New Students

New Student Eight Lesson Program

A session of eight lessons is offered three times a year for new students. Session one is October and November. Session two is February and March. Session three is in June.

At the end of the eight lessons, children are invited to continue if they show potential for long term training. In addition, they will need to attend the annual school audition for class placement and assessment of their development. New students will be placed in a class of their current skill level, which may mean they are dancing with younger children. They will be moved up as they meet the standards of the next level. If children are not asked to continue in the main program, they can come back to the next eight lesson series.

Admittance

The primary avenue into the Professional Program is to be invited to audition. Dancers who show ability in their Audition class are invited by teachers to the annual audition in early June. There is no fee for the audition if invited by teachers. Dancers from the New Student Eight Lesson Program may be invited into the Professional Program classes. Dancers will need to pass a physical assessment before they may be admitted. Dancers transferring from another school may request a trial class as an audition. They will also need to pass a physical assessment.

Enrollment

A yearly enrollment fee is due in September. $20 for new students and $15 for returning students (per household).

How to Enroll

To enroll, parents must fill out and sign an enrollment form at the studio. Please update your form if anything changes. Make sure to include your email as this is our primary way to send out updates in emergency situations. Parents of new students must also attend a fall meeting where expectations and explanations of the program are explained.

Fall Classes

A place is held open for fall classes for all students from the previous year if they attended for at least the last 6 months. If you attended less than 6 months, you must put in writing your intent to continue in the upcoming school year before the summer break. Place this in the lobby dropbox. Fall spots are opened up for new dancers if former students do not show up by the 2nd lesson.

Summer Classes

Summer classes start in July. New students can adapt to the skills needed for fall placement and current students can receive more individual attention since the classes tend to be smaller. Summer classes are optional except for new “catch up” students and those in the YAPG program.

Schedule

Classes run in the school year starting in September and run through one week after the recital, usually the second week of June. Your enrollment is a one-year commitment. Fees will be due through June even if you drop out. Some exceptions such as moving or severe illness are made.

Audition

All students must attend the annual audition in the spring. This allows us to see dancers with students from other levels and best assess what level to place the dancer. It is at this time that a physical assessment is made and updated. Dancers may be unable to continue at the school if physical, emotional, or learning difficulties make it impossible to keep up with the requirements for development. This is a rare situation and personal conversations with parents would be made before such a step would be taken. If you enrolled any time other than spring quarter you will need to audition next year and you must privately arrange to:

Have an assessment. Fee $40 / ½ hour
Attend any summer programs, private lessons, or August audition, if required to catch up.

Dancers starting late may be behind in skills and thus be placed in a lower level to catch up.