Sultanov Russian Ballet Academy
Parents’ Handbook Winter 2016 Sultanov Russian Ballet Academy
Dear Parent or Guardian,
On behalf of Sultanov Russian Ballet Academy (SRBA) we would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in us by selecting our pre- professional ballet Academy for your child.
At the Sultanov Russian Ballet Academy we are committed to providing the best ballet training in a most supportive and caring way. Our Academy is supported by a welcoming community of parents who value the qualities ballet provides—commitment, discipline, perseverance, respect, and rigor— and who appreciate the way SRBA leads students to develop these qualities in a warm and nurturing environment.
While those qualities tend to inspire many parents, they also come with responsibilities and expectations that must be evenly shared between the Academy, the teachers, and the home.
The enclosed Parents’ Handbook outlines the partnership, opportunities, and responsibilities you accept when selecting our Academy for the growth of your child.
We ask you to please read this information carefully before signing the Sultanov Way Commitment Form, available online and at the end of this booklet.
We look forward to including you as members of the Sultanov Russian Ballet Academy Community.
Warm Regards, The Sultanov Family
Contact Information
BEAVERTON ACADEMY: Phone number: 503-575-5659 1800 NW 167th Pl #125 Email address: Beaverton, OR 97006 [email protected] Website: LAKE OSWEGO ACADEMY: www.russianballetacademy.net 1167 McVey Avenue Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Table of Contents
Welcoming Letter from the Sultanov Family (p.2) 6) Private Lessons (p.13) Contact Information (p.3) a) Attendance Table of Contents (p.4) b) Attire c) Faculty 1) Brief History of Ballet (p.5) d) Conflict e) Makeup Lessons 2) The SRBA Commitment to Excellence (p.6) f) Payment g) Contract a) The SRBA Method b) Class Setting c) Variety of Classes 7) Summer Intensive (p.14) d) Trust Outside Auditions e) Faculty f) Observation Week 8) Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) (p.15) g) Yearly Progress Report h) Annual Scholarship i) Pointe Shoes 9) Sultanov Community Support Hours (p.16) j) Extracurricular Activities a) Support Hours Opportunities - Newsletter 3) Your Responsibilities as a Parent (p.8) - New Family Mentoring Program a) Embracing “The Sultanov Way” - Sultanov Social b) Academy Protocol - Open House c) Communication - Spring Performance and Nutcracker - Thank You Notes b) Support Hours Opt-out - Saying Goodbye d) Tuition Policy Support Hours Questionnaire (p.18) e) Refund Policy f) Uniform Policy g) Drop-Off/Pick-Up Policy The Sultanov Way Commitment Form (p.19)
4) Responsibility of the Student (p.10) a) Code of Conduct b) Training Commitment Requirements c) Attendance d) Managing Expectations
5) Live Performances (p.11) a) Audition b) Casting c) Role Acceptance d) Rehearsals e) Performance Fees f) Costumes g) Attendance h) Student and Parents’ Commitment
4
1. Brief History of Ballet
Ballet is a formalized type of dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th and 16th centuries. With the help of Catherine de’ Medici, ballet spread from Italy to France, where it developed further under her influence. Aristocratic money was responsible for the initial stages of development in “court ballet,” as royal money dictated the ideas, literature, and music for ballets created primarily to entertain the aristocrats of the time. Catherine de' Medici and Balthasar de Beaujoyeulx were responsible for presenting the first court ballet ever to apply the principles of Baif's Académie, by integrating poetry, dance, music, and set design to convey a unified dramatic storyline.
In the late 17th century Louis XIV founded the Académie Royale de Musique (the Paris Opera) within which emerged the first professional theatrical ballet company, the Paris Opera Ballet. The predominance of French in the vocabulary of ballet reflects this history. Theatrical ballet soon became an independent form of art, although still frequently maintaining a close association with opera, and spread from the heart of Europe to other nations. In the 20th century ballet spread around the world with the formation of new companies, including London's Royal Ballet (1931), The San Francisco Ballet (1933), American Ballet Theatre (1937), The Royal Winnipeg Ballet (1939), The Australian Ballet (1940), The New York City Ballet (1948), The National Ballet of Canada (1951), and The National Ballet Academy Trust of India, New Delhi (2002).
