Frequently Asked Questions

LDT Academy reopened to the public on June 8th, 2020 with social distancing, masking, and studio capacity limitations. 

Since then, Boulder County has removed all restrictions and recommended that everyone follow CDC guidelines for masking, quarantining, and isolating due to COVID-19 concerns.

LDTA COVID-19 PRIORITIES:

“Re-engaging in sports and physical activity with friends has both physical and psychological health benefits for children and adolescents. Participating in sports and physical activity allows youth to improve their cardiovascular health, strength, body composition, and overall fitness. Mentally, youth may experience benefits from the increased socialization with friends and coaches as well as from the return to a more structured routine. These psychological and physical benefits can help support their developmental growth. Exercise also has immune system benefits.” – American Academy of Pediatrics

Priority #1: Health & safety of all students, employees and community members

Priority #2: In-studio instruction for all students

To reflect our priorities, we have implemented the following POLICIES & PROCEDURES:

ATTENDANCE POLICIES | Students who are sick with any symptoms of illness may stay home and make-up classes missed once they are recovered from illness. Students and employees who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 may not attend classes until after an isolation period. Classes may be made up in classes at the same level or a level down from the student’s current placement. Please follow CDC guidance for calculating quarantine/isolation necessity and length.

SOCIAL DISTANCING | We encourage all students, employees, and visitors to continue to observe social distancing practices at the studio as needed. Please follow CDC guidance for determining How to Protect Yourself & Others.

MASK USAGE | Masks are optional in all LDTA classes starting August 15, 2022. Other organizations renting studio space may have their own policies & procedures. Please consider carrying a mask at all times when attending classes at LDTA. Disposable masks may be available if you forget your mask and it is recommended to wear one. Please follow CDC guidelines when determining if you should wear a mask.

STUDIO CAPACITY | All studios are now operating at full capacity. Parents are welcomed back into the lobby areas. We encourage parents to maintain social distancing guidance as they come in to ask questions or drop-off/pick-up their students.

ENTRANCE/EXITS | The front door is used for all entering/exiting the building. A hand sanitizer station is available at the front door.

There continues to be a risk of exposure to COVID-19.  If LDTA becomes aware that an infected person has been in the LDTA facility, the following procedures will be implemented:

• LDTA will coordinate with local health officials. Once learning of a COVID-19 case in someone who has been in the facility, LDTA administration will immediately notify local health officials. These officials will help determine the best course of action.
• LDTA will communicate with staff, parents, and students and coordinate with local health officials to communicate closure decisions and the possibility of COVID-19 exposure.

LDTA classes are priced for the full series (32-weeks for academy division and 16-weeks for youth division) and include a discount compared to drop-in rates. For your convenience, semester classes have an optional 4-month payment plan and annual classes have an optional 9-month payment plan.

Students age 16+ may also purchase class cards for 4 classes at a time. Pre-registration for a specific class date is highly encouraged in order to receive information by text/email when closures & cancellations may occur.

The $45 family registration fee helps cover administrative costs associated with registration. This fee is charged once per calendar year per head of household account. Each head of household (purchaser) pays the registration fee each year which is good for 365-days.

Tuition for 16-week courses may be paid in full prior to the first day of class. There is also an 4-month optional payment plan available. The first payment is due upon registration with remaining payments due on 09/15, 10/15, and 11/15 for the Fall Semester. The first payment for the Spring Semester is due upon registration with remaining payments on 02/15, 03/15, and 04/15.

Tuition for 32-week courses may be paid in full prior to the first day of class. There is an optional 9-month payment plan available. The first payment is due upon registration with remaining payments due the 15th of each month (September through April).

You can make changes to your credit card or e-check information online through your family account in Classbug.

We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707We’d be happy to help you with this. Contact us to request a payment date change by email registration@ldtacademy.com or call/text 303.317.2707

Yes! After you register and make the first monthly payment, you can make a balance payment online at any time.

We have limited funding available for scholarships each year. We offer both a merit-based and a need-based scholarship by application only.

