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Your hub for important student, dance school, and competition info!

Info for All Students

Find info on classes, RAD exams, performances and more.

Check here often, as information is updated throughout the year.

Upcoming Events

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All female should wear a bun for class and performances. Also please use clips and bobby pins to hold back wisps from the face. See more info here: 

If your dancer has very short hair, please ask your teacher about alternative hairstyles.

To register to audition, fill out the Google Form prior to August 20th, 2024.

ALL students in the Vocational Levels are invited (as well as the G4 and G5 students who took this summer’s Nutcracker Camp). By attending the audition, students will gain audition experience, and be considered for a lead role (or supporting lead role) in the 2024 Nutcracker! All dancers must be enrolled in the 2024-25 ballet program to audition.

As part of the audition process, students will participate in a barre and center warm up before a panel of judges, and then may be also invited to dance specific audition combinations. Dancers will be assessed based upon multiple factors, including technique, musicality, performance quality, strength, flexibility, stamina, and ability to work in groups.

Results are final, and will be sent by email within a couple days after auditions are complete. All roles are valuable and important; students are encouraged to be gracious and accepting of their role assignments. 🙂

Link to Nutcracker Calendar (please save the dates/subscribe to calendar!)

Dancer Info 2024 will be posted here

  • LEAD AND SUPPORTING ROLES: Nutcracker Audition Results Here!
  • GOOGLE DOC WITH DETAILED REHEARSAL SCHEDULE (to be linked in September)
  • GOOGLE DOC OF NUTCRACKER CASTING FOR CLASSES (find student names here to review the Act and Scene they are dancing in – to be linked in September.

General Details (click arrows to read more):

Student Checklist For Dress Rehearsals and Performances

Dress/Tech Rehearsals AND Performance location (sorry NO parents allowed in): Temple Hill Auditorium in OAKLAND (4780 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland)

  • Drop off and pick up your child at the required times (see attached schedule).
  • Bring WATER only to drink during rehearsals and performances. Bring NON-STAINING SNACKS only for performers to not stain costumes.
  • Wear NUDE LEOTARDS to rehearsals & performances (that fit and match the skin tone).
  • Bring the required dance SHOES and TIGHTS. Write names on the inside of the shoes.
  • Girls arrive with HAIR in a neat bun and MAKE-UP already done. Party Scene Children only: (Party Scene Girls, please bring flat canvas shoes, and wear a high bun). (Party Scene Boys, please bring flat canvas shoes, and wear a low bun).
Performer Drop Off and Parking
  • Parking is free at the Auditorium (4780 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland) and across the street in the Temple Overflow Parking Lot.
  • Drop off your child on the LEFT SIDE of the Auditorium at ENTRANCE 1 on the map for PERFORMERS & VOLUNTEERS for rehearsals and performances. (This is for security reasons to limit entrances into the backstage area of the auditorium. Sorry, NO parents are allowed in the rehearsals at Oakland).
  • Parents are welcome to wait in the Visitor’s Center Building until the estimated time to pick up your child.
  • See map of Temple Hill Auditorium here
Makeup and Hair

Please refer to the linked PDF: Makeup and Hair For Performances

Nutcracker Tickets

Nutcracker Tickets are free to the public, and therefore sell out very quickly. We provide our dance families, via email, an “insider link” to acquire tickets prior to the release to the general public. Please only request the number of seats you need for your immediate family, and get your tickets early before we run out.

Nutcracker Photos & Video
  • No photos or videos are allowed during performances. We will have professional photographers at the venue.
  • This year we are providing parents with flash drives containing a video of the performance, at no additional cost. This content is copyrighted by Rachel’s Ballet and cannot be reproduced or used in any way. No DVDs will be available for purchase.

  • January/February MOCK EXAM (Practice Exam) schedule to be posted here when ready

The “Mock Exam” is an exam dress rehearsal for all of the students in each grade level. Typically, we try to schedule the Mock Exam at the usual location and class time.

It is important for students to practice their work in the studio where they will take the exam. Students should arrive with hair neatly groomed, and have all of the components of their uniform clean and in good repair.

