From the Director’s Desk
Welcome to Student Ballet 5 PLUS!
This link contains all of the information you need to register for 2016–2017 at Princeton
Ballet School. Please be sure to read through each of these elements as you prepare to
register; there is new information you will want to be aware of.
Table of contents:
• Student Ballet 5 PLUS information
• Class schedule
• Fees and registration information
• Registration form
• Student uniform order form (Giselle of Princeton)
»» Orders received after July 15 may not be available in time for the start of classes
(more detailed information can be found on the order form)
• Princeton Ballet School Handbook
»» Includes uniform requirements
»» Includes school calendar
• Directions to our studio
• Link to 2016 Summer Adult Open Enrollment brochure (located at the end of class schedules)
• American Repertory Ballet Juniors audition (June22) and membership information
Photo: Horst Frankenberger
301 North Harrison Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540
phone: (609)921-7758 fax: (609)921-3249
301 North Harrison Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540
phone: (609)921-7758 fax: (609)921-3249
ARBW Junior Audition Information
Dear dancer,
If you’ve ever wondered how we get our thrilling productions up on the stage in such a way as to keep everyone
talking about them for days; if you’ve ever wondered why people keep saying “it’s so professional”; if you’ve ever
wondered how our dancers get this done — come and try for a chance to find out! We haven’t time to bask in the glow
of our school show, Swan Lake: the American Repertory Ballet Workshop Juniors audition is just around the corner!
We invite you to come audition for the opportunity to join this special group of dancers who comprise ARBW Jr,
our entry level performing company. Our aim is the refinement of technique as it pertains to performing and the
acculturation of young dancers in the performing life of the profession.
We have two seasons, fall and spring and, to help keep you from being over-committed, you may opt to choose one
or the other. You do get the most benefit from the experience by choosing both. Do you have a bat mitzvah in the
fall? Participate in our spring session. A confirmation (school musical; concerto competition; family commitments)
in the spring? Participate in the fall. Most of the ARBW Jr dancers who performed with our professional company,
American Repertory Ballet, in its 2015 production of the Nutcracker, found that the experience gave them enough
of a taste of the rehearsal/performing life--and improved their technique to such an extent--that they opted for the
spring session as well. During Nutcracker, they toured throughout New Jersey in six (6) venues during November
and December, each dancer performing in many of the twenty-two shows. Four of those shows offered them the all
too rare experience of dancing with an orchestra. Other rehearsal and performance opportunities include Summer
Repertory Week leading to the Cranbury Day festival; the annual gala; and the school show. In short, you get to be
a better dancer by--dancing!
The Audition
Time and place: The ARBW Jr audition for the 2016–17 performance season is
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
in the Robertson Studio at our main location at 301 N. Harrison St., Princeton, N.J..
Arrive by 5:45 to sign in.
Audition fee: $25.00
Eligibility: You must be a registered student at Princeton Ballet School, accepted into one of the following levels:
• Student 4 or 4+
• Student 5 or 5+
Note: 2015–2016 ARBW Jr Student 5 or 5+ dancers need not audition again, regardless of their placement for 2016–
2017. 2015–2016 ARBW Jr Student 4/4+ dancers must audition for the coming season
Clothing: a simple classroom leotard, tights, and technique shoes. Young ladies bring pointe shoes with you. If you are
intrigued by the opportunity to see where all your dedicated classwork may take you, come audition on June 22. For
questions about the audition or ARBW Jrs please contact Cheryl Whitney at this email address [email protected].
Sincerely,
Cheryl Whitney, ARBW Junior Ballet Mistress
301 North Harrison Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540
phone: (609)921-7758 fax: (609)921-3249
Audition Form
ARBW Juniors 2016-2017
Bring this form with you
$25 audition fee must be paid in exact change, check, or charge
when you sign in on Wednesday, June 22 at 5:45 p.m.
Name (first)_____________________________ (last)__________________________________________
Mailing Address (for audition results) ________________________________________________________
City _________________________________________ State ______ Zip _______________________
Home phone _______________________
Cell phone_________________________________________
Student email address______________________________________________________________________
Family email address _ _____________________________________________________________________
Age ________
Date of birth _______ / _________ / ________
(month) (day) (year)
Academic school grade 2015-2016 (this past year) ____________________________________________
Princeton Ballet School level for 2016-2017 (circle one):
4
4 PLUS
5
5 PLUS
Applicant signature ________________________________________________________________________
2016­–2017 Schedule of Classes
Student Ballet 5 PLUS
Leotard color: PLUM. For more information see the handbook.
Student Ballet 5 PLUS dancers should choose 4 or 5 classes from this list depending on your goals.
See letter for detailed registration instructions.
STUDENT BALLET 5 PLUS: (choose four or five)
LOCATION
Princeton
DAY
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
TIME
5:30–7:30 p.m.
5:15–7:15 p.m.
5:45–7:30 p.m.
4:15–6:15 p.m.
11:45 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
ROOM
Lescroart (B)
Robertson (A)
Robertson (A)
Lescroart (B)
Lescroart (B)
TEACHER
Moore
Youskevitch
Martin
Abramson
Youskevitch
CODE
PL+ 1
PL+ 2
PL+ 3
PL+ 4
PL+ 5
------------------- ARB Workshop Rehearsals (by audition only - optional) ------------------Princeton
Saturday
Sunday
Sunday
2:15–6:15 p.m.
Orphanides (C)
11:00 a.m.–12:30p.m. Orphanides (C)
1:00–6:00 p.m.
Orphanides (C)
JRR 1
JRC 5
JRR 2
--------------------------------------
STUDENT BALLET 5 PLUS ADVANCED MEN’S CLASS:
LOCATION
DAY
TIME
ROOM
TEACHER
CODE
Princeton
Thursday
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Lescroart (B)
St.Pierre
PX4
Tuition (including ARB Workshop dues): $4,350 + $60 = $4,410 for 5 classes a week plus special ARB Workshop Sunday class
Tuition (including ARB Workshop dues): $4,050 + $60 = $4,110 for 4 classes a week plus special ARB Workshop Sunday class
(if paid in full at registration)
Payment Plan
5 classes/week
4 classes/week
Initial payment
Amount Due: 10/1, 11/14, 1/15/17, 3/16/17
Payment Plan Total
$60 Reg. Fee + $868
$868
$4,400
$60 Reg. Fee + $932
$932
$4,720
Tuition (without ARB Workshop dues): $3,650 + $60 = $3,710 for 5 classes a week (if paid in full at registration)
Tuition (without ARB Workshop dues): $3,350 + $60 = $3,410 for 4 classes a week (if paid in full at registration)
Payment Plan
5 classes/week
4 classes/week
Initial payment
Amount Due: 10/1, 11/14, 1/15/17, 3/16/17
Payment Plan Total
$60 Reg. Fee + $718
$718
$3,650
$60 Reg. Fee + $783
$783
$3,975
In order to claim the spot reserved for your child in the PLUS program the registration deadline is JULY 15th.
Please list all classes by code when filling in the registration form.
Information on Summer Open Enrollment: http://www.americanrepertoryballet.org/PBS/Summer-Adult-Open-Enrollment-Classes
Princeton Ballet School Main Office: 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540 • (609)921-7758 • www.arballet.org
updated June 2016
PLACEMENT CLASS SCHEDULE
New students are asked to take a placement class to determine
level. This is not necessary for beginners of any age and dancers
age 5 and under. A placement class costs $20. To register for a
placement class call (609)921-7758.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Cranbury • New Brunswick • Princeton
www.arballet.org • (609)921-7758
You may pay in full at the beginning of the year, or choose
to enroll in our payment plan, outlined below. The payment
plan includes a finance charge. Please call our finance office
(Sean Keeley at (732)249-1254, ext.14) if you have any questions.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration may be conducted in person, by mail or by fax and
MUST be accompanied by payment.
All registrations by mail should be sent to:
Princeton Ballet School
301 N. Harrison Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540
Fax registrations with credit card information to: (609)921-3249
Fax registrations are not accepted without credit card information
section filled out.
• Priority registration for returning students ends July 15th.
• All new students in 1st grade or above who have previous dance
training need to attend a placement class. Please see below for
procedure.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE REGISTERING:
• By filling out a registration form, you are registering for the entire
school year. Division into payments is made only for the family’s
convenience. A processing fee will be charged. If you wish to
withdraw during the school year for any reason, please contact
the Dean of Students, Lisa de Ravel, ext. 11, to discuss.
A drop fee of $30 will be charged.
• You may subtract $25 for each additional sibling registering for the
full year. Discount will be applied to child’s last tuition payment.
• Those registering after the start of classes will be charged based
on a monthly pro-rate of the 34 week season.
• Please contact Sean Keeley at 732.249.1254, ext. 14, if an
alternative payment schedule is needed.
• Financial Aid is available based on need. Applications are
available on request. Deadline is June 30, 2016.
• Any class with insufficient registration may be cancelled at the
discretion of the School Director.
• Remember, tuition payments are non-refundable
INITIAL PAYMENT - DUE WITH REGISTRATION
• Please make checks payable to: Princeton Ballet School
We cannot accept cash for security reasons.
• MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express are accepted.
• Payments are non-refundable.
• Subsequent tuition payments will be billed, or you may choose
to set up automatic credit card payments by the due date.
(See Registration Form)
CLASS CHANGE FEE: There will be a fee of $30 assessed for
class changes made after Monday, September 26. This fee will be
applicable per each change made.
LATE FEE: A late fee of $25 will be charged each time your
account is more than 15 days past due date. Accounts more than 45
days past due may result in classroom suspension until satisfactory
arrangements have been made with Sean Keeley.
INSUFFICIENT FUNDS: Please note effective June 1st all returned
checks will be charged a $30 service fee per account.
2016–2017 CALENDAR
School year...........................................Sat., Sept. 10–Sun., June 4
Thanksgiving ......................... Closed Tues., Nov. 22–Sun., Nov. 27
Winter Break..............................Closed Mon., Dec. 19–Sun., Jan. 1
Spring Break........................... Closed Mon., April 10–Sun., April 16
School Show, The Sleeping Beauty (no classes)........ Sat., May 20
Memorial Day Break................. Closed Sat., May 27–Mon., May 29
Last day of classes....................................................... Sun., June 4
Classes per week
Tuition
Registration
Fee
1 (45 min.)
$820
$60
1 (60 or 75 min.)
$995
$60
Classes per week
Tuition
Registration
Fee
1 (45 min.)
$820
$60
1 (60 or 75 min.)
