September 2020 Newsletter

Welcome Back!

Thank you for being a part of the 33rd season of The Children’s Ballet! We are so glad that the 2020-21 season is underway and are excited to be back in the studio with returning and new students!

Our lobby will remain closed through September in order to follow distancing guidelines. Please feel free to use the back deck for seating. Don’t forget about the free WiFi (the password is our phone number 3173167373).

Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for news and photos!

THE STUDIO WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY.

Policy Reminders

Tuition:
Families are asked to keep their financial information up to date. Tuition is run automatically on the first business day of each month. There is a $15 monthly tuition discount for each additional student from the same family. The tuition discount for boys is 50% per month.

Dress Code:
The Children’s Ballet’s dress code is designed to encourage cooperation and discipline among its students. Instructors are also able to see the body’s form to ensure that the dancer is moving safely and correctly. A dancer should focus on developing technique and artistry without distraction of loose or cumbersome clothing. Ballet shoes and leotards are available to borrow from the studio — feel free to ask your instructor.

Shop our online store to order uniforms and have them shipped to you.

>> Hair is to be worn in a bun (or securely pulled back from face if student has short hair). Three reasons! 1) safety. Turning requires spotting; if a dancer is spotting his/her hair will whip them in the face and possibly cut their eye. 2) distraction. Dancers who do not have hair secured are temped to play with it, take it up, down, re-fix over and over through class. Instead of focused on what the teacher is saying, they are playing with their hair. 3) discipline. Part of the study of ballet is respect for the disciplines that come with it. As a child begins to study ballet, discipline is one of our foundational elements as they prepare for class.

Additional Health and Safety Guidelines:

Protecting the health and safety of our students, their families, and our staff is our top priority. For the meantime, each class will end three minutes early and start three minutes late to allow teachers time to disinfect between each class. We appreciate your patience as we take these extra steps to keep our studio as safe and clean as possible.

In holding with the current state mandate, masks are required for anyone over the age of 8 who enters the building. Dancers under the age of 8 may wear them if preferred by parents. Teachers will be wearing face coverings, however, students will be allowed to remove them once they are appropriately spaced in the classroom to begin dancing.

I will never forget the first time I walked into the pink house on Tennessee Street to register for my first official ballet classes. I was so excited to start dancing, and I did so at The Children’s Ballet for the next 12 years. The Children’s Ballet holds a very special place in my heart – this studio is where I learned not only solid technique, performance skills, French terms, musicality, ballet history, storytelling, and a love of the arts, but I also discovered my love of teaching and the importance of a dance family. I took these lessons with me as I went on to dance (a lot) at Anderson University, where I earned my degree in Dance Business summa cum laude and with departmental honors. In college I expanded not only my love of dance and technical skills, but also my choreographic and intellectual knowledge. During my time at college, I still periodically taught at The Children’s Ballet – I haven’t missed a performance since 1998! I’m blessed to have been a part of the school for over 20 years (and it as a part of me). When I’m not in the studio teaching, I’m probably in the studio dancing! Currently, I am a co-founder of and company dancer with Crossroads Dance Indy.

As an instructor, I get to share my love of ballet and proper technique with our wonderful students. As
artistic director, I strive to maintain our high quality of dance education and classroom etiquette, as well
as oversee and plan the spring performance and Nutcracker. My outside of studio focus continues to be
increasing support for the arts in Hendricks County and growing a strong future for the studio. During
these times of COVID, my passion is giving students a safe place to be – both physically and emotionally.
When we step into the studio, masks or no masks, a plie is always a plie, our wonderful teachers have our
best interest at heart while challenging us, and we have a shared goal – to dance. When we collaborate and
support each other, we are stronger and can create amazing things in and for our community. I am so
thankful for our amazing young people and the incredible families who support us. The studio is truly a
community effort, and I strive to continue the traditions from my time here with Miss Deni, our
founding director, while continuing to build and navigate our own future.

Thank you so much for being a part of The Children’s Ballet. It is truly an honor to be able to share dance
and everything I have gained from this studio with so many wonderful young people. Thank you for your
support, grace, and understanding as we navigate new territories with our best dancing feet forward.
Miss Emily