Frequently Asked Questions
We are located at 100 Sheppard Ave E, Unit 140, North York, ON M2N 6N5.
The entrance is at the back of the building, accessible from Kenneth Ave through the loading dock. For detailed directions, including photos, please visit https://www.therussianballet.com/directions
We know it's a little hard to find the entrance and we are working on adding more signs! We apologize for any inconvenience.
We do not offer free parking.
Paid visitor parking is available directly behind our building at 100 Sheppard Avenue East, with ground-level and underground access from Kenneth Avenue.
You can also park at the back of 110 Sheppard Avenue East, across the street from us, which has ground-level metered parking. Green P street parking is available on Kenneth Avenue.
If you plan to pick up food or groceries, we recommend parking at Loblaws or Whole Foods near Yonge and Sheppard, where parking is free with a $20 purchase.
We understand this may be an inconvenience, but free parking is extremely limited in Uptown Toronto.
Our general hours are 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM, but actual operating times vary based on the class schedule. The school may be closed during hours when no classes are running. Class times and availability change frequently, so we recommend checking our calendar for the most accurate and up-to-date information. The calendar is available on our website and in our mobile app, and it shows up to three months of upcoming classes and holiday closures.
Registration for all programs—including classes, courses, and memberships—must be completed online or by phone. We do not accept in-person registration, and visitors without a confirmed booking will not be accommodated. If you have any questions, you can call or text us at 647-370-5889 or email info@therussianballet.com.
Our school observes the following holidays each year:
Labour Day
Canadian Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Day
Family Day
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Victoria Day
School's Dress Rehearsal on stage (for performers only)
School's Annual Showcase (for performers only)
Canada Day
Civic Holiday
The dates for Dress Rehearsal and Show vary each year. These dates are announced directly to performers. For non-performers, any closures related to these events will appear on the calendar.
We recommend checking the calendar on our website or in the mobile app to view the most current schedule. All holiday closures will be listed there. The calendar displays class schedules up to three months in advance.
Dancewear is not required for your first class. Dancers should wear comfortable clothing that allows for easy movement, such as yoga pants, leggings, a t-shirt, and socks to help feet slide smoothly during class.
Some classes require a mat. Please check the class description on the calendar to confirm what is needed before attending.
Dancers may bring optional items such as a non-slip towel to prevent sliding from sweat, pilates grip socks for added stability, yoga blocks, or wrist and ankle weights to adjust the intensity of their workout.
We do not sell or provide these materials at the school, so please arrive with everything you plan to use.
Water in non-glass bottles is permitted. Food and all other drinks are not allowed anywhere inside the school.
All dancers must book in advance. We do not accept walk-ins, and we cannot accommodate anyone who arrives without a confirmed reservation.
Registration must be completed online or by phone before attending. You can call or text 647-370-5889, or email info@therussianballet.com.
Please plan ahead. Our office staff is not always available in real time and may miss your call, text, or email if you try to register last minute.
We recommend arriving 10–15 minutes before your scheduled start time. This allows enough time to check in, use the restroom if needed, and prepare your space before class begins.
Our entrance can be difficult to find, especially if it’s your first visit. Please refer to our directions in advance to avoid delays.
If you arrive late, you are still welcome to join the class as long as you have booked in advance.
Our entrance is located at the back of the building at 100 Sheppard Avenue East. It can be accessed from Kenneth Avenue through the rear parking lot.
The door is unmarked and may be easy to miss, especially on your first visit. Please refer to our directions for step-by-step instructions and photos to help you find your way.
We apologize for the inconvenience. We are currently in the process of applying for a permit to install exterior signage.
When you arrive, the teacher will check you in at the start of class. This is also the time to introduce yourself if you are new and to let the instructor know about any injuries or movement concerns.
We have two classrooms: A and B. Classroom B is the first door on your right when you enter the school. Classroom A is just to the left of that. You can see which room your class is in when you book online, in your upcoming reservations in the app, or on our calendar.
We do not have designated changing rooms. The school has two gender-neutral bathrooms, but we recommend arriving with your dancewear already on under your street clothes, as space to change may be limited before class.
Dancers may leave their belongings in the waiting area, or bring them into the classroom and place them neatly against the wall. Phones must be turned off or set to Do Not Disturb to avoid interruptions during class.
