School Information
About
With Ballet training in two locations, Honolulu and Waipahu, our school hosts a yearly enrollment of over 500 students, at all levels of ballet, from pre-ballet to ballet level 8—in addition to weekly open classes and frequent master classes with world-renowned teachers from all corners of the globe.
The School at Ballet Hawaii
With Ballet training in two locations, Honolulu and Waipahu, our school hosts a yearly enrollment of over 500 students, at all levels of ballet, from pre-ballet to ballet level 8—in addition to weekly open classes and frequent master classes with world-renowned teachers from all corners of the globe.
Our goal is to enrich students’ lives through dance, enhance self-awareness and self-discipline.
Ballet Hawaii prides itself on the quality and professionalism of its operation. The faculty is of the highest caliber and welcomes comments and input regarding any and all aspects of the school. The program represents an inclusive vision to reach people of all backgrounds and abilities through the art of dance. This mission is a collective effort based on non-competitive and positive support, creating a pleasant environment for artistic endeavors to thrive.
The School requires some general guidelines so that all dancers and parents experience a healthy, productive environment. Please read over these guidelines. If you have concerns regarding these rules or policies or would like to speak to Pamela Taylor-Tongg, Artistic Director, for any reason, please make an appointment.
LEVELS
Students at Ballet Hawaii are promoted to a new level after careful consideration of technical ability, physical development, age, talent, work ethic, self-discipline and maturity, commitment (attendance and adherence to dress code and classroom etiquette), and desire. Any student may be promoted with their teacher’s permission at any time, within any session throughout the year. Final approval is determined by the School and Artistic Directors.
Creative Movement
Entry-level ballet class for students aged 3-5. Students at this level are placed in the appropriate class using a combination of their age, coordination, maturity, attention span, and ability to follow directions.
Creative Dance
Entry-level ballet class for students aged 4-6. Students at this level are placed in the appropriate class using a combination of their age, coordination, maturity, attention span, and ability to follow directions.
Pre-Ballet
Entry-level ballet class for students aged 5-6. Students at this level are placed in the appropriate class using a combination of their age, coordination, maturity, attention span, and ability to follow directions.
Ballet 1
Entry-level ballet class for students aged 6-8. Students at this level are placed in the appropriate class using a combination of their age, coordination, maturity, attention span, and ability to follow directions.
Ballet 2
Requires a minimal amount of previous ballet training – typically, students who have up to one year of previous ballet training and are at least age 7 may place in this class.
Ballet 3
Typically requires at least 1-2 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level should be at least age 8 or have had at least one year of ballet training at least 2x/week.
Ballet 4
Typically requires 2-3 years of previous ballet training with at least one year of attending classes 3x/week. Students at this level should be at least age 9.
Ballet 5
Typically requires 3-4 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level should be at least age 12. Students will be preparing for pointe in this level or are at the beginning pointe level.
Ballet 6
Typically requires 4-5 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level should be at least age 13 and have at least one year of formal pointe training.
Ballet 7
Typically requires 5-6 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level are of the intermediate pointe level.
Ballet 8
Typically requires 6-7 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level are of the advanced pointe level.
Let’s Dance.
HONOLULU Studios – FALL 2025
Fall: Aug. 17 – Nov. 8, 2025
Winter: Nov 9, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
Schedule Subject to change.
Get Directions
Contact Us
Raven Matsushita-Garcia – School Administrative Coordinator:
raven@ballethawaii.org
Ballet Hawaii Honolulu Front Desk:
hnlfrontdesk@ballethawaii.org
(808) 521-8600
BH West Studios – FALL 2025
Fall: Aug. 17 – Nov. 8, 2025
Schedule Subject to change. *Studios subject to change daily per teacher/class need.
Get Directions
Contact Us
Raven Matsushita-Garcia – School Administrative Coordinator:
raven@ballethawaii.org
Ballet Hawaii Honolulu Front Desk:
hnlfrontdesk@ballethawaii.org
(808) 521-8600
School Tuition (4-week program)
2025 Summer Intensive Tuition
- Current Ballet Hawaii students must be enrolled and attending classes during the Summer Session to qualify for Summer Intensive.
