BKS Aerial Policies 2023 / 24
Expectations: All BKS Aerial Students are expected to review and uphold the expectations described to them in this document. Failure to comply with these requirements directly impacts the safety of the student, their classmates, and their instructors. The BKS Faculty reserves the right to require a student to take a break, dismiss a student from class, adjust a student’s class placement, or remove a student from the BKS Aerial Program entirely, without refund. We appreciate your attention and understanding.
Aerial Liability Form: Prior to touching the silks, all Aerial students must have a completed, hard-copy, Aerial Liability Form on file. The form must be completed by a parent / legal guardian for students under the age of 18. New students should please arrive to the studio five minutes before the start of the first class, with a proper photo ID. Aerial Students of 18 years or older may sign the form on their own behalf.
Dress Code: Please arrive to the studio on time, dressed in Aerial attire. We recommend wearing a leotard or tank top with leggings or footless tights. Try to avoid anything with zippers, buttons, hoods, or strings as they can damage the silks and cause injuries. There is no jewelry besides small stud earrings, and hair must be pulled back off the student’s face. Aerialists should have their knees covered to prevent silk burns. Training barefoot is best.
Alcohol & Substances: There is absolutely no alcohol or substances of any kind allowed on the BKS Dance/Aerial grounds. Alcoholic beverages are not to be consumed before entering the BKS Dance & Aerial Facility. Persons who come to class intoxicated / under the influence will not be allowed to participate in any activities. They will be asked to leave the studio and will not receive a refund. If there is any doubt about the condition of a participant, instructors reserve the right to exclude the participant from class.
Student to Instructor Ratio: Please note that all BKS Aerial classes are held to a strict ratio of 6 students per 1 instructor. This is how we hold and maintain our Aerial insurance, and under no circumstance should an Aerial class exceed the 1:6 ratio. If a questionable scenario were to arise, the BKS Faculty will determine the best way to proceed.
Make-up Class Policy: At BKS, we know it is hard to attend every single class, and we understand that students are going to miss from time to time. However, it is important that Aerialists stay in their class based on their level. This keeps us within the class size ratio and directly impacts the safety of our students and instructors. There will be several Aerial open gyms scheduled throughout the year for students to come make up any missed class time.
Attitude: A positive and productive attitude is expected at all times. Training Aerial is difficult and we are here to learn. Be respectful to yourself, your instructors and your classmates. Negative / distracting behavior will not be tolerated, as it impacts the safety and quality of the class.
Placement: BKS Aerial classes are broken up by levels - basic, beginner, intermediate, advanced, and ultimate. To ensure everyone’s safety, students will be recommended to a class based on their ability to demonstrate the prerequisite skills. If there is concern surrounding a level recommendation, the student / family are invited to schedule a skill test. Aerial Level Criteria is linked on the Aerial page of our website at www.bbfnh.com.
Skill Progression: Aerial skills will be taught in a specific order based on a predetermined syllabus. The BKS Team has established a natural course flow that is effective and safe for the students. This ensures that all Aerialists can progress steadily and will have no holes in their technique. Skill progression is not up for debate. Students should stay on track with their class and not expect to learn postures that they are not ready for. It is common for students in the same class to be assigned different skills to work on. Aerial students should expect frequent skill assessments, as the studio’s Aerial insurance company requires periodic check-ins.
Enrollment: Fall Registration will be open to returning students only for one week after the schedule launches. After the first week, we will start to accept outside registrations for new students. Early registration is encouraged, and space is limited. Aerial Silks classes will be considered full once we reach the maximum number of students allowed for the number of instructors. If a desired class is full, you will be placed on the waitlist.
Tuition: The monthly tuition cost for all Aerial classes is $90.00 per month. Tuition is to be paid through auto-pay linked to the credit or debit card on file for the student. There will be nine monthly payments from September to May, and they will be drawn out of the account on the 20th of each month. Please visit www.bbfnh.com/policiespaymentcalendar for more information.
Set-up & Break-down: Aerialists are expected to help with set-up and break-down of the Aerial equipment, especially if there is a transition directly before or after their class. Set-up includes pulling out the mats, unfolding them, and velcro-ing the correct edges together so they line up. Break-down includes wiping down the mats, disconnecting the edges, and folding them up against the wall neatly.
Private Lessons: Upon request, the BKS faculty is happy to create a personalized Aerial program for a single student or a group of students. Private lessons offer undivided silk time, constant spotting, and exposure to extended material.
Safety First:
All Aerial classes will be video and audio recorded.
Students are encouraged to wash hands before touching the silks.
Do not enter the studio without an instructor present. Wait to enter until your instructor invites you in at the designated start of your class.
Tell your instructor of any injuries. Tell your instructor before practicing drops and inverted wraps. Know your limits and do not attempt skills that do not feel comfortable. Ask for modifiers and utilize spotters.
No touching the silks without a mat. Stay off the mats while silks are in use by other students.
Never touch, correct, or instruct another student without specific permission.
No talking or using the silks during explanation and demonstration.
Please stretch, watch, or review while waiting for open silks.
Aerialists must comply with instructions given and respect instructor authority.