Source: wikipedia.org
5 2. The SRBA’s Commitment to Excellence a) The SRBA Method understand ballet rather than follow its steps The SRBA Method fosters an appreciation for mechanically. ballet as an art form and provides superior classical ballet training. Our Academy’s goal is d) Trust: By choosing SRBA for your child, you to train dedicated young students seeking a have entered a world that is extremely career in dance. Artur Sultanov’s teaching technical and specific. As a pre-professional method is designed to encourage dancers to ballet Academy, we put great emphasis on develop their individual strengths, help them hiring the most qualified teachers. These build their technique, and inspire artistic teachers have had rigorous training and interpretation. Graduating students of SRBA experience as professional dancers. They have will be guided through the process of obtaining the ability to train and observe the growth and a career in dance. Our rigorous training potential of each student. You may notice that program promises to produce dancers of the even though students may enter the Academy highest quality, both technically and artistically. at the same time and may be the same age, We welcome students of all ages and skill they may not progress at the same speed. levels and seek to provide professional training When students enter our Academy, each child in an enjoyable, nurturing environment. demonstrates a unique pace of growth, body strength, and stamina. The progress of each b) Class Setting student is thus dependent on a multitude of Classes at SRBA have a maximum number of factors that can be assessed only by students limited to 20. For certain classes and professionals such as the ones SRBA hires to especially when choreographing a live work with your child. We ask parents not to performance, classes have to be combined to intervene in the decisions that are made by the reflect the positioning and role of each student Academy with regard to the progression of on stage. each student. Please be assured that those decisions have been carefully weighed and are c) Variety of Classes always in favor of protecting the student. At SRBA, we believe in pushing our students’ abilities and for this we recommend that e) Faculty children who wish to pursue dance as a career Please check our website at take private classes in addition to regular www.russianballetacademy.net to obtain the most ballet classes. We also offer contemporary, updated information on SRBA’s teachers. variation and choreography classes so our dancers are well-rounded and thus able to 6 f) Observation Week h) Annual Scholarship In order to ensure a quiet learning atmosphere SRBA has a scholarship to help students pay and environment where the pupils can their annual tuition to the Academy. The Carol concentrate without distraction, observers are Streeter Dancer Award is made possible by a permitted only during announced observation generous gift from Artur and Cynthia’s dear weeks. We encourage you, your relatives and friend, Carol Streeter. Carol was a grade friends to become actively engaged by taking school teacher and is an avid supporter of arts advantage of Parent Observation Weeks and and arts education. This annual award is thus witness your talented child working hard bestowed on two promising young students of toward his or her goals. There will be one SRBA. A cash award of $500 each will be observation week each semester, which will given to the students who best demonstrate be posted on the Academy calendar. commitment, determination, and improvement. The Carol Streeter Dancer Award recipients g) Yearly Progress Report are announced at the final production each Each January, students receive a written year. progress report from the Academy, recommending that the student either move i) Pointe Shoes up to the next level or remain at the same one. Often parents and/or the student wonder when Please note that in ballet it is not uncommon the student will start practicing on pointe to remain at the same level for several years shoes, if the dancer is too young to be on while the student develops needed ability or pointe shoes, or why the student is still not on strength. pointe shoes. Those are indeed all relevant questions, and the answers are directly linked Because ballet is an individual art form, the to the feet, ankle, and core strength of the student’s report should not be compared with student and to how often the student practices the progress report of other students. As at our Academy. The more time invested in aforementioned, each student progresses at practicing, the stronger the student becomes. his/her own pace. While it may sometimes be The decision to put a student on pointe shoes hard to accept the differences among students is thus an individual one and is made entirely that the teachers see, we ask parents not to at the discretion of the Academy. interfere with the decision of the Academy. Please do not contact the teachers to request j) Extracurricular Activities a reconsideration of any kind. Once a month, thanks to our creative parents’ community, SRBA offers a group outing to its If you however have any questions or students. Previous activities include a matinée concerns about your child’s training, your at OBT, high tea with a principal dancer, a child’s teacher, or the Academy, the director ballet related movie, etc. would be happy to meet with you at a mutually acceptable time.
