Frequently Asked Questions

I don’t want my child to be in a “rigid” dance class. How do you describe your classes? Uptown Ballet Academy was founded to provide high quality dance instruction to children in Upper Manhattan and its surrounding neighborhoods. We focus on dance, movement, and building confidence in dancers - while having fun as we do it! We believe that children should learn dance in an encouraging environment that focuses on the joy of movement, but also instills the basics of technique and musicality in an age appropriate class. Our syllabus and class structure focuses on making dance fun and rewarding, while also teaching the essentials in a thoughtful way. We teach by focusing on movement and musicality, with an approachable concentration on technique refinement - a learning style that appeals to most children and also helps them progress and learn. There are many places in NYC to study dance in a more intensive and high pressure setting and there are many studios that offer classes that are less focused on quality dance training. Uptown Ballet Academy is one of the few schools in NYC that provides a solid dance foundation for once a week dancers that also prepares them for future serious study, if desired. (for more information about serious study/Conservatory, scroll down!)

How many students are in each class? Depending upon the age of the class, we limit enrollment to 8-10 students. We want to provide the most detailed dance training with as much individual attention as possible, while also getting to know all of our students. Small classes allow us to cater a bit more to the individual needs and learning styles of our students.

How long are your sessions? We run two main school year sessions: September-December and January-June. We also offer a limited schedule of classes in July.

How long do students remain in the same level? Most classes cover a year long syllabus that progresses during the academic year, preparing them to move onto the next level in the following year. Pre-Ballet students that begin at age 3 will often take 2 years in the same level before progressing to Ballet I in Kindergarten. If a student is in an age appropriate class, and attending class regularly, they are most often ready and prepared to move onto the next level in the next school year.

My child turns 5 after January , may I register mid-school year for the Ballet I class instead of Pre-Ballet? Ballet I students must be in Kindergarten, or have turned 5 before December. Ballet I requires some coordination and focus that most children don’t acquire until they are Kindergarten age. Additionally, we like to keep students in the class that best fits socially during these early childhood years.

How old do children need to be to enroll? We accept students at age 3. In some circumstances, children may start just before their 3rd birthday if they show readiness to attend class. All students must be ready to attend class independently.

Do you accept new students mid-session? Yes! If an appropriate class has availability, we are happy to welcome new dancers!

How do I register for a class? To register for a class, please email uptownballetacademy@gmail.com. We will send more registration information and an invoice for online payment.

Do you offer payment plans or scholarships? For students that attend multiple classes per week, or have siblings, we can arrange an installment plan for tuition payments. As a small studio with limited class sizes, we are unable to offer scholarships. We do try to keep our tuition prices as affordable as possible given our small class sizes, talented faculty, and detailed training.

Do you offer drop-in classes? No, all students must commit to a session. While we realize that some families prefer the option of drop-in attendance, we know that dance requires a commitment in order to learn and progress. Just as learning to play an instrument requires regular lessons, so does dance!

Why don’t you offer combo classes like Tap/Ballet? Our classes focus on individual techniques so that students can learn as much as possible with the teacher that has the most expertise in that discipline. Trying to switch focus and combine techniques often means that one style suffers in the effort. We encourage everyone to try as many different styles of dance as possible, but feel that it is much more beneficial to keep them separated.

Why don’t you offer tap classes for kids younger than Kindergarten? We find that tap requires a focus and maturity that benefits from being a bit older, plus the youngest kids LOVE to dance around much more than tap allows for. Plenty of dance schools offer tap at a younger age but we prefer to wait until students are ready to be challenged by mastering a broader range of tap steps and rhythms. And not be too distracted by making noise with their special shoes!

What is the dress code? Upon registration, students will receive detailed information about dance wear requirements for their specific class. We do not sell dance wear but students may purchase at some NYC shops that offer UBA students discounts.

Can my child take more than one class per week? Absolutely! We generally recommend waiting until they are in Kindergarten or older before considering dancing more than once a week. We do offer multiple class discounts and are happy to find the right class for your dancer’s interest and schedule.

When do children begin pointe work? Students do not begin pointe work until they are approaching their 12th birthday and are also strong enough physically and technically to do so. Around age 8/9, students that are interested in more serious study and future pointe work should considering joining the appropriate Conservatory group or attending additional weekly ballet classes that will develop the strength, flexibility, suppleness, and mental focus that pointe work requires.

I am looking for a “serious” dance program for my child. Would this be a good fit? UBA provides a quality dance education for children, whether they are dancing for fun or might want to study more seriously in the future. Unlike large company affiliated programs, our dancers receive focused attention in small class sizes with teachers that are committed to each student’s progress. Our teachers are talented in training students with a variety of abilities, which simply makes them excellent teachers. We generally recommend that dancers stay in a small and focused program until age 12 so that they have time to enjoy being a child and explore other interests, while still getting enough of a individually focused dance training. If a dancer is interested in more serious study, we will discuss joining a Conservatory class and possible summer intensive programs that will set the stage for more intensive study in the future.

I have an older child that never studied dance before but is worried about being placed with much younger children. Do you have any classes that might work? YES! Please reach out for the right fit. We do our best to welcome new, older dancers and find that they are very quick learners when challenged.

Do you have a recital? Our spring recital returns in 2023! Our recital has always been a highlight of the year - an opportunity for the community to celebrate the students and how much they have grown. And we have live music! We do offer a parent observation class at the end of each session so that families can see what we have been up to and what we learn on a week by week basis.

What are your health and safety protocols? We have been working hard to make dancing indoors as safe as possible. We have 3 HEPA-13 air purifiers in our space, along with open windows, and a CO2 monitor to simulate as much of an “outdoor” environment as possible. Our teachers are all fully vaxxed and boosted, and will always wear a high quality mask while teaching. Beginning May 15, 2023, masks will be optional for students. We do asks that students feeling under the weather stay home and rest - dance is physical and mental exercise! Students are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.