$995
$60
2
$1,850
$60
2 + 2pte. St. 4 only
$2,550
$60
Please note: Student 3 does not pay pointe fee.
All of our studios are wheelchair accessible.
P AY M E N T P L A N S C H E D U L E
TUITION SCHEDULE 2016–2017 SCHOOL YEAR
1st Payment
due with registration
Installment
due 11/15
Payment
Plan Total
$435 + $60 = $495
$435
$930
$528 + $60 = $588
$528
$1,116
1st Payment
due with registration
10/1, 11/14, 1/15/17, 3/16/17
Installments (4) Due
Payment
Plan Total
$176 + $60 = $236
$176
$940
$214 + $60 = $274
$214
$1,130
$397 + $60 = $457
$397
$2,045
$547 + $60 = $607
$547
$2,795
Princeton Ballet School is not responsible for items lost or stolen.
Princeton Ballet School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or creed in the administration of
its admission or financial aid programs. The Princeton Ballet School is an equal opportunity employer.
updated 6/2016
REGISTRATION FORM
2016-2017
Are you new to us this year?
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Date/Time __________ Rec by ________
Yes ___ No ___
Student’s First Name ________________________________________________
Last Name _______________________________________________________
Street Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________________________ State_________ Zip ________________________________________________
Home Telephone____________________________________________________ Birthdate _____/_____/______
month
day
year
Male
Female
Height ___________
Academic School______________________________________________________________________ Academic Grade (year 2016-2017)_________________
Student Email __________________________________________________________ Student Cell Phone ____________________________________________
Information and announcements will be distributed via e-mail.
a reliable
e-mail
address
and put
arballet.org
your safe
Information and announcementsPlease
will beprovide
distributed
via e-mail.
Please
provide
a reliable
e-mailon
address
andlist.
put arballet.org on your safe list.
Parent/Guardian #1:
Parent/Guardian #2:
Title _______ Name _______________________________________________
Title _______ Name _______________________________________________
Home Phone ___________________ Cell Phone _______________________
Home Phone ___________________ Cell Phone _______________________
Work Phone/Employer ____________________________________________
Work Phone/Employer ____________________________________________
Relation to Student _______________________________________________
Relation to Student _______________________________________________
Email ___________________________________________________________
Email ___________________________________________________________
Student resides with (at above address):
Parent or Guardian #1
Parent or Guardian #2
Emergency Contact: Title______ Name______________________________________________________Relation to Student ___________________________
Emergency Contact Phone 1:__________________________________ Emergency Contact Phone 2:______________________________________________
Does the student have any physical or emotional characteristics that this year’s teacher needs to know to make this a positive learning experience?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you are new to us this year and are registering for Children’s Intermediate 1 or above have you attended a placement class? __________________
(Beginners of any age and dancers age 5 and under do not need a placement class.)
CLASS NAME
DAY
TIME
ROOM
CLASS CODE
INSTRUCTOR
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
REG ________ COMP
RB ________ NB________ SD_________ CONF________
_________
_________
_________
_________
REGISTRATION FORM
2016-2017
PAGE TWO
Student Name _______________________________________________________ Preferred Phone Number ________________________________________
Names of siblings registering 2016-2017 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________ TOTAL NUMBER OF CLASSES WEEKLY
__________ TUITION
+60
__________
REGISTRATION FEE
__________
__________ TOTAL
__________ I would like to add tax deductible contribution of $________ to the Princeton Ballet School scholarship fund, which goes to benefit
need-based scholarships. Please include this donation in your initial payment.
__________ TOTAL PAID TODAY
PAYMENT:
Check enclosed – Make payment payable to: Princeton Ballet School. We cannot accept cash.
I would like to charge my: _
Visa
_
MasterCard
_
American Express
Discover
Name on Card ____________________________________________________ Card Number _______________________________________________________
Signed ___________________________________________________________ Exp. Date ______________________ Today’s Date _______________________
Check here to pay in installments. An authorization form will be sent to you.
How did you hear about American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School? Please check all that apply.
Brochure
Ad in ____________________
Website ______________________
Word of Mouth
Current Student
Other_______________
Would you like to volunteer? Please specify.
Sewing
Marketing
Development
Office Help
Other (Please Specify) ________________________________________________________
NOTE: Order forms for the student uniform must be recieved by July 15 to guarantee delivery before September.
All dancers need to be in uniform to participate in class.
THIS APPLICATION MUST BE SIGNED FOR ADMISSION INTO PRINCETON BALLET SCHOOL.
I have read the registration information and handbook and understand the school’s policies and calendar as outlined. I understand that this
registration contract represents a financial commitment from September through June for Beginning Dance through Trainee levels. If I’ve
chosen to pay in installments, I understand and agree to the payment schedule. Past due accounts may result in classroom suspension until
satisfactory arrangements are made. There are no refunds on tuition. Adjustments may be made only under exceptional circumstances and
upon receipt of written notification by the Director and are subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. I certify that this student is in good
health and capable of participating in all school activities and classes. I hereby give permission for Princeton Ballet School to take photographs
and video recordings for promotional use in the organization’s materials online and in print. I understand that Princeton Ballet School cannot be
responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Student Signature (If over 18 years of age) ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian Signature (If under 18 years of age) _________________________________________________________________________________
Complete this form and mail to:
Princeton Ballet School
301 N. Harrison St.
Princeton, NJ 08540
or fax to: 609-921-3249
or e-mail to: [email protected]
Web: www.arballet.org • Telephone: 609-921-7758
Make-up classes cannot carry over into any
other session.
Princeton Ballet School cannot be
responsible for any items lost or stolen.
Princeton Ballet School Uniform
Please order by July 15 to guarantee delivery prior to the start of classes.
Uniforms will be shipped to you 3-4 weeks after the order is placed.
GIRLS’ UNIFORM
Uniform A
Levels: Hand-in-Hand, Beginning Dance & Children’s Ballet 1
Color: PINK in Style A
Sample leotards
Level: Children’s Ballet 2 & Intermediate 1 & 2
are
on display at
Color: LIGHT BLUE in Style A
all times at the
Level: Children’s Intermediate 3
Giselle of
Color: ROSE in Style A
Princeton Kiosk.
Child sizes: sm (4-6), int (6x-7), med (8-10), lg (12-14) @$32
Ballet shoes are
available for
purchase
September – May.
Uniform B
Levels: Middle School Ballet & Student Ballet 1
Color: MAROON in Style B
Child sizes: int (6x-7), med (8-10), lg (12-14) @$34
Adult sizes: petite, small, sm-long, med, md-long, lg @$38
Levels: Student Ballet 2
Color: PERIWINKLE in Style B
Child sizes: med (8-10), large (12-14) @$34
Adult sizes: petite, small, sm-long, med, med-long, lg, xlg @$38
Levels: Student Ballet 3
Color: NAVY in Style B
Child sizes: med (8-10), large (12-14) @$34
Adult sizes: petite, small, sm-long, med, med-long, lg, xlg @$38
Levels: Student Ballet 4
Color: ROYAL in Style B
Adult sizes: petite, small, sm-long, med, med-long, lg, xlg @$38
Levels: Student Ballet 5
Color: PLUM in Style B
Adult sizes: petite, small, sm-long, med, med-long, lg, xlg @$38
Levels: Student Ballet 6
Color: SILVER GREY in Style B
Adult sizes: petite, small, sm-long, med, med-long, lg, xlg @$38
Use this chart for sizing uniform leotards. These are general guidelines. All sizes are measured in inches.
Child
SC
IC
MC
LC
Bust
20-21
22-24
25-27
26-29
Waist
18-20
20-21
21-23
23-25
Hips
21-22
23-25
26-28
29-31
Girth
37-39
40-43
44-48
49-52
Adult
PA
SA
MA
LA
XLA
Bust
30-32
30-33
34-37
37-41
41-43
Waist
23-25
23-26
25-28
28-32
32-35
Hips
31-34
33-35
35-38
38-42
42-45
Girth
51-54
54-57
57-60
61-64
64-67
Uniform C
Levels: Professional Training Program & Trainee
Color: BLACK in Style C
Adult sizes: petite, small, medium, large, x-large @$38
Optional leotard styles for Student 1 through Trainee:
Colors: MAROON, PERIWINKLE, NAVY, ROYAL, PLUM, SILVER GREY, BLACK
Uniform D
Style D (cap sleeve princess seam),
Uniform E
Style E (3/4 sleeve princess seam)
Child sizes: int (6x-7), med (8-10), lg (12-14) @$34
Adult sizes: petite, small, medium, large, x-large @$38
BOYS’ UNIFORM
Male Shirt or Leotard – Levels: All Boys
WHITE (form-fitting) T-Shirt w/ARB logo in Style #3527
Child sizes: sm (4-6), int (6x-7), med (8-10), lg (10-12) @$34
Adult sizes: small, medium, large, x-large @ $38
Boys’ & Men’s Tights – Levels: Intermediate Ballet for Boys through Professional Training Program
Footed BLACK Dance tight in Style #M90
Child sizes: (7-8) (9-10) (11-12) (14-16) @ $32
Adult sizes: small, medium, large, x-large @ $38
GIRLS’/WOMEN’S BODY WRAPPERS TIGHTS
Footless Tights in THEATRICAL PINK (Hand-in-Hand and Beginning Dance only)
Child style #C33 @ $13.50 Child size: s/m (4-7)
Footed Tight in THEATRICAL PINK
Child style #C30 @ $13.50 Child sizes: xs-sm (1-3), s-m (4-7), m-l (8-14)
Adult style #A30 @ $15.50 Adult sizes: sm-med, lg-xlg
Convertible Tight (with hole in bottom of foot) in THEATRICAL PINK
Child style #C31 @ $14.50 Child sizes: m-l (8-14)
Adult style #A31 @ $16.50 Adult sizes: sm-med, lg-xlg
Mesh Convertible with Backseam Tight in BALLET PINK
Adult style #A45 @$19.50 Adult sizes: small, medium, large, tall
OPTIONAL PRINCETON BALLET SCHOOL DANCEWEAR
Dance Sweater: KD Dance Sweaters
Child – Color: PINK
Sizes: medium, large @ $42
Adult – Color: BLACK
Sizes: petite, small, medium, large, x-large @ $49
Skirts: For Student Ballet 4, 5, 6, Professional Training Program & Trainees
Student Ballet 4 – ROYAL mini dance skirt / one size fits all @ $26
Student Ballet 5 – PLUM mini dance skirt / one size fits all @ $26
Student Ballet 6 – SILVER GREY mini dance skirt / one size fits all @ $26
Student Ballet PTP & Trainees – BLACK mini dance skirt / one size fits all @ $26
Princeton Ballet School Uniform
Giselle of Princeton ORDER FORM
Please order by July 15 to guarantee delivery prior to the start of classes.
