Frequently Asked Academy Questions
Location:
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How do I get to Ballet Idaho Academy?
Ballet Idaho is located between 8th and 9th Street off of Myrtle Street in downtown Boise.
- If you are traveling from west Boise, you can take the connector downtown and turn right onto 9th Street and immediately left into our parking lot.
- If you are traveling from east or south Boise, you can take 9th Street and turn left immediately into our parking lot after Myrtle Street.
- If you are traveling from north Boise, you can approach downtown via Capitol Boulevard, turn left onto River Street, right onto 8th Street, and our parking lot will be on the left.
Where do I park?
You can park in the Miller Lot at the corner of 9th Street and Miller. There is also metered street parking for a fee. Please, register your license plate at the front desk or through our form. Temporary parking passes are available at the front desk for new students.
Do I need to pay for parking while my child is attending class?
If you park in one of our lots during class time, you do not need to pay for parking. Please, allow ample time for parking as our lots can get quickly filled during peak hours. There is also metered street parking downtown for a fee.
What is your student drop-off policy?
Students are encouraged to be dropped off at the main entrance 15 minutes prior to the start of their class or rehearsal. If a student will be dropped off more than 20 minutes early or late, please notify Denise at dnajman@balletidaho.org.
Contact:
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When is your front desk open?
Front Desk hours are 9:30 – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. During our academic season, front desk hours are extended 9:30 am – 8:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:30 am – 1:00 pm on Saturday. Please, be advised there are closures for holidays and inclement weather.
What is your contact information?
You can reach us by phone at 208-343-0556 or info@balletidaho.org and we will forward your message to the appropriate department.
How do I update my contact information?
You can update your information by logging into your Studio Director account at: https://app.thestudiodirector.com/balletidaho/portal.sd
Registration:
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How do I sign up for a class?
Welcome to BIA! Please, reach out to our Academy Administrator Sada at sogburn@balletidaho.org to learn how to register your student through Studio Director. We are happy to answer all of your questions.
Are you still accepting registration? Can I register my child for classes halfway through the year?
With BIA’s open enrollment policy, students can register at any point in the year.
Levels:
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What ages can take class?
We have classes suitable for dancers ages 3 years old and up. Our Adult classes start at 13 years old and up.
When will my student move up a level?
In our Lower and Upper Division, students will attend a placement class at the end of each Academic year where a panel of BIA Directors and Teachers will assess the student’s readiness for level progression. Students advance based on age, maturity, attendance, strength, flexibility, knowledge of vocabulary, etiquette, focus, and complete understanding of current level’s curriculum. Our Children’s Division is structured to have students move up a level each season. In our Lower and Upper Division classes, students may repeat a level for two or more years.
When do students go on pointe?
After studying pre-pointe in levels 3 and 4, students in Intermediate 1 will be evaluated to start pointe work. Based on bone structure, technical ability, and maturity, dancers who are ready may begin pointe work. BIA offers a beginner pointe workshop for dancers new to pointe. Students are fit in shoes, learn how to sew them and break them in, and start foundational pointe work during the week-long intensive.
Class Information:
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Where do I find the class schedule?
The class schedule is located at our front desk and posted here: https://balletidaho.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BIA-24.25-Schedule.pdf
Where can I find the tuition schedule?
The tuition schedule is located in our Handbook at the front desk and posted here: https://balletidaho.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tuition-8_8.pdf
What are upcoming events and important dates?
Please, find our current Calendar here: https://balletidaho.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Calendar-8_8.pdf
My student is new to dance, where do we start?
Welcome to BIA! Please, reach out to our Academy Administrator Sada at sogburn@balletidaho.org to learn how to register your student through Studio Director. We are happy to answer all of your questions.
Can I try a class before registering?
We encourage new students to attend a free trial class for level placement before registering.
What is the dress code?
Find our dress code here: https://balletidaho.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BIA-24.25-Handbook.pdf
Where can I purchase needed supplies?
Our required curriculum leotards are available to purchase through BIA at the front desk. Tights, shoes, leotards, and other supplies are available at our Open House each season, but otherwise available to purchase at DiscountDance.com and other dance retailers.