Scholarships for the 2022/23 school year will be extremely limited. Please complete your tuition reduction application by August 10, 2022. Applications completed after this date may be considered, but families will need to register and make the first payment prior to receiving tuition assistance.

The family registration fee, recital costs, and school uniform is not covered by tuition assistance and must also be purchased.

LDTA is closed for Labor Day, Thanksgiving Week, Winter Break and Spring Break as listed on the LDTA School Calendar: bit.ly/LDTACalendar2223

When the SVVSD school district closes due to inclement weather, LDTA classes are not held. LDTA will send texts/emails to registered students affected by class cancellations.

LDTA believes in the classes and dance training we provide. We think you’ll want to stay for your full session of classes. Enrollment in a class at LDTA is for a full series of 16-week or 32-week sessions. Your commitment to the full session provides you with a discount compared to our weekly drop-in rate. Withdrawal from LDTA is available under the following guidelines:

Youth Division Withdrawal

Withdrawal with Intent to Return (Account Credit Given)

The Youth Division’s 16-week sessions are designed to be shorter tastes of classes. If you realize your child is not yet ready for class, LDTA will charge you only for the classes already taken at the discounted rate and we will credit your account with any remaining balance toward registration in a future session. The amount of store credit provided is not fully refundable. If you later request a refund, we will recalculate your refund based on the below guidelines.

Withdrawal without Intent to Return (Refund Requested)

Within 30 days of completing the LDTA Withdrawal Form, your account will be recalculated to remove the full session discount and any other discounts. You will be charged the non-discounted weekly rate for your program through the date of withdrawal only for the weeks attended. All refunds will be made to the payment method on file. Please note, withdrawing from a discounted program with a request for a refund may result in an invoice due depending on the date of withdrawal, how may class sessions remain, and discounts applied.

Academy Division Withdrawal

Leaves of Absence

All leave of absence requests must be submitted using the LDTA Withdrawal Form. You are responsible for 100% of tuition up to the date we receive this Leave of Absence Request.

During an approved leave of absence, payment plans will be paused. Once a student is able to return to LDTA, the amount due will be recalculated and the payment plan will be resumed at the original, discounted weekly rate. Leaves of absence are approved for medical reasons in both the Ballet Program and the Choreograph Your Own Program. Academic leaves of absence are approved on a case by case basis for high school students in the Ballet Program only.

Withdrawal

To completely withdraw from LDTA’s Academy Division (not intending to return), 100% of tuition is due through the date the Request Form is received at the non-discounted weekly rate. Within 30 days of completing the LDTA Withdrawal Form, your account will be recalculated to remove the full session discount and any other discounts. You will be charged the non-discounted weekly rate for your program through the date of withdrawal. All refunds will be made to the payment method on file. Please note, withdrawing from a discounted program with a request for a refund may result in an invoice due depending on the date of withdrawal, program, how many class sessions remain, and discounts applied.

Transfer between programs is available for all registered students. Please request a transfer directly in the LDTA Office, by emailing registration@ldtacademy.com, or by calling/texting 303.317.2707Transfer between programs is available for all registered students. Please request a transfer directly in the LDTA Office, by emailing registration@ldtacademy.com, or by calling/texting 303.317.2707Transfer between programs is available for all registered students. Please request a transfer directly in the LDTA Office, by emailing registration@ldtacademy.com, or by calling/texting 303.317.2707Transfer between programs is available for all registered students. Please request a transfer directly in the LDTA Office, by emailing registration@ldtacademy.com, or by calling/texting 303.317.2707

Transferring between programs may result in store credit or an amount due.

TRANSFER TO CYOP

• Academy Division students must take a minimum of two (2) classes as part of any Choreograph Your Own Program.
• Choreograph Your Own Program classes are discounted differently than Ballet Program classes. Please review program costs for your desired CYOP selections.
• Program costs are based on weekly rates; transfers and related fees will take effect at the beginning of the week following the transfer request.

TRANSFER TO BALLET PROGRAM

• Academy Division students must take all classes listed as part of the Ballet Program level.
• Program costs are based on weekly rates; transfers and related fees will take effect at the beginning of the week following the transfer request.

