Studio Policies

Mankato Ballet Company is pleased to offer quality dance training in a structured environment. Each level has a syllabus and framework to be accomplished.

Students in our Youth Division and higher are evaluated mid-year and year-end so they can track progress and understand what they need to accomplish to move on to the next level.

In an effort to put out exemplary dancers we adhere to strict policies regarding dress code, attendance, sickness, and classroom etiquette. These have been designed to promote fairness, ensure proper training, and encourage respect.

Attendance & Class Policies

Sickness and Illness Policy

Dancers who have gotten the stomach flu must wait 24 hours before attending class.
Dancers who have had a fever must be fever free without the aid of medicine for 24 hours before attending class.
Dancers who have been put on antibiotics for transmittable viruses such as strep throat must be on antibiotics for a full 24 hours before attending class.
MBC has digital head thermometers available and dancers who are showing signs of fatigue or flu may be checked for fever. If a fever of 100 degrees or more is detected the dancer’s parents will be called and they will be sent home.

NOTE: These same stipulations apply to performances. Dancers must follow the same guidelines before arriving at the theater.

Attendance Information

Dancers missing more than 40% of their classes from the time they enroll may be ineligible to perform, per the discretion of the instructor.
Attendance is crucial to the success of a dancer’s training and taking classes inconsistently may lead to injury. If an instructor fears for a dancers safety a meeting with the Director may be called to determine a modified class routine.
Dancers who miss class are encouraged to do Make-Up classes. Dancers may take the level below their current level as a make up class.
Performing Company Members are required to do Make-Up classes for all missed ballet classes.

Class Information

All our published classes are subject to a 5 student minimum. If fewer that that are enrolled the class is subject to cancellation and you will be notified of alternative class options for your dancer.
Refunds are not given for missed classes, but Make-Up classes may be taken.
Registration for ANY class after December is subject to the instructors approval.
Families who are not paid up on their accounts by April 1st may be ineligible to perform.
Dancers will stay in their current level from September through May, unless an instructor feels a move is warranted mid year.
Dancers in 2A and above are evaluated mid year and again at the end of the year. This tool is helpful for the dancer and parent to see where they need to focus in class. Dancers who receive satisfactory ratings in all areas will be moved up a level in the fall. In some cases dancers will be held back until they master the required skill set. This is a matter of safety for the dancers who are moving into pointe work.
We are a youth based organization and as such allow dancers to enroll for classes up to age 21 in our regular level system. Advanced levels are still based on a recommendation from the Director.
Dancers over age 21 are encouraged to try our A La Carte, Open, Adult or Session Classes.

Classroom Etiquette

Dancers must be on time to class
Dancers entering the classroom after a class has begun should wait until there is a break between combinations before entering, so there is as little disruption as possible
Dancers more than 20 minutes late may be asked to observe the remainder of class
Dancers should raise their hand to be called on or ask a question
Dancers should NOT chew gum in class
Dancers should NOT bring cell phones into the studio
Dancers should be in proper Dress Code and hair should be styled appropriately for their level
Dancers should address their instructors as Miss, or Mr. – Followed by their first name.
Dancers attending a Make-Up class should always allow the other students to proceed them. The student doing the Make-Up is a guest in another class and should be respectful of that class’ time

Dress Code Policies

MBC offers all the appropriate attire for ballet classes. Please stop into our office to purchase attire, most item are in stock at all times. Leotards MUST be purchased through MBC, but tights and shoes may be purchased elsewhere. We do recommend using our tights and shoes if possible as they are priced competitively with other brands and are the color and fit that we prefer the dancers to have.

Young Men’s attire and supplementary attire is either in stock or can be ordered through our office and takes about 1 week to receive.

MBC embraces all religions, races, creeds and ethnicity and is happy to honor the traditions and beliefs of our students. Families are more than welcome to share their dress/attire needs and customs with us and MBC is happy to modify our Dress Code as need to embrace all those who want to participate in the art of dance.

CLICK HERE for Dress Code Reminders at a glance.

