SCHOOL HANDBOOK
Crystal River Ballet School
At the Launchpad, 76 S. 4th St., Carbondale, CO 81623 www.crystalriverballet.com Phone: 970-987-4880 Email: msjeni@crystalriverballet.com
2026 / 2027 Holidays NO CLASSES:
Thanksgiving Break: November 25-27
Holiday Break: December 22 - January 2
Spring Break: March 20-28
Memorial Day May 24
Independence Day July 4
We do not take all the holidays that schools and workplaces take off as it would be detrimental to the learning of our once / week students. Those listed above are the only holidays where there will not be classes held. Snow days are rare as by the afternoon the streets have usually cleared. You will be notified by email or text if the teacher needs to cancel for any reason.
PERFORMANCES:
The Nutcracker: December 18-20
Spring Concert: last weekend in May or 1st weekend in June (tbd due to venue considerations)
1. Registration: A registration fee of $35.00 is charged to each new student. This is a one-time fee for all students unless the student leaves the school for longer than a one-year period. In that event, a re-enrollment fee will be charged in the amount of $35.00. A minimum commitment of one semester is REQUIRED.
2. Tuition: Tuition is due by the first class each month. Amount is determined based on the class in which one is registered.
We accept CASH, CHECKS OR PAYPAL, VENMO, AND ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS. Autopay is required of all accounts and must be set up in the account portal. Payments are delinquent if not paid by the 10th of the month. Delinquent accounts will be charged a $20.00 late fee on the 11th of month. Any account that becomes delinquent for two or more months will become inactive and the student will not be able to attend classes until payment arrangements have been made. A charge of $20.00 will be applied on all returned checks. Account must be at $0.00 balance before all performances, or dancer will not be allowed to perform. We cannot give refunds for any reason, please make arrangements to make-up any missed classes.
3. Fees: A non-refundable performance fee for each show is required as follows:
Nutcracker: $125.00 due October 15th
Spring Concert: $125.00 due April 1st
Soloists: any additional rehearsal fee might be charged if dancer becomes in need of private rehearsal time for any reason.
Crystal River Youth Ballet Co. is our pre-pro/collegiate preparatory option for ages 11+. It is a yearlong commitment with an annual fee of $425. By invitation only. Ask the director for more information.
4. Withdrawal: The school and instructors must be notified in writing if the student withdraws before the end of the session. Tuition is charged and is your responsibility until such notification is received by the school. Missing or not showing up for scheduled classes does not constitute notice of withdrawal from lessons.
5. Attendance/Tardiness: Attendance will be taken at each class. Good attendance is imperative as absences and tardiness can hold back the entire class. The studio cannot jeopardize its responsibilities to the rest of the class for one student. Please make every effort to have your child at every class. If you will be missing class for any reason, you must inform the teacher in advance by reporting in your portal account and makeup the class as soon as possible. If a dancer arrives 15 minutes late or more, they might not be allowed to participate, however, they should come anyway and observe the class in case new choreography is given. A proper warm-up is essential, or dancers run the risk of injury.
6. Making-up missed classes: Making-up classes is available only in cases if sickness, injury or family emergency; not for birthday parties, vacations, ski days, etc... Classes must be made up within 30 days of the date of the absence. You should make up a missed class by attending another class of the same or a lower level. Please discuss these options with the instructor. Students must maintain the minimum requirements of their level, or they can be demoted a level.
7. Placement: It is up to the teacher to place your child in the appropriate level class. Age is not always the determining factor, nor should it be determined by whether or not their friends are in the same level. Ballet training is a rigorous discipline, and your child will be placed in the best class for his/her abilities. Factors that will be considered are emotional and physical readiness, strength and stamina, ability to focus and follow directions and corrections. Please do not assume that your child will be in a certain class without first discussing it with the teacher. Age limits posted for classes are strictly followed—no exceptions.
8. Insurance: Crystal River Ballet School does not carry medical insurance for its students. It is REQUIRED that all dance students be covered by their own family insurance policies and if injury occurs it is understood that the student’s own policy is your only source of reimbursement.
9. Holidays: Holidays / days off are listed above. Classes are held on all other holidays unless otherwise noted.
10. Snow or bad Weather: The studio will not necessarily close for snow days, regardless if area schools are closed as many times roads are clear and safe by class time. Ms. Jeni lives in town and will be there regardless. If in doubt, contact Ms. Jeni 970-987-4880, msjeni@crystalriverballet.com
11. Cancellation: When conditions beyond our control are necessary, we reserve the right to cancel class while making every effort to notify the students involved. A make-up class may or may not be scheduled depending on the given circumstance.
12. Parent Observation: Observing classes at any time is only available through the outside south facing windows in the garden as long as it does not disrupt the students. You may wait in the lobby outside of the studio during class as long as you do not disturb the class. If you have visiting relatives who would like to observe, please email the school ahead of time to make arrangements.
