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 2016-2017, what to wear, our safety and respect rules; and policies and procedures.
ABOUT HOPE ACADEMY’S PARTNERSHIP WITH PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE (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.
PBT’s SCHEDULE at HOPE ACADEMY
PBT classes take place on Saturdays, and include:
| Time | PBT Dance Class | Ages |
| 9:30 – 10:15 am | Creative Movement | 3 & 4 |
| 10:15 – 11:00 am | Pre-Ballet A | 5 & 6 |
| 12:30 – 1:15 pm | Pre-Ballet B | 7 & 8 |
| 1:15 – 2:15 pm | Ballet 2 | 9 -13 |
TEACHING ARTISTS AND STAFF FOR PBT CLASSES
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Teacher: Kerra Alexander
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Accompanist: Cyd Pennington
Teaching Assistant: Lauren McKee
DRESS CODE
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.
Please note the new required DRESS CODE
Girls are required to a wear black leotard (short sleeve or tank), pink footed tights and pink leather ballet shoes.
Boys may wear fitted black yoga pants or shorts, a white t-shirt, white socks and black leather ballet shoes.
You can order your dance clothing online at Discount Dance. If you don’t know your size, or if you don’t have a credit card to order online, come to the Ballet Placement session on Saturday, August 27 at 10 am. We can order the appropriate clothing for you and you can reimburse us with cash or check.
Here is an example of what you can order from Discount Dance.
GIRLS
Black Leotard – Capezio cc400C @ $15
Pink Tights – Capezio 1816C @ $10
Pink Leather Ballet Shoes – Capezio 2033C Cobra @ $20
(no skirts or tutus)
BOYS
White t-shirt
Black yoga/sweatpants (fitted)
White Socks
Black Ballet Shoes – Capezio 2033 C Cobra @ $20
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.
CANCELLATIONS
We will post cancellations on the local television and radio stations, as well as on ELPC’s homepage, facebook and twitter accounts.
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 pittsburgh ballet theatre DANCE CLASSES FOR 2016-2017
FALL TERM
09/17/16
09/24/16
10/01/16
10/08/16
10/15/16
10/22/16
10/29/16
11/05/16
11/12/16
11/19/16
11/26/16 Closed Thanksgiving Break
12/03/16 PICTURE DAY
12/10/16 OPEN FOR OBSERVATION CLASSES
WINTER TERM
01/14/17
01/21/17
01/28/17
02/04/17
02/11/17
02/18/17
02/25/17
03/04/17
03/11/17
03/18/17
03/25/17 PICTURE DAY
04/01/17 OPEN FOR OBSERVATION CLASSES
SPRING MINI TERM
Bridge Ballet and Vocal Ensembles for Invited Students
04/22/17
04/29/17
05/13/17
05/20/17
05/27/17
05/26/17
BRIDGE BALLET 1
SAT 9 – 10 am
Ages 5 – 7
BRIDGE BALLET 2
SAT 10 – 11 am
Ages 7 & 8
BRIDGE BALLET 3
SAT 11 am – 12 noon
Ages 9 — 13
BRIDGE VOCAL ENSEMBLE 2
SAT 9 –10 am
Ages 7 & 8
BRIDGE VOCAL ENSEMBLE 3
SAT 10 – 11 am
Ages 9 – 13