Please arrive to the mock exam 15 minutes prior to class so we can get students prepared, parents seated, and begin on time. Students will perform all exam work as closely as possible to how they will dance for the examiner.

Parents are invited to observe, and see the progress the students have made. Photos and Videos are allowed (with no flash) and if not distracting to the students.

March/April OFFICIAL RAD EXAM SCHEDULE – will be linked here about 4 weeks prior to exam.

Exam Details (click arrows to read more):

Exam day important info:
  • RAD does NOT allow any late entrances, so arrive early!
  • Silence is needed on exam day, inside and outside the studio and lobby.
  • Early student drop off allows time to warm up and put on numbers/bows.
Exam Location / Arrival Time:
  • Exams take place at the studio location specified. 
  • All students must arrive for the RAD exam at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time. For example – arrive at 9:30 am for a 10:00 am Exam time. 
  • Note: some exams styles (such as SPA and DR) require a 45 min or 1 hour early arrival time. Check with your teacher. 
Note about RAD Exam Schedule:

The exam schedule is set by the Royal Academy, not Rachel’s Ballet. Exam dates or times can not be changed. We apologize for this, and appreciate your support for this important day we have been preparing for all year!

Our school has 5 days of examinations, and this means that some students may have to miss a partial day of school. Please explain to your child’s teacher that they are participating in an educational experience. Teachers will be proud of the efforts and accomplishments of your dancer to prepare for this event. There are no regular classes held during the exam period.

Student Check List For Exams:
  • Clean uniform (with waist belt if applies)
  • Wear skirt (if applies)
  • Ballet socks (for younger students only)
  • Clean tights & ballet shoes
  • Character uniform & shoes (for G1-G5 only)
  • Hair in neat, professional bun (no wisps – use gel or spray)
  • No hair decorations; we will provide bows
  • No make up, nail polish or jewelry (simple stud earrings are OK)
  • Water (non-spill container)
  • Masks are now optional – we recommend an uncovered face if possible, so the dancer can show facial expression. (If a mask is worn dancers will be assessed on use of eyes).

See our RAD Exams page for more info on exam format, procedure and awards.

Please note: NO CLASSES for Ballet, Contemporary, PPDC or Acro will be held at EITHER location during RAD exam days*.

Link to Showcase Calendar (please save the dates now!)

Document to Showcase Details will be linked here when available.

May 24 Performance held at Ohlone College in Fremont

Smith Center – Jackson Theatre
43600 Mission Boulevard
Fremont, CA 94539

Mandatory rehearsal dates May 20 & 22 – see linked calendar for details.

Student Checklist For Dress Rehearsals and Performances

Tech/Dress Rehearsals AND Performance location is Ohlone College in Fremont

  • Drop off and pick up your child at the required times (see attached schedule).
  • Bring WATER only to drink during rehearsals and performances.
  • Bring NON-STAINING SNACKS only for performers to not stain costumes.
  • Wear NUDE LEOTARDS to rehearsals & performances (that fit and match the skin tone).
  • Bring the required dance SHOES and TIGHTS. Write names on the inside of the shoes.
  • Girls arrive with HAIR in a neat bun and MAKE-UP already done (for Dress Rehearsal Day)
Performer Drop Off and Parking
  • Students may be dropped off at the stage at the top of the hill at Ohlone College. Parents must come in to sign dancers in and out each day.
  • If you wish to park, Ohlone College requires DAILY PARKING PERMITS which must be purchased at their vending machines in LOT E ($4 exact cash or credit card) or purchased online at the Smith Center Box Office. 
  • Please park in areas designated for STUDENTS; NO parking in Staff areas.  The campus police do issue parking tickets.
  • Directions & Important Parking Information:  http://www.ohlone.edu/org/smithcenter/directions.html
  • Campus Map:  http://www.ohlone.edu/core/mapsdirs/maps/fremontcampus.html
Makeup and Hair

