Terms of Service
Last Updated: July 23, 2025.
GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada.
Any disputes that arise between The Russian Ballet School and customers will be first attempted to be resolved by email at info@therussianballet.com. If resolution is not reached, the dispute will be escalated to the appropriate legal departments or courts. Customers or their children shall not contact artist staff regarding disputes and must address such matters through the proper channels.
AMENDMENT TO TERMS
We reserve the right to alter these terms and conditions at any time. The most current version of these terms will always be available on our website. Changes to terms will not apply retroactively and will only become effective for new program purchases made after the date of modification. If you have purchased a program prior to any changes, the terms that were in place at your time of purchase will continue to apply for the duration of your program.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
We retains all rights to any choreography, performances, or other creative works produced by the School. This material may not be reproduced, distributed, or otherwise used without our explicit permission. Violation of this clause may result in immediate termination of the program with no refund and/or legal action.
MEDIA CONSENT
You authorize permission to the School and it licensees, successors, and assigns (collectively called the “Licensed Parties”) worldwide, absolute, and irrevocable permission to use, reproduce, post, print, and/or publish you or your child’s name, likeness, image, voice, and/or appearance (”the Material”) in any media, including but not limited to photographs, video recordings, audiotapes, digital images in which you or your child may be included intact or in part, composite, or distorted in character, sound or form, without restriction as to changes or transformation in conjunction with your own or a fictitious name, or reproduction hereof. You agree that the Material may be used for any purpose consistent with the School’s mission, programs, productions or performances, including in news releases, advertisements, social media, publications, marketing campaigns, media coverage, videos, websites, billboards, and any other promotional or educational materials compiled by or on behalf of the School. You understand and agree that the School has and will have complete ownership of the Material and that you will not receive any compensation for the use of the Material. You release the Licensed Parties from any and all claims arising out of their use of the Material, including without limitation any claims based on the right of publicity or privacy, misappropriation or misuse of image, and/or defamation, including liability by virtue of any blurring, distorting, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form whether intentional or otherwise. You waive any future right to prior review of any use of the Material.
If you wish to opt out of media consent for in-studio and online program classes, please submit your opt-out request via email to Location Email after purchasing your membership and prior to the start of your first class. Media consent opt-out is not available for staged and live events such as competitions, galas, fundraisers, performances, open houses, etc. Media consent opt-out is not available for staged and live events such as competitions, galas, fundraisers, performances, open houses, etc. Participation in any public event constitutes acceptance of this policy.
The School does not offer or facilitate sales of any photos, videos, or other promotional content in which you or your child may appear. This includes but is not limited to content that may appear on social media, in advertisements, or in other marketing materials. All such materials are the exclusive property of the School and may be used solely at its discretion. The School does not share or distribute copies of these materials to clients, regardless of whether they or their children appear in them.
MEDIA RESTRICTIONS
You acknowledge and agree that the recording, photographing, or audio capturing of any activities at the School or associated events is strictly prohibited. This policy is enforced to protect the privacy rights of minors, staff, and any individuals who have not provided explicit consent to be recorded or photographed. Any violation of this policy may result in a fine of up to $1,000.00, payable within thirty (30) days of the infraction. Additionally, the unauthorized publication, distribution, or dissemination of such media is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.
BULLYING, HARASSMENT AND ANTI-VIOLENCE
We are dedicated to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for staff, students, and families. Any form of bullying, harassment, aggression, or violence—including physical, verbal, emotional abuse, social exclusion, or cyberbullying—by clients, dancers, or associated individuals against the school, its staff, or its students, whether in person or online (including social media, email, phone calls, or SMS), is strictly prohibited. You understand and agree that engaging in such behavior will lead to immediate expulsion without refund or credit. In severe cases, we reserve the right to have the involved individual(s) physically removed from the property by security personnel or law enforcement. You will be required to remit the total outstanding balance of your membership contract within thirty (30) days. Failure to comply will result in your account being transferred to collections without notice and initiation of legal action.
