INFORMATION

The school year term begins in September and ends in May. We accept enrollment year round.  Students are encouraged to continue their training in the summer so that they may continue progressing along with their peers. The instructor will determine class placement, as well as the student’s readiness to go on pointe. Dancers who are interested in joining a class that they do not have experience at, or are not at the age indicated for the class, may take an audition class for approval.

We ask that you please pick up dancers promptly at the end of the class.

Healthy snacks are permitted for students who have extended class times. They will be kept in their dance bags to have between classes.  Each dancer should bring a filled water bottle with their name on it. No gum please.

Lockers are available in the dressing room.  There is a $25 non-refundable fee which includes a combination lock (the lock remains property of CBA) renewable in July.

Parallel parking is available in the front parking lot, the right side of the building and diagonal parking in the back .  For our dancers safety, please enter the parking lots from the east side, exiting to the west.  Please avoid blocking the drive.

CURRICULUM

The ballet technique taught at Classical Ballet Academy is a combination of various methods, including Vagonova, Cecehetti, and Royal Academy of Dance.  Students are carefully placed according to their age and ability.  Our instructors have years of experience and are qualified to place dancers in the appropriate level. Pointe work will begin only when the student has reached the level of physical maturity and development necessary.  Correct training, begun at the correct age is important to insure proper technique and to avoid injury.  All students on pointe are required to have a minimum of two technique classes per week and must have approval by the instructor. Beginning pointe is offered each summer and students must be at least 10 years of age. Being 10 however, does not automatically ensure that the student is ready for pointe. The recommendation for pointe will come from a well experienced instructor.

ATTIRE

Ballet class attire: solid color leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.  Hair in a ponytail or bun for levels up to Ballet 3/4.  Dancers at Level 5 and higher should have their hair in a bun secured with a hairnet & bobby pins. 

Jazz & Tap: leotards and tights, any color.  Snug fitting dance pants & approved dance tops are acceptable.  Baggy shirts and shorts should not be worn.  Tan jazz shoes with a heel should be worn for jazz dancers. Tap students may wear Velcro strap tap shoes.  Level 4 & older may wear tap oxfords. Level 5, 6 & 7 should have oxfords, but may also wear tap shoes with heels (please check with instructor before purchasing). Hair must be in a ponytail or bun.

Lyrical/Modern Dance and Contemporary dancers should wear solid color leotard and footless tights that cover the knees.  Barefoot or slippers for Contemporary classes and ballet slippers for Lyrical Modern classes. Hair should be in a ponytail or bun.

Hip Hop dancers can wear comfortable clothes, pants or tights that cover the knees.  Hip Hop 1/2/3 will wear tan jazz shoes. Hip Hop 4/5 and up will wear white Balera Canvas High-Top Sneakers that are exclusively for their dance class. Style number WL9381. These will be worn in our end of the year performance.

Please come dressed when possible and wear a cover over your dance attire when not inside the studio.

It is important to take care of dance shoes and not wear them outside. This also keeps our dance floors clean.

Dancer’s should keep everything in their dance bags at all times. Please limit jewelry to earrings, rings, or small necklaces and leave watches and cell phones in dance bags.

PERFORMANCES/COSTUMES

Performing is an essential part of dance training.  We encourage performing as the opportunity arises.  Each year a Spring Performance is held in May.  All dancers pay one production fee of $. Those fees include the OU Holmberg Hall theater rental, technical staff, lighting, insurance, etc., and a digital copy of the Spring Performance, beautifully edited. Costume fees are due in November and production fee is due in January. Costumes are $85 for all dancers 5th grade and younger. Middle School and High School are $115-$125 each.

We also stay in close contact with the University of Oklahoma School of Dance and when dancer performance opportunities arise, such as The Nutcracker Ballet and encourage our dancers to audition. The Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute has yearly auditions for dancers age 15 and older. It is free and also has a performance at the end of the session.

*Ballet classes that meet more than once per week will only buy one costume. Our Pre-Professional class will rent one other costume.

NORMAN DANCE THEATRE, INC.

Norman Dance Theatre is our resident ballet company directed by Julie Rutherford Blacksten.  Each year auditions are held for committed dancers who are taking at least twice a week ballet classes.  Company member must be enrolled dancers at Classical Ballet Academy. Performances include The Nutcracker Ballet & Tea Party, and performances have also been held at elementary schools, OU basketball games, Blue basketball games, festivals, etc. 

In 2012, our dancers traveled to London where we were invited to perform in conjunction with the Olympics. Dancers performed at the Warwick Castle All England Festival, and the Island Garden Thames River Festival. Also by invitation from the Performing Arts Educators, dancers also performed at Lincoln Center in the 9th and 12th Annual Invitational. We are proud to have accepted the invitation to perform in Paris, in 2024 in conjunction with the summer Olympics.

WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY

Classical Ballet Academy will determine cancellations due to dangerous weather conditions as they arise.  Since our class times are opposite NPS, we do not follow their closings. When in doubt, please check emails after 2:00 pm to see if we will be having classes.  We do not offer refunds for cancelled classes due to weather.