The Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory is committed to providing our participants with the safest dance environment possible. In doing so, we have instituted the below policies which will be required for attendance to our summer classes. Each participant and staff member must familiarize themselves with these guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy environment. These policies are subject to change and will continue to evolve with any additional information that provides more clarity on best practices to ensure the health and well-being of participants.
*Please note these policies override previous Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory injury and sickness policies and are subject to change based on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Class Structure and Schedules Class participants will be divided into small groups of no more than nine participants. Barres and surfaces will be thoroughly sanitized between groups. Wellness Policy Participants and staff must participate in daily temperature checks before beginning class. Participants and staff must attest that they are symptom free before beginning class. Participants and staff will be required to wear protective masks when entering the building to use bathroom facilities. Participants must practice the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s policies of social distancing (maintaining six feet of distance). Building Policies The lobby in the Merritt Annex will be closed. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle that can be carried in their dance bag for the duration of the class. Refrigeration will not be available for students. Participants will be required to arrive pre-dressed in dance attire. The dressing rooms will not be accessible for changing or locker use. Participants will be allowed access to the building only for use of bathroom facilities, one student/faculty member at a time. The water fountain will not be available for use. Exposure Policy If a participant or staff member exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever of 100.0 or greater, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; or at least two of these symptoms: fever of 100.0 or greater, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste/smell) he or she must notify Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory immediately and must not attempt to report for work or class. A participant or staff member who exhibits symptoms must agree to self-quarantine for 14 days following guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Upon completion of self-quarantine and/or a negative COVID-19 test, the participant or staff member will be allowed to re-enter the program. If a participant or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, he or she will be sent home immediately an will not be allowed to re-enter classes until 2 negative tests are rendered. Proof of two negative tests must be provided to Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory staff prior to return. If a staff member or participant comes into contact with a known COVID-19 positive person, he or she must notify Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory immediately so full sanitization can be completed. The participant or staff member will be asked to attend or teach classes virtually for 14 days. If a participant or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, all participants and faculty exposed to that participant or staff member will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Ballet Theatre of Maryland will enact a full sanitation of all facilities. Once sanitized, participants in different groups will be allowed re-entry into classes, pending they have had no first or second-degree contact with the positive participant. Government Closure Policy If local, state, or federal government officials choose to disallow Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory functions (gathering in groups of 10, stay at home order, etc) forcing the Summer classes to close, Ballet Theatre of Maryland will provide virtual classes for the duration of the closure. Refund Policy If a participant must miss class due to sickness or quarantine at any point of the Summer Intensive Program, the participant will be given virtual access to all classes and will not receive a tuition refund. Ballet Theatre of Maryland reserves the right to change or amend any of these policies or guidelines based on the evolving nature of information and readily available testing for COVID-19. General Guidelines Dress Code: Students must wear a Black Leotard for all classes. For virtual classes, students must wear pink or flesh colored tights with their black leotard. Baggy warm-ups and street clothes are not permitted. For in person classes outside, students may wear cut off pink or flesh colored tights or solid black bike shorts with their black leotard if full tights are too hot. Colorful or baggy shorts are not permitted. Students should wear appropriate shoes for the class they are taking whether virtual or in person. Hair must be in a bun for all ballet and pointe/demi/pre-pointe classes whether virtual or in person. Hair must be pulled back off face in a ponytail or similar style for conditioning, jazz and modern classes.
Virtual Classes: Students should have the ability to show their full body on camera. The camera should be turned on for the duration of class. Students should arrive in Virtual Waiting Room 5-10 minutes before the class start time. Students should use the “Raise Hand” feature to ask/answer questions or leave the room. Students should not use the chat feature during class to communicate with each other or the teacher unless directed to do so. In Person Classes: Students should notify teacher of staff member immediately if they feel overheated or ill during class outside so necessary steps may be taken to ensure safety. Equipment Needed for Virtual Classes: Chair/ Counter/Ballet Barre, Floor without carpet or board to put down if doing pointe exercises If a large space without carpet is available, we suggest purchasing shower pan liner from Lowes or Home Depot that will mimic a dance floor