Uniforms will be shipped to you 3-4 weeks after the order is placed.
Mail form with payment to:
Princeton Ballet School, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton, N.J. 08540 or fax to: (609)921-3249
QUESTIONS? Call the Giselle of Princeton office phone at (267)399-9944
Student’s Name _____________________________________________________ Student Level 2016-17_____________________________________
Home Phone__________________________________________ Parent/Guardian cell phone________________________________________________
PRINT E-mail address___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Style description
Style #
Size
Color
Quantity
Amount
$
Merchandise Total
Shipping & Handling Fee
If paying by check, $2.00 deduct from your total.
TOTAL ENCLOSED
$
$ 4.00
-$2.00
$
PLEASE NOTE: Merchandise payment is to Giselle of Princeton and must be kept separate from tuition
payments to Princeton Ballet School. Questions? Call, Victoria Rogers, proprietor, (267)399-9944
Payment Method: (DO NOT SEND CASH)
Billing Address: Street _________________________________________________________ Town _______________ Zip Code__________________
Check or Money Order payable to Giselle of Princeton
Credit Card:
MasterCard
VISA *
*Save $2.00 off your order when paying by check.
Credit Card # (Please do not leave spaces between numbers)
Credit Card Signature______________________________
CVV Code (3 numbers on back of card)
Mailing Label - PLEASE PRINT
Customer Name:______________________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________________________________
City____________________________________________ State________ Zip____________________
Credit Card ExpIration Date
Month
Year
Please order by July 15 to guarantee
delivery prior to the start of classes.
Uniforms will be shipped to you 3-4 weeks after
the order is placed.
NOTE: All leotards can be evenly exchanged for
another size at the Giselle of Princeton kiosk
with tags intact and still on the garment in the fall.
Studio
Princeton Ballet School StudioStudio
Locations
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www.arballet.org/ARB/Contact-Information-and-Studio-Locations
www.arballet.org/ARB/Contact-Information-and-Studio-Locations
THE OFFICIAL SCHOOL OF AMERICAN REPERTORY BALLET
Celebrating over 60 Years of
Excellence in Dance Education
Handbook
2016–2017
Pamela Levy, School Director
Douglas Martin, Artistic Director
Audrée Estey, Founder of Princeton Ballet School
www.arballet.org | (609)921-7758
WELCOME TO PRINCETON BALLET SCHOOL!
Princeton Ballet School is the official school of American Repertory Ballet (ARB), the
preeminent professional classical and contemporary ballet company in the state. ARB
has been designated a “Major Arts Institution” by the N.J. State Council on the Arts
consistently for the past two decades, and has repeatedly been awarded a Citation of
Excellence by the Council. ARB has also been voted “N.J.’s Favorite Dance Company”
in the Jersey Arts People’s Choice Awards, and is recognized nationally as a professional
company and dance training school by Dance USA.
Since its founding in 1964 by Audrée Estey, Princeton Ballet School has built a
national reputation for excellence in dance training. The Princeton Ballet School syllabus,
developed by former Princeton Ballet School Director Mary Pat Robertson and the faculty,
has produced dancers working in a wide range of U.S. and European companies, from
New York City Ballet to Paul Taylor. We take great pride in these alumni who have gone
on to careers in dance, and we are also proud of supporting the development of the whole
student within a nurturing educational environment, and educating the next generation
of arts lovers and supporters as well.
American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School offer many additional
educational programs:
• American Repertory Workshop, our pre-professional and advanced student
performance group.
• The Trainee program for post-high school students, authorized under federal law to
enroll non-immigrant students, provides performance opportunities with ARB through
a full-time study program, accepting international students with visas.
• The Rider University/Princeton Ballet School Dance Program allows access to
conservatory-level training within a liberal arts institution.
• The Access & Enrichment program reaches communities outside the studio and
the theater through initiatives such as DANCE POWER and On Pointe.
Princeton Ballet School has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick and Princeton and a
presence at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts in downtown Princeton. We are proud
to have been serving our community for over 60 years.
This handbook contains information on the traditions and expectations of ballet training.
Please take some time to read through it prior to the start of classes, as it will explain what
is expected of you as a student. Work hard, have fun and have a great year!
1
RESPECT AND CLASSROOM RULES
The theater world clings to its traditions, which include respect for the theater, the
rehearsal hall, the teacher and the other students.
•Out of respect, and also for safety reasons, we request that young children not enter
the classroom and run around before the teacher is present. Dancers in Student Ballet
1 and above are encouraged to go in and warm up.
•Talking in class is not allowed. Hands should be raised when there is a question for the
teacher.
•Gum is never allowed in class or anywhere in the school.
•We expect that the students will have used the bathroom before class. Students in
Student Division and above are expected to confine trips to the bathroom to the break
between barre and center work.
•At the end of the class, traditionally the students thank the teacher and accompanist by
applauding. If a student needs to leave class early, please alert the teacher before class.
At the given time, the student should thank the teacher and then quietly leave.
•Teachers may also have additional classroom rules, which will be discussed with students.
•Self-discipline is what makes it all happen. Sometimes
young dancers get bored with the repetitions of the
same exercises, and get eager to learn new steps. Steps
are not the most important part of dancing; form
and musicality are what really matter. Correctness
of execution matters not only because it is beautiful,
and because it separates the advanced dancer from
the eternal intermediate, but also because it is safe.
Sloppy dancing leads to injuries.
•You will notice in the classroom that each teacher
continually gives “corrections” to the dancers. These
corrections should be considered and worked on by
all dancers. The good dancer got that way by listening
to every comment and applying it to her or his work.
While some young dancers may feel that they are
being picked on, the teacher’s comments should not
be construed as criticism of the student’s possibilities
or personality, but as the only means of progressing in a physical art form.
•These corrections are frequently “hands on.” Manual adjustment of a student’s body to
correct alignment and technique is standard practice. All of our teachers teach this way.
•We feel strongly about the importance of the group experience. In a ballet company,
the beautiful corps patterns rely on the responsibility, alertness and sensitivity of each
member of the group. Each dancer learns to be responsible not only for herself or
himself, but for the accomplishment of the group goal.
2
BEFORE AND AFTER CLASS
We are responsible for your children during the time of their class with us. However,
you are responsible for their behavior and safety before and after class. Siblings must
stay with parents; young children may not be left in the lobby unattended.
We are concerned about the safety of every individual who we deal with. We want
everyone to maintain awareness of how to be safe when coming to and from classes in
all of our studios.
• The safest situation in all of our studios is for you to park the car and walk with your
child into our lobby.
• We suggest that you come into the lobby of each location to pick up your child after
class.
• Please make sure that children are respectful of our property, including the carpeting
and furniture. For their own safety please do not allow children to hang or sit on the
barres, counters or tables.
• Please, no shouting or running in any of our lobbies. No ball playing either. Please
respect the on-going classes, and the people working in our reception areas.
• If you drop off your child or arrange for your child to wait for you outside, you are
assuming full responsibility for their safety.
• Please be prompt for pick up. Any parent arriving more than 15 minutes after the
end of a class may be charged a child care fee.
•For reasons of personal safety, personal health and tradition, students are not
permitted to walk around outside of the dance studio in dance clothing. Dancers
may not wear dance shoes outdoors in order to preserve the life of the shoes and our
special dance floors. All dancers should plan to change clothes in the dressing room,
or wear appropriate cover-ups such as shorts, teeshirts or sundresses in the summer,
and street clothes or warm-up suits in the winter. The dancer will feel warm and not
interested in a jacket, but the muscles and respiratory system need the warmth.
PROMPTNESS AND ATTENDANCE
Because dance requires great concentration and focus, it is difficult for both the
individual and the group when a student comes in late. We understand that running
late is sometimes unavoidable, however, please do not let this become a habit. If you are
finding it difficult to make it to a particular class, please think about moving your child
to a class at a different time. It is important to remember to allow time to change clothes
and use the bathroom before class.
There are dressing rooms provided at each of our locations. Please use them, or dress
your child at home if you prefer. Please do not use our lobby as a changing room.
It is not safe to dance without warming up; therefore, any dancer (in Student Ballet 1
or above) arriving more than ten minutes late will not be allowed to participate in class.
She/he will be allowed to watch class and then make it up at a later date.
3
MISSED CLASSES AND MAKE-UPS
Regular attendance is important. Our minds can grasp quickly, but it takes constant
repetition for the body to really “get” the movement. At Princeton Ballet School, we
encourage you to make up missed classes. However, we have had increasing difficulty
with abuse of this privilege, and have instituted these rules:
•Please keep track of your missed classes. Attendance is kept only in the roll book,
which is in the classroom. If you have any questions concerning your attendance,
please ask the teacher.
•Classes may only be made up in your own level or the level below.
•PLUS program classes may not be used for make-ups, unless you are a member of the
PLUS program.
•Classes may be made up at any of our locations. Please confirm the time and place
of classes with the front desk.
•You may not make up classes during parent observation weeks in December and May.
•We urge you to make up missed classes
as soon as possible so that each month’s
material is learned in a timely manner.
•We encourage you to complete fall
semester make-ups by the end of
January.
•If you find a make-up class is at a more
convenient time than your regular
class, talk to the receptionist about
switching classes. You will not be
allowed to do make-ups every week.
•Carpools of three or more dancers may
not take make-up classes together. This
overloads the class and overwhelms the
teacher.
• You may also make up in advance a
class you will miss at a future date.
• You are not allowed to take make-ups
for scheduled Princeton Ballet School
holidays or breaks — these days off have
already been accounted for in your 34
week calendar.
When you go to a make-up class, please arrive a little early and check in at the desk. You
will need the class code and date of the class you missed to complete your makeup slip.
4
CLASS CHANGES
•Students may change from one class to another only with permission
of the Dean of Students, who can be reached at (609)921-7758, ext.11
Parents are urged to consider such a change thoughtfully. Each time a
child changes teachers, the educational process is slowed down as the child
re-adjusts. Changing classes several times per year makes progress slow and evaluation
almost impossible.
•Pending agreement by the Dean of Students, class changes will be permitted as long
as there is room in the class.
•There will be a fee of $30 assessed for each class changed after September 26, 2016.
This fee must be paid before the student can attend the new class.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
There is no homework as such for dance class. We don’t encourage formal practice at
home, because it’s so easy to fall into bad habits of posture and muscle use. Young children
should be encouraged to move to music and make up dances. Older dancers should be
encouraged to do some abdominal work or stretches that they have been given in class.