Ballet Class Dress Code

A solid leotard in appropriate color and style for their level. CLICK HERE to view level colors
Pink footed tights. Please no shiny tights
Pink leather shoes for CM1-Ballet 1B
Canvas ballet slippers for Ballet 2A and above
Dancers Ballet 3A and higher may wear a matching bullet pointe skirt
Hair should be in a pony for CM1 through Ballet 1A
Dancers in 1B or higher should have a bun for every class

Young Men’s Dress Code

White T-Shirt, White Tank Top, or White Leotard
Black shorts, black exercise pants or black tights
Black socks
Black Ballet Slippers
Boys in 3A and higher MUST wear black dance tights, white socks and white ballet slippers, white fitted T-shirt or Leotard, and dance belt

Jazz Class Dress Code

A solid color black leotard with NO skirt attached may be worn or,
Black tank top or black t-shirt can be worn OVER a class leo
Black tights, black leggings or black shorts
Black jazz shoes
No T-shirts, tank tops, sports bras, skirts, baggy pants after warm up
Hair should be in a pony or bun

Tap Class Dress Code

A solid color black leotard with NO skirt attached may be worn, or
Black tank top or black t-shirt can be worn OVER a class leo
Black tights, black leggings, black pants or black shorts
Black tap shoes
No T-shirts, tank tops, sports bras, skirts, baggy pants after warm up
Hair should be in a pony or bun

Modern Class Dress Code

A solid color black leotard with NO skirt attached may be worn, or
Black long sleeved T, tank top or black t-shirt can be worn OVER a class leo
Long Sleeved T’s are preferred for doing floor work
Black tights, black leggings, black pants or black shorts
Bare feet or socks
No T-shirts, tank tops, sports bras, skirts, baggy pants after warm up
Hair should be in a pony or bun

Purchase Dance Attire

If you need to purchase dance attire, please stop into the office during office hours. CLICK HERE to see current office hours.

Code of Conduct

We intend for students and parents of the Mankato Ballet Company to strive to behave in a positive and constructive manner at all times and to utilize truth, fairness and integrity in the development of personal decisions and relationships both inside and out of the classroom.

Mankato Ballet Company strives to offer the highest level of dance instruction in a positive, respectful and caring environment. In order to develop and ensure this environment, we ask all of our students and our parents/caregivers/families to abide by the following rules and code of conduct. These guidelines are intended to provide all dance parents and students guidance in daily settings from the dressing room, the dance studio to one-on-one instruction.

Dancer Code of Conduct

Honesty and integrity are expected.
Dancers must participate within Mankato Ballet Company rules and respect all the teachers/staff/volunteers and their decisions.
Dancers must respect their fellow dancers.
Dancers must not distract, bully or harass other dancers.
Dancers must be polite and display good manners at all times.
Dancers must refrain from cursing, using offensive racial or obscene speech, gestures or written materials.
Dancers must refrain from talking back to adults or refusing to comply with reasonable requests.
Dancers must refrain from physical, mental, emotional or cyber bullying other dancers, staff, or instructors. This includes social media postings referencing directly or indirectly to a student, staff, studio brand, and/or affiliations to the studio.
Dancers and company members are the face of MBC and should conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the organization.
When representing Mankato Ballet Company, dancers must continue to follow Mankato Ballet Company’s code of conduct as they are representatives of our organization.

Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct

Honesty and integrity are expected.
Parents are encouraged to support their child’s/children’s involvement and help them enjoy the art of dance.
Parents must demonstrate respect for faculty and staff at all times.
Parents must not raise issues of disagreement publicly.
Parents will not engage in inappropriate conduct towards instructors, staff, other dancers and families.
Parents must discourage challenging and inappropriate conduct towards instructors, staff, other dancers and families.
Parents will refrain from physical, mental, emotional or cyber-bullying other dancers, staff, instructors or families. This includes social media postings referencing directly or indirectly to a student, staff, families, studio brand, and/or affiliations to the studio.
Parents must remember that children participate in dance for their own enjoyment.
Parents will teach their children respect for other students, teachers and adults and lead by example.
Parents will encourage and guide their child to accept responsibility for his/her own performance and behavior.

On the occasion that repeated failure to comply with the Code of Conduct occurs, Mankato Ballet Company reserves the right, at its discretion, to dismiss or take disciplinary action on any students or parent/guardian/family member who breach Mankato Ballet Company’s code of conduct.

Please remember – it is a privilege to participate in ballet classes and performances. One’s behavior must emulate that privilege.

As always, we are open to feedback, so if any of the requirements are unclear or concerning, send an email to mbcboard@mankatoballet.org

Non-Discrimination Policy Mankato Ballet Company admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs or any other programs.

Note: These statements are also found on our registration form and must be agreed to before a dancer may enroll for classes.