Here you will find useful information for registered students

  • It is important that dancers show up to class in the proper attire with hair done in a neat bun (for long hair) or tidy (for short hair) at all times. 

    Girls/Ladies 

    Ballet: 

    • Leotard: Please wear a leotard of your choosing. *There may be days where we request all dancers wear a black leotard if it is a viewing day or if a photoshoot is being done.

    • Tights: Pink convertible ballet tights 

    • Shoes: Pink split sole canvas ballet shoes 

    • Pointe shoes 

    • *Dancers who have not yet started pointe work will need soft pointe shoes for pre-pointe class.

    • Optional short ballet skirt for pointe/repertoire class.

    Boys/Gentlemen 

    Ballet: 

    • Black Tights

    • Black or white men’s leotard or fitted tshirt

    • Black socks 

    • Dance belt 

    • Black split sole ballet shoes 

    Jewelry: NO watches, smart watches, large or hoop earrings, or other jewelry should be worn in class other than small stud earrings. This applies to ALL dancers in the program.

  • Start, Finish & Breaks 

    • First day of classes: Tuesday September 8, 2026

    • Thanksgiving Break: October 9 to 12, 2026

    • Christmas Break: December 22, 2026 to January 3, 2027 

    • Spring Break: Friday March 25 to April 4 (classes resume Monday April 5) 

    •Victoria Day Long Weekend: May 22, 23, 24

    • Last day of classes: June 19, 2027

  • Competitions (optional)

    Kittiwake Ballet Conservatory is not a competitive program. The only competitions for which we will register and coach students are YAGP and California Dance Classics. These competitions are judged by professional ballet directors, teachers, and dancers and offer scholarship opportunities for summer programs and sometimes full year training to certain dancers. The feedback is also valuable as each judge has spent their life in the study and profession of classical ballet and they bring with them a wealth of knowledge. Participation is optional and comes with extra costs. Costs include the competition’s registration fees, a $50 administrative fee to Kittiwake, coaching, the dancer’s own travel and costume costs, plus a shared portion of the accompanying coach’s flight, hotel, and per diem. To register interest, complete the Competition Participation Form included with this handbook. 

  • Yes, dancers in the conservatory are encouraged to participate in Kittiwake Ballet’s Nutcracker. There will also be a year end performance and other possible performance opportunities throughout the year.

    At KBC, we view the performances we provide as extremely valuable to the learning  process of each student. Please expect choreography and practice of performance pieces to be part of your dancer’s classes. Our staff choose performance pieces and create choreography that we feel are appropriate to push the students to new heights and round out their ballet education. Participation in our year-end performance is considered mandatory as part of our program design. This performance opportunity also helps to foster camaraderie and friendships between the students of our program as a whole. 

    *Should your dancer not be able to participate in a performance for any reason, please notify the staff as soon as possible so that it can be factored into the spacing and choreography of the dance piece. Your dancer will still be expected to participate in practices and will either dance the steps on the side or fill in for students who are ill or absent during classes.