As part of our Eastern European culture, we do not allow street shoes beyond the front walkway. Shoe mats are provided for you to place your footwear upon entry. Street shoes and heels are strictly forbidden in the classrooms, as they can damage our marley floors.
If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6, a parent or guardian is required to remain on-site in case any support is needed during the class. However, all parents and guardians, regardless of the child’s age, must wait in the designated waiting area and are not permitted inside the classrooms during instruction.
We encourage young dancers to enter the classroom on their own. This helps them build confidence and settle into class more smoothly. Our instructors are experienced in supporting children through this process with care and patience.
If a child continues to need extra support, we may assign a teaching assistant to help in a future class. In some cases, if needed, a parent may be invited to assist temporarily. These situations are handled thoughtfully and discussed with both the teacher and our office to support the dancer’s experience.
If this is your child’s trial class and they need more time to adjust, we will offer a free second class to help them feel more comfortable in the classroom environment.
We also ask that parents avoid crowding near the classroom doors or windows, as this can be distracting for students and may interrupt the learning environment. Parents and visitors are welcome to remain in the waiting area for the duration of the class, as long as the school is open.
No. To protect the privacy of all students and staff, photography and video recording are strictly prohibited anywhere inside the school, including during class, through windows or doors, even if the focus is your own child.
Parents are not permitted to gather near classroom windows or doorways to take pictures or videos. This is highly disruptive to the learning environment and to the focus of both dancers and instructors. Our staff cannot monitor or review personal photos or recordings, and we will not make exceptions.
Any individual who attempts to film, take photos, or otherwise record inside the school may be asked to leave immediately or may be charged a penalty fee. This is a school, not a public event or a casual photo opportunity. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining a respectful and focused space for all dancers.
We appreciate that dancers may have questions or be excited to discuss their goals and progress. However, instructors are not available between classes to provide personal feedback, guidance, or training-related discussion. Class transitions are tightly scheduled, and instructors need time to reset and prepare for the next class.
If you would like individual support or to discuss your personal goals, please contact us to set up a private training session with your preferred instructor. You can reach us by phone or text at 647-370-5889, or by email at info@therussianballet.com.
Registration can be completed on our website or through our app. To register, please create an account and enter all required information.
Registration is also available by phone by calling the office at 647-370-5889 during office hours, Monday to Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. If registering by phone, a payment method can be provided during the call or submitted afterward through a secure payment form. Payment is required to complete any booking, including trial classes, intro offer packages, courses, memberships, or first-time private training sessions.
We do not accept in-person registration or walk-ins.
We are a cashless and paperless facility. All registrations, payments, and account communications are handled digitally through our website, app, or office support.
In-person payments and paper forms are not accepted.
Children’s ballet courses follow two annual terms: the academic year and the summer term.
The academic year begins the day after Labour Day (the first Monday of September) and continues through June 30. The summer term runs from July 2 (the day after Canada Day) through August 31. Start dates for summer courses may vary depending on the program, so it is best to check the specific course page for details and registration deadlines.
If registering after the course start date, please contact the office to arrange prorated tuition. Be sure to include your intended start date. The office can be reached by phone or text at 647-370-5889, or by email at info@therussianballet.com.
Adult dancers in intermediate or advanced ballet levels who are participating in the performance membership add-on follow the same academic calendar. This add-on includes rehearsals only and is separate from group class memberships.
Adult trial classes or memberships may be started at any time of the year. Advancement between dance levels is based on individual progress. Instructors will advise when a dancer is ready to move up, and the office can assist with membership upgrades.
For pre-school dancers (ages 3–4) and pre-primary dancers (ages 5–6), placement is strictly based on age. Dancers remain with the same age group for both years, as these courses are intentionally structured to match the developmental stage of that age range. Advancement is not permitted, as the next levels introduce material that is not suitable for their physical or emotional readiness.
Mid-year transfers are not permitted, even if a dancer has a birthday that would move them into the next age group partway through the year.
