white cap sleeve fitted top, black tights with nude colored dance belt, and choice of white or black canvas split-sole ballet shoes. (Shoes must match color of corresponding tights/socks)

Levels 5 - 6 Ladies Wear Moi Navy leotards must be purchased through The Louisville Ballet School.

Tights and split-sole or full-sole canvas or leather ballet shoes (pointe shoes for pointe class). No skirts, please. Men wear a navy cap sleeve fitted top purchased through The Louisville Ballet School, black tights with nude colored dance belt, and choice of white or black canvas split-sole ballet shoes. (Shoes must match color of corresponding tights/socks)

Complementary Program

Modern  Girls and ladies wear a solid-colored leotard with black leggings and bare feet. Boys and young men wear a tight-fitting, solid-colored t-shirt, with black leggings and bare feet.

Jazz/Tap  Girls wear a solid-colored leotard, black leggings, black oxford style tap shoes and black jazz shoes with either socks or tights. Boys wear a tight-fitting solid-colored t-shirt, black leggings with a dance belt, and black oxford style tap shoes, and black jazz shoes with socks or tights.  (No jazz sneakers, please.)

Intermediate Jazz & Musical Theater Jazz Ladies wear a solid-colored leotard, black leggings, and black jazz shoes with either socks or tights. Men wear a tight-fitting solid-colored t-shirt, black leggings with a dance belt, and black jazz shoes with socks or tights.  (No jazz sneakers, please.)

Intermediate & Advanced Tap Young ladies wear a solid-colored leotard, black leggings, and black oxford style tap shoes with either socks or tights. Young Men wear a tight-fitting solid-colored t-shirt, black leggings with a dance belt, and black oxford style tap shoes with socks or tights.

Conditioning  Students may wear yoga or other similar work out wear and bare feet. Students will also need a yoga mat.

Black cotton leggings may be purchased using this form.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

No illegal substances, firearms or weapons are allowed on The Louisville Ballet School property.

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

Check in will begin 10 minutes prior to each scheduled class. If you arrive early, please wait in your vehicle with your dancer.

Please be punctual when picking up your child after class and/or rehearsal. Students picked up later than 10 minutes after the child’s class and/or rehearsal has ended will be charged a $25 late pick-up fee for each occurrence.

For the safety and health of the students, street clothing and shoes must be worn over dance clothes when entering and exiting the building.

ST. MATTHEWS FACILITIES

One parent/guardian MUST walk to the second floor and into our lobby to drop off or pick up their children -  regardless of their age and maturity. Students who drive themselves should make an effort to enter and exit the studios with a fellow student or family, using the buddy system whenever feasible.

The St. Matthews Pavilion parking lot is only available while patronizing the St. Matthews Pavilion businesses. Violators will be towed at their own expense.

Since young children often need to use the restroom or need a parent at a moment’s notice, we ask that one guardian please remain within our facilities during Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet classes.

One guardian of our Classical Ballet, Academy, and Pre-Professional level students is invited to remain onsite in the cafe or in the entrance lobby area only, noting that carpeted areas past the check-in table are dedicated student spaces.

All children who are not attending class must be accompanied by an adult while in the facilities. Small children are not  permitted to be separate from their parents nor should they be free to run or move throughout the facilities at any time. Although quiet conversation is welcome, please respect others (including all other organizations using the space) and the classes that are in session.

Please restrict food and drink consumption to the designated areas. We ask that families that use the kitchenette area for meals be sure to clean up after themselves. Cleaning supplies will be made available upon request.

A limited number of chairs are available in the corridors for parents to quietly observe Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Classical Ballet I, and Classical Ballet II classes. Please refrain from shifting the placement of chairs in the corridors as it can be disruptive.

DOWNTOWN FACILITIES

For the safety and security of the staff and students, the Louisville Ballet building must remain locked outside of normal business hours (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM). Please refrain from allowing entry to individuals whom you do not know personally. If necessary, please contact a staff or faculty member to confirm that an unknown visitor is authorized to enter the building after hours.

Please be punctual when picking up your student after class and/or rehearsal. Students picked up later than 10 minutes after the child’s class and/or rehearsal has ended will be charged a $25 late pick-up fee.

Students who use the Louisville Ballet student lounge MUST adequately clean up after themselves. Food items, trash, water bottles, hair supplies, and any other items brought into the lounge must be kept in a tidy manner. It is expected that students respect the Louisville Ballet staff and office area by keeping noise to a minimum, both during and after normal business hours. Attending classes in the Louisville Ballet studios is an exceptional privilege. We expect our Pre-Professional Program students to maintain proper decorum and cleanliness in order to be allowed to use this shared space.

