Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the school year?

Our annual season at RBC runs from mid-September through early June, culminating in our end-of-year recital. Our curriculum spans the entire school year, rather than operating on a semester basis. This approach allows dancers to continue their progress without the disruption of starting over in January.

RBC’s Ballet Curriculum is a thoughtfully designed series of syllabi, customized for each level with specific goals and achievements in mind. Our training is rooted in Balanchine technique, enriched by the unique styles and insights of our carefully selected teachers, each chosen by the Director for their expertise and ability to mentor our dancers.

In addition to our regular school year classes, we offer summer sessions in June and August. We do not hold classes in July to encourage our advanced dancers to audition for prestigious summer intensive programs. For a list of recommended schools, please visit the office.

How is tuition handled?

Our annual tuition is paid in two installments (50% is due upon enrollment and the remaining 50% is due on December 1st). We accept credit card payments through our secure online system. Please email us at info@ryeballet.com for more information. We offer a sibling discount of 5% for families with multiple students. Tuition is non-refundable. 

Please see the "Levels" page for tuition pricing.

What should I wear to class?

For information about our Required Uniforms, please see the "Levels" page.  Please see the "Policies" page for information on general ballet attire.

Do you STAGE a Nutcracker PERFORMANCE?

Yes! We partner with The Yorkville Nutcracker choreographed by Francis Patrelle. Students may audition for parts in early September in New York City. Generally, rehearsals for younger dancers will take place at RBC in Rye and rehearsals for older dancers will take place at Ballet Academy East in Manhattan. The performance will be at Hunter College in Manhattan in mid-December.

Do you have a SPRING recital?

Absolutely! Rye Ballet Conservatory stages our annual recital in June. Each year, we choose from one of our many story-driven ballets set to orchestral works that are inspired by our Director's time at New York City Ballet. Our ballets are original pieces that are tailored to the individual abilities and talents of our students.

You don’t need to decide whether your dancer will participate in the recital upon enrollment. You will be asked whether your dancer would like to participate in the recital in late November. Participation in our recital is optional, but 99% of our students do participate.

We charge a fee to participate in the recital, depending on your dancer’s level. This fee will be added to your second tuition installment that is due on December 1st. The fee covers our cost of staging the recital as well as your dancer’s costume rental. Costumes are returned to Rye Ballet Conservatory after the recital.

Do I have to wear my hair in a bun?

Absolutely! Fastening hair in a secure bun is an important part of the beauty and discipline of ballet. A secure bun gives the student freedom to concentrate on her technique instead of fussing with her hair.  Watch Miss Ashlee demonstrate how to make a basic ballet bun in the video below!

When do ballet students start en pointe?

Students begin pointe work by invitation from the Director, exclusively in our Upper School, after a comprehensive pointe readiness evaluation. There is no set age for starting pointe, as readiness is determined by multiple factors, including a dancer’s length of study, weekly attendance, muscular strength, and the anatomical structure of the foot.

To ensure a safe transition to pointe, our in-house physical therapist, Dr. Anna Racine, who specializes in working with dancers, conducts thorough evaluations to assess each student's readiness.

Am I able to observe my Dancer’s class?

Class observation by anyone other than enrolled students and current faculty is not allowed. Parent Observation will take place the week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This will be the only time parents will be allowed into our studios to see dancers during class time.

When is the best time to contact the studio?

RBC Business Hours are from 3:30-8:30 pm Mon-Fri and 10 am - 4:30 pm on Sat. Outside of these hours you may leave a voicemail at either studio, or email info@ryeballet.com. We will get back to you within 24 hours. If parents wish to speak with either the director or a staff member in-person for any reason, please call or email to schedule a meeting.

What is your policy on attendance and tardiness?

In order for all of our students to excel in ballet, we ask that students attend all classes and make-up any missed classes in a prompt fashion. Each level’s weekly schedule has been carefully considered by our experienced faculty to help facilitate balletic knowledge, growth and confidence.

To Report an Absence:

1. Log in to your parent portal.

2. Click on the "Attendance" icon.

3. Select the date of the absence and provide the reason.

To Schedule a Makeup Class:

• Lower School & 2A Dancers: Check the schedule page on our website for additional class days and simply attend.

• 2B & Above: Attend a class in your current level or the level directly below.

Important Notes:

• Makeup classes are only allowed in your dancer’s current level or the level directly below.

• If you'd like to attend a class more than one level below, please email us for approval.

It is important to be on time in life and it is the same here at Rye Ballet Conservatory. Students should arrive fifteen minutes before class to stretch and warm-up. Arriving after class starts is disruptive to the teacher and the other students. Any dancer who arrives more than ten minutes late will need to report to the office before entering the studio.  Dancers who arrive late may be asked to sit and watch class. 

Do you hold classes for boys?

RBC warmly invites boys to join our co-educational Conservatory Program. As they advance through our upper divisions, we provide tailored coaching that addresses the unique needs of male dancers. This specialized training helps them master essential techniques and maintain a competitive edge in the world of advanced ballet.

Can you train at another school while enrolled at Rye Ballet Conservatory?

No, outside training is not permitted for Rye Ballet Conservatory students throughout the duration of the Annual Season. This includes private lessons and enrollment at another dance school. We believe that dancers should receive all necessary instruction within their scheduled classes at RBC. Trusting the process is essential, and too many influences at once can be counterproductive.

However, we encourage our intermediate and advanced dancers to broaden their experience by auditioning for outside summer intensive programs, where they can explore new styles, teachers, and methodologies.

Can you help with audition videos/photos for summer intensives Applications?

Absolutely! We love supporting our dancers. Video and photo sessions for summer intensives, private school, college applications, or external scholarship program auditions are permitted during audition season and can be scheduled in advance with Miss Madeline. However, we strongly encourage dancers to attend in-person auditions whenever possible, as auditioning is a skill that improves with practice.

Can my child take extra ballet classes per week?

Absolutely! We love when dancers are excited about ballet and want to take more classes! Contact Miss Ashlee to ask about adding classes to your child's schedule!

Will my child move up a level each year?

At RBC, level placement is based on earned progress and placement from year to year is not guaranteed. If a dancer appears to be more aligned with a recreational track, they may not be offered a spot for the upcoming school year. Select students may be waitlisted and considered for a second wave of enrollment, depending on availability.

It’s natural for dancers to stay at their current level for multiple years. Our levels are determined by each dancer’s ability, and just as growth spurts vary, so does progress in ballet. We emphasize developing a deep understanding of the art rather than moving quickly through levels.

Does RBC have a recreational Track?

Our Lower School warmly welcomes young dancers who are curious about exploring the art of classical ballet.

As students progress to Level 2A and higher, RBC’s program becomes tailored to students who have ambitions to excel at advanced ballet. For dancers who are interested in a recreational setting, we encourage exploring other programs that may align better with their interests.

Do current families receive enrollment priorty?

If a current dancer is reaccepted for the following Annual Season, they will receive a 15-day priority enrollment period before new accepted dancers are allowed to register.

Current dancers who are on the waiting list will be given the opportunity to enroll only if space is available after all reaccepted and newly accepted dancers have completed their registration.