Dancers ages 7, and those turning 8 during the academic year, are placed in the Primary group. Dancers ages 8 to 9 are placed in the Junior group. New students between the ages of 7 and 9 are placed by age unless they have previous dance experience at another school, in which case placement may be based on ability. Existing students in this age group are only eligible for placement by ability after completing a full academic year in one of these programs. Dancers remain in the same group for both years unless they exhibit exceptional technique or are taking at least two or more hours of additional private training per week.
Starting at age 10, placement becomes skill-based. Level 1 is for dancers ages 10 to 11, Level 2 for ages 12 to 14, and Level 3 for ages 15 to 17. These levels are structured to match both technical development and training history. New students ages 15 to 17 who are beginning ballet may be placed in Level 2 to support foundational learning in a setting appropriate to their experience.
Adult dancers are placed by skill level only and progress at their own pace, as every dancer’s body, background, and training history is different. Classes run year-round, allowing adults to move forward without the pressure of term-based schedules or fixed course dates unless they are enrolled in a performance membership add-on to perform on stage in our annual showcase in June.
Students ages 5 and up who are enrolled in academic year courses participate in the annual showcase held in June. Adult dancers in intermediate or advanced ballet levels who have enrolled in the performance membership add-on also perform in the showcase.
Pre-school dancers (ages 3–4) and adult dancers with group class memberships do not participate in the performance. We warmly welcome all dancers and their families to attend the event and celebrate the performers, as there will be no classes scheduled on the day of the show.
Group classes attended through a course—such as kids’ ballet programs or adult performance rehearsals—are scheduled in advance and attended as a full term. If a class is missed, it is forfeited. No credits, transfers, or make-up classes are provided for missed course sessions.
In cases of extended medical impairment, it may be possible to pause the course and continue the following academic year, though tuition is non-refundable. If a dancer is permanently unable to continue due to a serious medical condition, such as a long-term illness or injury, families may contact the office to request a medical withdrawal. If approved, a refund will be issued for the remaining course from the date of written notice—not from the date of diagnosis or impairment.
Group classes booked using an adult membership are unlimited during the active membership period. Attendance is flexible and not tied to a fixed schedule, so missed classes under a membership are not eligible for credits, adjustments, or refunds.
Private training sessions may be rescheduled if at least 24 hours’ notice is given prior to the scheduled session start time.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice are considered late. The full cost of the session will be forfeited. Late cancellations are not eligible for rescheduling.
If no notice is given and the dancer does not attend, the session will be forfeited and an additional $10 no-show fee will be charged.
To provide notice, please contact the office by text at 647-370-5889. Do not email, as messages sent by email may be missed. Telling the instructor does not count as notice, as teachers are not responsible for scheduling and do not manage bookings through our system.
Once a children’s course or adult performance add-on tuition deposit is paid, the enrolment is confirmed and non-refundable. These programs require a full-term commitment.
Repeated absences from course sessions, particularly within six months of a scheduled performance, will result in forfeiting participation in the show. The performance fee and costume fees will also be forfeited. The full tuition for the course remains due through to the end of the program, regardless of attendance.
Courses may not be cancelled or refunded due to vacations, scheduling conflicts, extracurricular activities, personal or professional commitments, religious observances, holidays, instructor preference, relocation or moving, weddings, non-attendance, or any other personal circumstance. Artistic staff are engaged for the full duration of the course and are compensated accordingly, irrespective of individual student attendance. These policies are in place to preserve the financial stability and operational continuity of the school while supporting the planning and delivery of consistent, high-quality training.
In the case of long-term medical impairment or pregnancy, a written statement from a licensed physician is required to request a cancellation or credit. If approved, a refund will be issued for the remainder of the course from the date notice is received—not from the date of diagnosis or impairment. Refunds are not issued for missed classes based on retroactive claims or backdated payment periods. If the student remains enrolled, an account credit may be applied toward a future course once the current program is completed and fully paid.
Adult dancers with memberships may freeze their membership if planning to be away for more than two weeks.
Each dancer is entitled to two membership freezes per calendar year.
For extended time away, it is strongly recommended to freeze the membership rather than cancel, in order to retain current pricing. Membership freezes help preserve access to legacy rates in the event of future pricing updates.
Adult dancers who wish to cancel their membership can do so by contacting the office. Please send a text or call 647-370-5889, or email info@therussianballet.com with your cancellation request.