7 3. Your Responsibilities as a Parent
a) Embracing “The Sultanov Way” 7) If a student needs to leave class At SRBA, we feel privileged to early, they need to ask for shape the future of so many young permission; if they have dancers. It is an honor to spend time preauthorized permission to leave with such disciplined young people, early, they need to thank their and our commitment to their teacher and tell them goodbye. success and their future in dance is palpable. Success, however, does 8) The area in front of the Beaverton not come only from great ballet studio can get congested with cars. technique. Success requires a While drop off is permitted for Level mindset that includes humility, rigor, 3 and up, parents of Level 2 and and respect. It is crafted on the fine younger should always park and balance that comes from constantly walk the student inside the pushing one’s limits while accepting Academy. one’s own limitations. Being successful also means treating other c) Communication: dancers with respect while realizing If for any reason parents have that one’s faltering affects the troupe questions or concerns and wish to as a whole. speak with Artur or Cynthia Sultanov, they should contact As an SRBA parent we expect you SRBA’s Administrative Assistant to to embrace the principles of the make an appointment. Please Academy. provide two convenient times for Artur and/or Cynthia to meet with b) Academy Protocol: you. A response to your request to 1) Students should arrive at the meet will be sent within 24 hours. Academy 10 minutes early and in appropriate attire. When waiting • Thank You Notes: b e t w e e n c l a s s e s o r d u r i n g Our teachers work hard to help rehearsals, students should wear each student reach his/her warm ups and SRBA uniform potential and care about each jackets. dancer's success. It is always 2) Students must remove their meaningful to them when necklaces and bracelets for class. students express their gratitude, Small and discrete earrings are in writing. Thank you notes are acceptable. an end-of-the-year highlight for 3) We encourage students and our staff. parents to greet any SRBA staff • Saying Goodbye: when they arrive at the Academy. If a family decides to leave the 4) When students enter their class Academy, we ask that the they must always greet the teacher, student and family take the time and at the end of class, thank their to say goodbye to the teachers teachers and tell them goodbye. and dancers at the student's 5) During class it is expected that level. the students listen to and are respectful of their teacher. All these behaviors are expected 6) If a student needs to miss class, when one is part of a Ballet we request that the Academy be Company. Embracing such notified. Please contact our front behaviors at a young age makes the desk via email at life of the dancer much easier [email protected] later on. 8 d) Tuition Policy Leotards: SRBA tuition is averaged into 9-10 monthly • Pre-Ballet: Motion Wear, Style payments. Tuition rates are broken down by the #2149-498, Color: Iris hour. Please request our Monthly Tuition Rates • Beg-Ballet: Motion Wear, Style sheet to obtain pricing per level. Additionally to #2149-494, Color: Sunset Coral monthly tuition, the following applies: • Level 1: Motion Wear, Style #2149-475, • A one-time $25 registration fee is Color: Red charged upon new enrollment to SRBA. • Level 2: Motion Wear, Style #2149-466, • Monthly tuition is accepted by one check Color: Turquoise for the entire year or automatic payment • Level 3A/B: Motion Wear, Style deduction through SRBA's Auto-Debit #2518-492, Color: Cobalt system. Auto-Debit payments are • Level 4: Motion Wear, Style #2643-491, withdrawn on the 6th of each month. Color: Grey Notification to withdraw from Auto-Debit • Level 5-6: BalTogs style 87875BURS must be received at least 30 days in Adult Two-Tone Cap Sleeve, Color: Navy advance in order to stop tuition payment • Tights: Body Wrappers, Style #A45, for the following month. Back-seamed, Color: Ballet Pink • Failure to make payments in a timely • Ballet Shoes: Bloch Prolite, Style #203, manner may result in a late fee of $35. Split-sole, Leather, Color: Ballet Pink • Hip-Alignment Belt: Raindance, 1/2″ e) Refund Policy. Width, Color: Black (Level 1-2) & 3/4" SRBA tuition and registration fees are non- Width, Silver (Level 3-6). refundable and non-transferable. Boy’s Uniform: Notification to withdraw from classes must be • Black tights, white short sleeved dance received in writing at least 30 days in advance shirt by Body Wrappers. in order to stop tuition payment for the following month. The above items can be purchased at the SRBA observes holidays and breaks during following local stores: which there are no classes. The total value of lost dance days due to holidays or holiday Dance Togs breaks has been considered and is reflected in 3835 SW Hall Blvd the monthly tuition amount. Beaverton, OR 97005 There are no additional refunds or credits for Phone: 503-644-7545 missed dance days due to holidays. Website: dancetogs.net f) Uniform Policy. Portland Dancewear SRBA enforces a uniform dress code to create 6559 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy a strong sense of unity and discipline in the Portland, OR 97225 ballet studio. Color-coded leotards are based Phone: 503-292-1539 on students' level of study: Website: http://www.portlanddancewear.com
Or online at discountdance.com and allaboutdance.com
g) Drop-Off/Pick-Up Policy. Timely drop-off and pick-up is mandatory. While we do appreciate being notified of pending lateness, advance notice does not negate a student's tardiness. Please inform us via email or phone if you are running late to pick up your student. Excessive abuse of pick-up policy may incur a $35 late fee.