LOBBY / CORRIDOR TRAFFIC

Students and family members are expected to be quiet, courteous, respectful, and well behaved while in the lobby and all corridors. Overcrowded corridors are considered hazardous by the Fire Department and increase the risk of injury should an emergency evacuation be necessary.

PERSONAL ITEMS & STORAGE

Valuables / Lost & Found

The Louisville Ballet School is not responsible for lost or stolen personal belongings. Students are strongly advised to leave personal valuables at home. Purses and wallets may be taken into the studio while students are taking class. Lockers are also available in the dressing rooms for students who wish to bring a lock to store their valuables during class. Absolutely no cell phone use is permitted during class. Cell phones must be silenced and put away if being brought into the studio inside a bag.

Lost and found items are placed in a tub in the front lobby at the St. Matthews Studios and in the student lounge at the Downtown Studios. All items will be donated to charity if not claimed by the end of each semester.

Dressing Rooms / Lockers

Students should arrive at the studio underdressed in their leotard and tights. Make certain that students are properly dressed in street clothes over their dancewear. Dressing rooms are available for changing into and out of dance clothes before and after classes. Please refrain from allowing your student to use the restroom stalls to change their clothing. It is both unsanitary and restricts access to those who need to use the restroom for its intended purpose.

The use of smart devices inside dressing rooms is prohibited.

We encourage parents to supervise young children in the dressing rooms, but kindly ask that all parents respect the privacy of other students and honor the designations for separate male and female changing areas.

Students are expected to bring only necessary items into the studio. All belongings are to be taken home after class and not left in any common spaces.

Students are not allowed to eat while in the dressing room. Instead, the cafe will be the designated space for eating. No candy, please.

STUDIO ETIQUETTE & RULES

Academy and Pre-Professional Program students may request permission to enter an empty studio prior to the start of their class for the purpose of warming-up. Quiet conversation, exercises and stretching are encouraged. Running, shouting, gymnastics, and gossiping are not permitted. Students in the Children’s Program, Classical Ballet Program, and Complementary Dance Program are not allowed into the studio before their class time or without their instructor.  

Tardiness is unacceptable. To prevent physical injury to our young dancers when attempting to dance without proper warm up, students entering a ballet class after pliés will be asked to remain in the studio and observe class. Students arriving to classes more than 10 minutes late will be asked to remain in the studio and observe class.

Once class has begun, quiet is required of all students. Students may raise their hand to ask questions related to class work. Students need to use the restroom prior to class time in order to preserve the continuity of class, unless in the case of an emergency. Tightly closed water bottles are strongly suggested for all dancers. Students will remain standing during class time. Sitting on the floor or leaning/hanging on the barres is not permitted.

Students are encouraged to exit the studio quickly and quietly after class, remembering to take all personal belongings with them. As instructors are often required to begin another class immediately following your child’s class, parents are encouraged to contact the School Administration Manager or Program Manager to discuss any questions or concerns.

PRIVACY

The privacy of our students and their families, faculty, and staff is very important to us. The taking of photographs or videos during classes and rehearsals is not permitted. We ask that all members of our LBS family use discretion when using social media to avoid unwelcome sharing of others’ personal information and/or image without their knowledge and/or permission.  If you would like to contact other parents to arrange for carpooling or other activities outside the studio, please make arrangements to share contact information in-person as the School does not share personal information of students and their families. The Community Organization Representing Partners of the School (CORPS), as well as, the Parents’ Connection Facebook Group also provides a great forum for connecting with other LBS families and staying informed about upcoming events.

STUDENT / INSTRUCTOR INTERACTIONS

Please be advised that the study of dance as an art form does involve physical contact. All faculty and staff members undergo a background check. If you feel there has been any inappropriate physical contact, in class or rehearsal, please immediately report the incident to the Program Manager and School Principal.

In order to respect the time and contributions of our faculty members and allow sufficient time to fully address concerns and questions about a student’s training, we ask that you please refrain from contacting faculty in-between classes, via their personal email, Facebook account, or on home or personal cell phones. If you need to speak with a member of the faculty or staff about your training, please contact the Program Manager to set up an appointment or conference.

INJURY

A student with an injury is encouraged to observe class in order not to fall behind with material. Students should inform their instructors of any recent illness, injury or other medical conditions that may affect stamina or performance. Any injuries sustained while at any Louisville Ballet School location must be reported and documented by filling out an injury report which is available as needed. All medication is the responsibility of the student and parent(s).

