Etiquette for Kid's Ballet Classes at Southeast School of Dance

Kid's Ballet Etiquette & Expectations:

What to Bring:

  • Flat ballet shoes
  • Leotard & tights (per dress code)
  • Water bottle (bring into studio)

What not to Bring:

  • No food, gum, or non-water drinks
  • No cell phones (ask teacher to use hallway)
  • No drinks with straws
  • No bun donuts — form a flat bun close to scalp
icon of a drink and a burger
  • Email or text SESD about absences as soon as possible — do not miss class without communicating.
  • Let the teacher know about any accommodations before class (aches, pains, external stressors, etc.).
  • If you pull a muscle or feel pain, let the teacher know. Ask for ice if needed.
  • If you feel sick, let the teacher know whether you need to go home, sit out, or take a break.
icon of a hand passing another hand a heart
  • No running, jumping, cartwheels, tumbling, or rough-housing in the lobby.
  • Keep belongings in cubbies; nothing on the floor.
  • Do not wear dance shoes outside. Change into them once you have entered the studio.
  • Phones/tablets at low volume; headphones encouraged.
  • Studio doors stay closed during class. No peeking or entering without permission.
  • Foundation Level (ages 4.9 and under): a parent/guardian must remain in the lobby during class. Staff cannot accompany students to the restroom.
  • We ask that parents do not enter studios without permission from SESD staff.
  • Any damage to SESD property due to negligence will be the parent's financial responsibility.
icon of a parent supervising a child
  • Wait to be invited into the studio; enter quietly and say hello.
  • Show attentiveness and presence towards the teacher.
  • Raise your hand before asking or answering a question.
  • No talking while the teacher is talking. Small talk is for the hallways only.
  • Always move your arms full-out, even when learning a new combination (ballet).
  • Cover your yawns. Do not lean on barres or walls, or sit without permission.
  • Do not ask what time it is or when class ends.
  • No cell phones in class. If needed, ask the teacher to step into the hallway.
  • Smart watches must not be a distraction — you may be asked to remove it.
  • If observing due to injury, watch mindfully and take notes. Pre-Advanced/Advanced students will be asked to show notes to the teacher after class.
icon of items from lost and found
  • Accept corrections with a positive attitude. They are a valuable learning opportunity.
  • Apply corrections given to other students to your own dancing as well.
  • Do not correct classmates. That is the teacher's role.
  • Do not correct the teacher. Politely ask for clarification if needed.
  • Take initiative — you get out of class what you put into it.
icon of a gym bag
  • Appropriate dance shoes and attire per your class type and level.
  • Water bottle (you may bring this into the classrooms). Food, gum, and non-water drinks are only allowed in the lobby.
  • Pre-Advanced/Advanced ballet: dance notebook, pen/pencil, SESD Ballet Dictionary, pointe shoe supplies (if applicable).
outline of a long-sleeved leotard
icon of a megaphone with sound coming out of it
  • Aim to arrive 5–10 minutes early. Use the bathroom, change, do hair, and begin warming up.
  • You may enter the studio before class as long as the door is open — use this time to warm up.
  • Warm up in the hallways if the studio is occupied when you arrive.
  • More than 15 minutes late: students will be asked to sit and observe the rest of class.
  • Frequent absences and/or sitting out may impact a dancer's participation in choreography.

Class Conduct:

icon of items from lost and found
  • Treat corrections as a learning opportunity — approach them with a positive attitude.
  • Pay attention to and apply corrections given to other students.
  • Take initiative — you get out of class what you put into it.
  • When the teacher works with another student, stay focused on your own dancing and previous corrections.
icon of a drink and a burger
  • Leaning or slouching on the barres.
  • Sitting down unless given permission.
  • Asking what time it is or when class ends.
icon of a drink and a burger
  • Ballet class demands a quiet, courteous, and focused atmosphere.
  • Correcting other students — that is the teacher's job. Focus on your own corrections.
  • Correcting the teacher. Politely ask for clarification, but respect that everyone makes mistakes.
  • Playing with smart watches — if it becomes a distraction, you will be asked to remove it.
icon of a parent supervising a child
  • Form a line at the door and wait to be invited in. Say hello, put your water bottle on the shelves, and find your place at the barre.
  • If re-entering, do so between combinations — enter quietly and wait for the teacher to invite you back in.
icon of a megaphone with sound coming out of it
  • Make eye contact with the teacher and show presence and attentiveness.
  • Raise your hand before asking or answering a question. Do not talk while the teacher is talking.
  • Small talk is for the hallways only — no side conversations once class has begun.
  • If observing due to pain/injury, mindfully watch the rest of class. You are welcome to take notes.
  • Cover your yawns.
  • Always move your arms full-out, even when first learning a combination.

Thank You for helping us create a focused, safe, and welcoming space for every dancer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More About Kids Ballet Classes

  • What age should my child start ballet classes?

    We strongly encourage dancers to begin ballet classes as soon as possible. At Southeast School of Dance dancers as young as 3 start building ballet skills in our Foundation Level, then progress naturally through our Beginner and Intermediate levels as they learn and grow. The earlier dancers begin building their ballet foundation the stronger and more versatile they become across every style they pursue.

  • Why do ballet classes matter even if my child's main interest is jazz, hip hop, or another style?

    Ballet builds the technique, alignment, and body control dancers rely on across all genres. A strong ballet foundation makes dancers stronger and more versatile no matter what style they ultimately favor. At Southeast School of Dance we always recommend at least trying out a ballet class, and if it does not work out, that is okay too.

  • What do I need for Beginner and Intermediate ballet classes at Southeast School of Dance?

    Each level at Southeast School of Dance has a designated leotard color, and Capezio tights and shoes are required for all ballet classes. Beginner and Intermediate dancers wear their hair in a high bun for class. Full attire details including leotard colors by level are available on our Required Attire Page. 


    Families joining us from Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Pleasant Garden, and the surrounding communities can also visit our studio shop for dance essentials including tights, shoes, and leotards.

  • When can my child start Pointe classes at Southeast School of Dance?

    Southeast School of Dance does not start dancers on Pointe before age 12. Pointe is only available to dancers who have been placed in our Pre-Advanced or Advanced ballet levels following instructor evaluation. If your dancer is currently in our Beginner or Intermediate levels, the best path toward Pointe is continuing to build a strong ballet foundation through consistent training and dedication.

  • What are Ballet Evaluations at Southeast School of Dance?

    Ballet Evaluations at Southeast School of Dance help instructors, parents, and dancers track technical progress and professionalism throughout the year. Beginner and Intermediate students complete two evaluations annually: a mid-term evaluation in October and a final evaluation in March or April.


    At the Beginner level dancers are tested on ballet vocabulary through verbal quizzes. Intermediate dancers complete written quizzes on ballet vocabulary. Since Southeast School of Dance offers six levels of ballet, progressing one level per year is not the expectation. The focus is always on steady improvement and applying corrections consistently over time.

  • Who teaches ballet classes at Southeast School of Dance?

    Ballet classes at Southeast School of Dance are taught by Hayden Creech, one of our most highly credentialed instructors. Hayden holds an ABT National Training Curriculum certification, one of the most respected credentials in classical ballet education, as well as a Progressing Ballet Technique teaching certification. Hayden is also currently completing a Master of Arts in Dance Education at Texas Woman's University, one of only five universities in the nation to offer a PhD in dance. Families from Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, and Pleasant Garden trust Southeast School of Dance because our instructors bring a high level of expertise and dedication to every single class.