- Visiting students must be actively dancing to qualify for Summer Intensive. A letter of confirmation is needed from their current ballet teacher.
- Upon acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $500.00 is required to hold your place ($300 for the half-day Young Dancers program).
- The final non-refundable tuition payment is due on May 1, 2025.
- Deposit and tuition may be paid online once you have been accepted through our secure system.
- An additional Production Fee will be charged according to your role if cast in the Summer Intensive production.
| Tuition for 4–Weeks | Apply by Feb 1 Commit by Feb 15 |
Apply by Mar 1 Commit by Mar 15 |
Apply after Mar 1 Commit after Mar 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day (Currently Enrolled Ballet Hawaii Students) | $3,000 | $3,000 | $115.00 |
| Full-day (Non Ballet Hawaii Students) | $3,000 | $3,000 | $115.00 |
| Half-day (Currently Enrolled Ballet Hawaii Students) | $3,000 | $3,000 | $115.00 |
| Half-day (Non Ballet Hawaii Students) | $3,000 | $3,000 | $115.00 |
HNL 2025 Tuition & Fees
Ballet Hawaii Honolulu 2025/2026 Tuition & Fees
| Level | # of classes per week | Tuition (per 12-week session) |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Movement | 1x | $355 |
| Creative Dance | 1x | $355 |
| Pre-Ballet | 1x | $355 |
| Ballet 1 | 1x | $395 |
| Ballet 2 | 2x | $750 |
| Ballet 3 | 3x | $1000 |
| Ballet 4 | 3x + Jazz | $1240 |
| Ballet 5 | 4x + Contemporary/ Pointe | $1435 |
| Ballet 6 | 4x + Contemporary/ Pointe | $1435 |
| Ballet 7 | 4x + Contemporary/ Pointe | $1435 |
| Ballet 8 | 4x + Contemporary/ Pointe + Partnering | $1510 |
BHW 2025 Tuition & Fees
Ballet Hawaii West 2025/2026 Tuition & Fees
| Level | # of classes per week | Tuition (per 12-week session) |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Movement | 1x | $355 |
| Creative Dance | 1x | $355 |
| Pre-Ballet | 1x | $355 |
| Ballet 1 | 1x | $395 |
| Ballet 2 | 2x | $750 |
| Ballet 3 | 3x | $1000 |
| Ballet 4 | 3x + Jazz | $1240 |
| Ballet 5 | 4x + Contemporary/ Pointe | $1435 |
| Ballet 6 | 4x + Contemporary/ Pointe | $1435 |
| Ballet 7 | 4x + Contemporary/ Pointe | $1435 |
| Ballet 8 | 4x + Contemporary/ Pointe + Partnering | $1510 |
| Hula | 1x | $270 |
If tuition payments are not received by the due dates, a $25.00 late fee will be applied. We do have an auto payment option for your convenience. Students who commit to enrollment for Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions will be considered for roles in The Nutcracker and the annual Spring Showcase.
If your child is not participating in our Summer session, a non-refundable deposit in the following amount is required to reserve their place in the Fall session ($200 for Creative Dance, Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, & Ballet 1, $300 for Ballet 2 through Ballet 8).
*For placement classes for new students ages 3+, please contact Raven Matsushita-Garcia, School Administrative Coordinator at Raven@ballethawaii.org to schedule. The placement fee is $30/$35 depending on the level of class the child is auditioning in.
Refund Policy
Cancellations made five days in advance of the start of a session will receive 100% refund. WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE REFUNDS AFTER A SESSION HAS STARTED.
Girls’ hair must be off their face and in a neat and secure bun. Any hair accessories must match the uniform leotard or be black. No jewelry except for stud earrings. No gum chewing. All students must be in proper ballet attire for class.
