Curriculum & Policies

Curriculum & Policies

School Policies

Our School Policies are designed to provide structure for Ohman School of Ballet students and parents.

For more information, email us or call 631.462.6266

Ongoing Class Registration

Classes & Placement


Ballet For Tots – for ages 3-4. Designed to explore natural freedom of movement, imagination, and
musicality.

Introduction to Ballet A – for ages 5-6. Children will learn elementary ballet movement, spatial patterns,
terminology and body positions. No pre-requisites necessary.

Introduction to Ballet B – for ages 6-7. Children will learn proper ballet movement, isolations, spatial patterns, terminology and body positions. No pre-requisites necessary.

 

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Professional level technique classes:

Division 1A – Students master basic classical ballet steps, posture, and positions with a focus on proper vocabulary and technique. Recommended pre-requisite Intro B if age appropriate.

Division 1B – Students continue to master basic classical ballet steps, posture, and positions with a focus on proper vocabulary, technique, and proprioception. Pre-requisite 1A or Introduction to Ballet.

Division 2 – Students learn to combine mastered steps, focus on building strength in center work and balance. Turns are introduced. Fundamental core work is introduced.

Division 3 – Students are exposed to the full demands of classical ballet technique. Focus is on building strength in center and across the floor. Fundamental exercises for core work and extension are built upon.

Division 4 – This level emphasizes line, speed, control of adagio, multiple turns and increasingly complex combinations. Partnering is introduced. Advanced strengthening techniques are introduced.

Division 5 – A pre-professional level for dancers striving for artistry in their work. Added to a full curriculum, are performance opportunities with professional company members and choreographic workshops.

Pre-Pointe – A pre-professional level for dancers striving for artistry in their work. Added to a full curriculum, are performance opportunities with professional company members and choreographic workshops.

Beginner Pointe – Students may enroll in pointe classes only after they have achieved appropriate physical maturity and have mastered proper basic ballet technique. (Teacher recommendations) Pre–requisite is Pre–pointe. Proper sewing techniques and foot/shoe care are introduced.

Division 2 Pointe classes – Pre-requisite beginner pointe. Students will apply beginner pointe barre exercises to center work. Basic combinations are introduced.

Division 3 Pointe classes – Pre-requisite division 2 pointe. Center work is expanded upon adding turns and movement across the floor. After 1 year of this class partnering may be added upon director recommendations.

Pointe classes (division 4-5) – Students must have at least at least 2 years of pointe experience. More advanced combinations and choreography are introduced.

Pas de Deux Class (Division 3, 4, 5) – Students are introduced to the art of partnering. Advanced students work on the entire range of promenades, with supported turns and lifts. Division 3 students MUST have at least 1 year of pointe class before enrolling.

Men’s and Boys’ Class must be taken in combination with division class. All are age appropriate and focus on strength and execution of ballet technique as well as back and arm strength.

Modern (division 2) – Elementary classical modern technique is introduced. Basic floor and center work applied.

Modern (divisions 3-5) – Continued classical modern technique. Introduction to modern dance innovators and choreography learned.

Contemporary – This class combines the classical techniques of ballet and modern. Contemporary movement requires technical application as well as body awareness and is only for divisions 2+.

Flamenco (coming soon) – Traditional form of Spanish dance utilizing intricate foot and hand movements led by music. Each class is age appropriate. Focus is on character and musicality, and can add to ballet roles such as Hot Chocolate in Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Paquita.

OPEN Beginner ballet – For Teens and Adults. Focus is on the elementary ballet movement, positions, patterns, and posture. Great for actors, ice-skaters, athletes, post-surgery recovery, ballroom dancers, toning the body, and grace.

OPEN Intermediate ballet – For Teens and Adults. Focus is on building strength in ballet movements and moving across the floor, balance, positions, patterns, and posture. Great for actors, ice-skaters, athletes, toning the body, ballroom dancers, and grace. Open to divisions 3-5 as make-ups or extra class.

OPEN yoga – Taught by certified instructors. Focuses on strengthening, stretching, and balancing simultaneously. Recommended for all open classes as well as divisions 3-5. Yoga creates blood flow, lowers the heartrate and helps to balance both the endocrine and nervous systems.

Zena-Rommett Floor Barre – taught by certified instructors. Great for division 2-5 and open enrollment students. Focuses on body alignment and turnout, without the stresses of gravity.

Pilates – taught by certified instructors. Great for divisions 2-5 and open enrollment students. Focuses on balance and core strength from ankles to shoulders. All age appropriate levels. Open students welcome in the division 3-5.

