SRB Communications & Safeguarding
OUR CULTURE
Richmond Ballet was founded as a civic company in the late 1950s by community enthusiasts as a performance outlet for students in local dance schools. By 1975, the need for more widespread quality training was clear, and the School of Richmond Ballet (SRB) was established.
SRB seeks to create a warm, caring environment for students, to cultivate an inclusive culture of support, and to offer superior, quality training while fostering a love and joy of dance. Our internationally renowned faculty is committed to providing nurturing classes where students of all ages – those who simply wish to enrich their lives through dance and those who aspire to a professional career – can learn and experience the beauty, discipline, and exhilaration of dance.
We have six professionally designed studios encased by glass walls in which students of all ages and abilities can train, interact, and observe. In addition to a professionally trained faculty member, classes are generally accompanied by a pianist, and are occasionally observed by the School Director or other faculty or staff. Our physical space is open and accessible to build confidence and share the joy of training. We do not offer private lessons or one-on-one training. The curriculum is designed to support all students, whatever their goals, while they learn the benefits of dance.
CHILD SAFE-GUARDING
At Richmond Ballet, we are a community built on the values of respect, kindness, and a mutual love of the art form of ballet and dance. We believe that the beauty and discipline of ballet create an opportunity to inspire others to build stronger minds and bodies.
We strive to create an environment where everyone in our community: staff, faculty, dancers, students, parents, and supporters treat one another with respect. We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe and protected from harm.
We want to ensure all students who train at SRB feel welcome and respected, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or identity. If you or the child under your supervision ever feel not safe or not respected you are responsible for bringing this matter to our attention immediately. (See contact information, below).
THE GOAL OF COMMUNICATION
- Foster a welcoming and respectful environment.
- Continuously improve our organization and members’ experience.
- Ensure that children and adults participating in SRB and all Richmond Ballet activities have an effective experience and achieve the best outcome for their individual goals and circumstances.
STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND TRAINING
As an organization, we require background checks for all employees, including SRB faculty and musicians, and any volunteers who come into contact with minors. We provide regular training regarding best practices to all employees, and leadership makes an evaluation annually of teacher effectiveness and ability. We encourage feedback from students and parents or guardians about their experience.
COURTESY AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Cell phone usage is not permitted in the studios. While on SRB premises, students and parents must respect the privacy and safety of all community members. Any recordings, photographs, or images created in the SRB training studio may be posted to social media only with the express permission of all persons who appear in the recording or image; obtaining consent is the responsibility of the individual posting. No recording or photography of performances may be created or posted except in full compliance with the applicable venue’s rules and policies, which take precedence and may prohibit, limit, or condition such activities. SRB reserves the right to require removal of any content that violates this policy or otherwise compromises student safety, instructional integrity, or SRB’s standards of conduct.
SENSITIVE INFORMATION
All matters of student placement and progress are considered sensitive information and are not discussed with anyone other than the teacher(s), School Director, the relevant student, and parents or guardians, when needed or requested.
THE PARENTS' ROLE
We rely on parents and guardians to notify and update SRB regarding their student’s individual needs and to actively engage in their training. This includes our expectation that a parent or guardian will not drop off a student at SRB unless the parent or guardian has confirmed the student is fully healthy to participate in the training we offer, including the mental and physical rigor it entails.
CASTING DECISIONS
All casting decisions are independently determined by the students’ abilities and the requirements of the role.
FEEDBACK
All administrative questions about scheduling, routine absences, and the like should be directed to:
Maren Topp at mtopp@richmondballet.com or 804.344.0906 x222
or Amanda Brook at abrook@richmondballet.com 804.344.0906 x239
For any matters related to a student’s progress or experience, Parents or Guardians should contact the applicable teacher; all email addresses and/or phone numbers can be found on the Richmond Ballet website at RB Faculty & Staff
If this is not comfortable for any reason, or if more information is desired, please contact the School Director, Tara Penick at tpenick@richmondballet.com or 804.344.0906 x226
Richmond Ballet welcomes any ideas for enhancements to our environment and communication methods that can be reasonably implemented.
If you see anything that is not meeting our standard of excellence, we ask you to let us know.
In the event you wish to raise concerns outside of the School you may confidentially contact the Artistic or Executive Directors, or the President of the Board of Trustees. This link will reach all of them simultaneously: SRBfeedback@richmondballet.com
Welcome to the School of Richmond Ballet. We look forward to a fruitful partnership.