You recognize and agree that the integrity and reputation of our school are paramount. You acknowledge that any defamatory actions, such as spreading false information or submitting repeated spam reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and similar, undertaken by you, your child, or anyone associated with you, will result in legal action.
You acknowledge and agree that if a student or multiple students are found guilty of bullying and have been given a warning to cease their behavior but fail to do so, they will be removed from the program. Despite removal, the student(s) will remain financially obligated for the remainder of their payments.
You recognize that in cases where a victim of bullying chooses to stop attending classes due to bullying, they are still financially obligated to remit the remainder of their payments, as non-attendance does not exempt them from their financial obligations. We will take all possible measures to address the issue and remove the offending student(s) so that the victim may continue their classes uninhibited. You understand that, to make a case, evidence of bullying or harassment and formal written notice must be provided. Should you wish to make a claim outside of the school, please use appropriate legal channels.
DAMAGES
You understand that you are financially responsible any and all facility damages caused by you or your child.
REHEARSAL ROOM USE
Rehearsal room bookings are limited to adult students with active memberships and must be made through the school’s website, branded app, Mindbody app, or website chatbot. Each booking allows up to five guests. The individual booking is responsible for all conduct, all participants, and any damages incurred during the booking. Room splitting is prohibited; one booking must cover the entire group.
Students may only use classrooms during their reserved time. Unauthorized use beyond the scheduled period will result in an Overtime Usage Fee of $70 plus tax per hour, applied after exceeding 10 minutes past the original booking.
Use of the premises is restricted to movement-based training and meditation. Social events or any activity that may damage the floors or facilities are strictly prohibited.
Heels, tap shoes, and outdoor footwear are prohibited. Sneakers must be from a dance store and unused outside studio settings. Permitted footwear includes canvas or leather ballet shoes, pointe shoes, character shoes, or socks. Food and drinks are prohibited except water in non-glass containers. Liquids must be stored in bags to prevent condensation damage. Damage to Marley flooring will be billed to the booker. Replacement of Marley floors range between $10,000 to $16,000 depending on classroom size ($2–8 per sq. ft. of material plus labor).
Lights, A/C or heating, and speakers must be turned off in the booked classroom, or in the entire facility if last to leave, or a Resource Misuse Fee of $20 plus tax will apply.
Garbage, debris, and personal items must be removed from the classroom, or a Cleaning Fee of $50 plus tax will apply.
Pets and animals, including service animals, are prohibited to prevent damage and protect those with severe allergies. Violations will result in permanent bans and termination of membership and booking privileges.
Smoking and open flames, including candles or incense, are prohibited. Violations will result in immediate termination of membership and booking privileges.
Rehearsal bookings are not permitted on statutory holidays. The facility will be closed with no utilities available.
CONDUCT
All individuals entering the School are required to remove outdoor footwear and store personal items in the designated areas. Outdoor footwear is strictly prohibited in all classrooms. Anyone not participating in a class may not enter the classroom unless requested by an instructor. Sitting or standing in front of classroom entry or exit points is not permitted for safety and fire regulation compliance.
Access to backstage and other restricted areas during dress rehearsals and staged events is limited to authorized personnel only. Parents and guests are not permitted unless written approval is provided by artistic staff. Unauthorized entry will result in removal by security, loss of performance privileges, and cancellation of any related tickets or memberships without refund or credit.
The use of phones, cameras, or recording devices is strictly prohibited during all rehearsals and events. Violations will result in immediate removal by security without warning. Official year-end show videos will be available for purchase through your customer account or on our website.
CHANGE OF INFORMATION
You understand that you are required to inform the School of any changes in contact details such as name, phone, email, billing address, card details, or health concerns/medical conditions within 7 days. This can be done by email, phone, or by updating your account profile on our website or app.
