The School of Ballet Theatre Company in West Hartford will begin spring term classes on Jan. 25, 2021.

Ballet Theatre Company students training safely in-studio while following BTC’s in-studio training policies. Photo credit: Erica Marie Photography

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The School of Ballet Theatre Company (BTC), located off New Park Avenue in West Hartford, has announced its spring 2021 class schedule including virtual and in-studio classes in classical ballet, pointe, dance conditioning, and jazz.

BTC is currently accepting new students for its spring term. Registration is now open for ages 3 and up. Classes begin Monday, Jan. 25.

BTC’s highest priority and concern is ensuring the health and safety of students, administrators, and faculty. BTC has used guidance from the CDC and State of Connecticut health officials to implement health and safety protocols to continue safe in-studio training for all students. Students who wish to participate in in-studio training will be required to complete a medical questionnaire, participation waiver, and strictly adhere to BTC’s in-studio protocols including temperature checks, maintaining social distancing during classes, and wearing masks while inside the studio.

Widely regarded as the standard for classical ballet training throughout the Greater Hartford area, BTC is driven to offer the best local dance training experience. To accommodate all families and their personal decisions about in-person instruction, BTC’s spring schedule includes virtual and limited in-studio offerings for all classes and levels. Dancers can choose a hybrid training schedule, or choose to train 100% remotely. BTC has recently installed in-studio cameras and TV monitors that can stream in-studio classes for dancers who wish to only train at home, or are quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19. BTC’s in-studio protocols and precautions and virtual training policies can be found on BTC’s website.

BTC will offer classes at a limited capacity in ballet, pointe, dance conditioning, and jazz. Ballet levels offered include Creative Movement, Primary Ballet I & II, and Ballet I-VI levels, Pointe classes including Pre-Pointe and Pointe I-IV levels, and four jazz classes in varying levels. Creative Movement is designed for young movers ages 3-5 who have an interest in learning basic ballet vocabulary, developing fine motor skills, and enjoy using movement as a fun creative outlet. Primary Ballet levels focus on defining motor skills and broadening young students’ ballet vocabulary and technique. Ballet I-VI levels offer a nurturing training experience for dancers to not only learn strong ballet technique, but to grow in their own artistry and develop skills that will support them in any chosen field of endeavor. Pointe classes focus on proper alignment and strength training coupled with dance conditioning classes to better prepare dancers’ bodies for the demands of the art and to avoid injury. Jazz classes range from primary level to advanced levels and are offered once a week.

All dancers registered in a pointe class will be provided with a 4-foot-by-4-foot portable sprung marley floor piece to aid and ensure safety in at-home training. This special flooring will provide dancer’s bodies with the support they need in order to train effectively and avoid injury. Pick-up times for portable flooring will be scheduled upon dancer registration in their appropriate pointe class.

BTC’s goal is to provide each student with a solid dance foundation that allows for individual success and accomplishment. Students are placed in classes according to skill and ability at the discretion of BTC’s artistic director and faculty, and dancers are encouraged to follow BTC’s schedule recommendations to best support success in their training. All prospective new students should email [email protected] to determine level placement. In addition, BTC offers a free trial class for those interested in the program.

While the weather outside may still be frightful, BTC is looking ahead to plan its summer programming schedules and offerings. More information will be available in late February and will remain tentative as the community navigates through the health trials of the coming months.

Ballet Theatre Company students training safely in-studio while following BTC’s in-studio training policies. Photo credit: Erica Marie Photography

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