According to Willis, arriving at ballet class at the allotted time is arriving late. An important part of ballet etiquette is to be at least five minutes early. You should also stay the entire class time. If you need to leave early, let the teacher know ahead of time that you will be leaving early. Do not disrupt the class by arriving late or leaving early.
One of the rules of ballet etiquette is to remain in correct posture the entire class. This means never sitting down, unless instructed by the teacher. Finish each exercise in the instructed stance and remain until the music stops. Between exercises always turn toward the bar. If you have any injuries or limitations that prohibit you from any of the required postures or positions, make sure you discuss them with the instructor before class.
Always pay attention to the teacher. This focused attention is an art form in itself. Pay attention to the instructor when she is talking to others as well as when she is talking to you. The instruction is something you can apply to your dancing in order to learn how to be a better dancer. Willis says ballet dancers are constantly learning from the instruction given to them as well as the instruction given to others.
When performing moves in the center of the room that require you to advance forward, move directly to the front of the room, then to the side of the room after completing the exercise before returning to the rear of the room to repeat it. It is important to move out of the center of the floor as quickly as you can in the proper sequence.
Do not get up and leave class until the teacher has formally dismissed the class. It is then correct ballet etiquette to say thank you to your instructor before you leave the room.