Berkeley City Ballet Handbook
2024-25 School Year
Arrival and Departure
BCB will open at least 15 minutes before the first class of the day begins. BCB is responsible for students 10 minutes before and after class. Families may be charged a late pick-up fee of $10 per 15 minutes if students are pick-up after this time. BCB is not responsible for students who leave the premises without permission for any reason.
The front door to the building is locked at all times. Students and families should knock on the door and wait to be let into the building.
Parking
The BCB parking lot is reserved for staff of both BCB and our neighbors at Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance. Free parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood.
Absences
BCB expects students to attend all of their scheduled classes. Pre-Professional students are permitted 3 absences per rehearsal period (Nutcracker in fall and Spring Concert in spring) before casting may be reconsidered. Families must communicate all absences in advance when signing the rehearsal agreement.
Pre-Professional students must email BCB at least 30 minutes before the start of class to notify us of any absences, late arrivals, and early departures.
- Illness – Students who are sick with a fever should not attend class. Students who are under the weather, but feel well enough to watch class are encouraged to do so.
- Injury – Students who are injured should attend classes to observe.
Late Arrivals
Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late to class may be asked to observe.
Make-Up Classes
Pre-Ballet and Adult Ballet students are allowed unlimited make-up classes for any missed classes each session. Classes must be made up in the session that the student is enrolled in and may not transfer to another session.
Please send us an email to schedule a make-up class.
Class Cancellations
BCB reserves the right to cancel or merge classes as necessary. Families will be offered a refund or class transfer if a class must be canceled.
BCB reserves the right to cancel any classes due to emergency situations, such as weather, air quality, and illness. Families will be notified via email if a class must be canceled. Make-up classes will be offered as allowed.
Trial Classes
BCB offers free trial classes for all new students! Please send us an email to set up a trial class.
Pre-Professional Program
Enrollment in Ballet 1 is open for dancers who are at least age 7 or entering 2nd grade in the fall. Students who are interested in entering Ballet 2 or above must inquire and attend a trial class to determine the their level placement.
Level Placement
Level placement is at the discretion of the Director. Students stay in a level for at least a year and are promoted if the necessary skills in ballet technique have been accomplished. Some students may be asked to repeat a year if they have not accomplished the technique necessary for advancement.
Performances
Pre-Professional students participate in two performances annually – Nutcracker and Spring Concert. All students are expected to participate in both performances as they are an important part of ballet training. Families will be asked to sign a rehearsal agreement for each performance period. Casting in these performances is at the discretion of the Director.
Uniform
All students are expected to wear the assigned uniform for their level.
Accommodations
Students in need of specific accommodations, such as medical ___, must send BCB an email with a description of their required accommodations. This information will be disseminated to the student’s teachers as necessary.
Visitor’s Day
Pre-Ballet classes host a Visitor’s Day at the end of each session where families are welcomed into the studio to observe the last 15 minutes of their student’s class.
Class Observations
BCB does not allow parents to observe their student’s classes, as observers can be distracting to the dancers, especially young students. We encourage parents of Pre-Ballet students to wait for their student in the courtyard.
Financial Aid
Limited financial assistance is available for Pre-Professional students. Financial aid applications are only accepted at the beginning of each school year and families are asked to apply for consideration annually. Please contact us for more information.
Refunds, Transfers, and Credits
BCB does not issue refunds, allow for transfers between sessions, or issue credits once a student is enrolled in a class.
Payment Policies
Students may not participate in class until tuition is paid in full.
Pre-Ballet, Youth Ballet, and Adult Ballet
Payments must be made in full at the time of enrollment. Students may not participate in classes until payment is made in full.
Pre-Professional Program
Students enroll each school year. Families must select a payment plan at the time of enrollment. Payments can be made in full at the time of enrollment, in 2 payments, or in 4 payments. The payment schedule will be set by BCB. Students may not participate in classes until payment is made. Late payments may incur an additional charge.
Written notice of cancellation must be given to BCB 30 days prior to withdrawal in order to waive a balance of tuition. If adequate notice is not given, families will be responsible for the balance due.