Academy Preschool PROGRAM

2008-2009 preschool registration
BEGINS ON May 19th
9:00am - when classes fill

Students must have turn 4 years old on or before August 25, 2008 in order to register for the 2008-2009 Pre-School Program.

Registration is done on a first come, first served basis, and will be closed once a class is filled to capacity.

2008 - 2009 semesters

Fall Semester:
August 25, 2008 - January 17, 2009

Spring Semester:
January 20, 2008 - May 30, 2009

Open Registration

CREATIVE DANCE

Creative Dance is for children four and five years of age. Creative Dance explores both the creative and physical dimensions of each child as they gain awareness of music, rhythm, and movement. Activities are designed to develop strength, coordination, creative thinking, and expression. Through classroom activities, children refine motor skills and develop the creative process through the use of props and imagery.

PRE-BALLET

Pre-ballet is for children six years of age. This class provides a bridge between Creative Dance and the academy’s first level of ballet. Children are introduced to the structure and discipline of a ballet class, as well as music awareness and basic ballet terminology. Pre-ballet emphasizes creative expression through movement to music.

Program Elligibility

An audition is not required to enroll in Creative Dance or Pre-Ballet. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Classes are closed once capacity is reached. To be eligible for Creative Dance 1, Creative Dance 2 or Pre-Ballet for the 2008-2009 year, a child must be four, five or six years old respectively on or before August 25, 2008.

Pre-Ballet and Creative Dance 1 and 2 are each full-year programs. Each student's skill and maturity is assessed throughout the year. Written notification of placement for the following year is sent by mail at the end of the spring semester.

Students who wish to continue training in the academy's main school division (Levels 1-8) must audition for Level 1 Ballet. Students registered in Pre-Ballet will be given a courtesy audition at the end of April. Notification of results will be sent after the July open audition.

Principal of the Lower School: Priscilla Nathan-Murphy
Principal Instructor Lower School: Cheryne Busch
Instructor:  Rose Taylor

TUITION FOR THE 2008-2009 YEAR

Tuition may be paid in full at registration or in four payments throughout the year.

Tuition Payment Dealines:
1st Payment:  at the time of registration
2nd Payment: October 2, 2008
3rd Payment:  Decemeber 2, 2008
4th Payment:  February 2, 2009

*Please note that students with delinquent accounts will not be admitted to class or be eligible to register for the next semester until their account is current.

Withdrawal Policy
Parents or guardians who wish to withdraw their child from the Academy must submit, in writing, to the Academy Office notice that the child will be leaving the school.  Parents/guardians will be responsible for all tuition payments due up to the point in which the Academy has received written notification of the student's withdrawal.

Family Rates
Family rates are available to families with more than one student enrolled in classes. The student in the highest level will pay full tuition. Each additional child will receive a ten percent discount on tuition.

Refund Policy
Tuition is non-refundable except in the case of serious illness or injury as verified by a doctor’s certificate.

ATTENDANCE

Creative Dance and Pre-Ballet students may make up an absence by attending another section of their level. Prior to making up a class, the student must pick up a make-up form in the academy office.

2008 - 2009 CLASS SCHEDULE

Creative Dance 1
Monday, 4:00-5:00 PM
Age: 4

Creative Dance 1
Thursday, 5:00-6:00 PM
Age: 4 

Creative Dance 1
Saturday, 10:00-11:00 AM
Age: 4

Creative Dance 2
Monday, 5:00-6:00 PM
Age: 5

Creative Dance 2
Thursday, 4:00-5:00 PM
Age: 5

Creative Dance 2
Saturday, 9:00-10:00 AM
Age: 5

Pre-Ballet
Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 PM
Age: 6

Pre-Ballet
Wednesday 4:00-5:00 PM
Age: 6

Pre-Ballet
Saturday 11:00-12:00pm
Age: 6

Subject to change.

CLASS ATTIRE

Creative Dance

Girls - Black sleeveless scooped neck leotard and pink footless tights. No shoes.

Boys - White short sleeve form fitting, crew neck t-shirt, black bike shorts. No shoes.

Pre-Ballet

Girls - Black sleeveless scooped neck leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, and notebook.

Boys - White short sleeve form fitting, crew neck t-shirt, black bike shorts, white socks, black ballet shoes and notebook.

PARENT OBSERVATION DATES

Parents with children in Creative Dance and/or Pre-Ballet are invited to observe their child’s class on the following days:

Fall Semester

 Spring Semester

SUMMER SESSION

New for 2008, the Academy is offering two one-week workshops for children ages 4-8 in June and August.  Each workshop will explore two classical ballets through movement, music, costumes, story-telling, and other related activities.  A mini-performance will be held on Friday at the end of each class for family and friends. 

La Sylphide-June 9th-13th, 2008

Ages 4-5: 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages 6-8: 1:00pm-3:00pm

The Nutcracker-August 18th-22nd, 2008

Ages 4-5: 10:00am-12:00pm
Ages 6-8: 1:00pm-3:00pm

Both Workshops will be held at the Academy studios, which are located at 1921 West Bell.  Please contact the Academy at 713-535-3210 or via email at mailto:hbacademy@houstonballet.orgr to request registration forms and for more information.

Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy maintains a policy of non-discrimination with regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, national origin, sexual preference, and non-job related disability.

CONTACT THE ACADEMY

Houston Ballet main number: 713.523.6300
Email: mailto:hbacademy@goustonballet.org
Fax: 713-523-4038

Image: Students in Houston Ballet's
Ben Stevenson Academy Preschool Division
Photo by: Kenn Duncan