Sebastopol Ballet provides a structured and nurturing environment for serious and recreational dancers wishing to pursue the art of classical ballet.
Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms and our primary focus is the study of technique. Combining this instruction with performance experiences allows each dancer to fulfill her/his potential. We encourage our students to take advantage of all opportunities at Sebastopol Ballet. These include classes with guest teachers in ballet, jazz, modern, and more, in addition to our regular program. Our curriculum offers an interdisciplinary approach for dancers to obtain a versatile dance education.
Registration / Parent Portal
- Registration Required:
All students are required to be registered before attending classes.
- Parent Portal:
We use an online registration and enrollment system, referred to as the Parent Portal. Using the Parent Portal, you can register and enroll in classes, update contact information, update payment information, send messages to our studio, and more.
- New Account:
Register Online / Create a New Account
- Existing Account:
Log In to Existing Account
- Registration Info:
More information about how to register, including a "how to" video, can be found on our Registration page.
Class Schedule & Placement
- Class Schedule:
The online class schedule is updated often, but please verify with the studio staff on class availability and scheduling before attending for the first time.
- Class Levels:
General information about age requirements and levels may be found on our What Level Should I Be In? page.
- Placement:
Please contact the studio for advice on the class that will best fit the student's age, ability and experience.
Tuition
General Tuition Policy
- Account Information:
You may view your account information, including transaction history, in the Parent Portal.
- Forms of Payment Accepted:
We accept payment by cash, check, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), or ACH (electronic bank transfer).
- Valid Payment Method Required:
A valid credit card or bank account on file is required, but will never be charged if tuition is paid with cash or check by the due date.
- Due Dates:
Due dates vary by age group: Kinder, Youth, Adult. Please see each age group's tuition policy below.
- Late Fee:
Accounts that are not paid by the due date three or more times will incur a 10% Late Fee.
Youth Class Tuition (Ages 6+)
- Tuition Charges:
- Youth class tuition is based on the total class hours per week in which a family is enrolled. The hourly rate goes down as more hours per week are taken.
- Tuition is ongoing and automatically charged each month until the end of our school year, or notice of termination is received (see Withdrawal & Termination Policy).
- Tuition is the same amount each month, no matter how many or how few classes are held. For example, we do not charge more for months with 5 classes, nor do we charge less for months with only 3 classes.
- Prorating for a partial month will only be granted if arranged with administration ahead of time.
- If student(s) will be away from classes for a month or more, tuition may be charged in order to hold the student's place in class(es), at the discretion of administration; otherwise, the place in class may be offered to another student.
- Payment:
- Tuition is due by the first class of each month.
- If you prefer to pay by cash or check, it must be received by the 10th of the month.
- On the 15th of the month, any balance due will be charged to the credit card or bank account on file.
- After the 15th of the month, any tuition balance remaining is considered past due. Please contact us if you have extenuating circumstances and need an extension to the due date.
Kinder Class Tuition (Ages 3-6)
- Tuition Charges:
- Kinder class tuition is based on the session length (usually 6 weeks).
- Tuition is posted at the beginning of each session.
- Prorating for a partial session will only be granted if arranged with administration ahead of time.
- Payment:
- Tuition is due on the first day of the session.
- If you prefer to pay by cash or check, it must be received by the first class of the session.
- Any balance due after the first week of the session will be charged to the credit card or bank account on file at the beginning of the second week.
- After the second week of the session, any tuition balance remaining is considered past due.
Adult Class Tuition
- Tuition Charges:
- Adult classes are charged on a "drop-in" basis – students are only charged for classes attended.
- Payment:
- Adult students may pay at the time of each class by cash or check. We also offer single class payments via Square; the teacher can assist with this payment option.
- Class cards are available for adult classes, and the purchase of a 10- or 20-class card includes free classes. The class cards are virtual and will be attached to your account in our Parent Portal system.
- A statement will be emailed at the end of each month, showing all fees for classes attended and any payments made.
- The balance may be paid by cash or check by the due date shown on the statement.
- After the due date, any remaining balance will be charged to the credit card or bank account on file.
Studio Communications
We do not keep regular office hours, so please call (707) 824-8006 or email us via our Parent Portal or Contact form for a quicker response.
Email
- Newsletters & Other Messages:
We use email for most of our communications, including our monthly newsletter with information about classes, special events and performances.
- Your Email Address:
Please provide a frequently checked email address at registration.
- Our Email Address:
To ensure that our emails do not go to your spam folder, please add noreply@jackrabbittech.com to your email contact list.
Text Messages
- Time-Critical Messages:
In case of class cancellations due to power outages, teacher illness, etc, we will send text messages.
- Text Opt-In:
You must opt-in to receive text messages in the Parent Portal for each person who should receive the text messages, including yourself, other parent/guardian, and your student.
Class Observation
- Class Observation:
Only allowed during the first class of the month or first class of a Kinder session. This applies to all levels.
- Student Focus:
We understand the desire to watch your dancer in class, but it’s important for teachers to have the full focus of their students.