Creative Movement: Lavender uniform leotard, theatrical pink tights, and pink canvas ballet slippers
Creative Dance: Pink uniform leotard, theatrical pink tights, and pink canvas ballet slippers
Pre-Ballet: Light pink tank dance dress, theatrical pink tights, and pink canvas ballet slippers
Ballet 1: Light blue tank dance dress, theatrical pink tights, and pink canvas ballet slippers
Ballet 2 through 8: Uniform leotard along with theatrical pink tights, and pink canvas ballet slippers. Ballet 5 through 8 may purchase an optional uniform black skirt. Tights are never to be rolled up or worn over your leotard. No shorts or leg warmers are allowed.
Contemporary/Jazz Ballet 5, 6, 7, 8 curriculum classes:
Females – Uniform leotard, theatrical pink tights rolled up, black shorts (NO pants).
Males – White fitted ballet shirt, black ankle-length or footed tights, Dance belt.
Males: White fitted ballet shirt, black ankle-length or footed tights, black canvas ballet slippers, dance belt (if age appropriate).
All uniform items may be purchased at the Ballet Hawaii Boutique at our Honolulu School or Ballet Hawaii West Boutique.
Students at Ballet Hawaii are promoted to a new level after careful consideration of technical ability, physical development, age, talent, work ethic, self-discipline and maturity, commitment (attendance and adherence to dress code and classroom etiquette), and desire. Any student may be promoted with their teacher’s permission at any time, within any session throughout the year. Final approval is determined by the School and Artistic Directors.
Student Promotion System at Ballet Hawaii
Creative Movement
Entry-level ballet class for students aged 3-5. Students at this level are placed in the appropriate class using a combination of their age, coordination, maturity, attention span, and ability to follow directions.
Creative Dance
Entry-level ballet class for students aged 4-6. Students at this level are placed in the appropriate class using a combination of their age, coordination, maturity, attention span, and ability to follow directions.
Pre-Ballet
Entry-level ballet class for students aged 5-6. Students at this level are placed in the appropriate class using a combination of their age, coordination, maturity, attention span, and ability to follow directions.
Ballet 1
Entry-level ballet class for students aged 6-8. Students at this level are placed in the appropriate class using a combination of their age, coordination, maturity, attention span, and ability to follow directions.
Ballet 2 Requires a minimal amount of previous ballet training – typically, students who have up to one year of previous ballet training and are at least age 7 may place in this class.
Ballet 3
Typically requires at least 1-2 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level should be at least age 8 or have had at least one year of ballet training at least 2x/week.
Ballet 4
Typically requires 2-3 years of previous ballet training with at least one year of attending classes 3x/week. Students at this level should be at least age 9.
Ballet 5
Typically requires 3-4 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level should be at least age 12. Students will be preparing for pointe in this level or are at the beginning pointe level.
Ballet 6
Typically requires 4-5 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level should be at least age 13 and have at least one year of formal pointe training.
Ballet 7
Typically requires 5-6 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level are of the intermediate pointe level.
Ballet 8
Typically requires 6-7 years of previous ballet training. Students at this level are of the advanced pointe level.
Arrival/Departure
Students should arrive 10-15 minutes prior to their scheduled class. For everyone’s safety, students need to be picked up immediately after the end of their scheduled class.
Travel Policy
Please review our FULL PROTOCOL for more specific details.
Sick Policy
Please review our FULL PROTOCOL for more specific details.
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Lateness
Students are expected to arrive at the studio 10-15 minutes prior to their class so that they may be checked in accordingly. Any student arriving more than 5 minutes late will have their attendance marked accordingly.
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Absence
If a student will be absent from class, Ballet Hawaii requires a parent/guardian to report the absence via the Jackrabbit Parent Portal PRIOR TO the start of the missed class for the absence to be recorded as “excused”. If an absence notification is received during or after a student’s class, it will be recorded as simply an absence. Only excused absences are eligible for make-ups. (Please refer to “Class ‘Make-up’ Policy” below). Note: please be advised that due to limited class sizes, we may not be able to accommodate make-up classes in person, it’s possible that the student would need to make up their class in one of our virtual Zoom classes.
What is an “Excused Absence”?
An absence is considered “excused” in the event of:
• Student is ill/injured
• Graded school activity/event
• Family emergencies
• Family vacations
• Natural disasters
and the BH front desk staff was notified of the absence prior to the start of the class.