Please refer to the linked PDF: Makeup and Hair For Performances

Showcase Tickets
  • Pick up your two (2) Showcase Tickets in the theater lobby at Wed or Thurs Rehearsal at Ohlone College
    • The Flat Fee that you paid at Registration included the cost of two (2) Showcase tickets.
    • Extra tickets (if remaining) are $40 each (exact CASH or Check only). Purchase at Rehearsal or Showcase Performance.
  • (Theatre Policy)  On Showcase day, everyone admitted into the theater seating area must have a ticket.  If your child performs in Act 1 and also wishes to see the rest of the performance, they must have a ticket. 
  • (Theatre Policy)  Tickets must either be surrendered and/or torn when you are admitted into the theater.  You cannot keep the “whole” ticket as a souvenir.
Showcase Photos & Video
  • No photos or videos are allowed during performances. We will have professional photographers at the venue.
  • A link to view digital and download photographs will be provided a few days after the performance.
  • This year we are providing parents with flash drives containing a video of the performance, at no additional cost. This content is copyrighted by Rachel’s Ballet and cannot be reproduced or used in any way. No DVDs will be available for purchase.

No photography or videography is allowed at either Nutcracker or Showcase. We hire a professional photographer and videographer, and make these available digitally to you at no additional charge.

Each family will be provided a link via email to access photographs, and a thumb drive to receive your video (which can be picked up at the dance studio after they are available).

Uniform & Handbook

Dress code & code of conduct

Program Info

Class levels & descriptions

Registration Info

Schedule, fees, & more

Contact

Email or Call

Info for JCT/PPDC Members

The following is for Junior Competition Team (JCT) and Pre-Professional Dance Company (PPDC) students only. Check here often for updates.

For general information about competition teams see our PPDC Page

  1. Link to 2024/2025 PPDC Application (Google Form)
  2. Link to 2024-25 PPDC/JCT Contract (PDF)

2024-25 Season info:

Attendance at all regularly scheduled technique classes is required for participation in PPDC/JCT

  1. Link to 2024-25 Rehearsal & Competition Schedule (Google Sheet)

*If a scheduled rehearsal falls on a competition day, it is not a day off; the competition time is considered to fulfill the usual PPDC rehearsal.

Known holidays/days off from PPDC/JCT:

  • September 2 (Labor Day)
  • November 8, 15, 16 and 23 (Nutcracker rehearsals)
  • November 25-30 (Thanksgiving)
  • December 11-14 (Nutcracker rehearsal / Performance)
  • December 23-January 4 (Winter Break)
  • Dublin ONLY: March 31-April 4 (Dublin Spring Break)
  • Fremont ONLY: April 21-26 (Fremont Spring Break)
  • May 21-23 (Showcase)

Available PPDC/JCT Rehearsals (Aug 12, 2023 – May 20, 2024)

  • Mondays – 37 rehearsals
  • Tuesdays – 37 rehearsals
  • Wednesdays – 35 rehearsals
  • Thursdays – 35 rehearsals
  • Fridays – 33 rehearsals
  • Saturdays – 33 rehearsals

All students must pay requested competition fees to our PPDC Coordinator prior to being registered for a specific competition. We are not able to hold the spot. 

Each competition has their own fees and waivers. Especially for students in ensembles, a quick completion of the form is necessary and appreciated for the team. 

Any privates or ensembles cancelled by the coach will be scheduled for a make up, either on an alternate day or by adding time to another rehearsal. 

Any missed privates by the student need at least 24 hours notice in advance, and the make-up must be approved by the coach and scheduled within the current school year. Due to coach’s limited time, multiple private make ups are not available. 

Students will be charged as usual for any privates cancelled or missed by student with less than 24 hours advance notice.

Students must have excellent attendance to all rehearsals. If a student misses an ensemble rehearsal, there is no ensemble make up, however the time may be made up in a lower ballet level or auxiliary class, as approved. 

All PPDC students must also maintain regular attendance to their weekly technique classes. Missing many classes may result in losing a role, dismissal from PPDC or not being allowed to attend a competition.

If a competition falls on a scheduled private/ensemble day (for example, Friday or Saturday), and coaches attend the competition for warm up and run through, this is charged as a regular rehearsal and no make up is offered. 

Additional competition or rehearsal fees may accrue due to invitation/qualification to participate in any FINALS competitions, or additional competitions not currently listed. Please see your contract for information.