The 24-25 Season
Season Dates
**We will be at our temporary location for at least the Fall session! Weekday classes will be held at the Barn Studio, 20 Dickinson Street, Amherst. Weekend classes will be held at the Hartsbrook School, 193 Bay Rd., Hadley. **
Season Starts on: September 16, 2024
Ends on: June 15, 2025
Amherst Ballet will be closed on the following dates
Thanksgiving Break: November 25- December 1
Winter Break: December 18-January 1
February Break: February 19-23
April Break: April 16-20
Memorial Day: May 24-25
Please note that all tuition rates listed are for the full academic year. We strive to be as flexible as possible, and are able to offer partial year, monthly, and pro-rated tuition. In addition, we have a generous scholarship program to support our mission of ballet for all. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
Class descriptions below are a guideline only. All placements are at director’s discretion. Please email info@amherstballet.org to schedule a placement class.
Classes
Creative Movement
Sundays 12pm-1pm at the Hartsbrook School.
Session 1: October 6 – November 10
Session tuition: $100
For ages 3-5
Creative Movement is designed for young dancers ages 3-5 who love music and movement but are not quite ready for rigorous ballet technique. We will learn the fundamentals of dance, including stationary movements, locomotive movement, direction, speed, level, and texture. Throughout the session, students will also learn classroom expectations, including how to enter and exit the classroom, following instruction, working together with classmates and independently, and develop their problem solving skills. Dancers are encouraged to take multiple sessions to develop deeper understanding of concepts.
Level I
1 Class per week
Wednesday 4:30 – 5:30pm
Mikayla Archambeau
Annual Tuition: $600
Level 1 is designed for young beginners. We will cover foundational concepts of ballet, including turnout, positions of the arms and feet, and stage orientation. We will also develop comfort with the basic steps of ballet, including a simple barre and moving in various patterns around the room using structured movement. This class meets once per week and is eligible for the Spring Show.
Ages 6-8
Level II
Minimum 2 classes per week
Wednesday 4:30-5:30pm, Thursday 4:30-6pm, Friday 4:30-6pm
*Please note date and time change! There will be no Saturday class offered. Students are invited to take the Friday class instead.
Mikayla Archambeau
Annual Tuition: $1200
This class is for students with at least 1 year of classical ballet technique. Students will continue to develop strength and flexibility while expanding their ballet vocabulary. We will refine basic barre exercises and add center exercises. By the end of the year, students will be able to perform a simple bare with fluidity and elegance, and will be able to complete tendues, simple adagio, waltz, and simple jumps in center. This level is required to take 2 classes per week, but may take 3 if desired.
Level III
Minimum 2 classes per week
Thursday 4:30-6pm, Friday 4:30-6pm
*Please note the Saturday class has been cancelled due to low enrollment.
Mikayla Archambeau
Annual Tuition: $1800
This class is for students with at least 2 years of classical ballet technique. Students are expected to already be comfortable with a full barre as well as basic adagio, waltz, and jumps in center. We will work on developing comfort with more complex combinations at the barre, including positions of the body and incorporating port de bras. In center, we will work on developing stability working on one leg, as well as introduce simple turns and jumps on one leg. Students in this level are required to take 2 classes per week, and may take 3 if desired.
Level IV
Minimum 3 classes per week
Wednesday 5:30-7pm, Friday 4:30-6pm, Saturday 11:30-1:30pm, Sunday 1-3pm
Rehearsal Sunday 3-4pm
Mikayla Archambeau
Annual Tuition: $2400
This class is for students with at least 3 years of classical ballet training. Students are expected to enter the class with full command of all barre exercises, including using port des bras and body positions, and good working knowledge of center exercises. Students should have good control of turnout and the strength and flexibility to complete basic center exercises including work on one leg with composure. We will prepare for advanced training by developing full comfort with all exercises at barre and center, including usage of port des bras and positions of the body. The goal of this level is to develop coordination and fluidity with all basic exercises, including turns and simple petit and grande allegro, so that students are prepared to begin work on more advanced skills, standard repertoire, and pointe work. Students are required to take at least 3 classes per week, but encouraged to take 4. Students in this level are eligible for additional performance opportunities, and must attend Sunday classes as well as an additional 90 minute rehearsal period following class on Sunday to be invited to perform.