Withdrawal & Termination
- Youth Classes:
Written notice is required before the 15th of the month if you wish to withdraw from one or more classes.
If written notice is not received before the 15th, the full month's tuition will be due and no refund will be issued.
- Kinder Classes:
Written notice is required no later than 5 days after the first class of Kinder Session.
If written notice is not received by the 5th day, the full session tuition will be due and no refund will be issued.
Dress Code
Kinder Ballet
- Clothes:
Dancers are encouraged to wear proper ballet clothing – leotard and optional skirt, or leggings and a not-baggy t-shirt – to help them get into the ballet mood, but it is not required at this age. Any clothes that they can move freely in will also work. To prevent tripping, skirts / dresses should be no longer than knee-length, and pants should be close-fitting and ankle-length or shorter.
- Shoes:
Dancers need to wear proper ballet slippers/shoes, which should only be worn inside the class room. We have some shoes to borrow, just come early enough to find a pair that fits. Please re-pair and return the shoes after class.
- Hair:
Long hair in a pony-tail, braid or bun; short hair pinned back off of the face.
Ballet – Girls
- Clothes:
All students in Beginning Ballet and above are required to wear a leotard and tights. Close fitting warm-ups may be worn at the barre.
- Shoes:
Appropriate ballet shoes.
- Hair:
Long hair must be worn in a bun with bangs and “wispies” pinned back. Short hair must be pinned back to keep out of face. Please put a hairbrush, hair ties, bobby pins, and an elasticized hair net in your child’s dance bag if assistance is needed.
Ballet – Boys/Non-binary
- Clothes:
T-shirt and shorts, leggings or athletic pants (must not be loose-fitting).
- Shoes:
Appropriate ballet shoes.
- Hair:
Long hair must be pulled back.
Contemporary & Tap
- Clothes:
Fitted shirt or leotard, and leggings or bike shorts.
- Shoes:
For Contemporary, jazz or modern shoes; ballet shoes are ok for Level 1.
For Tap, tap shoes (we have loaner shoes available).
- Hair:
Hair tied back.
Hip Hop
- Clothes:
Any clothing that will not restrict the dancer's movements, for example: athletic pants and a t-shirt.
- Shoes:
Clean sneakers with non-marking soles. They do not have to be new, but also should not be the dancer's "every day" street shoes. Please keep a pair to be worn solely in class, which helps to keep the floors clean for the other dance classes.
- Hair:
Preferably tied back out of the dancer's face.
Adults
- Clothes:
Ballet attire or yoga-type clothing (leggings and a top). Attire must not be too loose-fitting.
- Shoes:
Appropriate dance shoes – ballet slippers or jazz shoes.
- Hair:
Long hair should be pulled back and not worn loose.
Where to Buy Dancewear
Dance clothing and shoes may be purchased at:
Water and Snacks
- Water Only:
Drinks other than water are not allowed in the dance rooms.
- Bring a Water Bottle:
We encourage dancers to bring their own labeled water bottles. Small water cups may be available for students who forget to bring a bottle.
- Food:
Food is not allowed in the dance rooms, and may only be consumed in the lobby or dressing area.
- Trash:
Please be sure to properly dispose of trash inside and outside of the studio.
Phones
- Keep Phone on Silent:
Please mute phones while in the studio, so that they do not disturb classes.
- No Phones in Class:
Dancers, leave your phone in your dance bag, in the dressing area or in a cubby. They are not to be used during class or rehearsal.
- Family Members’ Phones:
Parents, please keep your phones quiet, especially if a sibling is playing a game while waiting for class to end.
Absences
- Notification:
We appreciate being notified when your dancer will be absent from class due to illness, vacation, school functions, etc.
- Stay Home When Ill:
If your dancer is feeling unwell – fever, cough, sore throat, etc – we ask that they remain home. This also applies to other family members.
- Mild Illness / Recovering:
If your dancer has a mild illness or is recovering, they may attend class/rehearsal, even just to observe. But we ask that they wear a mask while in our studio. This also applies to other family members.
Make-Up Classes
- Scheduling Make-up Classes:
It is the responsibility of the family or student to schedule make-up classes for any missed classes.
- Make-up Expiration:
Make-up classes must be completed within 30 days of the absence.
- Restrictions:
Make-up classes must be taken in the same dance style and at the same level or lower.
- Availability:
We will do our best to accommodate make-up class requests, based on class availability.
Lost & Found
- Left Items:
Clothing, water bottles, and any other items left at the studio will be collected in a designated place at the studio. There is a bin for the current month and a bin for the previous month.
- Donations/Trash:
Any items left in the lost & found after the second month will be donated to a local charity or added to our bin of free dancewear; socks and tights will be disposed of.
Donated Dancewear
- Leave Some:
Does your dancer have piles of outgrown dancewear? Anything that is still in good condition (not stained, torn, faded, stretched out, etc) may be placed in our Clothing Donations bin. Please, no used tights!
- Take Some:
Is your dancer growing too fast? Feel free to check the donations bin to see if there's anything that might fit!
Thank you!
— Hannah and the Sebastopol Ballet School staff