Missed Classes

Poor attendance affects learning and progress in dance classes and can have a detrimental effect upon the entire class. Students are strongly encouraged to make up missed classes as progress and future class placement can be greatly affected by even one absence.

COVID-19 POLICY: Students and employees at LDTA may not attend in-studio classes while in recommended isolation period following a COVID-19 diagnosis. In addition, students and employees must not attend in-studio classes while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test due to presence of symptoms. Please assist us in keeping our students and teachers healthy by staying home when sick and practicing appropriate social distancing and mask use at all times.

Make-Up Classes

Students may make up missed classes in their class level or one class level below. When students miss a class, a make-up class card will be added to the account and the head of household will receive an email.

Makeup classes must be taken within four weeks of the absence and cannot be carried over into another academic year.

LDTA makes every attempt to hold classes as scheduled. Sometimes class cancellations are unavoidable.

Classes cancelled due to weather or instructor illness: Students will receive a make-up class card that can be used in any class at the same level or one level lower to the student’s placement. If necessary and if studio space is available, a make-up class may be scheduled for a different day or time or during a break.

Classes cancelled due to poor enrollment: Students will only be charged for the number of classes held. Any pre-paid funds will be refunded or given as store credit once a class has been officially removed from the schedule.

Snow/Weather Cancellation Policy

In the event of inclement weather, which may cause class cancellations, LDTA will place an outgoing message to that effect on the LDTA voicemail system. LDTA also utilizes Facebook, texts, and email communication to provide closure information to our patrons. Emails to registered students come from the email: info@ldtacademy.classbug.com and registration@ldtacademy.com. Texts will also be sent if the phone number provided in the Classbug account are capable of receiving texts.

LDTA uses the St. Vrain Valley School District as a guideline for weather cancellations. LDTA recommends checking the LDTA voicemail system to confirm whether or not classes will be held, as circumstances may change during the day to allow us to have regularly scheduled classes.

It is the student’s responsibility to find out if classes will be in session due to the weather.

The Youth Division Holiday Recital is held at the end of the Fall Semester during the Winter Break. Pre-K through Grade 2 students registered for classes may participate in this recital.

Participation is optional. Additional participation fees apply when participating in the recital. Recital packages are available.

The Annual Recital is actually three recitals: Aerial, Youth Division, and Academy Division!

The Aerial Annual Recital is for students registered in any Aerial class.

The Youth Division Annual Recital is for students registered in the Spring Semester of a Youth Division class.

The Academy Division Annual Recital is for students age 8+ registered for a recital class.

Participation is optional and additional fees and costume costs apply. Recital packages are available.

Participation Fees – Children’s Holiday or Youth Annual Recital

Recital Packages are available. Pricing information available soon.

Participation Fees – Academy Division Annual Recital

Recital Packages are available. Pricing information available soon.

Costume Costs

Costume prices range from $25 – $120 per costume. LDTA instructors choose recital costumes that are age appropriate, dance appropriate, and reasonably priced. If there are modesty concerns, please discuss these with the LDTA administration.

Photography Costs

Due to availability of photographers, recital photo packages may or may not be available. Rates for these packages are set by the photographer. More information will be available if group/costume photography is able to be scheduled.

Videography Costs

More information coming soon.

Recital Flowers

Performers love to receive flowers at the recital! Families may pre-order flowers to give to their student during the LDTA recital.

Recital Package

An all-in-one recital package will also be available which includes your participation fee, recital costume, video package, a keepsake and recital flowers.

Centennial State Ballet is the non-profit youth performance company founded by school owner, Kristin Kingsley. Kristin serves as the Executive Artistic Director of this company. CSB auditions and rehearsals are held at LDTA studios and there are several performance opportunities throughout the year. Visit centennialstateballet.org  or email talent@centennialstateballet.org for more information about these performance opportunities. LDTA is proud to host CSB auditions and rehearsals in our studios and we encourage our ballet students to participate. No LDTA student is required to participate in these performances and participation in an LDTA program is not required to perform with CSB.

Each ballet level has a specific ballet uniform for selected classes. Order uniforms using form below.