ACCOUNT MISUSE
Creating multiple accounts to access discounts or introductory offers is strictly prohibited. Duplicate accounts will be reviewed, and any misuse will result in a non-refundable charge for the full value of products purchased with invalid discounts. Repeated violations will result in account cancellation and a permanent ban from the School.
PARENT/GUARDIAN LIABILITY
All student registrations must list a parent or legal guardian as the account holder. Only the parent or guardian may enter into a binding agreement with the School and assumes full legal and financial responsibility for the contract. If a minor registers and names themselves as the account holder due to a language barrier, the School will consider the parent or guardian the intended contracting party.
If the payment method used belongs to the parent or guardian and no written objection is received within three bill payments, this will be treated as ratification by conduct under Ontario law. Continued use of services and acceptance of charges without objection confirms the contract as binding. No refunds or reversals will be issued after this period, and the full amount of the contract remains due. It is the ongoing responsibility of the parent or guardian to review all documents, communications, and billing statements and notify the School promptly of any required corrections.
COMMUNICATION
You or your child are strictly prohibited from contacting instructors directly by phone, SMS, or email. All communication must go through the school’s office via phone, text, email, or our chatbot. This policy is in place to maintain professional boundaries, ensure clear communication, and prevent solicitation or unauthorized instruction outside of the school. Direct contact with instructors is a breach of your contract and may result in immediate termination without refund.
DANCE WEAR
You understand that dance wear is not included in your program fees and must be purchased separately. If you are enrolled in an adult program, you may choose dance wear from any store or manufacturer, unless otherwise specified. If your child is enrolled in a children’s program, you are required to purchase the designated uniform through us or our partner store. Uniform details and purchase instructions are provided on your program’s information page.
Children must arrive to class in full uniform with hair properly done. If a child is not in uniform upon arrival, they will be asked to leave class. Repeated failure to meet uniform requirements may result in early withdrawal from the program. In such cases, you will remain responsible for all program payments and will not receive a refund or credit.
LOST AND FOUND
You agree that the School is in no way responsible for the safekeeping of your personal belongings while you are present in the facility. You assume all risk of loss for any of your personal belongings. Instructors and staff are not to be solicited to hold or locate personal belongings if left at the School.
FOOD AND DRINKS
No food or drinks are allowed at the School for health and safety reasons. Water is permitted in non-glass bottles. Alcoholic beverages must never be consumed prior to partaking in activities.
Parents are encouraged to help their child eat, drink, or use the restroom before and after classes to minimize disruptions.
ANIMALS
Animals, including pets, are strictly prohibited at the School for health and safety reasons.
PICK UP AND DROP OFF
If your child is enrolled in a program, you are responsible for their timely arrival and pick up. You must drop them off directly to the instructor, who will complete account check-in when taking attendance. If your child is between the ages of 3 and 6, you agree to remain on site for the duration of class. If your child is under 16, you must stay with them if the instructor is late.
LEVEL AND PERFORMANCE PLACEMENT
The trial class serves as an evaluation, during which the student’s age, skill level, and physical readiness will be assessed. Placement decisions are made solely by the artistic faculty. After the trial class, the office will inform the parent or the student (if over 18) of the appropriate level. All placements are final.
Children ages 3 to 9 are placed strictly by age as of September 1st of the academic year, and placement remains fixed for the full twelve-month period, including the summer. Students do not move levels mid-year. Each level is a two-year program, and students remain in the same class for both years regardless of when they started. The structure is as follows: Pre-School for ages 3–4, Pre-Primary for ages 5–6, Primary for age 7 (including those turning 8 mid-year), and Junior for ages 8–9. Students are not placed based on friendships, convenience, or parental preference. In rare cases, a child may be invited to a higher level based on exceptional ability. These decisions are made only by the artistic faculty and communicated directly to the student’s family. The school does not discuss or disclose any student’s history, progress, or level with anyone outside that student’s immediate family. Comparisons to other students, including those placed at a higher level or in different performance roles, are not grounds for course cancellation or refund.
