Buffalo City Ballet

Training School Information

The Buffalo City Ballet provides students with many extraordinary opportunities.  As student of the BCB, your child will benefit from the extensive experience and knowledge of our instructors many of whom are former students who have returned to BCB gaining extensive professional performing experience and/or obtaining a dance degree in higher education.  Your child's growth, development and quality of experience are of most importance to us.  We take great care and effort in providing our students with exceptional training, in an environment that fosters growth, self-esteem and a strong feeling of community. 

Your child will additionally have the opportunity of performing in each year including The Nutcracker.  BCB's performances are typically held in October, December, February and May.  Our students gain valuable knowledge performing alongside professional company members and guest artists.  As students progress they will also have the opportunity to tour with the company, and works with guest choreographers from the professional and collegiate dance community.  Plus, all rehearsals for the major productions are separate from class and at no additional charge.  This way, we are able to devote class time entirely to learning.

In an effort to give more families the opportunity to take full advantage of our extraordinary and unique service, the Buffalo City Ballet is also pleased to provide many students with full or partial scholarships, and full paid tuition for  apprentice level students.  We also offer very competitive tuition rates, with discounts for frequency and length-of-term commitment.

Performing Youth Company

The Buffalo City Ballet Combines the talents of our pre-professional dancers and those of abroad with aspiring students from the Buffalo City Ballet training school and local dance studios.  BCB has been entertaining theatergoers throughout Western New York and the Eastern US for over 10 years, offering a repertoire of renowned classical ballet and contemporary works by our artistic staff, as well as works by internationally recognized choreographers set specifically for BCB.

Highlights of annual performances from Dracula, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Firebird and a collection of works by Executive Director, Marvin Askew and Associate Director, Janet Reed.

School Guideline

Recitals

Buffalo City Ballet does not burden parents with costly recitals.  Instead, we place our full efforts into teaching and training each student in the art of dancing.  BCB strives to use classroom time to teach proper technique, terminology and dance structure.  Preparing for recitals can cause students to regress in their training when the bulk of classroom instruction is spent learning several recital routines.   However, the BCB does provide each child the opportunity to showcase all his or her growth and training in various full length performances, such as the Nutcracker, throughout the year.

Placement/Promotion of Students

The Executive Director evaluates the progress of each student throughout the year, and has sole authority to place students at the proper level.  In order to assure a level of secure competence in sound dance technique, some students may be required to repeat the same level for a number of years so as to gain muscle strength and fully master proper dance technique.

Dismissal:

BCB School rules exist so that students may benefit fully from all aspects of their training.  Appropriate behavior in the classroom, and respect of staff and other students is expected at all times.  Upon infractions of these rules, the student's parent and guardian will be notified and the student can be placed on a probationary period, or dismissed outright.  The Executive Director has sole discretion to dismiss any student for the dance school.

Attendance:

Regular and consistent attendance is crucial to developing excellence in dance training.  Other commitments that interfere with class time should be avoided.  If you become aware of a conflicting engagement, please notify the school that your child will not be present for dance class.  It is the student's and parents' responsibility to make sure someone from the household notifies the school of any absence from their scheduled class or rehearsal for whatever the reason.

Lateness:

All students need to be on time.  Excessive lateness of either students or instructors will not be tolerated and can be cause for placement on administrative probation.  The dance instructors are expected to be on time and start class time no later than 5 minutes after designated start times.  The BCB instructors will demonstrate the seriousness and professionalism of this dance school in being prompt and ready to instruct the classes.  Late students, without prior notification to the desk or Executive Director, may not be permitted into class once class has begun, but latecomers may be permitted to watch at each instructor's discretion.  The school makes allowances for occasional unforeseen lateness issues, but excessive lateness will be addressed by the Executive Director and brought to the attention the parents and/or guardian.