And, of course, any live performance or
televised concert is a wonderful experience
for the student dancer. We encourage our
students to see our affiliate professional
company, American Repertory Ballet,
perform live. Please visit www.arballet.org
to see upcoming performance listings.
PARENT CLASS OBSERVATION
We request that you not watch class for
the first few weeks, in order to give the
students a chance to get a good group
atmosphere going without distractions.
The last weeks of each semester have been
designated as our Parent Observation class
weeks. Sometimes, teachers will invite
you on a different week, due to their own
performance commitments, or sometimes
they will invite half of the class one week
and half the next.
•Digital photography and video can not
be taken during class.
•Please remember — you may not make up
classes during parent observation weeks in
December and May.
5
STUDIO GUIDELINES
•No pets are allowed in the lobbies at any time.
•Do not use the lobby or studio as a dressing room. When you enter the classroom,
you should have on only your dance clothes. All belongings should be placed on the
floor close to the mirror.
•Princeton Ballet School is not responsible for any lost or stolen articles.
•Unfortunately, we have had incidents of mischief and petty theft in all of our dressing
rooms. We would like to encourage the use of the dressing rooms to change clothes,
but ask that parents accompany their children to the dressing rooms, so that adult
presences will discourage mischief.
•Please do not leave unsupervised siblings/young
children in the lobby, and please accompany them
to the restrooms.
•No food is allowed in the studios at any time. Please
dispose of any containers left after eating in the
lobby. Be particularly careful not to leave glass drink
containers around.
•Any lost and found items left unclaimed two weeks
after the end of the semester will be given to charity
or disposed of.
•Only staff is permitted in office areas.
PARKING GUIDELINES FOR OUR STUDIOS:
•Princeton Shopping Center: Please do not wait in your car in the circle. This circular
driveway is only for dropping off and picking up students.
•Princeton Downtown Studio: The parking lot next to the building is very small, and
reserved for full-time employees of the Princeton Arts Council. Please do not park
there. There are many other lots in the immediate area, plus on the street parking.
Please do not drop off, pick up or wait in front of the building. This blocks access for
patrons with disabilities.
•Cranbury Studio: Please enter the studio from the back door. Cars can park on the
right hand side of our lot–parking is not allowed on the left side. We are allowed to
park in the large lot belonging to the elementary school. Please follow all local speed
indications. Please do not allow your children to cut through between our neighbors’
buildings and ours, or to play in our neighbors’ yards.
•New Brunswick Studio: Street parking may be available, and there are multiple New
Brunswick Parking Authority lots in walking distance. Our studio and administrative
offices are located in the Crossroads Theatre building on the fourth floor. Enter via
the door on the left side of the building. You will need to ring our buzzer to the left of
the door and confirm that you are a Princeton Ballet School student when prompted
by our receptionist in order to gain entry.
6
WINTER WEATHER CLOSING PROCEDURES
School Closing announcements will be posted on our website home page at:
www.arballet.org, on American Repertory Ballet’s Facebook page and via Twitter feed
(twitter.com/arballet). If you are not able to access the internet, you may call our school
offices for information about snow closures at all of our locations at (609)921-7758,
ext. 29. Because these lines cannot handle large call volumes, if you are able to check
online we encourage you to do so. In the event of an unusual closing (for an electrical
outage or other unforeseen circumstance), we will do our best to email you to alert you
to the closing. Please be sure to supply a valid
email address on your registration form, and be
sure that “[email protected]”
is on your “safe” list so you will receive these
important updates. Please note:
• Morning classes should check for announce- ments after 8 a.m.
• Afternoon and evening closings will be
announced after 1:30 p.m.
• Princeton Ballet School does not necessarily cancel classes when the local school district does.
• Please use your own judgment when deciding to drive in inclement weather. Missed classes can be made up at a later date.
• Snow days can be made up at your convenience.
No additional days will be added to the calendar.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Each spring, the Director of Princeton Ballet School will evaluate the students’ progress
in conjunction with the teachers. Here are the different, age-appropriate, evaluation
procedures:
•Hand-in-Hand, Beginning Dance, Children’s Ballet 1 — these children are not
evaluated, as their classes are all about discovery and enjoyment. Instead of a written
evaluation, they receive a Certificate of Achievement.
•Children’s Ballet 2, Intermediate 1, 2 and 3, and Student 1 — all of these children
receive written evaluations from their teacher. The director also visits these classes to
add her observations to the evaluations.
•Student 2–6, Professional Training Program — these dancers attend Assessment
Classes at the end of the year. A panel of teachers observes the dancers and decides on
advancement. The director also refers to written comments from each of the teachers
in writing the evaluation for these dancers.
•All evaluations are sent by mail shortly after the end of classes for the year.
7
THINGS TO REMEMBER
• We communicate frequently via email to save on printing costs and environmental impact. Please be sure to supply a valid email address on your registration form, and
be sure that the domain “arballet.org” is on your “safe” list so you will receive these
important updates.
• Occasionally, we also communicate with you by way of handouts. Please check with
your child to see if anything was handed out in class.
• Please label all your child’s dance clothing, particularly the shoes. We keep lost and
found boxes at all three studios, but unlabeled dancewear is hard to track.
• Please be aware that due to the large number of people who pass through our doors
Princeton Ballet School is not an allergy-free zone.
• If your child feels ill or has a fever, please do not bring her/him to class.
• Please take all valuables with you into the classroom. We cannot be responsible for
any valuables left in the dressing room (especially pointe shoes).
• The Princeton Studio has a library. Books and videos can be checked out. Please
inquire at the front desk for guidelines for book lending and video rentals.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER!
Through volunteering, you will have the
opportunity to meet other parents, learn more
about American Repertory Ballet and Princeton
Ballet School and enrich the lives of all students.
Parent volunteers are a vital resource for our
continued success. Volunteers are involved with
activities around Nutcracker performances, ARB
performances and throughout the school year.
We are grateful for all volunteers. To learn more,
please call (732)249-1254.
ARE YOU AN EDUCATOR OR
COMMUNITY LEADER?
Learn more about our Access &
Enrichment educational and community
programming by visiting www.arballet.org.
Bring American Repertory Ballet to your
school or town!
8
DIRECTORS/FACULTY/STAFF BIOGRAPHIES
PAMELA LEVY
(School Director)
holds a BFA in Dance
from Mason Gross
School of the Arts,
Rutgers University,
and an MA in Dance
Education/ABT Ballet Pedagogy from New
York University. Her great love of dance
began as a child when she enrolled at the
Princeton Ballet School (known then as the
Princeton Ballet Society), where she studied
with Audrée Estey, Dermot Burke, Sherry
Alban, Jane Miller Gifford, Judith Leviton,
Alexei Yudenich, Mary Pat Robertson,
Virginia Griffee, Christine Sarry and
Karen Russo. She continued her studies at
Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers
University, earning her BFA in Dance.
Upon graduation, Ms. Levy took classes at
The Paul Taylor School and concurrently
began studies at the Nikolais/Louis Dance
Lab as a scholarship student, studying with
Alwin Nikolais, Murray Louis, Beverly
Blossom and Alberto Del Saz. She was soon
thereafter invited to join the Murray Louis
and Nikolais Dance Company, with whom
she danced for 10 years in Principal roles
throughout the United States and Europe.
With the company, Ms. Levy performed
at ADF Seoul, South Korea, Montpelier
Dance Festival, Kalamata Dance Festival,
Vignale Dance Festival, The Britt Festival
in Oregon and numerous seasons at the
Joyce Theater in New York City, among
other venues. Ms. Levy also danced with the
Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Don Redlich
Dance Company and Claudia Gitelman
Dance Theatre.
Upon retirement from performing, Ms. Levy
became the Artistic Director of the newly
formed Washington Rock Youth Ballet and
9
her passion for teaching was ignited. Ms.
Levy grew the company from eight students
to 60, created and implemented a ballet
curriculum and launched a full-length
Nutcracker production within two years.
Ms. Levy continued as Artistic Director of
WRYB for 10 years.
Ms. Levy was a member of the inaugural
graduating cohort of the New York
University, Steinhardt School Master of
Arts degree program in Dance Education/
American Ballet Theatre Ballet Pedagogy.
There, Raymond Lukens and Franco
DeVita mentored her. At NYU/ABT,
Ms. Levy was recognized by Mr. Lukens
and Mr. DeVita for her teaching and
leadership abilities and was immediately
hired to teach at American Ballet Theatre’s
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.
During that time, Ms. Levy furthered her
ballet studies as a student of Mark Morris,
Marjorie Mussman, Tina Fehlandt and
Lauren Grant at the Mark Morris School
in Brooklyn and was the Director of the
Mark Morris Student Company II.
Since then, Ms. Levy has served on the
faculty of American Ballet Theatre –
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
Children’s Division, ABT Young Dancer
Summer Workshop, ABT Summer
Intensives, as a Children’s Ballet Master
for Alexei Ratmansky’s Nutcracker at
ABT, Mark Morris Dance Center, Rider
University, Mason Gross School of the
Arts and Princeton University. Ms. Levy is
an ABT Affiliate Teacher and serves on the
ABT National Training Curriculum Board
of Examiners.
She has also taught for American
Ballet Theatre’s Make a Ballet Program,
Teachers College – Columbia University,
Marymount Manhattan College, Berkeley
Ballet Theater, Brooklyn Ballet, Barbara
Thompson School of Dance, the Lewis
School of Princeton, Princeton Ballet
School and was the Founding Director of
the ABT Certified School at Mason Gross
Extension Division. She has choreographed
more than 100 original dance pieces
on students of all ages and has re-staged
numerous classical ballet pieces for student
performances.
DOUGLAS MARTIN
(Artistic Director)
started his ballet training
with Dimitri Romanoff
at the San Jose Ballet
School and was one of
six dancers selected by
Mikhail Baryshnikov to study in the newlyformed American Ballet Theatre School. He
was invited to join the Joffrey Ballet in 1984
where, as a principal dancer, he performed
roles in ballets by Ashton, Arpino, Cranko,
Balanchine, Joffrey, Taylor, Pendleton,
Kudelka and many other great 20th century
choreographers. Martin was featured in
performances of Dance in America on PBS
and was an original cast member of the
historic recreation of Nijinsky’s Le Sacre du
printemps. He was among the last dancers of
the Joffrey Ballet to spend the majority of
his career in the company working under
founder Robert Joffrey. Martin joined
the Cleveland Ballet in 1991 and danced
an array of principal roles including the
Minister in Agnes deMille’s Fall River
Legend. In 1993, Martin was invited to
join the American Repertory Ballet. As
leading dancer and Ballet Master for ARB,
Martin collaborated with directors in
creating ballets, including productions as
the original cast lead in Romeo and Juliet,
Swan Lake, The Dream and The Nutcracker.
