ORLANDO BALLET ENTERTAINS, EDUCATES, AND ENRICHES THROUGH THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF DANCE.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is Orlando Ballet School Located?

We are located in Downtown Orlando, 600 N. Lake Formosa Dr. Orlando FL 32803

What Cirriculum does Orlando Ballet School Utilize?

Orlando Ballet School is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 8 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels. Primary through Level 7, will be taught by ABT® Certified Teachers who have successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through the levels they are responsible for in classes of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

You can find the parent’s guide brochure to the ABT exams HERE 

What Programs does Orlando Ballet School Offer?

Young Dancer Division

August-May, Ages 18 months-12

Orlando Ballet School’s Young Dancer Division is for students ages 18 months through 12 years old. From young toddlers to pre-teens, the goal of this division is for dancers to gradually learn the fundamental movements through the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Students will obtain technique, strength, and flexibility. Students ages 7+ require a placement to determine the appropriate level.

 

Pre-Professional Division

August-May, Ages 11-18

The Pre-Professional division is for students ages 11 and up who are interested in classical ballet training including ballet, pointe, musical theater, modern and character by audition only. The division includes Level 3, Upper 1, and Upper 2. Pointe work is introduced in Level 3 at the instructor’s discretion.

This division also includes the Demi Pre-Professional Program, which is designed for students who want to continue their ballet studies without the full pre-professional schedule.

 

Academy Division

August-May, Ages 12-21

Orlando Ballet School’s Academy program consists of Academy Preparatory and Academy. These programs are designed for students who are interested in significant ballet studies and a professional career in ballet. Students may be placed in the same leveled program as their previous school year until the student is proficient. Entry to the Academy program is by audition only.

 

Summer Intensive

June-July, ages 11+

The Orlando Ballet School Summer Intensive Programs are for intermediate to advanced students. Our summer program places strong emphasis on ballet technique training while incorporating supplementary classes in character, pointe, variations, modern, jazz, men’s, partnering and nutrition. All programs will have additional guest faculty throughout the intensives in addition to our wonderful OBS faculty.

 

Summer Session and Camps

June-July, Ages 18 months-16

Orlando Ballet School offers a two week camp for ages 6-12 and a 1 week Jr. Camp for ages 3-5 in June. Evening class sessions are available for students ages 18 months interested in maintaining or introducing themselves to classical ballet training.

 

Trainee and Orlando Ballet Second Company

Aug-May, Ages 16+

Artistic director, Jorden Morris, and School Director, Phillip Broomhead, select all Trainee and OBII dancers through an audition process. They train and rehearse with the professional company on a regular basis and dance in both company and school performances.

 

Fitness Thru Dance

Year-Round • Ages 14+

Orlando Ballet School offers classes for teens/adults interested in innovative ways to stay fit and have fun! Class styles include Ballet, BeMoved, Latin Cardio, Fitness and many more!

Youth Dance Program

Semester Based September • May Ages 8-16

The Orlando Ballet School Youth Dance Program is open to students ages 8-16 interested in learning the fundamentals of ballet and experience classical dance training. Utilizing the American Ballet Theatre curriculum, students will receive training from Orlando Ballet School faculty to establish an understanding of dance basics while gaining confidence and technical proficiency. No prior dance experience is necessary. Age ranges are a recommendation, OBS will evaluate each student as needed to reflect their current abilities. Students in the youth dance program do not have a showcase performance and are not eligible for OB performance participation.

How do I enroll and register for an Orlando ballet school program?

Registration is completed online for new families or through the parent portal for returning families.

Students ages 18 months through age 6 can register online in our young dancer program without an audition based on age as of Sept 1st. Students age 7+ will first need to attend a placement or school audition for registration purposes prior to enrollment. To schedule a placement, contact registrar@orlandoballet.org with your child’s age, and summary of dance experience.

 

What are the auditions/placements like?

Based on your child’s age and previous dance experience, they will attend a class where they are evaluated individually during classwork.  Students whom are on pointe will be asked to bring pointe shoes to their audition/placement class. No previous training or experience is necessary to audition for Orlando Ballet School as students will be placed based on the evaluation from our faculty during the audition/placement class.

Is there a fee for the audition/placement?

Yes, there is a $40 placement/audition fee for all new students seeking placement or returning students who did not have a continuous enrollment with us.

What should I wear to the audition/placement?

Students are asked to wear a black or solid colored leotard, pink or flesh toned tights with matching ballet shoes. If students are on pointe, please bring pointe shoes. Hair in a ballet bun unless it cannot be placed into one, otherwise please have neatly pulled back away from face.

When will I be notified of my audition/placement results?

Results are sent via email within 3-5 business days from the class.

Once I receive my results, how can I register for classes?

Registration is completed online. Families can either find their eligible program on our webpage and proceed with enrollment or can email our School Registrar at registrar@orlandoballet.org to be directed to their program for online registration.

What are my options for paying tuition?

Families can pay in full with a 5% discount or can opt for the payment plan option during enrollment. Installment plan option will require a down payment upon enrolling and will divide the remaining yearly tuition balance into monthly payments.

Does Orlando Ballet school have any required or non-refundable fees?

