Back to the SAB Studios

Last week, SAB welcomed a limited number of students back for in-person classes in our studios at Lincoln Center while simultaneously holding classes online. The School’s effort to reopen required a hybrid of remote and in-person classes across a selection of class levels, set on a rotating schedule, and coupled with strict safety measures for students, faculty and staff when on the premises. The result is a completely unprecedented start to Winter Term, with smaller class sizes, staggered start times, constant cleaning, meticulously measured barre and center spacings, and masks worn at all times.

The School administrators worked tirelessly to create the safest possible environment to begin holding in-person classes again, adhering to guidelines and rules put forward from the CDC and New York state government. SAB’s facility is now equipped with new safety signage, upgraded filtration, taped-off socially-distanced spaces within the studios for the dancers and teachers, partitions for our pianists, and a temperature checkpoint for everyone entering the building. While we are certainly proud of our efforts to reopen the School, the truly rewarding aspect of this Winter Term is seeing so many of our students back in our studios.

After a successful first week, we asked our Advanced Division students to share what coming back to SAB has meant to them and how they are approaching this new year’s challenges. Here we share just a few of their quotes…

“For me, being back in the studio means that definitely I can get back to dancing at my full potential.”

“Dancing at home has been challenging due to the floors and small amount of space. I’m excited to be back in the studio.”

“I’m excited to be starting back at SAB… I can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

“I’m back in my happy place after 6 long months. Safety protocols and a small class made it feel safe.”

There are still plenty of changes and challenges to come, including plans to reopen our dormitories next month, but for the moment, SAB is just thankful to our entire community for all their incredible efforts and dedication to the School.