Just the FAQs: PBT Classes at Hope Academy 2014-2015

This blog post will tell you everything you need to know about Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dance classes at Hope Academy, including the class schedule for Saturdays, PBT teaching artists and Hope Academy staff, the calendar for 2014-2015, what to wear, our safety and respect rules; and policies and procedures. If you have any questions, or need more information, please complete this online information request form.

ABOUT HOPE ACADEMY’S PARTNERSHIP WITH PBT

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School has been offering dance classes at East Liberty Presbyterian Church since 1993 as part of PBTS’ Community Schools initiative. The Community Schools initiative began as a way to build relationships with people and communities who may not have otherwise had access to the classical art of ballet. Since then, PBTS faculty members have continued to provide the highest-quality studio experience, in order to open children to the great challenges and aesthetic achievements of the professional world of dance.

For 2014-2015, the PBT dance classes at Hope Academy will focus on the music and stories of “Sleeping Beauty” and “Beauty and the Beast.”  PBT is presenting these ballets this year as part of their 45th anniversary season.

PBT’s SCHEDULE at HOPE ACADEMY

PBT classes take place on Saturdays, and include:

9:00 – 9:45  Creative Movement   Ages 4 and 5

12:30 – 1:30   Ballet 2                     Ages 10 to 13

1:30 – 2:30   Ballet 1 – Bridge        By audition, ages 6 – 9

2:45 – 3:30   Pre-Ballet A               Ages 6 and 7

3:30 – 4:15   Pre-Ballet B                Ages 8 and 9

TEACHING ARTISTS AND STAFF FOR PBT CLASSES

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Teacher: Kerra Alexander

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Accompanist: Cyd Pennington

Teaching Assistant: Cynthia Caul

Ballet Coordinator: Alcira Chapman

 WHAT TO WEAR

Changing rooms are not available, so students should come wearing their dance attire under their street clothes. Bags, labeled with the student’s name, will be provided to keep street clothes in one place until after class.

Girls are required to wear black, pink or white leotards, tights and leather ballet shoes.

Boys may wear black, white or gray yoga pants or shorts, t-shirts and leather ballet or jazz shoes.

Ballet students must wear ballet shoes – not slippers! These are extremely dangerous and we have had a number of falls as a result of students wearing inappropriate shoes. Bare feet, socks and street shoes will not be permitted.

Students who know their ballet shoe size can order shoes online at Discount Dance. If you do not know your size, and need to try shoes on, Payless sells American Ballet Theatre shoes. Expect to pay between $15 and $20 for ballet shoes (unless you can get a BOGO special).

We will have a few “Dance Clothing Recycle, Donate and Swap” events during the year. If you would like to donate clean, gently used dance clothes and shoes (jazz, ballet, and tap), please leave them in a bag, labeled “Hope Academy,” at the front desk of East Liberty Presbyterian Church.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Parents/guardians are not permitted in the classroom or gym; there is designated waiting area for adults to remain in during classes.

This policy helps your child to adjust to the class more easily, and provides fewer distractions for all of the children. A teaching assistant is in the class in case children need to be brought out to their parents. It is not unusual for a young child to be hesitant to join the class at first. The teaching assistant will sit with them so that they can watch and gradually move into dancing with the group.

The last class of each semester will be “open” to allow observation by parents, family and friends.

Group photos will be taken the week before the open class.

SAFETY  RULES

• Sign in and out at the Security Desk
• A parent or guardian must remain in the building while their child is in class (if they are under 12 years old)
• Children under 12 years old are not permitted to move to and from classes unaccompanied
• Children should not have money or valuables with them
• Walk (quietly) through the building and stay in designated areas
• Stay on the right side of the stairways and hold the handrails. Do not lean or look over the railings or sit on any windowsill

RESPECT RULES

• Show respect for yourself, your teachers, each other and the space you are in
• Be kind to each other
• Be here (in body, mind and spirit) and on time
• Good attendance is important. Scholarship students are required to request excused absences.
• No gum, ever.
• Please don’t create distractions: No cell phones, pagers, CD players, iPods, handheld games, or any other electronic devices
• Parents should leave the ballet waiting area to talk on their cell phones.
• No soliciting (that means selling, for yourself or any other organization) while at Hope Academy.

 CALENDAR OF DANCE CLASSES FOR 2014-2015

FALL TERM

Week 1   09/20/14
Week 2   09/27/14
Week 3   10/04/14
Week 4   10/11/14
Week 5   10/18/14
Week 6   10/25/14
Week 7   11/01/14
Week 8   11/08/14
Week 9   11/15/14
Week 10 11/22/14
Closed    11/29/14 Thanksgiving Break
Week 11 12/06/14 PICTURE DAY
Week 12 12/13/14 OPEN CLASSES
(families and friends are invited to observe the final class of the term)

WINTER TERM

Week 1   01/10/15
Week 2   01/17/15
Week 3   01/24/15
Week 4   01/31/15
Week 5   02/07/15
Week 6   02/14/15
Week 7   02/21/15
Week 8   02/28/15
Week 9   03/07/15
Week 10 03/14/15 PICTURE DAY
Week 11 03/21/15 OPEN CLASSES
(families and friends are invited to observe the final class of the year)

 CANCELLATIONS

We will post cancellations on the local television and radio stations, as well as on ELPC’s homepage, facebook and twitter accounts.