*Ballet Hawaii takes ALL absences into consideration when casting major productions like The Nutcracker. Attending ballet class is necessary for a student’s progression and maintenance as a dancer. As excused absences are allowed to be made up, it is important that a valid excuse is provided.
Honolulu Studio: (808) 521-8600
Ballet Hawaii West Studio: (808) 469-4392
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Class “Make-up” Policy
Students may make up missed classes at the level below their current level at the school in which they are registered. All make-ups must be completed before the current session ends. (Exception: Spring Session – no make-ups are allowed as our students will be rehearsing their dances for our Spring Showcase during their class time)
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Cancellation of Classes
Ballet Hawaii School will be closed in case of severe weather conditions according to the Hawaii DOE School Systems closings.
Student Promotion System at Ballet Hawaii
Ballet Hawaii strives to provide excellent ballet training to students from ages 3 through 18 within its structured school program. Ballet is a highly disciplined art form that requires years of physical training to achieve skill. For younger students, the training is mostly about movement, rhythm, and coordination. As students grow older, ballet technique becomes more demanding and difficult and requires a more proper development of muscular flexibility, strength, and physical alignment. A student committed to ballet will be challenged physically and emotionally, working with the intensity of an athlete and the accomplishment of an artist, but the reward of performing for an audience and hearing the applause after all of their hard work is well worth it.
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How and When Are Students Promoted at Ballet Hawaii?
Students at Ballet Hawaii are promoted to each level after careful consideration of technical ability, physical development, age, talent, work ethic, self-discipline and maturity, commitment (attendance and adherence to dress code and classroom etiquette), and desire.
More students will be promoted at the end of Ballet Hawaii’s Summer Session. If a student appears to need a little extra time (as per the opinion of their teachers), they may be held within their current level for the Summer Session for extra training time with the intention of being promoted at the start of the Fall Session (depending on improvement, of course).
Any student may be promoted at any time, within any session throughout the year. Ballet Hawaii’s teachers work closely with each student. If they see great progress/talent in a student they will encourage them to move on whenever they are ready.
Who Promotes the Students?
Ballet Hawaii’s Artistic and School Directors make the final decision on promotions with the advice and guidance of the student’s teachers. The teachers are the ones who work in the classroom with the student day-to-day and who really know and understand the student’s ability and even personality.
Why Might a Student Be Held Back in a Level?
Students may be held in a level for a little longer for the following reasons:
- To fully master a specific step/technique.
- To gain more coordination and confidence.
- To gain more strength/flexibility.
- Attendance – sometimes a student is absent from many classes or has inconsistent attendance and this affects their ability to gain confidence and adeptness in their technique. Consistency is key to development and improvement.
- Behavior- sometimes a student has trouble with ballet etiquette: self-discipline, respect for the teacher/classmates/pianist/environment, maturity, ability to follow instructions, focus, respect for oneself (coming to class on time and prepared with proper uniform and neat hair). Ballet is a highly disciplined, cultured artform and studio etiquette plays an important role in development and training.
General Expected Period of Time in a Level at Ballet Hawaii
| Level | General Age Group | Expected Period of Time |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Movement | 3–5 | 1–2 years |
| Creative Dance | 4–6 | 1–2 years |
| Pre-ballet | 4–6 | 1–2 years |
| Ballet 1 | 6–8 | 1–2 years |
| Ballet 2 | 7–9 | 1–2 years |
| Ballet 3 | 8–10 | 1–2 years |
| Ballet 4 | 9–12 | 2 years |
|
Ballet 5 *Pre–pointe/Beg. Pointe level Students will be considered for pointework in this level. |
12–14 | 2–3 years |
|
Ballet 6 *Beginner/Intermediate pointe level |
13–17 | 1–3 years |
|
Ballet 7 *Intermediate/Advanced pointe level |
15–17 | 1–3 years |
|
Ballet 8 *Advanced pointe level |
15–20 | NA Highest level offered at Ballet Hawaii. |
Ages may vary depending on several factors such as when a student began ballet, their physical ability and coordination, attendance consistency, focus and determination, talent, etc.