Yes, separate from tuition there is a registration fee due upon enrolling that includes the ABT examination fee for levels Primary C and above. The showcase fee is also required for participating students by November 1st. This fee is non-refundable after November 1st and includes the participation, costumes and video of their showcase performance. These fees vary by level.

Is there financial aid or scholarships available?

Yes, Orlando Ballet School offers scholarships and financial aid to families based on merit and need to students in level’s 2B and above after they’ve been an OBS student for at least 1 year. All families offered scholarships are required to submit a financial information application and scholarship packet including those seeking financial aid. The fee for the application fee is $40.

If I withdraw in the middle of the year, am I provided a refund?

All tuition towards class hours that have passed are not eligible for a refund. If a student withdraws in the middle of the year, the family forgoes all fees and tuition paid up to that point, however would not be charged for tuition from the withdraw date forward. The withdrawal form must be submitted in order to have a withdraw official processed. Families are responsible for tuition until the form is submitted.

If my schedule changes and I would need to switch to another class/day or time (should it be available) am I able to?

Students can transfer to another class session of their level prior to November 1st for a $10 fee, pending capacity and availability. Some levels only have one schedule option and therefore an accommodation would not be provided. Transfers after this date are subject to the department head’s approval due to showcase and exam preparations.

Does Orlando ballet school have a dress code?

Yes, each level has a specified dress code. Dress code information can be found on our webpage for families seeking the information directly related to their child’s level. We work directly with Dancewear Corner, they supply all required uniform items and are located in Orlando and also have an online store.

Can parents observe class?

To best benefit students’ progression and focus their attention to the classwork, class observations are not available at our facility. Instead, Orlando Ballet School offers a parent observation week twice per year to invite parents, either in person or virtually to see their student in their classes.

What are the pick-up and drop-off procedures? Are parents able to wait in the lobby?

Orlando Ballet School has a drop-off and pick-up area that is open 15 minutes prior to class start time and no earlier than 15 minutes before class end time. Parents are provided with a car tag to direct staff to your vehicle with your child during pick up. Families also have the option to park and walk up to the facility to drop-off or pick up their child, if preferred. 1 parent may wait in the lobby, no siblings may wait at this time unless they are a registered student with a class before or after the other enrolled sibling. Families can request the full lobby policies from the front desk staff.

If my child is absent, can they attend a make-up class?

Make-up classes are not permitted for student absences. In the event that OBS may close due to inclement weather or a mandated state of emergency, we may schedule make-up days to accommodate closures.

Does Orlando ballet school accepts international students?

Yes, Orlando Ballet School accepts international students by audition. Once accepted, students submit an international student information form and processing fee ($90) to begin the student F-1 visa process.

 

Where can I find the school calendar or schedules?

The school calendar can be found on our website here: https://orlandoballet.org/student-resources/ and on the parent portal.

Program schedules can be found on the webpage within the level or program information you are seeking.

Should a schedule change occur, OBS will communicate timely via email or text regarding the updates.

After completing a season with Orlando Ballet School, how do I know which level to enroll them for the following year?

OBS provides two evaluations per year to students:

  • A Mid-year evaluation which is general and includes commentary on their progression thus far in the year. This evaluation will also address any concerns regarding their progression.
  • A year-end evaluation, which is completed either by OBS artistic faculty or an ABT examiner. When you receive this evaluation, your students level recommendation for the next season will be provided.

 

What are ABT Exams?

As an affiliate school, the ABT National Training Curriculum Student Examinations are a graded examination system based on sound ballet principles, incorporating elements of the French, Italian & Russian schools of training. An adjudicator from the ABT National Training Curriculum Artistic Board of Examiners will observe the students perform a prepared examination class, which is conducted by the students’ ABT Certified Teacher. The students must have the examination class memorized. Most students will participate in the ABT exam during the scheduled event with an ABT examiner, while some students may be required to perform their ABT exam in house during regular classwork by our Head of Certifications staff.

Can families discuss their child’s progression with faculty?

OBS families are welcome to communicate with their department head via email regarding any questions they may have. Families may reach out to our administration team to set an appointment if circumstances deem it necessary.

When do students begin pointe work?

Students are progressed to pointe work following completion of level 2B and at the discretion of their instructor in level 3A. Once families receive their confirmation from their level 3A teacher, details on how to fit and where to purchase shoes will be provided.

Do Orlando Ballet School Families receive any discounts or benefits for shows or programs?

Registered families receive a variety of benefits, below are some examples:

  • Discounted tickets to Orlando Ballet Company performances
  • Discounted student subscriptions
  • Discounts to workshops, camps or intensives (when available)
  • Parents and students ages 14+ receive discounted Fitness thru dance classes
Where can I park when I visit Orlando ballet school?

Our facility has limited street parking and parking garages (subject to a fee) within walking distance. There is a handicap parking lot on site. We are also located 1 block from the Advent Health Sunrail station.

Are there dorms for full day, Academy, Trainee or OBII students?

Orlando Ballet School does not have dorms for school year programming, only for our summer Intensive. Our student services representative can provide a list of housing and apartments within walking distance of our facility and give families access to our housing forum to arrange roommates and housing with other registered students.

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