13. Performances: We have two major performances each year; The Nutcracker on the third weekend in December and a Spring Production the last weekend in May or first weekend in June. Students must be enrolled no later than three months ahead to participate. Participation is not mandatory; however, it is part of our teaching curriculum as dance is a performance art form. We assume each student is participating in our productions and performance fees are automatically applied to accounts and run with tuition payments until/unless you tell us in advance that your dancer is not able to participate.
14. Volunteers: During the performances, we will need your help with various activities. Most tasks require some time and preparation: Box Office, Concessions, Chaperoning, Baking. Performance can be a hectic time; all volunteers must always work in a cooperative manner. Backstage can be especially hectic; I ask that all volunteers rely on the backstage manager’s experience and follow their instructions always. Please do not bring guests, including children/siblings, with you while you are volunteering without permission from the director or stage manager. Please be available to come to the dress rehearsal for orientation and instructions. Please read the description of each position carefully before committing.
15. DRESS CODE: Required at each class as follows: May be purchased at our Nimbly Store. All require Tights-pink/nude Ballet slipper-leather, pink/nude, full-sole. Leotard colors per level are as follows:
o Creative dance, Pre-ballet, Intro to Ballet: Leotard-light pink or black
o Level 1-light pink
o Level 2-lavender
o Level 3-light blue
o Level 4-teal or magenta
BOYS: Light colored t-shirt, dark tights or loose-fitting pants/shorts. Ballet slippers-leather or canvas, black, white or nude, with full sole.
ADULTS AND TEENS/Ballet levels 5 & up. Leotard-solid any color/black. Tights-pink or black Ballet slippers-leather or canvas, pink/nude, full or split-sole.
CONTEMPORARY/JAZZ CLASSES. Jazz pants and either solid color leotard, tank or close-fitting shirt. Tan or skin tone jazz shoes or dance "paws"
ALL MUST LONG HAIR-MUST BE SECURED OFF THE FACE IN A BUN OR SIMILIAR FASHION. No exceptions.
OTHER
o Warm-up clothes are allowed at the beginning of class and should be removed upon the instructors’ directions once the dancers have warmed up.
o Cover-ups should be worn over dance clothes when coming and going to classes to keep muscles warm for safety.
o Dance shoes are not to be worn outside to keep outside oils and debris off the dance floor.
o Ballet skirts and warm-up shorts may be worn if not too long or bulky per the instructor’s discretion.
16. Rules:
a) No gum, food, candy or drinks (except water bottles) in class.
b) Students MUST be picked up within 10 minutes after class has ended. Your account will be charged a fee if you are not on time picking up your dancer.
c) Students must not act disrespectfully to teachers, assistants or others during class. We will give a time-out after 2 warnings and contact the parent if misbehavior persists beyond that.
d) No hanging on the ballet barres. No touching the mirrors.
e) Do not leave the classroom without the instructor’s permission.
f) No street shoes on the dance floor. Only dance shoes are allowed on the dance floors.
g) Questions are encouraged as long as the student raises her/his hand, and the question is relevant to class work.
h) Follow dress code, hair and other requirements as outlined above.
i) No cell phones or in class. Cell phones are to be turned off before entering the studio. Smart watches (with texting) should be removed before class.
j) Please be sure dancers use the facilities prior to the start of each class or rehearsal.
k) Profanity, unsportsmanlike conduct, and gossip will not be tolerated by dancers and parents alike. This should go without saying.
17. Photo Release: Dancers unnamed images are frequently used on our website and in our social media and advertising. You may opt out of public images in your portal account if you do not want your dancers image shared publicly. Please also email the director if you opt out. You can find performance images on our Facebook and Instagram accounts and are free to repost at will without tagging.
18. Release of Liability: As with all physical activities there are inherent risks associated with dance and therefore, students are REQUIRED to be covered by a health/medical insurance policy. By participating in a Crystal River Ballet School course or activity, parents are assuming that there are minimal risks and are releasing Crystal River Ballet School, its agents and representatives from any and all liability. By checking the box' below and submitting this form, you, the Parent or Guardian of the above student(s), agree to release Crystal River Ballet School, LLC, including instructors and assistants from liability for any and all injuries which may occur while training, practicing, performing, or during any studio event or activity. You also agree that you are responsible for health and accident insurance and any medical costs incurred due to injury. You give permission for emergency medical transportation and treatment of your student(s) at your expense should the need arise. You also give your permission for the public display of any studio visual images that your child may appear in. In addition, you acknowledge that you have read the school policies in our handbook, calendar and class requirements. It is further understood that the teaching of dance requires a certain limited amount of physical contact between student and teacher. Parent acknowledges that such physical contact is inherent in the teaching process and is not intended to be inappropriate. Crystal River Ballet School is a non-discriminatory agency that does not discriminate against those of sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, race or national origin.
We are excited for the coming year and getting to know and work with each dancer. Please feel free to call /text at any time however, we are more able to respond to emails in a timely manner.
Ms. Jen | Director | msjeni@crystalriverballet.com
Ms. Nicole | Associate Director | nicole@crystalriverballet.com