Students aged 10–11 with no previous ballet experience will be placed in Level 1. Students aged 12 and older with no previous experience will be placed in Level 2. Students aged 10 and older with prior ballet training will be placed into Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 based strictly on their skill level, regardless of age. Students enrolled in our courses are participating in merit-based athletic programs. Instructors assess students through auditions, formal evaluations, or ongoing observation throughout the course. Advancement or graduation is not guaranteed annually and is determined by individual progress, ability, and readiness.
Students aged 4 and up enrolled in a course that includes a performance component are not guaranteed participation in the year-end performance if they are not technically prepared. This applies even if they were registered from the start of the academic year. Learning choreography and repertoire is an essential part of the Vaganova syllabus and a core element of each level’s training. Even if a student does not perform, they are expected to participate fully in the study of repertoire and performance technique as part of their technical and artistic development. Students enrolled in pointe programs (ages 11 and up, in Level 2 or higher), dancing en pointe in the performance is not guaranteed, even if pointe has been studied throughout the year. All performance participation and casting decisions are made solely by the artistic faculty based on individual progress and readiness. If a student is not selected to perform due to technical limitations, any costume or performance fees paid will be refunded or credited to the following year.
Performance roles and choreography are assigned at the sole discretion of the artistic staff and is assigned based on artistic and athletic merit. Roles, casting, and staging are final and will not be adjusted based on student or parent preferences. Requests or preferences for specific choreographic pieces or roles are not permitted and do not qualify for reconsideration, early course cancellation or refund. Harassment or pressure directed at staff regarding performance decisions will result in immediate removal from the program. You will not receive a refund or credit and will remain fully responsible for all remaining course fees.
Students with frequent absences in the six months leading up to a performance or competition may be removed from the event at the discretion of the artistic staff. In such cases, no refunds or credits will be issued, and all tuition remains due through the end of the course.
Adult students are placed strictly by skill level. Placement is determined solely by the artistic faculty and is final. Any adult student attempting to attend a class they are not authorized to book due to level restrictions will be asked to leave by the instructor if they are not on the roster. Inappropriate conduct or harassment of staff may result in immediate termination of membership without refund.
IMPORTANT DATES
The following days are considered school holidays and will appear as closed dates on our branded app and can also be viewed on our website: 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, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, the dress rehearsal on stage, and the year-end show. The dates of the dress rehearsal and year-end show will be announced when tickets go on sale.
Program start and end dates for courses (ages 3–17) and the adult performance add-on vary by course and are listed on each course page. Adult classes are available year-round.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
In consideration of being permitted to participate in our programs, you agree to waive, release and discharge the School, its partners, its contributors, facility owners, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, faculty, and volunteers of and from all liability for any claims, suits, demands, actions, damages, losses, judgments, and costs (including legal fees) which you have or may have in the future that might arise out of, or relate to your or your child’s participation in any activities with the School, including but not limited to traveling to and/or from the School’s events, notwithstanding the same may have been contributed to or occasioned by the negligence of the the School or any of the persons or entities listed herein.
PURCHASE POLICY
Courses and private training contracts for students ages 3–17, as well as the adult performance add-on, include all scheduled sessions, one costume, and the performance fee. Tuition is billed through a payment plan, with the total cost divided evenly from the start date through the end of the course. The first payment includes the costume, performance fee, and the first portion of tuition. The remaining tuition is charged on the 1st of each month until the end of the course. Summer courses do not include a costume or performance fee.
Students enrolled in private training in addition to a course may need to schedule make-up sessions beyond the end of the course term, depending on studio and instructor availability.
If a student performs in more than one dance or requires additional costumes, alterations, props, or costume/prop rentals, these costs will be invoiced separately in the spring and are not included in the payment plan. Rented costumes and props must be returned within 30 days of the show or a $200 plus tax lost costume fee and $100 plus tax lost prop fee will apply.