9 4. Responsibilities of the Student
a) Code of Conduct: At SRBA we strive to create a learning 1) Pre/Beginning Ballet must commit to a environment that promotes learning through minimum number of classes for 3 months. respect, understanding, and acceptance of each 2) Levels 1-2 must commit to one full term, a other. We ask our students to keep the following minimum of 4-5 months. three questions in mind: 3) Levels 3-6 must commit to the full year, 9-10 months. Is it safe? Is it kind? c) Attendance Is it responsible? Attendance to all classes is expected. If a student must miss class, please notify us at Any behavior that is linked to bullying or [email protected] 24 hours before belittling of others at the Academy or online will class or, in case of illness, as soon as possible. not be tolerated. If a student must miss a class she/he can make Parents of students who do not abide by SRBA’s it up in their level or a level lower. Monthly tuition Code of Conduct will be asked to meet with is not prorated for missed classes. Artur and Cynthia Sultanov to discuss the behavior of the student. d) Managing Expectations Because ballet is an individual art form that b) Training Commitment Requirements relies on the strength of the group to create a To minimize disturbance within the class and beautifully orchestrated experience, it is maximize the learning ability of the group, SRBA essential that every student understand that accepts students at the beginning of the school while their opportunities are equal during class, year (September) for Level 3 and above and when casting productions the artistic director January for Level 2 and below. acceptance into must entrust the major roles to a selected the program at times outside of the registration handful of students. Every student must learn to period is at the discretion of the Director. deal with disappointment so expectations can Interested students must take a placement class be managed realistically. to be considered. The Academy has the following commitment To this end, we recommend that families expose requirements: students to professional ballet performances such as the ones performed by Oregon Ballet Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, or San Francisco Ballet. In a professional setting, students will observe and realize that principal dancers and soloists are few, while the corps de ballet is made of numerous talented dancers who meaningfully support the story being told through classical dancing.
