We hope that you are all weathering the storm of 2020 with minimal damage.  We’ve been keeping busy with home workouts, but we are missing training together and teaching all of you!

According to the state’s reopening plan, dance and fitness studios may now be open. We are working hard and will start reopening with our coaches first so that they can be ready to start teaching lessons again and get used to the new protocols. We know not everyone may feel comfortable doing non-essential activities yet, and we are happy to continue extending the dates on your class credits until that time comes.

We are excited to offer aerial training again, but there will be some very obvious changes.  Our goal is to continue to make high-quality training as accessible and affordable as possible, but we will have to more consistently uphold all registration, cancellation, and expiration policies (for newly purchased passes) in order ensure the financial viability of the studio.

Here is our protocol for reducing the risks of COVID-19.   These precautions are based on the guidelines published by NY Forward, which an be found here as well as the COVID-19 response guide by American Circus Educators, which can be found here.  We’re grateful for your support and enthusiasm, and looking forward to kicking your post-quarantine butts!  Please check our Schedule page to see the classes we plan to offer when we are allowed to reopen.

Risk-reduction protocols

Physical Distancing:

• Limit of 6 students per silks class, 5 students per lyra class and 5 students per trapeze class, plus instructors.
• All rigging points are 8 feet apart to allow for social distancing.
• We will provide enough aerial equipment for each class so that no one has to share apparatus.
• Plastic baggies of rosin for individual use will be provided. Common use rosin bins have been eliminated.
• Masks that cover the mouth and nose must be worn at all times while in the facility.  With masks, NYS requires 6 feet between individuals during physical activity. 
• Warm-ups will be conducted with at least 6 feet of distance between individuals.
• No visitors will be permitted in the studio until further notice.

Protective Equipment:

• Please always bring an appropriate facial covering with you to the studio.  Per NYS guidelines, we do need to require masks in the studio unless it is possible to keep at least 12 feet between individuals.  We do have access to an outdoor area that can be used to take fresh air breaks. 
• B.A.D. will have some facial coverings as well as disposable gloves available for use if necessary.
• 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be available for use whenever needed or requested.
• All instructors and aerial students will be required to wash their hands with soap and water prior to entering the studio.

Hygiene & Cleaning:

• After each use, all aerial equipment will be regularly sanitized, and/or placed in “quarantine” for a period of 3 days to ensure decontamination. (Lyras can be effectively sanitized, but silks, corde lisse, and trapeze ropes are difficult to effectively sanitize.  We have 2 sets of 6 silks each, and after each silks class, the set will be taken down and kept out of use for 3 days. Instructors will provide their own silks for use to help with this.  Each trapeze will be used only once every 3 days)
• All countertops, door handles, and other common surfaces in the studio will be disinfected between classes.
• Students will be directed to disinfect any warm-up or conditioning equipment (yoga mats, etc.) after each use.
• Per state requirements, we will maintain a log documenting the cleaning of all surfaces and equipment.
• The studio will remain stocked with appropriate disinfectants for a variety of surfaces (Lysol and bleach-based cleaners for hard surfaces, grain alcohol for fabric and rope components of aerial apparatus).

Communication:

• B.A.D. will cooperate with the necessary health personnel and contact tracing in the event that any individual who has participated in studio activities tests positive for COVID-19.
• This safety plan will remain publicly available, and participants will be verbally reminded of protocols at the start of any studio activities.
• Students will be asked to sign an additional waiver that explains the potential risks of COVID-19, as well all precautions that Buffalo Aerial Dance is taking to mitigate these risks.

Screening and Testing:

• Any individual who is sick will be asked to stay home (or return home).
• Any individuals with COVID-19 related symptoms will be prevented from entering the studio.

Additional New Studio Protocols

Revised Instruction techniques:

• Instructors will use minimal hands-on spotting which may affect the types of skills that can safely be taught.
• Instructors will center their teaching on demonstration of skills, and verbal instruction and feedback. Our instructors are currently training to prepare to teach with social distancing in place.
• B.A.D. will not hold beginner classes for the time being because the majority of beginners require hands on spotting to safely and successfully participate in aerial arts.

Class Registration, Cancellation Policy, and Remaining Credits on Class Passes:

• For the time being, students will be not be able to drop in to classes. All students must preregister using our studio software.
• If you are unable to attend a class that you’ve registered for, please notify us to cancel your registration ASAP. Cancellations will not be allowed within 4 hours of class time. If you are unable to come to a class and do not request cancellation at least 4 hours in advance, you will be charged a credit for the class.
• If you need to cancel a class at the last minute for a medical reason, or due to contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, please contact us as soon as possible to inform us of the circumstances, and we will return your class credit.
• B.A.D. will maintain an active waitlist for any classes that are full, and notify students from the waitlist if a spot becomes open.
• For all class passes that are reactivated or purchased as of July 1, 2020, pass expiration dates will be enforced. It is not our goal to charge people who do not take classes.  However, since class sizes need to be strictly limited, we need to maintain a more consistent policy on expiration dates to ensure financial viability of the studio.
• For class passes that were purchased prior to July 1, 2020, expiration dates can be extended until the pandemic has more fully subsided. However, once a pass is reactivated, a new expiration date will be given, and remain in effect.

Private Parties and Lessons:

• We will not be offering private parties at this time.
• Individual and small group private lessons of up to 3 people may be scheduled if they can be held while maintaining all of the protocols listed above. Please note that we may have to decline some private lessons if we feel that the participants would need hands-on spotting in order to safely participate in aerial activities, or if the requested time for the lesson does not allow for adequate time to decontaminate the space and equipment.