Adult class memberships and adult private training contracts are recurring subscriptions that renew every 4 weeks until cancelled. Members can freeze (up to two times per calendar year) or cancel online through the branded app, website, chatbot on our website, or by contacting the office with at least 7 days’ notice before the next payment date. Adult private training contracts may only be cancelled by contacting the office.
Class Bookings
Adult students must book each class in advance in order to attend. If you do not have a booking, you will not be permitted to join the class. The office will not manually add students who are not booked. Bookings can be made through our website, branded app, the Mindbody app, or using the chatbot on our website.
If you are enrolled in a course for students ages 3–17, or in the performance add-on, all class bookings are handled by the school.
If you purchase a trial class or intro package for a course for students ages 3–17, you must contact the office with your preferred class dates to be added to the class roster. You cannot book these independently. You may submit your request via chatbot, SMS, or email. Available class times can be found on the schedule listed on the course page.
Private training first-time consultations can be booked online, in our branded app, or using the chatbot on our website. If you choose to continue with that teacher, you will receive a recurring appointment time for the same slot and teacher, which will be booked upon purchase.
Discounts
Special offers, discounts, promotions, and discount codes cannot be combined. Introductory offers such as trial classes or intro packages may only be purchased once by new students of the School. A new student is defined as anyone who has never previously attended any class, private session, or promotional event at the School. A 10% family discount is applied to each additional family member registered under the same account holder. The discount is applied to the lowest-priced course or membership among those enrolled.
CANCELLATION POLICY
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel any private training, rehearsal booking, trial class, intro package session, intensive, camp, or audition. All cancellations must be made through our website, branded app, Mindbody app, or using the chatbot on our website. Telling the instructor does not count as a valid cancellation.
Late cancellation of private training or rehearsal room booking will result in the loss of the session.
Adult-only class bookings will incur an additional $5 plus tax Late Cancellation Fee on top of loss of the session.
Late cancellations for intensives, camps, or auditions will result in the loss of the session plus a $10 plus tax Cancellation Fee.
All private training and adult-only class booking no-shows will be charged an additional $10 plus tax No-Show Fee.
Students ages 3–17 enrolled in a course do not need to cancel in advance. Absences are automatically marked on the class roster and result in the loss of the session without additional penalty fees.
REFUND POLICY
All purchases of courses for students ages 3–17, private training contracts, and the adult performance add-on are final sale. No refunds or cancellations will be granted under any circumstances (vacations, conflicting extracurriculars, personal commitments, religious observances, holidays, relocation, dissatisfaction with the instructor, substitute instructor), including, but not limited to, non-attendance or voluntary withdrawal. The full tuition amount remains due and payable through the end of the course.
In cases of long-term medical impairment or pregnancy, a written statement from a physician is required to request a credit or to cancel the remainder of a course. Any refund or credit will apply from the date the notice is received, not the date of impairment. Missed sessions will not be refunded based on retroactive claims or backdated billing. If the student remains enrolled, a credit may be applied toward the next billing cycle or a future course.
The date of the dress rehearsal and year-end show is determined by venue availability and may occur before the end of the course. This does not permit cancellation or refund of the course or any associated private training, which remain in effect through the full course term.
No refunds or make-ups will be provided for no-shows to classes, courses, or private training. Late cancellations will result in the loss of the session. Private training no-shows will be charged a $10 plus tax no-show fee.
All promotional offers and gift cards are non-refundable.
All ticket sales are final and non-refundable, including if the event is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.
If in-studio training becomes unavailable due to government-mandated health closures, natural disasters, or other events beyond the School’s control, or if the School determines that continuing in-studio training is unsafe, no refunds will be issued. Changes to how a program is delivered do not qualify for a refund. A credit may be offered for future use.
CONTACT US
For all inquiries, account updates, or policy-related questions, please contact us by email, SMS, or through the chatbot on our website. Contact information is available on our website and branded app.