10 5. Live Performances To prepare students for the stage, SRBA puts unable to attend the scheduled audition, please together two performances a year: one in late contact our Academy to schedule a separate June (Spring) and one in December (the audition. Please note that special auditions are Nutcracker). While these performances are considered extraordinary and will be accorded optional, they are critical components of the only when convenient and considered truly development of any dancer. Stage fright must necessary. be overcome, and stage presence must be developed. Only dancers who take part in the b) Casting performances have a fair chance to grow as Casting for any performance is complex and potential professional dancers. based on many different factors, from a student’s age and skills to the choreographic In order to participate in our live performances, needs of each part. Students may be cast students must be formally registered at our separately from classmates in order to provide Academy. an appropriate balance of technique and experience. Other students may be chosen as All performers must return a signed commitment understudies in addition to performing their form and a non-refundable performance fee. given part(s). While we cannot offer each student his or her choice of parts, every dancer who is able to meet the rehearsal schedule will a) Audition receive a role. Every role, big or small, To be considered for our Spring or Nutcracker contributes to the success of the performance performances, a student will have to attend the as well as to the growth of the dancer. Academy’s scheduled audition. If a student is
11 c) Role Acceptance: By signing up for the f) Costumes audition, dancers agree that the role they are Though costume use is included in the assigned by SRBA is non-negotiable, and they performance fee, please note that there will be an will accept it in a graceful fashion. It must be additional charge if a costume is lost or damaged. understood that in a pre-professional ballet Students are responsible for providing their own academy, only hard work and dedication will tights, shoes, and other personal accessories. prepare the student for better roles. Any Costumes remain the property of the Academy. conversations regarding casting decisions are to be conducted between the student and the artistic g) Attendance director, Artur Sultanov. Mr. Sultanov welcomes Attendance is mandatory at all rehearsals and the opportunity to explain to the student the regularly enrolled ballet class sessions. More rationale behind casting decisions and what a than two missed rehearsals or three missed student needs to work on in order to be classes may result in dismissal from the considered for certain roles in future performance. Absence not only affects the performances. If a student has a concern missing student’s ability to learn his or her part regarding casting, we encourage him/her to (and, through weekly classes, to acquire the skills speak with Mr. Sultanov directly. and strength to support a role), it also impacts other students, who must adjust choreography d) Rehearsals and spacing to work around the absent student. If The live performance rehearsal schedule requires you know in advance that your child must miss a a serious commitment of time from each dancer scheduled rehearsal or class session, please and the dancer’s family. Weekly Saturday notify us immediately. Tardiness is not rehearsals are the norm, with varied hours acceptable; students should arrive 10 minutes according to part. Rehearsals cannot be prior to a rehearsal. Rehearsals are closed to rescheduled to accommodate a single student’s parents and siblings. Parents are not to arrive to needs. Students who participate in the live the Academy for pickup more than 5 minutes performances must be prepared to set aside before the end of rehearsal or class. Please keep conflicting activities during the rehearsal season, the noise level to a minimum while classes and/or and families must be ready to support their rehearsals are in session. If you need to talk or dancer’s rehearsal needs. Please consider your have small children with you, please wait outside family’s plans carefully prior to signing on. Note to avoid distractions to our dancers and teachers. that schedules for all dancers are subject to change. Advanced students and featured roles h) Student and Parents’ Commitment: will have additional rehearsals after their regular If a commitment to take part in a show has been classes; these times will be announced. declared, it is the responsibility of the parents to reinforce the fact that the commitment must be e) Performance Fees fulfilled before any other option is considered. The non-refundable performance fee helps offset Quitting mid-performance not only affects the the cost of putting on a production which includes ability of the group, but it also conveys the extra rehearsal time outside of class, theater message that respecting others is not important. rental, costumes, wardrobe person on site during Such action will result in immediate dismissal the shows, programs, lighting and sound from regular classes. manager, etc.
12 6. Private Lessons
a) Attendance: f) Payment Punctuality in ballet is very important and even Private lessons are priced by the hour or per more important in the context of private half-hour. Although the lessons will take place lessons, as the teacher comes to class only for weekly, they must be committed to on a the sole student. To maximize practice time, monthly basis, and payment will be expected in students are expected to arrive 10-15 minutes full at the first lesson of each new month. early so they can warm up. Lessons must be paid for in a timely manner. If the balance is not paid by the time agreed b) Attire: upon, lessons will stop. All students should arrive at their lesson Payment is accepted by check and credit card. dressed to dance and with their hair done and their jewelry removed. g) Contract All private lessons are endorsed by a contract c) Faculty indicating that the student and the parents have All our teachers are trained to conduct private read and are in agreement with the conditions lessons with the students. The decision about of SRBA Private Lessons. Contracts must be who will instruct the student is based on the age signed and returned to SRBA with payment for of the student and his/her ballet ability, stamina, the first month of classes before private lessons and strength. This decision relies entirely on the begin. expertise of SRBA. Please refrain from asking the Academy to have your child assigned to another teacher. d) Conflict: Hiring a private teacher means devoting time to that weekly lesson and keeping absenteeism to a bare minimum. If you know you have a conflict with a specific lesson date coming up, please let us know via email or phone as soon as possible. The time the notice is given and the reason for missing the lesson will play a role in whether or not you are charged for that lesson. If the Academy is not notified 24 hours in advance about a lesson to be missed, the student will be charged for the lesson, and the teacher will not be obligated to make-up the lesson. e) Make-Up Lessons The teacher is not obligated to make up a lesson for an unexcused absence. If the teacher must miss a lesson, a make-up lesson will automatically be re-assigned.