Martin continued to be a principal dancer
in the company as well as Ballet Master for
ARB and ARBW and Principal Faculty for
the Summer Intensive until his retirement
from performing in 2002. After retiring
from ARB as a performer, Martin expanded
his teaching, production and choreographic
work. Martin has been an integral part
of the teaching staff at the Princeton
Ballet School, Rutgers University and
Westminster Choir College, and has also
served as the School’s Music Director
and ARBW Ballet Master. He has staged
full-length and repertory ballets for several
companies, including Romeo and Juliet
and Philip Jerry’s Our Town. Additionally,
Martin has choreographed for several
Princeton Ballet School productions,
including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Don
Quixote and Coppélia. In 2010, Mr. Martin
became Artistic Director of American
Repertory Ballet. Since then, he has
premiered a new production of Nutcracker,
choreographed several new works including
Ephemeral Possessions, Rite of Spring, Firebird,
and a full-length Romeo and Juliet and
A Midsummer Night’s Dream and has
commissioned 27 company premieres,
including 18 world premieres.
MARY BARTON (Resident
Choreographer and Ballet Master,
Princeton Ballet Company faculty
memeber) received her dance training at
The Washington School of Ballet under the
direction of Mary Day and participated in
summer courses at the School of American
Ballet and Joffrey Ballet School. Her
professional experience began when she
performed with The Washington Ballet as
a soloist in Balanchine’s Scotch Symphony
and in the principal role in Tom Paczik’s
Tzigane. Early professional credits include
the Oldenburg Staat Ballet in Germany
and several seasons with Dayton Ballet.
In 1986, Ms. Barton joined the Joffrey
10
Ballet/NY where she performed a variety
of roles in the great ballets of the 20th
century. Robert Joffrey created the role of
Clara for her in the world premiere of his
new Nutcracker. Ms. Barton was featured
along with Gerald Arpino in an interview
with Charlie Rose for the world premiere
of Robert Joffrey’s Nutcracker. Ms. Barton
TV credits include performances in Dance
in America on PBS and she was an original
cast member of the historic recreation
of Nijinsky’s Le Sacre du printemps. From
1993–2004, Ms. Barton was a principal
dancer with American Repertory Ballet
where notable roles include Sugar Plum
Fairy, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Juliet
in Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Titania in
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Emily in
Our Town and leads in Balanchine’s Four
Temperaments, Rubies, Concerto Barocco
and Serenade. Ms. Barton has been on the
faculty of the Princeton Ballet School since
1994 and is one of the primary teachers and
choreographers for the Summer Intensive.
She is a former ballet faculty member at
Princeton University and current faculty
at Rider University’s Music Theater
Department. As Resident Choreographer
and Ballet Master of ARB, Ms. Barton’s
works include Straight Up with a Twist, Five
Men and a Concerto, Faerie Tyme, Fantasy
Baroque, Shades of Time and her newest work
A Shepherd Singing (And I Still Heard Nothing).
She has also choreographed over two dozen
works for Princeton Ballet School’s spring
full-length ballets and Summer Intensive.
KATHLEEN MOORE (ARB Company
Teacher, Princeton Ballet Company faculty
member) trained with Dame Sonia Arova
and Thor Sutowski at the Alabama School
of Fine Arts (ASFA) and attended summer
intensives at the School of American Ballet
and the American Ballet Theatre (ABT)
School. She graduated from ASFA as a
11
Presidential Scholar in the Arts and moved
to N.Y. to join ABT II in 1980. Invited by
Mikhail Baryshnikov to become a member
of the corps of ABT in 1982, Ms. Moore
was appointed soloist in 1988 and Principal
dancer in 1991. Her work included roles
across the classical, dramatic, modern and
contemporary repertory. Agnes de Mille,
Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris and other
respected choreographers created roles for
her and she was a member of the premiere
tour of the White Oak Dance Project under
the direction of Mikhail Baryshnikov and
Mark Morris in 1990. Ms. Moore has
appeared in several dance documentaries,
the Herbert Ross movie Dancers, and was
interviewed on The Charlie Rose Show. Ms.
Moore began teaching for Princeton Ballet
School in 1993 as a guest teacher and has
taught on a regular basis in the school and
worked with ARB since 2006. She is also
a member of the ballet faculty at the Lewis
Center of the Arts at Princeton University.
Ms. Moore is certified to teach all levels of
ballet through the ABT National Training
Curriculum.
SHERRY ALBAN (Nutcracker Party and
Battle Rehearsal Director) has taught at
Princeton Ballet School since 1973. She
has choreographed several ballets for
PBII (now known as ARB Workshop),
and served for many years as Rehearsal
Director for Act I of Nutcracker, a role
she returned to in fall 2010. Since 2004,
Ms. Alban has annually staged the Act 1
children’s dances for Washington Ballet’s
The Nutcracker as well. Ms. Alban has been
a recipient of a New Jersey State Council
on the Arts Choreography Fellowship and
has directed and choreographed numerous
musicals for Plays in the Park of Edison,
N.J.; Rutgers Opera and NJPAC. She also
teaches ballet at Mason Gross School of
the Arts at Rutgers University.
CAROL BELLIS (Principal, Cranbury
Studio; Coordinator Summer Intensives;
Ballet) received her training on scholarship
at the School of American Ballet, official
school of the New York City Ballet. She
danced with the Garden State Ballet
and has taught for Garden State Ballet
School, Gloria Govrin’s New Hope Ballet
Academy, and the School of Performing
Arts at Somerset Vo-Tech. She has been
teaching here for more than 20 years, and
is the principal of the Cranbury studio
and the Coordinator of Princeton Ballet
School’s summer programs. Ms. Bellis is
also an Adjunct Professor of Ballet at Rider
University.
LISA de RAVEL (Dean of Students,
Alumni Relations Coordinator) received
her training at North Carolina School
of the Arts, the School of American
Ballet and Boston Ballet School. During
her professional dance career, she also
studied in New York with Finis Jhung,
David Howard and Maggie Black. She
joined American Repertory Ballet in
1988, and danced under the direction of
Dermot Burke in ballets by Ailey, Arpino,
Balanchine, Bournonville, Limón, Tudor,
Taylor, Burke, Webre and others. From
1989–2006 she taught and choreographed
for Princeton Ballet School, including
coordinating the Cranbury summer
program, now called Summer Intensive
Intermediates. She has been a recipient
of the Audrée Estey Award for Excellence
in Dance Education, and has also been
inducted into Princeton Ballet School
Wall of Fame. She is the organization’s
Alumni Relations Coordinator, and also
faculty liaison for the Junior Gala. Ms.
de Ravel received her B.A. in Psychology,
specializing in child and adolescent
development, from Rutgers, The State
University, in 2010. She is a Phi Beta
Kappa scholar and a member of Psi Chi
psychology honor society.
CHERYL WHITNEY (ARBW Juniors
Ballet Master, ARBW Administrator,
Princeton Ballet School faculty
member) received an M.S. in Ballet
from Indiana University and a B.A. in
English Literature and Music from St.
Lawrence University. She was trained and
performed professionally in the Baltimore/
Washington, D.C., area. For more than
25 years, she has taught in Princeton
Ballet School’s Student Division also
serving as rehearsal director for the ARB
productions of Nutcracker. Guest teaching
credits include Brandywine Ballet, Peabody
Conservatory and N.J. Governor’s School.
Her teaching in academic settings includes
Princeton University, Howard University,
Indiana University, The Lawrenceville
School, Foxcroft School and Latin School
of Chicago. She is an associate professor
in the dance program at Rider University.
Ms. Whitney has received grants from the
New York and New Jersey State Councils
on the Arts, and is the 2008 recipient of
the Audrée Estey Award for Excellence in
Dance Education. She is Artistic Director
of Reverence Dance Company.
MARIA YOUSKEVITCH (ARB
Workshop Ballet Mistress, Ballet), the
daughter of legendary ballet star Igor
Youskevitch, was a soloist with American
Ballet Theatre and Maryland Ballet, and
ballerina with Youskevitch’s concert
group, Ballet Romantique. She was
company teacher, rehearsal assistant and
senior faculty member at Hartford Ballet
under the Artistic Direction of Kirk
Peterson. She has been ballet mistress for
BalletMet, Nevada Dance Theatre and
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coach for the New York International Ballet
Competition. In addition, Ms. Youskevitch
has taught at such prestigious schools as
the David Howard Dance Center, Alvin
Ailey American Dance Center, Virginia
School of the Arts under the direction
Petrus Bosman, The Houston Ballet’s Ben
Stevenson Academy and The Jacqueline
Kennedy Onassis School at American
Ballet Theatre. A celebrated teacher and
coach for over 40 years, she was featured
in the June 2002 issue of Dance Teacher
magazine. Well versed in the classical ballet
repertoire, she has mounted versions of
Giselle, Coppélia, La Fille Mal Gardée and
her father’s one-act Romeo and Juliet. She
has also staged Michel Fokine’s Spectre de
la Rose and Les Sylphides, and the children’s
roles in Kirk Peterson’s Nutcracker. Ms.
Youskevitch was also on faculty for ABT’s
Young Dancer Summer Workshop in New
York City for eight years, and is an ABT
Certified Teacher, having completed the
ABT National Training Curriculum.
FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
LAURIE ABRAMSON (Ballet, ARBW
Juniors Rehearsal Director) received her
training at the Joffrey Ballet School and
holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from New
York University. She has also studied with
Alfredo Corvino, David Howard and at The
New Dance Group. In addition to her work
at Princeton Ballet School, Ms. Abramson is
a member of the ballet faculty at the Lewis
Center for the Arts at Princeton University,
and at Montclair State University. She has
served as a dance evaluator for the N.J. State
Council on the Arts and helped construct
and implement the exit exams for the
performing arts schools throughout the
state for the N.J. Dept. of Education, Visual
and Performing Arts. Laurie has received
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an arts’ educator grant from the N.J. State
Council on the Arts to teach and set
choreography for various performing arts
high schools throughout the state.
JANELL BYRNE (Ballet), a native of
California, studied with Stanley Holden
and Margaret Hills in Los Angeles. A
graduate of the Juilliard School, where she
studied with Alfredo Corvino, Ms. Byrne
has taught at Mercer County Community
College, Princeton University, The College
of New Jersey and the Lawrenceville School.