FEMALE-IDENTIFYING STUDIO UNIFORM

All Levels: Capezio Tights (1916 or 1916C) in color that best matches skin tone – available for purchase at Boulder Bodywear

All Levels: Canvas or Leather Ballet Shoes (Pink)

Combination Ballet Tap: White

Ballet K: Pink

Ballet 1: Blue

Ballet 2: Lavender

Intermediate Ballet I: Hunter Green

Intermediate Ballet II: Mallard Blue

Intermediate Ballet III: Vampire Red & Pre-Pointe Shoes

Advanced Ballet I and II: Sangria & Pointe Shoes

Advanced III and PBIP: Sangria and Cobalt Blue & Pointe Shoes

MALE-IDENTIFYING STUDIO UNIFORM

Combination Ballet Tap through Grade 2: Pebble Gray Studio Tights and Leather or Canvas Ballet Shoes (Black or White)

Intermediate I, II, III and Advanced I, II: Pebble Gray Studio Tights with White Studio Shirt and Leather or Canvas Ballet Shoes (Black, White, Gray or Nude)

Advanced III and PBIP: Sangria Studio Tights with Black Studio Shirt; Cobalt Studio Tights with Patterned Studio Shirt; & Leather or Canvas Ballet Shoes (Black, White, Gray or Nude)

COVID-19 UPDATE: The LDTA shoe/clothing exchange program has been paused until further notice. LDTA is unable to accept gently used clothing/shoes at this time. 

LDTA has a shoe & clothing exchange program where families can trade lightly used shoes and leotards for a different size at no cost. If you don’t have items to trade, you can purchase a gently used pair of shoes for just $10 or a gently used leotard for $5. 

The LDTA Exchange is run by NHSDA. Shoes, leotards, and other dance items may be exchanged at any time – special drives may be held throughout the year. When you donate shoes or dancewear to the exchange, you will receive a coupon that can be used toward the purchase of other gently used items.

Longmont Dance Theatre Academy is proud to work with our local dance supply store, Boulder Bodywear. LDTA Students receive a 15% discount on items at Boulder Body wear!

Boulder Body Wear is located at 2850 Arapahoe Rd Suite 104 Lafayette, Co 80026 PH: 303-447-9100303-447-9100

Academy Division Ballet Attire (Non-Uniform Classes) 

Female Identifying:

For students with multiple ballet classes any style/color leotard for classes not marked as requiring uniform; unattached skirts may be worn during pre-pointe/pointe class only. Shirts, shorts, capris, pants, and/or legwarmers are allowed in Academy Division Teen/Adult Classes only.

Pink canvas or leather ballet slippers with drawstring bows tucked in; applicable pointe and pre-pointe shoes must be properly fitted by Boulder Bodywear. Elastics and ribbons on ballet slippers and pointe shoes must be properly sewn.

Hair must be in a secure bun or pulled away from the neck and face; no swinging ponytails. Students with short hair must use a headband and also secure the hair in the back.

Full-footed or transition tights in color that best matches skin tone. (LDTA recommends Capezio 1916 or 1916C) 

Male Identifying:

For students attending non-uniform classes, any style/color tights may be worn with fitted t-shirt and dance belt or male leotard with attached dance belt.

Long hair must be arranged off of the face.

All students:

No dangly earrings longer than 1 inch. No necklaces, bracelets, anklets, rings, or watches allowed. Stud earrings are acceptable. 

A dance notebook should be carried at all times so that students are prepared to take notes regarding classes, choreography, recital info, etc…

Academy Division Non-Ballet Classes

Bollywood/Hip-Hop/Jazz Fusion:

All Students: Leotard of any color or t-shirt with no words; leggings; flat bottom tennis shoes (shoes must not be worn outside – this prevents damage to our studio flooring from bacteria, glass, rocks, or pebbles); hair must be pulled back from face and neck; no skirts, no shorts, and no half shirts will be tolerated. Leggings and t-shirt may be worn over ballet attire for students with multiple classes on the same day.