13 7. Summer Intensive
Each year, SRBA organizes a four-week to the outside world, not only will we help them program with daily classes for its junior and audition for summer intensives outside of SRBA, senior dancers. Summer Intensive is an but we will also recommend them to the vast extremely valuable component of a ballet network of professionals that Artur Sultanov and dancer’s growth because the instruction during SRBA’s teachers have acquired throughout their that time period is daily (Monday through Friday) professional careers as ballet dancers. (Please and sustained. visit our website to find a list of past Summer Intensive teachers.) Students who attend the SRBA’s Summer Intensive usually grow rapidly as dancers. The If a dancer is deemed ready to audition for an large amount of time spent in the classroom outside summer intensive at an age younger allows the teachers to better identify the than 15, parents will be notified by SRBA. challenges of each student and cater to those needs in a manner that cannot be done during At the end of each Summer Intensive, students the regular Academy schedule. audition for Youth American Grand Prix (see below). Because of the intensive instruction Outside Auditions received during those four summer weeks, the All SRBA students study exclusively with the chances of being selected to represent the Academy throughout the year, summer included. Academy improve considerably. At the age of 15, with the artistic director’s permission, students may audition for summer During the course of the Summer Intensive, the intensives outside of the Academy. The reason Academy also organizes bonus activities for the for this age requirement is that, in general, it students so they can bond and have fun takes nine to ten years for a ballet dancer to together. Previous activities have included movie develop the level of technique and stage night, pool party, birthday celebrations, and park presence required to be noticed by a ballet outings. company. SRBA brings in world-renowned, exceptional teachers to its summer intensive so The Summer Intensive culminates with a photo our students can pursue their development shoot and an Academy showcase. without further living costs and travel expenses to their families. Once our students have To reserve a student’s spot for SRBA’s Summer reached a level where we are convinced they will Intensive, parents must return a signed be able to demonstrate their skills and potential commitment form accompanied by a non- refundable deposit.
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO FIND A LIST OF PAST SUMMER INTENSIVE TEACHERS
14 8. Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP)
Our Academy is not a competition academy; we were also invited to compete in the finals held in do feel, however, that it is important to offer NYC. competition experience to students who want and are ready to compete. The focus is on clean Please note that students who enter YAGP as lines, strong footwork, artistic expression, and an ensemble must be in accordance with the developing as a well rounded and versatile rules of engagement of the competition. By dancer. scoring enough points, the ensemble might be invited to compete in New York City. While the The readiness of each student to compete is invitation to compete in New York City is thrilling determined at the discretion of SRBA’s teachers. for our students, there is a travel cost and a time Please understand that if your child is ready to investment that we encourage families to compete, it is in the best interest of SRBA to discuss ahead of time to ensure alignment in have him/her represent our Academy. Please case the students receive the invitation. respect the decision of the teachers. Students selected for YAGP will receive Our students have placed in the Top 12 in invitations via email during the first week of classical and/or ensemble every year since August. 2013—the year we entered the competition for the first time. In 2016, several students placed YAGP’s mission, history and scholarship and two of SRBA students hold the title of 1st opportunities can be explored by visiting the and 3rd place in the Pacific Northwest region in Association’s official website. the Pre-Competitive Classical Division. Students
15 9. The Academy Needs You
Because SRBA is a privately run pre- a) Support Hours Opportunities professional ballet academy, it does not qualify for city or state subsidies. The Academy thus Newsletter: relies heavily on the involvement of parents. A virtual newsletter informing the SRBA Community of events, progress, Observation Weeks, Summer Intensive, YAGP, pictures taken in the classroom, etc. reaches our families once a month. For the newsletter to take place, we need the involvement of two parents:
AS A FAMILY, Newsletter Liaison is the person between the Academy and the newsletter graphic designer. A MINIMUM OF SIX This person must have good communication SUPPORT HOURS PER skills, the ability to take pictures and to capture what represents the essence of the Academy SHOW, PER STUDENT IS each month. The newsletter liaison will interact MANDATORY. on a weekly basis with SRBA’s Administrative Assistant and Cynthia Sultanov when needed. Time Commitment: 5 hours a month
Newsletter Editor is the graphic designer who will publish the actual newsletter. This person This involvement is important all year long as should have superior computer skills, a native many tasks are supported by our community, command of the English language, and but parents’ involvement is especially important knowledge of Wordpress. to set up, structure, and run the two live Time Commitment: 5 hours a month performances the Academy offers each year.