She has performed with DanceWorks and
Teamwork Dance and is Director of Mercer
Dance Ensemble, and has been teaching
here for over 20 years.
ANGELA CUSUMANO (Hip Hop)
started dancing at age five in Brooklyn,
N.Y. and has studied dance styles ranging
from ballet to hip hop (her forte’). She’s
toured nationally and internationally as a
backup dancer for Who Da Funk. Angela also
performed in numerous stage productions
at Plays in the Park, was a member of the
alternative jazz based dance company, Push
Factor Dance Company, and the hip hop
based dance crew, Iconic. She served as
the hip hop instructor for Push Factor’s
National Convention, DanzJam, and guest
teaches in numerous locations throughout
the east coast. Other professional credits
include KTU’s Beatstock Concert, Chinna
Cinema (Bollywood film) and was featured
on Paula Abdul’s CBS hit TV show,
Live to Dance (Season 1). Angela served
for years as a faculty member of ARB’s
DANCE POWER and DANCE POWER II
programs, founded by Gregory Hines. Other
choreography credits include music video
work for Urban Melodic Entertainment,
Inc. and Team Snooki Music.
PAMELA DAY (Ballet) completed her
early ballet training with Ruth Petrinovic’
at the Academy of Performing Arts in Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla. During her professional
career, she performed soloist roles with
the Israel Ballet, the Connecticut Ballet
and Dancers (New York City). During her
years as a professional dancer, she trained
in New York City with Finis Jhung, David
Howard and Robertson Denvers; in New
Haven, Conn., with Robert Vickrey,
Rochelle Zide-Booth and Bruce Wells; and
in Paris with Yves Casati. Ms. Day holds a
B.A. from Albertus Magnus College, and an
M.A. from George Washington University.
Glazunov Variations and as the lead role of
Swanhilda in Princeton Ballet School’s
production of Coppélia. Shaye has received
various choreographic awards from the
Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and was
chosen as one of five choreographers in
Houston Ballet Academy’s collaboration
with American Festival for the Arts. Since
she joined ARB, she has performed The
Chosen One in Douglas Martin’s Rite of
Spring and Titania in Martin’s A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, as well as featured roles in
works by Patrick Corbin, José Limón, Kirk
Peterson and Trinette Singleton.
GEOFFREY DOIG-MARX (Jazz/Theater
Dance) moved to New York City in the mid’80s to start a career in dance and musical
theatre. He appeared in equity national
tours and regional theater productions
of West Side Story, Pippin, A Chorus Line,
Dames at Sea, Cabaret, La Cage aux Folles,
Jesus Christ Superstar and many others. As a
producer, Geoffrey received a Certificate of
Excellence in Cultural Achievement from
the City of New York for his work as Artistic
Director of The Elan Awards. He also
teaches at Marymount Manhattan College
and Montclair State University. Recent
choreography projects include Cabaret and
Kiss of the Spider Woman. Geoffrey is also an
accomplished painter and photographer,
and his work in these genres has been shown
recently in New York.
JENNIFER GLADNEY (Ballet), an alum
of Princeton Ballet School and American
Repertory Ballet, graduated summa cum
laude from Rider University in 2006, and
received a B.A. in Elementary Education,
Early Childhood Education and Dance, as
part of the Rider University/Princeton Ballet
School Dance program. She was a member
of our Professional Training Program
throughout high school, and was part of a
trainee program, ARB Ensemble, during
the 1999–2000 season. As a freelanc dancer
she danced lead roles such as Aurora, Sugar
Plum Fairy and Cinderella. She’s worked as
a freelance dancer and choreographer with
Mercer Dance Ensemble, Rider Dances
and Teamwork Dance, and was a company
dancer with ARB during the 2010–2011
season, where she performed in works by
Twyla Tharp, Kirk Peterson, Philip Jerry
and ARB Company Director Douglas
Martin. She has also been in numerous
world-premiere works by ARB Resident
Choreographer, Mary Barton. Ms. Gladney
is a certified N.J. Educator, preschool to
fifth grade.
SHAYE FIRER (Ballet) was born in
Cape Town, South Africa and raised in
Vancouver, Canada. She received training
at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School
and attended various intensive programs
such as The National Ballet of Canada,
Houston Ballet and Ellison Ballet. She
joined the inaugural class of ARB’s Trainee
program. As a Trainee, she performed
company roles in Nutcracker, Our Town and
SAMANTHA GULLACE (Ballet), a
graduate of Princeton Ballet School’s
Professional Training Program and spent 3
14
years with the Joffrey Ballet as a Trainee. She
returned to New Jersey and joined American
Repertory Ballet in the fall of 2010, and
has been featured in many roles, such as
Sugar Plum Fairy and Arabian in Nutcracker,
the principal in Kirk Peterson’s Glazunov
Variations, Gerald Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi
and Mary Barton’s Shades of Time, and as a
featured soloist in Ann Marie DeAngelo’s
Blackberry Winter and José Limón’s There
is a Time. Ms. Gullace started teaching for
Princeton Ballet School fall of 2012.
JACOPO JANNELLI (Ballet) trained
with Fabula Saltis in Rome, with summer
programs at The Royal Ballet School and
Princeton Ballet School. As an ARB Trainee,
Jacopo performed lead roles in Princeton
Ballet School productions: Toreador in
Don Quixote and Siegfried in Swan Lake.
Since he joined the company, Jacopo has
danced the role of Tybalt in Romeo and
Juliet, The Ancient One in Rite of Spring, the
Prince in Nutcracker, Puck in A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, and featured roles in ballets
by Trinette Singleton and Kirk Peterson. He
has been with ARB since 2014.
Vineland Regional Dance Company. She
went on to receive her BFA in dance from
State University of New York at Purchase,
where she received the Bert Terborgh
Dance Award. She apprenticed with the
Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, and then danced
with American Repertory Ballet. She has
taught on the faculties of Princeton Ballet
School, the National Dance Institute of
Trenton and Mercer County Community
College. While living in Cincinnati, Ms.
Megules taught and choreographed for
the Otto M. Budig Academy of Cincinnati
Ballet, the College Conservatory of Music
Preparatory Division of the University of
Cincinnati, and was the ballet instructor
for the elite and accelerated gymnasts at the
Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy.
TALIN KENAR (Ballet), from Solana
Beach, Calif., began her training there
and then at age 15 received a full year
scholarship to continue her training at
The Royal Ballet School in London. She
has been a dancer with the Hong Kong
Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Carolina Ballet
and American Repertory Ballet, where
she was featured in many roles, including
Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker and Lady
Capulet in Douglas Martin’s Romeo and
Juliet. Talin has been teaching for many
years, and started teaching for Princeton
Ballet School in fall of 2012. She is also a
Gyrotonics instructor.
ERIKA MERO (Ballet, ARBW Juniors)
began dance training at Princeton Ballet
School. She was a member of the Professional
Training Program and Princeton Ballet II.
As a dancer in ARBW, Ms. Mero appeared
as the ballerina role of Swanhilda in
Coppélia, and during these years attended
The Juilliard School’s summer program.
In 2006, Ms. Mero graduated Cum Laude
with a BFA in Dance Performance from
SUNY Purchase. Performance works
include Terra Firma Dance Theatre, opera
productions with Opera New Jersey and
featured dancer/choreographer in Capriccio
at AVA in Philadelphia. Erika holds an M.A.
in Dance Education with a concentration in
ABT Ballet Pedagogy from NYU. She is an
ABT certified teacher, completing the ABT
National Training Curriculum and sits on
the faculty of ABT’s Young Dancer Summer
Workshop. She is an adjunct faculty member
at Rutgers University and The Lawrenceville
School, and the Curriculum and Assessment
Supervisor for DANCE POWER.
AMY MEGULES (Ballet) began dancing in
her hometown of Vineland, N.J., with the
KAREN LESLIE MOSCATO (Ballet)
began classes at Princeton Ballet School
15
after seeing ARB’s Nutcracker when she
was four years old. She continued up
through the syllabus of the school, also
attending summer programs at Kaatsbaan
International Dance Center and Boston
Ballet. After one semester of the Trainee
Program, Karen Leslie joined American
Repertory Ballet, where she has performed
featured roles in works by Gerald Arpino,
Mary Barton, Douglas Martin, Phillip Jerry,
Kirk Peterson and Twyla Tharp. In ARB’s
Nutcracker, she has performed the roles
of Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Dew
Drop Fairy, Marzipan soloist and Doll.
She danced the role of Juliet in the world
premiere of Douglas Martin’s Romeo and
Juliet. Ms. Moscato joined the faculty of
Princeton Ballet School in fall of 2013.
MATTIA PALLOZZI (Boys’ Ballet)
was born and reared in Italy where he
received his early training at the School of
Teatro Dell’Opera then at the Accademia
Nazionale Di Danza in Rome. During this
time, he performed as a soloist in Ugo
dell’Ara’s Ballo Excelsior, Vaionone’s The
Nutcracker and Ismael Ivo’s Ballo Sports.
In 2011 he joined ARB/Princeton Ballet
School’s Trainee Program, where he has
had the opportunity to perform alongside
the company in works by Gerald Arpino,
Mary Barton and Patrick Corbin. He
performed the lead role of Basilio in
Princeton Ballet School’s production of
Don Quixote before joining ARB in 2012
as an Apprentice-Trainee. In 2013, he was
promoted to a full company member. He
danced the role of Romeo in the world
premiere of Douglas Martin’s Romeo and
Juliet and the role of The Faun in Kirk
Peterson’s Afternoon of a Faun, among other
featured roles.
KATHLEEN A. SMITH (Ballet, Beginning
Dance) has been with American Repertory
Ballet and Princeton Ballet School for more
than 25 years ­— as a student, teacher and
administrator. Ms. Smith began her dance
training at Princeton Ballet School in
1988. She is a graduate of Princeton Ballet
School and rose through the levels of the
PLUS program, the Professional Training
Program and ARB Workshop. She has
also studied ballet at the Joffrey Ballet
School in New York City. Performance
highlights include the evil fairy Carabosse
in Princeton Ballet School’s production
of Sleeping Beauty in 2003, various roles in
ARB’s The Nutcracker under the direction of
both Septime Webre and Graham Lustig.
Ms. Smith has also performed numerous
pieces with Susan Tenney Dance. Ms.
Smith was also the choreographer in
the summer of 2010 at George Street
Playhouse’s Summer Theater Academy.
