Our school year runs on 8-10 week semesters or terms. We run 4 semesters from September to June and an additional 3-week intensive summer program in July.

Because our school functions as a continuous and progressive year long program culminating with a recital at the end of the year, most students commit and complete the full year program. The semester system helps us mark our progress and allows for the freedom to attend classes without making a year long financial commitment. Adults and Moving Munchkins do not participate in the school's year end recital.

We are very excited to welcome Performance Edge Apparel to Kingston. They, as well as Balletomania in Poughkeepsie, carry our clothing and shoe requirements. We recommend going in person to one of these two stores, especially when purchasing for the first time. For Pointe Shoe fittings, please speak to Ms. Bierstock. Discount Dance can also be a helpful online resource.

No. Ballet slippers are made to form fit to the foot, like a sock. It's very important that a student is not in a shoe that is too big for their feet. However, the students toes should never be bent or buckled inside the shoe. See this website for some helpful information.

At the end of each semester, we open our doors and invite families into the studio to view a full class and observe the progress the students have made during the term. We also perform an annual recital. Before that time, observation by family members can be distracting to the students and can ultimately take away from the learning experience. While understandably difficult for some parents of younger students to want to "leave" their child, our experience has shown that the vast majority of the time, the child recovers quickly from any separation issues and finds it easier to join in and participate in the class once the parent is out of sight.

Please call us to discuss your student's situation individually. We welcome all students with previous experience. A placement class may be required to assess and make a recommendation toward the appropriate level, which may or may not differ from your child's previous level at another school.

Our Ballet Levels are all considered two-year programs. Most students will complete two years of every level after Ballet I. Pre-Ballet and Ballet I may be single year levels depending on the age the child begins. Advancement in ballet is not always a linear process. Contrary to the experience found in most academic settings, ballet students do not necessarily progress on equal timelines. Many factors play into the choice to advance a student: technical requirements must be met, as well as consideration for anatomical structure, emotional maturity, and timing of such unknown factors as the onset of puberty and subsequent hormonal and physical changes. At Ballet School of Kingston, years of experience allows us to make the judgement as to when a student is ready to advance with the highest focus on the overall health of the student.

Similarly, the decision to place on a child on pointe requires much consideration. Each child is evaluated on their own time line. While we know this is an exciting time for your child and they may be anxious to take this next step in their development as dancers, we ask our students parents to please encourage your child’s understanding of the very important factors that must come together to ensure the optimal health and longevity of a child’s dancing career.

Our school strictly follows the guidelines of professional ballet schools and companies in regard to a student’s readiness to begin pointe work. Pointe work is not a different area of study, but an extension of the classical technique.

Students should be at least 11 years old to ensure the bone endings have solidified. There may be exceptions, but this is rare.

Students must have approximately 5- 6 years of training.

Students must be strong in the spine, abdominals and legs, as well as ankles and feet.

Sufficient flexibility and turn out in the hip joints is required to allow for the legs (and body) to be aligned properly on the toes.

Students must have had sufficient training on demi-pointe (half-toe) and must be attending multiple classes per week, consistently to maintain the level of conditioning to avoid injury.

For further information, please refer to The Pointe Book, by Janice Barringer and Sarah Schlesinger.

A child can audition for Nutcracker if they are 7 years of age or older and have completed the 1st year of Ballet 1 (or an equivalent program.) Auditions are normally held in the spring and casting is completed by early June. If you would like more information about the Nutcracker or participating in CBT productions, please click here.

Ballet was born in Italy and developed in France. It traveled throughout Russia and the rest of Europe. The great ballets, such as the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty were choreographed by Marius Petipa of France, for the Russian Ballet.

Upon ballet's arrival in England via music halls, the English took the best of the Russian, French, Italian and Danish traditions, and developed their own style and method. In the early 20th century, The Royal Academy of Dance instituted a system of training and examinations for all levels of training- from a one-day-per- week student to pre-professional students. This system is taught universally as a method of training dancers correctly, and to develop quality of movement and musicality.

The English style has produced many famous dancers and choreographers. To note but a few:

Margot Fonteyn, Prima Ballerina worldwide

Moira Shearer of "The Red Shoes" fame

Fredric Ashton & Antony Tudor, their ballets are performed in all major companies worldwide today

Ben Stevenson, former artistic director and choreographer for Houston Ballet

Gillian Lynne, choreographer of "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera"

David Howard, internationally one of the greatest & finest teachers of this century

Ninette de Valois, responsible for creating The Royal Ballet

Frequently Asked Questions