As new families join our Academy, SRBA does its best to capture the special talents and interests of each person via questionnaire. Please make sure you fill out the questionnaire.
Support hours opportunities are filled on a first come, first serve basis. When support hours skills are technical (i.e. costume design, costume creation, newsletter, etc.), positions will be given to parents who are either professionally trained in those areas or who have demonstrated the ability to work on such demanding tasks without any supervision.
Some positions are extremely limited, while others must be filled in higher numbers. Please show flexibility when assigned a role that may correspond to your second or third choice or not on your list at all.
16 New Family Mentoring Program: Open House: The purpose of the New Family Mentoring Once a year, SRBA opens its doors to the Program is to help new families feel welcome and Portland community. This is a vibrant event that supported in our community. Mentor families are showcases the Academy and the Sultanov’s Way. asked to aid the new families who have just been For this event to take place, parents are needed admitted, both parents and students, by telling to set up, attend the event, and make contact with them about SRBA, helping to integrate them potential new families to answer questions they quickly into the SRBA community, and being a may have and describe your experience at the resource during the weeks that follow registration Academy. as well as during the new family’s first year of Number of Parents Needed: 3 tenure at SRBA. The program also gives new Time Commitment: 10 hours per year families a personal connection at the Academy and the new student a familiar face in the hallway Spring Performance and Nutcracker or in the classroom if the students share a similar Parents and families help to support the level. This assignment is a pleasurable way to performance through their gifts of time and connect with new families and get them involved talents. in the Sultanov Support Hours Community.
The minimum requirement is that the parent makes an initial contact with the new family prior THE SPRING AND to the first day of class for the student and that you attend the Sultanov Social the Academy NUTCRACKER organizes twice a year. You may also be asked to PERFORMANCES RELY help set-up or tear down at the event. ENTIRELY ON THE After that initial meeting and once ballet lessons INVOLVEMENT OF OUR start, the mentor places a call to check in to see how the new family feels and ask if they have any STUDENTS’ FAMILIES. questions. If you would like to get together with the new family and set up some more meaningful get-togethers for you and them, you are of course REGARDLESS OF THE AGE welcome to do that. Number of Parents Needed: 10 OF THE DANCER, EACH Time Commitment: 6 hours per year FAMILY WILL HAVE TO
Sultanov Social: PROVIDE BACKSTAGE Twice a year, SRBA organizes a get-together for ASSISTANCE, AS NEEDED, TO its Community to say thank you, disseminate information, and play together. In the spring, the HELP THE DANCERS GET event happens indoors at the Academy, and in READY FOR THEIR the fall, weather permitting, it happens at a nearby park. PERFORMANCES.
Organizing the Socials relies on skills that combine planning, purchasing, setting up, and These support hours are closely monitored dismantling. and backed up by a $100 deposit check per Number of Parents Needed: 5 student per show. Time Commitment: 10 hours per year If the support hours are not fulfilled by the conclusion of the show and no other involvement can be established, the $100 deposit will be cashed by SRBA.
17 PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO REGISTER FOR YOUR SUPPORT HOURS AND SELECT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT FITS YOUR NEEDS AND PERSONALITY BEST.
www.russianballetacademy.net
18 SULTANOV WAY COMMITMENT FORM
Student’s Name: ______
Parent or Guardian’s Name: ______
I have read and understood the conditions of the Sultanov Russian Ballet Academy and agree to embrace and respect the Sultanov Way:
Student’s Signature: ______
Date: ______
Parent or Guardian’s Signature: ______
Date: ______
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ACCESS THIS FORM ONLINE.
www.russianballetacademy.net
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