Below are Dance Medicine & Physical Therapy Resources:

PERSONAL HYGIENE

During adolescence, learning and maintaining good personal hygiene is very important. Dancers perspire during classes and it is encouraged that they use deodorant and/or antiperspirant to minimize body odor. Students may take classes on multiple days during the week and should wear clean dancewear every day. Students should wash their hands with soap and water after using the restroom to decrease the spread of germs.

ILLNESS

Please be considerate of the health of classmates and instructors. Be certain to give your child adequate time to recover from an illness before returning to class - particularly during cold and flu season. Students who show symptoms of severe and/or contagious illness will not be allowed to take class and will be isolated and sent home. Please make sure that the School has your updated contact information.

LBS has implemented the following safety measures in order to maintain the health and safety of our students and instructors:

• Hand sanitizer is available in each studio and at the front desk.
• Barres are wiped regularly with disinfectant wipes.
• We strongly recommend that students carry hand sanitizer with them to use before and after class.
• If you or your child notices illness in a classmate, please notify the front desk receptionist or the instructor.
• Students must understand the importance of washing hands with soap and water often. This is the best way to decrease the chances of spreading disease.
• Students must practice good cough/sneeze etiquette. Cough and sneeze into a tissue or turn your face to the side and cough or sneeze into the crook of the arm. If a tissue is used, throw it away immediately. Avoid coughing directly into hands. Wash or use hand sanitizer as soon as possible after sneezing or coughing.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated as we combine our efforts to combat influenza, COVID-19 and other transmissible illnesses. We ask you, as a parent, to assist in our efforts to keep the flu and other illnesses from spreading by following these guidelines:

• Parents should monitor their students for any signs of illness and keep students with influenza-like symptoms (fever with a cough or sore throat) or signs of other infectious illness (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, draining wound) at home.

• Any time a child has symptoms such as fever with cough, vomiting or diarrhea they should be kept at home and not sent to dance class until those symptoms have been absent for at least 24 hours.  
• If students have symptoms of illness, they will not be allowed to attend classes without a medical evaluation and a doctor’s note.

• Please monitor your child each day. If any signs of illness are present, please keep your child at home.  Opportunities to make up missed classes are readily available.

RESPECT & ACCEPTANCE POLICY

Students of The Louisville Ballet School have a right to a safe and healthy learning environment. Along with the faculty & staff, parents and students must demonstrate a commitment to creating and maintaining a positive atmosphere within the School. An atmosphere that promotes respect and acceptance, seeks new ways of communicating, understanding, and accepting differences, differing values and cultures, and helps ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.

Creating a respectful and accepting school environment is critical to preventing and deterring bullying behaviors, mitigating the effects of aggression and intimidation, and supporting learning and achievement.

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS

What is aggressive, intimidating or bully behaviors? 

According to StopBullying.gov, bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Children who demonstrate bullying behavior and those on the receiving end of bullying behaviors may have serious, lasting problems.

Behavior includes actions such as teasing, name calling, inappropriate comments, taunting, making threats, spreading rumors, excluding someone from a group on purpose, embarrassing someone in public, telling other children not to be friends with someone, taking or breaking someone’s things, and attacking someone physically or verbally.

It is important that students understand that their words and actions can be perceived by others as being aggressive, intimidating or bullying in nature even when that may not have been the intention. Therefore, it is best to think about your words and actions and how they may be perceived to ensure all students show respect and acceptance at all times.

TECHNOLOGY & SOCIAL MEDIA

Inappropriate behavior that takes place using electronic technology is known as cyberbullying. Electronic technology includes devices such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.

Examples include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social media sites, and sending or posting embarrassing pictures or videos.

OPTIMAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

We are relying on parents to talk with their children about inappropriate, disrespectful and bullying behaviors and instead encourage respectful and accepting behavior that helps create a safe learning environment for all. Thank you for your support in fostering a safe and healthy learning environment!

Lastly, each parent and student is required to review our RESPECT & ACCEPTANCE policy as detailed above and return a signed copy of the Policy Acknowledgement form (on the following page) annually at the start of each School year.

RESPECT & ACCEPTANCE POLICY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I, ___________________________ (Print student’s name) will promote a safe and healthy environment and show utmost respect and acceptance for other students, faculty and staff at all times.

I shall not intimidate, harass, or bully another student through words or actions. I understand that my words and actions can be harmful and may be perceived by others as being aggressive, intimidating or bullying, even if that is not my intention. I understand this behavior will carry consequences, which may include dismissal from the program.

I will report to an adult, parent, instructor or staff member if I witness any act of inappropriate or disrespectful behavior.

Student signature______________________________Date_____________

Parent signature_______________________________Date_____________