FAQs

Classes are typically capped at 11 to 16 students, depending on the class.

Yes, you can schedule a trial class for a specific date and time by creating a portal account. Please note that your spot in class will not be reserved until you are registered.

Our classes often fill quickly, so we recommend registering as soon as you are able.

Yes, new students are welcome throughout the year. That said, our classes follow a curriculum that is planned to progress throughout the entire length of the school year. Therefore, we highly encourage students to begin at the start of classes. Tuition will be prorated based upon the month of your enrollment.  Dancers registering between November 1 and January 1 will begin when classes resume after winter break.  

We find that a dance uniform enables all students to feel equal and helps students focus on their dancing rather than their outfit. The specific uniform that we’ve chosen for each level and style of dance allows dancers to feel and dance their best at each stage of their journey.

For proper fitting, we recommend visiting a local dance supplier such as DanceLine (Paoli), Swan Dancewear (Narberth), or Definitely Dance (Exton).

Hair for ballet class does not need to be in a perfect bun, but it does need to be tightly secured so that nothing moves when jumping and turning in class. This means that all loose ends should be secured (no ponytails or top knots). To secure your hair, bobby pins, clips, or a large barrette are needed in addition to a hair tie. For styles other than ballet, a ponytail is recommended.

Please mark absences in your portal. Doing so simultaneously informs our front desk and your instructor.

Missed classes can be made-up by attending a class of equal or lower level on any week except for the weeks of parent observations and dress rehearsal/shows. Make-ups cannot be carried over into different seasons or school years. To schedule a make-up, email the following to :

Child’s Name
Regular Class Day/Time
Date of Makeup Class
Time of Make-up Class
Make-up Class Name/Level

We have a TV in the lobby for viewing class in action.

A full calendar listing of dates that we are closed can be found on our website. In the event of inclement weather, Ballet 180 will send out an email.

Yes. If you’d like us to assign an additional parent to your student’s portal account, or you notice that you are not receiving any studio emails, please contact our front desk and we would be happy to update the contact information on file.

When first beginning dance lessons, it’s normal to take one or two classes per week as you ease into your training. At age 8 we begin separating classes by individual style, so this is a good time to consider increasing your class load if you’d like to learn a variety of styles. By age 10 or 11, the amount of training needed for dancers increases for those who wish to make dance their main activity and/or wish to progress to pointework. Repetitive practice in class builds muscle memory and strengthens the connection between the brain and body. This process is similar to athletic training — athletes use drills to practice skills that prepare them for competition, while dancers rehearse technical exercises in class so they can perform confidently and effectively on stage.

Elements evaluated include mastery of material in the current level, age, focus throughout the entirety of class(es), artistry, and attendance. We continue to evaluate levels throughout the year and if we find a student is ready to move up to the next level mid-year, we will discuss that with the individual’s family. Every dancer’s journey is different, and as a community, we encourage our students to respect each individual dancer’s growth and celebrate everyone’s achievements.

The best thing you can do is bring your dancer to class regularly, on time, and with their proper uniform. Wearing the proper uniform enables dancers to focus on their dancing rather than fixing their hair or their outfit. Likewise, regular class attendance is important so that students do not fall behind in their learning. Beyond this, our last piece of advice is to be their #1 fan – this means watching them show off their dance moves at home and encouraging them throughout their journey.