Can I watch my dancer in class?
BIA offers two Parent Observation Weeks during the course of the school year. Each season the dates are updated in the Academy Calendar. Parents and visitors are not permitted in the studios or in the hallways at any other time during the year. Students will perform in their year-end recital each season. We encourage parents, family members, and friends to support their dancers by attending their shows.
What are specialty classes?
Specialty Classes are our unique class offerings taking place for 12 weeks in the fall and 12 weeks in the spring. This season, dancers in levels Intermediate 2 and up can participate in Pas De Deux (Partnering), Flamenco, and Character classes. These add-on classes are for an additional fee.
How many students are in a class?
Each level has about 8 – 14 dancers. Some smaller classes are combined weekly.
What technique/syllabus do you teach?
At BIA, our philosophy is to teach, coach, and mentor the whole student by teaching physical, cognitive, and emotional development with a strong focus on classical technique. We teach a cohesive, age appropriate curriculum that fosters growth in each individual student. Our syllabus is a combination of ballet techniques to reflect the goals of the organization as a whole including the Academy, Trainee Program, and Company. BIA students will learn performance skills, artistry, musicality, dynamics, etiquette, maturity, grace, and discipline through ballet, contemporary, jazz, pilates, and specialty classes.
Adult Class:
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How do I sign up for adult classes?
Welcome to BIA! Please, reach out to our Academy Administrator Sada at sogburn@balletidaho.org to learn how to register through Studio Director. We are happy to answer all of your questions.
Where do I find the adult class schedule?
Our current adult schedule is listed here: https://balletidaho.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/BIA-24.25-Schedule.pdf
Do I need to buy a monthly or annual membership for adult classes or can I just drop in?
We are pleased to have recently added our adult unlimited membership pass for $100.00/month. Can’t make the commitment? Feel free to drop in for $25.00/class.
What do I need to wear to adult classes?
Acceptable clothing for female-identifying students includes athletic or dance attire that allows for easy movement such as leotard, tights, ballet skirt, warm-ups, yoga pants, t-shirt, etc. Hair should be neatly pulled back. Acceptable clothing for male-identifying students includes neat shirt or tank, tights or athletic pants or shorts, and dance belt. Please, wear appropriate footwear for the class you are in, such as ballet slippers for ballet class. No street clothes.
Are there adult classes during the summer?
Our adult program is year-round with an additional summer intensive during the summer months.
Communication:
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What happens when a class is canceled?
If there are class changes or cancellations due to rehearsals, events, or holidays, you will be notified via email. If there is a closure due to inclement weather, we will notify you via email. Our voice answering service will be updated to reflect the closure. You may call us at 208-343-0556. We will also post on our social media account: instagram @balletidahoacademy
If my student is ill, what do I do?
Students can not attend classes or rehearsals if they are feeling ill or showing symptoms of an illness. Please, keep your student home until the illness has passed to allow the student to be healthy enough to take class fully and to avoid the spread of illness. You can contact Denise at dnajman@balletidaho.org if your student will miss class.
Payment:
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Can I get a refund for injury or withdrawal?
BIA offers refunds or credits only in extenuating circumstances. We are happy to credit your tuition payment to use toward a different class within the same academic year.
Performances:
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Who can audition for The Nutcracker?
BIA registered students in levels Primary 2 through Advanced may audition for The Nutcracker. Auditions are held in early September each year and each role will be called by level. Youth Ballet dancers may also audition.
When is the recital? What do I need to know in advance? What is your costume policy?
Each season the recitals take place at the end of our Academic season. Please, check our BIA Calendar for specific dates. More information on schedules, requirements, ticketing, and parking will be available each spring. There is a $50.00 recital fee for all participating dancers. Children’s Division students will get to keep their costume!
Do I need to pay for tickets to the recital?
Yes, you can order tickets through Ballet Idaho each spring.
Can I get discounted tickets if my child is performing in The Nutcracker?
Unique to our Academy, BIA registered students receive one complimentary season subscription to company performances. Additional tickets are available for a discounted price.