MARC ST-PIERRE (Ballet) started ballet
at the Académie de Ballet Classique de
Montréal at age eight, after training in
the Canadian gymnastics program. At
10, he was admittted to the prestigious
École Supérieur de Ballet de Quebec. He
has performed with Les Grands Ballets
Canadiens de Montréal, Ballet Ouest de
Montréal, Gleich Contemporary Dances,
Albany Berkshire Ballet and Roxey Ballet
Company where he performed many
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leads. He has guested regularly with City
Center Ballet and with the International
Ballet Theatre. Marc joined American
Repertory Ballet in 2010, and has been
featured in works by Kirk Peterson, Philip
Jerry, Patrick Corbin, Gerald Arpino, Mary
Barton and Douglas Martin, and also has
appeared as Romeo and as the Cavalier in
Nutcracker. Mr. St-Pierre has since retired
from performing and teaches men’s classes
at Princeton Ballet School.
SUSAN TENNEY (Modern Dance, Ballet,
Choreography) began her dance training
at Princeton Ballet School with Audrée
Estey. She received a B.F.A. in Dance from
SUNY Purchase and danced professionally
as a soloist for Jean Erdman, Andrew
deGroat and Dancers, Novantiqua, Nat
Horne Musical Theater and Muna Tseng.
For Princeton Ballet School, she teaches
Ballet and Modern Dance to students from
4–82 years old and teaches Choreography
for the Summer Intensive Intermediates
in Cranbury. Her fundraiser for Princeton
Ballet School brought over 150 dancers,
musicians and community members on to
the fields of Princeton University for an
outdoor performance of her choreography
and structured improvisation. She has
received commissions from the Coalition
for Peace Action and Princeton Arts
Council. Her choreography has been
produced Off-Broadway, in regional
theatres and in film. She is a three-time
Award Winner for Outstanding Direction
and Choreography from N.Y.C.’s Planet
Connections Theatre Festivity.
DR. KIM CHANDLER VACCARO
(Ballet, CoMBo, Pilates, Modern) is an
Associate Professor and the Director of
the Dance program in the department of
Theatre and Dance at Westminster College
of the Arts, of Rider University. She
became a professional dancer and teacher
17
while earning a B.A. in Choreography
and Performance from the University of
California at Santa Barbara, an M.A. in
Dance Education from UCLA, and an
Ed.D from Temple University. During
that time she performed in numerous
modern dance companies, choreographed
and produced her own work, and taught
dance at colleges on both the east and west
coasts. Dr. Vaccaro has taught at Princeton
Ballet School since 1989, and she has also
been an educational consultant to the
organization. Her current research is on
focus, creativity and mindfulness in dance
teaching. She is the creator and author of
CoMBo: Conditioning for Mindbody.
KEL VALLERY (Ballet, Beginning Dance)
is a summa cum laude graduate of Rider
University, where she received a major
in dance (2014). While at Rider, she
participated in the Rider University/
Princeton Ballet School Dance Program,
and performed with Rider Dances. Since
graduation, she has been working for
ARB as a Teaching Artist in the DANCE
POWER program. Ms. Vallery joined the
faculty of Princeton Ballet School in 2015.
She also is the assistant to the Summer
Intensive Juniors program and dances with
Artistic Visions Dance Company.
TRISHA WOLF (Beginning Dance,
Ballet) received her ballet training at
the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts
and participated in summer courses at
ABT and Joffrey Ballet School. Also an
accomplished pianist, Trisha has played
at Steps on Broadway, Nutmeg Ballet
and has been accompanying classes here
at Princeton Ballet School since 2008.
Currently she is also on staff at Princeton
University’s Lewis Center for the Arts and
is a company pianist at Pennsylvania Ballet
and American Ballet Theater.
DRESSING FOR DANCE
Ballet has very special and specific clothing. The very action of putting on this special
clothing helps prepare the young dancer to focus in a different way, and to participate
fully in the dance class. The clothing is specific in many ways, which relate to safety, utility
and aesthetics. Here are some guidelines which will help dancers look the part and do
well in dance class in this narrow but important way.
If each family makes its own choice and adds accessories, the clean, clear look of the
classroom becomes cluttered. We have a line of Princeton Ballet School leotards, some
of them especially commissioned for us. This uniform can be purchased through Giselle
of Princeton, either by filling in the enclosed order form, or in person in our Princeton
lobby. Please note that a portion of each sale will be donated back to the ballet school.
This service is being offered as a convenience.
GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN
•LEOTARDS cover the torso (and sometimes the arms).
•TIGHTS cover the lower body.
LEOTARDS:
Hand-in-Hand, Beginning Dance, Children’s Ballet 1: Uniform A in PINK.
Children’s Ballet 2, Intermediate 1 and 2: Uniform A in LIGHT BLUE.
Intermediate 3: Uniform A in ROSE.
Student 1, Middle School Ballet: Uniform B in MAROON. This will be your special class
leotard, for Nutcracker auditions, Parent Observation Days, Assessment Classes, etc. You
can augment your wardrobe with the approved cap and or three-quarter sleeve leotard.
Student 2: Uniform B in PERIWINKLE. This will be your special class leotard, for
Nutcracker auditions, Parent Observation Days, Assessment Classes, etc. You can augment
your wardrobe with approved cap and or three-quarter sleeve leotard.
Student 3: Uniform B in NAVY. This will be your special class leotard, for Nutcracker
auditions, Parent Observation Days, Assessment Classes, etc. You can augment your
wardrobe with approved cap and or three-quarter sleeve leotard.
Student 4: Uniform B in ROYAL. This will be your special class leotard, for Nutcracker
auditions, Parent Observation Days, Assessment Classes, etc. You can augment your
wardrobe with approved cap and or three-quarter sleeve leotard. You may also wear the
pull-on skirt that we are ordering.
Student 5: Uniform B in PLUM. This will be your special class leotard, for Nutcracker
auditions, Parent Observation Days, Assessment Classes, etc. You can augment your
wardrobe with approved cap and or three-quarter sleeve leotard. You may also wear the
pull-on skirt that we are ordering.
Student 6: Uniform B in SILVER GREY. This will be your special class leotard, for
Nutcracker auditions, Parent Observation Days, Assessment Classes, etc. You can augment
18
your wardrobe with approved cap and or three-quarter sleeve leotard. You may also wear
the pull-on skirt that we are ordering.
Professional Training Program and Trainee: Uniform C in BLACK. Princeton Ballet
School matching skirt is recommended for pointe class and will be required for ARBW
in-studio performances. Please order at least one uniform leotard for these occasions.
You may also wear other black leotards, as long as they do not feature cut-outs, mesh,
lace, or rhinestones.
TIGHTS:
•Dancers need tights to keep their legs warm and to keep down bacteria and odor in
ballet shoes.
•We recommend style #C30 (children’s sizes) or #A30 (adult sizes) available on the Giselle
of Princeton order form. Plain pink tights from other dancewear makers are also fine.
•We do not allow white, beige or black tights or patterned tights.
•Full-footed tights are required.
•Very young dancers (Children’s Division) may go bare-legged in very hot weather. If
they choose to do this, they must wear thin anklet socks under their ballet shoes.
•Tights belong UNDER the leotard, not over.
•Dancers in Beginning Dance and Hand in Hand are not required to wear ballet shoes,
so they will need tights without feet (Child style #C33), or bare legs. If they choose
to wear ballet slippers, they will need full-footed tights.
•Dancers old enough to wear pointe shoes might want convertible tights (C31 or A31).
•ARB Workshop dancers might want to buy professional mesh tights with seams. These
are the most suitable for dancers at this elite level. “Ballet Pink” color will be required
of you for performance. If you prefer “Theatrical Pink” for classwear, that’s fine.
19
UNDERWEAR:
•Dancers don’t wear underpants under their tights. To us, this would be like wearing
panties under a bathing suit.
•Leotards and tights should therefore be washed after each wearing. Manufacturers
recommend hand washing and line drying for best results. One can wash them in
the machine if you prefer (on cold), but don’t put them in the dryer.
•Some dancers don’t wear bras, either — again, the leotard functions as its own support,
in most cases. For those of you who would like the support of a bra, we have chosen
the styles for Student 1–5 carefully to allow for wide enough shoulder straps and high
enough back to suitably cover a bra. Please make sure your bra doesn’t show.
COVER UPS:
We keep the studios fairly warm, but a dance sweater can be useful for the beginning of
class. The only cover-ups allowed are long-sleeved cotton tee shirts and pull-over dance
sweaters. Please DO NOT BUY wrap around and tie dance sweaters.
SKIRTS:
No skirts are allowed except for the built-on skirts for the youngest levels, and the special
skirts available to Student 4 and up.
HAIR:
It is very important for hair to be pulled
back neatly away from the face. It is not only
safer and more comfortable, but also helps
create the “look” of the dancer. Loose hair
gets sweaty and uncomfortable, and when
it is very long and the dancer is turning
very fast, can actually sting the eyes and
face. Girls with very short hair can come
up with cute and appropriate combinations
of barrettes and headbands (soft ones will
stay on better) which will work just fine.
Girls with longer hair should either make a
ponytail (if they are very young) or a bun (if
they are in Intermediate 3 or above). Here
are some pointers on creating these classic
dance hairstyles.
1.The classic ballerina bun: One of the
best ways to start looking like a young
dancer is to put your hair up in a bun.
We would like to encourage the dancers
to learn to do this for themselves. It takes
practice, so summer would be a good
time to try. It’s a very cool hair-do for
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the hot months! All the girls in Intermediate 3 and above should have their hair in a
bun, if it is long enough. If not, we have some tips for you below (see #4).
You will need:
•hair spray, or gel, or a spray bottle with water
•covered rubber band to make the pony tail
•hair pins (these are large open pins. They can be hard to find in regular stores —
Giselle of Princeton carries them)
•bobby pins (these are the smaller, crinkly sliders, useful for under the bun to hold
up the shorter hair at the nape of the neck)
•fine hair net the same color as your hair (like your grandmother used to wear).
Now let’s make the bun:
•Spray your hair with water to make it damp, and/or apply hair gel–this will help
control all the little thin, wispy areas. Gather your hair and pull it back tightly. If
you’re making this bun for on stage, get rid of any bangs. For dance class, bangs
are OK, as long as they’re not too long and messy. Some dancers wear a thin elastic
headband with their bun to hold back shorter lengths of hair. If you wish to do this,
be sure to bobby pin the headband into place.
•Use your brush to smooth the hair. Form a ponytail by brushing the hair up from
the jaw line and then to the back of the head. The placement of the ponytail (ie high
or low) determines the placement of the bun. For short hair use hair clips or bobby
pins (the same color as your hair) to keep ends from coming loose.