Jazz:

All Students: Leotard of any color or t-shirt with no words; Lycra leggins, jazz pants, or bike shorts; black jazz shoes. No baggy clothes; no sneakers; no jeans; hair must be pulled back from face and neck.

Modern and Ballet in the Air:

All Students: Leotard or t-shirt of any style and color; any color footless tights/leggings (no jeans); no shoes or sock; hair pulled back from face and neck. Aerial students must wear a T-shirt which covers the underarm and can either be tucked into leggings or worn over a leotard – this protects student’s sensitive skin during Aerial class.

Tap:

All Students: Leotard or t-shirt of any style and color; any color footless tights/leggings (no jeans); tap shoes; hair pulled back from face and neck. 

Additional Dress Code Considerations

For security reasons, street clothing and street shoes are required when entering and exiting the building. Dance shoes are prohibited from being worn outside the studio.

For hygienic reasons, shoes must be worn at all times inside the building except during modern, conditioning, and ballet in the air classes.

Gently used dance clothing and shoes may be available during the Shoe Exchange.

LDTA offers a 6-week summer program.

Summer Camps

Students entering Kindergarten through Third Grade may register for our themed summer camps. Themes vary summer to summer, but typically include a ballet class, a non-ballet dance class, and a craft/activity time. Students participate in short performances for their parents and LDTA summer intensive students at the end of each week.

Summer Intensives

Attending a summer intensive programs at LDTA is highly encouraged, as students can make tremendous progress during the summer months without the added pressure of academic studies. These programs offer students intensive training in ballet technique, exposure to various dance disciplines, and the exciting experience of working with various guest teachers. Additional studies can include (but are not limited to) jazz, modern, variations, dance history, anatomy, injury prevention, partnering, swing dancing, stage combat, hula, Chinese dance, pilates, and yoga.

Summer Classes

The Children’s Division has limited class offerings during the summer, so early enrollment is highly recommended.

Classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern, tap, and ballet in the air are available for our Elementary and Academy Division students. Summer is a great time for both youth and adults to train in a new dance discipline or try dance for the first time.

Most evening summer classes are offered at the beginning level.

The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) is for Academy Division students in grades six through twelve.

The Junior Chapter is for students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. Students may apply to join at the end of fifth grade.  Members of the NHSDA Junior Chapter have bi-monthly meetings, participate in a service project, and have planned activities throughout the year.

The Secondary Chapter is for students in ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade. Students may apply to join at the end eighth grade. Members of the NHSDA Secondary Chapter have bi-monthly meetings and planned activities. They also plan and participate in the LDTA Exchange and hold a fundraiser each year. Junior and Senior members may also apply for a scholarship each year with the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).

The short answer is that the Pre-Collegiate Ballet Intensive Program is an intense training program in ballet for high school students who leave their school day early to train daily.  PBIP is an audition only program at LDTA. Auditions are held each December for the following school year.

The longer answer is in the PBIP Approach:

Intensive ballet training is more than technique. Our students are encouraged to be creative problem solvers, self-directed learners, community advocates, focused workers, and brilliant young artists. Every student has talents and challenges and it is within this particular alchemy that an individual artist can discover his or her voice as a dancer. It is the role of the instructor to provide feedback and guidance; it is the role of the student to make the changes. 

We, at LDTA, believe training in ballet is not about becoming a star, it is about embracing the rigorous daily work that is its own reward. Success is not about perfection; success is about standing back up when you fall down. Achievement is not about being cast in a big role; achievement is in performing any role, no matter how small, with commitment and discipline. 

We believe that, at its best, pre-professional ballet training teaches creativity, empathy, lateral thinking, teamwork, determination, self-respect, and grit. In classwork, our students learn to set goals, to overcome challenges, to accept criticism, and to evaluate their progress. In rehearsals, our students learn teamwork, individual responsibility, and perseverance. Onstage, our students are graceful, poised, flexible young people who can respond to adversity on the fly. We are proud of our students when they go on to do whatever they aspire to do in life, whether that is to dance or not, because we believe our students can do anything they set their minds to, and we can give them some tools to help them out along the way.