Cross-training and conditioning – Certified and licensed instructors. For divisions 2-5. Get ahead of injuries and increase body awareness! All age appropriate classes. Focus is on well balanced strength specifically for dancers. Each class is designed to offer an increase in stamina, core strength, resistance, power and control for jumps, and increased flexibility.

Registration is ongoing throughout the school year. New students are placed in levels according to an initial placement class.  Tuition fees are paid at the start of each semester (fall, spring, summer) and are pro-rated for students enrolling after a semester has started. Early registration is recommended since class size is limited. Please contact the school in advance to schedule a placement class.

Etiquette & Dress

Student Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

  • Students must be on time and prepared for class
  • Proper attire includes:
    • Boys – black ballet shoes, black tights (or spandex), white tee shirts
    • Girls – pink ballet shoes, pink tights, black leotard
    • Creative Movement and Introduction to Ballet students may wear leotards of their choosing, with the required pink ballet shoes and pink tights
    • Ballet skirts and leg warmers may be worn only with permission of the instructor giving the class; Rubber or plastic warm up pants are not allowed in class
    • Street clothes may not be worn over ballet attire; A ballet sweater may be worn
    • Pointe shoes should be secured with elastics and ribbons
    • Girls hair must be pulled back off the face in a secure, neat ballet bun
    • Jewelry or watches are not permitted; Small earrings are allowed for pierced ears
  • Students are expected to address their instructors with the prefix “Mr” or “Miss” and are expected to afford them the respect they always deserve; Ballet etiquette includes a proper greeting and reverence at the end of class
  • Street clothes and dance bags will be stored in the lockers provided; Only one small bag with pointe shoes and toe pads are allowed in the studio
  • Students must request teacher permission to leave class while in session
  • There is no talking, socializing, or disruption of class (Classes can be fun, but you are there to learn and so is the student next to you)
  • Phones are not permitted in class
  • Please do not bring any valuables to the studio
  • Only water is to be consumed by the lockers or the studios; Consumption of other beverages and food is confined to the reception and hallway areas; Garbage is to be placed into the receptacles provided in those areas; Wastebaskets classrooms are for paper items and ballet shoe related discards only
  • Gum is not allowed in any area of the school at any time

Rules & Regulations

Classes & Requirements

  • Any student wishing to enroll in the school is required to take a complimentary placement class.
  • There is a one-time registration fee of $50 for all new students.
  • All tuition is non-refundable and must be paid in full for the current semester prior to a student taking classes.
  • Siblings enrolled in the school will receive a 10% discount on in studio classes for the tuition on the second, third, etc. child from the same family. The highest tuition must be paid without discount.
  • Classes missed due to injury or illness for less than 3 weeks can be made up in student’s division or one division lower. Makeups are required within one month of return from the absence. If already taking the maximum number of classes offered in your division, the make-up should be taken in a division lower.
  • Injury or illness that keeps a student out for 3 weeks or more, up to a full semester, must be verified with proper medical reports to receive credit for a future semester.
  • Students should not take class if they have an injury of any kind. They may observe the class as long as they do not create a disruption of any kind.
  • The artistic staff has the final decision in all matters pertaining to class and division placement.
  • All matriculated students must take the minimum number of required classes per week for their division:
    • Division 1A- 1 technique class/week
    • Division 1B- 2 technique classes/week
    • Division 2- 2 technique classes/week
    • Division 3- 3 technique classes/week plus pointe
    • Division 4- 4 technique classes/week plus pointe
    • Division 5- 5 technique classes/week plus pointe
  • The dress code at the Ohman School of Ballet is to be strictly observed in all classes.
  • Leaving or disrupting a class in session will not be tolerated from any student.
  • Parents who wish to remain during class time may do so in the reception area or the main lobby of the building. Observation of classes is available only during set weeks on the semester schedule.
  • Students who intend to apply to outside summer intensive programs should check with the Directors first for their input on the program being considered.
  • Letters of recommendation will only be issued to programs endorsed by the Ohman School of Ballet, and only to students who take unlimited classes regularly. The Directors and the teaching staff reserve the right to withhold any letter of recommendation for any student who has poor attendance, or whose technique is not of the level required.
  • Non-matriculated students may not participate in any Ohman School/New York Dance Theatre productions, lecture/demonstrations, or any events representing the school.
  • The school may close without notice due to emergencies and inclement weather. When in doubt, call the office at (631) 462–6266 and listen for the announcement on the answering machine or check the website. Generally, we will follow the SYJCC building regulations/guidelines in regards to closing due to bad weather (although there are exceptions when the roads and parking lot have been cleared by the time our classes start).