• Use a strong elastic, or even TWO elastic bands to secure the ponytail, especially if your hair is thick or very straight. A loose ponytail will result in a sloppy bun.
• Start twisting the ponytail. As you twist, start
to coil the ponytail into a tight circle. Use the hairpins to pin each section of the ponytail as you go (about every 1 or 2 inches).
• As you add each new section, use hair pins
all around the coil to secure the new section to the already done parts of the bun. Slide each hair pin through the outer part of the coil
and into the base (center) of the bun.
• Wrap a fine hair net over the bun. Keep
twisting and wrapping so that the hairnet
tightly fits the bun. You end up with several
layers of hairnet. Secure the hairnet with
bobby pins. Don’t count on the hairnet
to keep the bun secured to the head. The
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hairnet is just there to
keep little lengths of
hair from sticking out in
different directions. What
keeps the bun secure is
the hair pins.
•Make sure the hairnet
is the same color as the
hair. If this bun is for a
performance, do not use a
crocheted bun warmer or
snood–the color will stand
out badly onstage. These
decorative additions are
fine for classroom use.
•Very thick hair can be
challenging. A good
technique is to divide
thick hair into two coils.
Do one first, then fit the
other one around the
edge of the first.
2. For an easier version, which
works well on medium
length hair, ie hair long enough to fit into a ponytail, but not long enough to easily coil:
• Start as above
• Braid the ponytail as far as possible, then secure the end with another elastic band.
Fold the end of the braid under and press it flat against head. Secure in place with
hairpins.
If this is just for class, you could also use a very large, strong barrette to quickly do this.
3. One can also do a modified French twist. Start twisting the hair at the nape of the
neck (no rubber band). Twist up a few inches to the middle of the head. Fold the top
part of the hair back under to hide it, then secure the whole thing with a very large,
very strong barrette.
4. For very short hair that will not fit into a ponytail, use any combination of hair clips,
bobby pins, barrettes, and/ or headband to hold hair back and away from the face.
You may wish to use hair spray for extra hold.
For Our Youngest Dancer, through Intermediate 2:
We suggest a ponytail, pigtails, braids, or a bun. If your hair is too short for any of these
classic little girl hairstyles, then it’s probably short enough that you can just leave it as
is for ballet class. But please do not send dancers with long loose hair flopping around.
Any hair longer than chin length should be put up in some way, for the dancer’s comfort
and coolness, and also for the neat look that is a part of ballet training.
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SHOES
Ballet shoes divide into two types. More definitions:
1.BALLET SHOES (also known as technique shoes or ballet slippers) are worn by both
sexes. Girls should purchase pink, boys should buy black. They should be reputable
brands such as Bloch, Sansha, Capezio. Do not buy off-brand house slippers that are
made to look like ballet shoes. Buy the real thing. Be sure to write your first initial
and last name inside all ballet slippers and pointe shoes. This is our only means of
identifying lost or misplaced shoes. They all look alike!
Frequently Asked Questions:
• Canvas or leather? It’s up to you. Leather lasts a little longer. Canvas breathes a
little better in very hot weather. So feel free to buy whichever is more comfortable
for your dancer.
• Full sole or split sole? We far prefer full sole. The split sole ballet shoe was invented
to help the dancer’s foot appear to be more well-arched. We prefer to get that look
by having them work their muscles more and actually arch the foot.
• What about those little strings at the top? You are supposed to use these to pull the
shoe snug on the dancer’s foot (the fitter will show you how to do this). Then tie them
in a square knot. You can then cut off some of the excess. Contrary to pictures in
children’s books, the little strings are not supposed to be tied in bows and left on top
of the shoe–they are to be tucked neatly into the shoe. That’s why they shouldn’t be
too long. If they are, they will be very uncomfortable against the toes.
•What about elastic? Yes, all dancers should wear elastic on their shoes. Your dancewear supplier will show you how it is to be sewn (by you, but very simple to do).
•Why don’t they come pre-sewn? Because each dancer’s foot is a little different, and
you will want to find the best place to sew.
•Can we safety-pin them? Please don’t! The pins could open and hurt the feet. Sew
them firmly with doubled-over thread and a good knot.
•Some shoes come with two elastics already half-sewn on to the shoe. These are to
be completed in a criss-cross pattern–your shoe fitter can show you how. Please do
not tie these elastics to each other, but sew them to the shoe.
ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS THE SAME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
2.POINTE SHOES: The second type of shoe worn by ballet dancers is the pointe shoe.
(This is the shoe also commonly known as toe shoes). This shoe is only worn after several
years of intensive training. Pointe shoes are discussed separately when the dancers are
ready to purchase and wear these shoes. Student 3 should not purchase pointe shoes
until instructed to do so, in late October.
BOYS
Boys who are just starting the study of ballet are encouraged to wear any loose, comfortable clothing, such as sweatpants or bike shorts, with the ARB/Princeton Ballet School
logo T-shirt and ballet shoes.
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Boys who have been advanced into Intermediate Ballet for Boys or above should wear:
•White, form-fitting T-shirt with logo in style #3527, tucked into
•Dance belt (a type of athletic supporter for dancers), worn with
•Tights: black footed tights in style #M90
•Black ballet shoes (see SHOES)
Please buy the tee shirt snug (see Giselle of Princeton order form or try on in lobby) — the
point is to see how the core strength musculature is developing.
ARRIVING AND DEPARTING
To those of us in the dance world, wearing leotards and tights in a non-theatre, public
arena, such as a parking lot or grocery store, would feel like walking around in a bikini. You
just don’t do it outside of the appropriate place. So please help your dancer understand
that we are very proud and happy to dress in this special, unique way as we enter the
special area of the dance studio, where we are in a safe, non-judgmental environment
with teachers also wearing dance clothing.
Arriving: We have large dressing rooms for females and males. Some dancers come “underdressed,” i.e. they have their dancewear on and street clothes on top, in which case they visit
the dressing rooms to remove street clothes and hang them on the hooks. Some dancers
prefer to arrive in their street clothes and change clothes in the dressing room. That’s why
we don’t allow parents of the opposite sex in these changing rooms. Please leave clothing
neat, and please do not leave valuables (including pointe shoes) in the dressing room.
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Departing: Some dancers just put on a sweatsuit and jacket on top of their clothes. As
the dancers mature and sweat profusely in class, it becomes more pleasant for them to
remove their dance clothes and put on full street clothing. The choice is yours. What we
don’t want to encourage is dancers just walking out in their dancewear with nothing on
top. This is not appropriate behavior. Parents, please do not encourage your children to
do this in an effort to hurry them along. We need to help them understand what clothing
is appropriate in what context.
No one, male or female, before or after class, should ever wear dance shoes outside
of the studio area. This shortens the life of your dance shoes, and of our dance flooring,
by tracking in dirt, mud and floor wax.
PLEASE NOTE:
•We are proud of the fact that many of our faculty maintain active professional schedules.
When they are not available to teach, due to performance or directorial commitments,
substitute teachers will be provided, generally from within our own faculty, professional
company or Trainee programs.
• The art of ballet accompaniment is a highly skilled craft, with very few practitioners.
It is our goal to offer live musical accompaniment for all of our ballet classes, but we
have few back-ups to turn to when our musicians are ill or unable to be here. We have
recorded our musicians, and downloaded hundreds of selections onto our computers
for use on these occasions.
•Princeton Ballet School will make attempts to provide a suitable teacher and level for
special needs children. However, we may require these parents/caretakers to stay on
our premises during the child’s class.
•Princeton Ballet School is not responsible for any lost or stolen articles.
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ON POINTE:
American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is reinventing the community’s inside access to
the dance world through a free monthly series entitled On Pointe. Held at Princeton
Ballet School’s studios, 301 N. Harrison Street above McCaffrey’s in the Princeton
Shopping Center, ARB brings guest speakers, lecture-demonstrations, company
performance previews and panel discussions to seasoned dance enthusiasts and
new students alike. Look for our full schedule of On Pointe events on our website.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Leadership
Season Sponsors
Cover, Caroline Pallat; Page 2, Caroline Pallat; Page 4, George Jones; Page 5, Caroline
Pallat; Page 6, Caroline Pallat; Page 7, George Jones; Page 8 (top), Caroline Pallat; Page
8 (bottom), George Jones; Page 19, George Jones; Page 20, Caroline Pallat; Page 21,
Caroline Pallat; Page 22, Caroline Pallat; Page 24, George Jones; Page 25, Theresa Wood;
Page 26, Caroline Pallat
can Repertory Ballet’s programs are made
le in part by funds from the New Jersey State
il on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner
y of the National Endowment for the Arts
American Repertory Ballet’s programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State
Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
rican Repertory Ballet
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P R I N C E T O N
B A L L E T
S C H O O L
SAVE THE DATE…
School year...............................................................................................Sat., Sept. 10–Sun., June 4
Nutcracker auditions...................................................................................... Sunday, September 18
Nutcracker rehearsals begin....................................................................................September 24–25
Nutcracker..............................................................................................November 19–December 18
Thanksgiving .......................................................................... Closed Tues., Nov. 22–Sun., Nov. 27
Winter Break..............................................................................Closed Mon., Dec. 19–Sun., Jan. 1
Spring Break..........................................................................Closed Mon., April 10–Sun., April 16
The Sleeping Beauty (school show).................................................................................... Sat., May 20
• Please note that Princeton Ballet School will be closed on this date.
Memorial Day Break..................................................................Closed Sat., May 27–Mon., May 29
Last day of classes............................................................................................................Sun., June 4
Summer Open Enrollment session begins..........................................Mon., June 5–Thurs., July 27
Summer Courses for Children..........................................................Mon., June 26–Thurs., July 27
Summer Intensive 2017..........................................................................Mon., June 26–Fri., July 28
Mark your calendar! Nutcracker auditions: September 18
For more information available this fall in all studios and online at www.arballet.org
-------------------------
End-of-school-year production: The Sleeping Beauty
Look for information packets in December with all the details about next year’s full-length
ballet The Sleeping Beauty Remember that students of all ages (above Beginning Dance), including
adults, will have possibilities to perform in this multi-age event. No audition necessary.
Call our Princeton studio at 609.921.7758 for any further questions.
Princeton: 301 N. Harrison Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Princeton/Downtown: Paul Robeson Center for the Arts,
102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Cranbury: 29 N. Main Street, Cranbury, NJ 08512
New Brunswick: Crossroads Theater, 7 Livingston Avenue, 4th floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Fax (Princeton): 609.921.3249 • Website: www.arballet.org
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