Advanced
Minimum 3 classes per week
Wednesday 5:30-7pm, Thursday 6-8pm, Friday 6-8pm, Saturday 11:30-1:30pm, Sunday 1-3pm
Pointe technique Wednesday 7-8pm
Repertoire Sunday 3-4pm
Mikayla Archambeau
Annual Tuition: $2800
This class is for students with at least 4 years of classical ballet training, and who have a strong command of all barre and center exercises, including usage of port des bras and positions of the body. Dancers in this level will begin or continue pointe technique. We will develop fluidity and elegance as well as style, and develop confidence with multiple turns and batterie. Dancers in this level are eligible for additional performance opportunities, and must attend Sunday rehearsals in order to participate in those performances. Dancers are required to take at least 3 classes per week, but are encouraged to take up to 5, as well as additional pointe technique, partnering, and repertoire classes.
Adult Classes
Adult-only ballet class offered Saturdays 10-11:30am with Mikayla Archambeau. The class will include a full barre and center, and is ideal for those with some prior ballet experience.
Experienced adult dancers may drop in for the Friday advanced level class, 6-8pm with Mikayla Archambeau.
All drop-in classes are $20, or you may purchase a 10-class card for $180.
Please register in advance for class through Dance Studio Pro. Classes with fewer than 3 sign-ups may be cancelled, and you will only be notified if you have registered for class.
Registration
- Registration must be done through Dance Studio Pro. Click on the “Register” button below to go to Dance Studio Pro Parent Portal.
- There is a one-time non-refundable $30 registration fee for all classes, including drop-ins.
- One free trial is available for each of the season classes.
- If you have never danced with us before, you need to make a free account at Dance Studio Pro. If you have danced with us but don’t have the login info, email info@amherstballet.org
- The school holds the right to cancel classes if the enrollment is too low.
- The tuition amount is for the whole season unless otherwise noted. Various payment options, including monthly ones, are available. Contact info@amherstballet.org to discuss your option.
- Tuition can be paid online through Dance Studio Pro, which incurs a service charge. It can also be paid by bringing a check or cash to Amherst Ballet. The check should be written to Amherst Ballet.
- There is 3% discount if paid in full by September 11.
- A second child in a family receives 5% discount and a third and fourth children 10% and 15% respectively.
- Scholarship is available for those in need. Visit this page for more information.
Attention Adult Dancers!
- You must register for each drop in class you want to take on Dance Studio Pro.
- Discounted 10 class cards are available for drop-in classes.
- Student discount available for 5 and 10 class cards. Email info@amherstballet.org to get the student rate.
- If you purchase a class card in DSP, be sure to click on “I’ll Bring a Punch Card” at the end of the registration.
- If you would like to use a credit card to pay for the tuition, please do so through DSP. Or you can bring a check or cash to the studio.
- Everyone is required to pay the season registration fee of $30 and sign the Participant waiver and release of liability form at the beginning of the season. Look for the instruction in the drop-in confirmation message.
Dress Code
Ballet Classes: Regular Session
Solid color leotard OR form fitting solid colored dance shirt & pink, flesh tone, or black tights made for dance. Ballet slippers must match tight color.
Long hair must be securely fastened in a bun. No bangs in eyes. Hair too short to be put into a bun must be secured back away from face.
Dancers with external genitals should wear a dance belt.
Skirts or shorts above the knee may be worn for pointe and variations, however instructor may require students to remove them at any time.
Warmups may not be worn during class.
Jewelry may be worn but cannot interfere with movement or pose a risk to students. Stud earrings, small necklaces, and small rings are acceptable. Teachers may ask students to remove jewelry if they determine it poses a risk.
If glasses are worn, they must be secured with a strap to prevent them from flying off when turning or jumping.
Ballet Classes: Adults
Ballet slippers, comfortable clothes for exercise.