May I register for classes at any time?
Surrendered School of Dance has open registration during the school year.
Our normal school year runs September through May with our Spring Showcase Fundraiser occurring in late May or Early June. To register you may either do so online, by giving us a call, or by coming by the studio to enroll your student in classes.
Do students move up a level each year?
Surrendered School of Dance follows the guidelines for advancement to different levels of training based upon the American Ballet Theater National Training Curriculum®. This progression for classes takes into account both the knowledge and skills that students acquire in each level along with their physical and cognitive development. We want students to progress at the appropriate rate for their life stage and become the best dancer that they can be. The goal is not to rush through the levels but to mature as artists at an appropriate, safe, and healthful pace. The curriculum in these classes are designed to take students from no experience to professional dancer. Each level make take 2 or more years to master before a student will progress to the next level of instruction. Some students may move up a level quicker and others may take more time.
The exception to this rule is for our youngest dancers ages 3 through 8. Dancers in Pre-Primary Ballet, Primary Ballet, and Ballet Foundations are assigned their class by age. Dancers ages 3-5 will be in Pre-Primary Ballet. Dancers ages 5-7 will be in Primary Ballet. Dancers ages 8 and older will be in Ballet Foundations. Students will remain in the level that they started in at the beginning of the school year until the start of the next school year.
Once a student is in Ballet Foundations, they will progress to the next level based upon their demonstrated mastery of the knowledge and skills learned in each level and and not by their age. As technique is taught linearly, each level of instruction builds upon the skills learned in the previous level and what is taught from the beginning of the current school year through the end of the school year. When a student is kept in a level for several years it is because we want them to continue growing as a dancer and to succeed in reaching their fullest potential as an artist in their chosen art form.
Dancers over the age of 8 with previous training from other studios will be evaluated in a trial class before being assigned a level of instruction.
Do you offer adult classes?
Adults, dancers over the age of 18 may only take classes that are designated: Teen Adult. Currently we offer two classes per week for Adults.
Ballet Foundations – Beginning Teen Adult Ballet: This class is open to dancers ages 12 and above who have little to no ballet training. This is a great introductory class for those who have always wanted to learn ballet but have never had the opportunity.
Intermediate / Advanced Teen Adult Ballet: This class is for dancers in SSD’s Intermediate Ballet C and above as well as dancers with at least 5-years of previous ballet training. This class is a great maintenance class that will help you to keep up on your technique. This class is taken on flat and not en pointe.
May my child take a pointe class?
Pointe classes are by teacher placement only. If a child starts on pointe before they have developed enough, both physically and in their ballet technique, they risk serious injury to their bodies.
Dancers do not start pointe work with SSD until they are in Intermediate Ballet C and they must be taking classes a minimum of three days per week.
If your student is new to Surrendered School of Dance, they will need to be evaluated by one of our instructors before they will be allowed to enroll in a pointe class even if they have taken pointe at another studio.
May I watch my students class?
We want you to be able to enjoy your students growth as a dancer! We know that watching your student dance is one of the great joys of putting them into a dance class but we have found that allowing observers inside the studio often distracts the students and hinders their growth. With this in mind, we have implemented several ways that you can watch your student as they learn.
Depending on which campus and studio your student is taking a class, we either have live video observation or a viewing window.
Tacoma
In order to not disturb the classes, we have an observation window for classes in Studio 1 and a Closed Circuit TV Monitor in the hall and kitchen that shows classes in Studio 1 and 3.
Orting
In Orting parents may observe their students through the open door between the waiting room and classroom.
After School Enrichment Programs
At this time we do not have class observation opportunities for students in our After School Enrichment Programs taught at private schools. However, the schools usually have a chapel where the students share a dance that they have learned and parents are welcome. If you are enrolled in an After School Enrichment Program, please contact the school directly to inquire about the end of session chapel.
How do you screen your teachers?
Our teachers all undergo an extensive interview and background check process in addition to demonstrating competency and sound teaching practices for their dance style before being allowed to work with minors.
All teachers, staff, and volunteers are required to pass a Multi-State Criminal and Sex Offender background check, pass an Abuse Awareness Training Course, and reference checks.
Will my family have opportunities to watch my child dance?
Yes! Families my watch classes from our lobby observation areas. We also have one to two showcase fundraisers each year for students to worship and share from the stage what they have been learning!
Spring Showcase Fundraiser: Each school year is capped with a Spring Showcase Fundraiser in late May or early June! Students get to dance in worship on the stage as they share what they learned during the past year with their family and friends. If you would like your student to participate in our Spring Showcase, they must be enrolled in classes before March 15 in order for them to dance during the event. Students may still enroll any time after March 1 but please note that the last few minutes of class will be for rehearsing their classes dance.
Christmas Showcase Fundraiser: In December we often have a Christmas showcase fundraiser where students will have an opportunity to dance in worship on the stage! In order for students to participate in the Christmas showcase, students will need to be enrolled before October 15 to allow enough time for rehearsals. Students may still enroll any time after October 15 but please note that the last few minutes of class will be for rehearsing their classes dance.
Do you have changing rooms?
We do not have changing rooms. We ask that students arrive for class already in their dance clothing on under their street clothes or wear warm up clothes over the top.
Students may also change in the restroom if they are not able to arrive in their dance clothing.
Why is the requested dues the same amount every month even though some months have fewer classes than others due to breaks?
Surrendered School of Dance sets an annual dues rate at the beginning of the school year based on the number of instruction weeks during the school year running September through May and the cost of running those classes for the year. This annual dues takes into account scheduled school breaks and months with more weeks than others. The annual rate is then divided into equal monthly requested amounts so that families will be able to budget for how much dues will be each month instead of charging a variable amount based upon the number of classes held in a month.
Why do you call Tuition, Dues and Registration Fee, Membership Fee?
Our studio management software comes from the “for profit” business world and the wording is not customizable for Membership and Dues models often used by nonprofits such as ours. To simplify things when looking at your account: Tuition = Monthly Dues and Registration Fee = Annual Membership Fee
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes, we do offer financial assistance to families in need. We do not want resources to be a hinderance to any student who wants to take dance classes with us! If your family is in need, please fill out a financial aid application on our website under the Resources tab.
What is the schools relationship to Paradosi Ballet Company?
Surrendered School of Dance is the dance school of Paradosi Ballet Company, the Pacific Northwest’s first professional Christian ballet company that was founded in 2007. Surrendered School of Dance and Paradosi Ballet Company are one organization: Paradosi Christian Ballet, a Washington based 501(c)3 nonprofit religious organization. The organization has one heart with one mission and the school is an integral part of fulfilling this mission.