Class Etiquette for the Highest Level of Ballet at Southeast School of Dance

What to Bring:

  • Flat ballet shoes
  • Pointe shoes (if applicable)
  • Toe pads, spacers & blister care
  • Leotard & tights (per dress code)
  • Dance notebook + pen/pencil
  • Copy of SESD Ballet Dictionary
  • Water bottle (& bag welcome in studio)

What not to Bring:

  • No cell phones (ask teacher to use hallway)
  • No food, gum, or non-water drinks
  • No drinks with straws
  • No bun donuts — form a flat bun close to scalp

Dress Code:

Attendance:

  • Aim to arrive 5–10 minutes early. Use the bathroom, change, do hair, and begin warming up.
  • Students 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.

Communication:

  • 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, stressors, etc.).
  • If you pull a muscle or feel pain, let the teacher know. Ask for ice and/or a foam roller, then take notes from the back.
  • If you feel sick, let the teacher know whether you need to go home, sit out, or take a break.

Class Conduct

Entering Class

  • If re-entering the studio, do so between combinations — enter quietly and wait for the teacher to invite you back in


Behavior

  • 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, take notes on corrections, vocabulary, and theory. Teachers will ask to see these notes after class.
  • Cover your yawns.
  • Always move your arms full-out,  even when first learning a combination.


Corrections & Feedback

  • 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.


Please Avoid

  • Leaning or slouching on the barres.
  • Sitting down unless given permission.
  • Asking what time it is or when class ends.
  • Chatting with classmates. 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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More About Advanced Ballet Class

  • What makes Pre-Advanced and Advanced ballet classes different from lower levels?

    Pre-Advanced and Advanced ballet classes at Southeast School of Dance represent the highest level of classical ballet training we offer. Classes at these levels meet twice a week and feature longer class times, more rigorous technical demands, and a deeper focus on artistry, alignment, and performance quality. Placement into Pre-Advanced and Advanced levels is by instructor evaluation only, reflecting the dedication and skill these dancers have built throughout their training.

  • What is PBT and why is it required alongside Pointe classes at Southeast School of Dance?

    PBT stands for Progressing Ballet Technique, a globally recognized training method that strengthens the specific muscles classical ballet demands. 


    At Southeast School of Dance PBT and Stretch classes are required alongside Pointe to ensure dancers build the strength and body awareness needed to dance safely en pointe and prevent potential injury. PBT is one of the ways our advanced ballet program prioritizes long term dancer health alongside technical excellence.

  • What do I need for Pre-Advanced and Advanced 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. Pre-Advanced designated leotard color is dark purple, and Advanced is black, or any other dark color.


    Pre-Advanced and Advanced dancers wear their hair in a low bun for class. Full attire details including leotard colors by level are available on our Class Attire Requirements 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 dancer start Pointe classes and what is required?

    Southeast School of Dance does not start dancers on Pointe before age 12. Pointe is exclusively available to dancers enrolled in our Pre-Advanced or Advanced ballet levels following instructor evaluation. PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) and Stretch classes are also required alongside Pointe to build the strength and body awareness needed to dance safely en pointe and prevent potential injury. At Southeast School of Dance we take a careful, intentional approach to Pointe training because long term dancer health always comes first.

  • 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. Pre-Advanced and Advanced students complete two evaluations annually: a mid-term evaluation in October and a final evaluation in March or April.


    At the Pre-Advanced and Advanced levels dancers complete written quizzes on ballet vocabulary alongside their technical evaluations. These evaluations reflect the higher standard of technical precision, artistry, and professionalism expected at these levels. 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 at Southeast School of Dance and what are their credentials?

    Pre-Advanced and Advanced ballet classes at Southeast School of Dance are taught by Hayden Creech, one of the most credentialed ballet instructors in the region. Hayden holds an ABT National Training Curriculum certification, a globally recognized standard in classical ballet education, as well as a Progressing Ballet Technique teaching certification which directly informs how our advanced dancers train for Pointe and beyond. 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. At Southeast School of Dance, serious dancers deserve serious instruction, and Hayden delivers exactly that.