Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions we receive.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for or need more information, we’re happy to help; just reach out!
When Can I register for classes?
Surrendered School of Dance offers open registration throughout the school year.
Our school year begins in September and concludes in late May or early June with our Spring Showcase Fundraiser. Students may register for classes online or in person at our main Tacoma campus.
During the summer, we offer limited maintenance ballet classes, and students ages 11–21 may also register for Paradosi Ballet Company’s Summer Dance Intensive.
Please Note:
- There are deadlines for showcase participation. Students who register after these deadlines are still welcome to join classes and learn the choreography, but they may not be able to perform in the showcase.
- The Summer Dance Intensive is not recommended for beginners. Dancers should have a minimum of three or more school years of consistent ballet training to participate.
Do students move up a level each year?
At Surrendered School of Dance, level advancement depends on the dancer’s age and stage of training.
For our youngest dancers, ages 3 – 8, placement is age-based. Once students enter Ballet Foundations, ages 8+, advancement becomes skills-based, meaning students move forward when they have demonstrated the strength, technique, maturity, and consistency needed for the next level.
For Our Youngest Dancers, Ages 3 – 8
Our early childhood and beginning ballet levels are based on age:
Pre-Primary Ballet: Ages 3–5
Primary Ballet: Ages 5–7
Ballet Foundations: Age 8+
Students in these early levels typically remain in the same level for the entire school year. Class placement is reviewed annually and adjusted as needed before the start of the next school year.
For Students in Ballet Foundations and Beyond
Beginning with Ballet Foundations, advancement is based on demonstrated readiness rather than automatically moving up each school year.
Readiness includes:
- Mastery of technical skills and vocabulary
- Physical readiness and safe execution
- Strength, coordination, and consistency
- Artistic development
- Focus, maturity, and classroom readiness
It is common for students to remain in the same level for two or more school years as they continue developing the strength, technique, confidence, and refinement needed to progress successfully. Since each level builds on the previous one, moving too quickly can create gaps in training and may increase the risk of frustration or injury.
Our goal is to meet students where they are and help each dancer build a strong foundation in a safe, healthy, and encouraging environment. Advancement decisions are made with the dancer’s long-term growth and well-being in mind.
For Transfer Students, Ages 8+ with Prior Training
Dancers joining from another studio will participate in a trial class to help determine the most appropriate placement based on their current skill, experience, and readiness.
Do you offer adult classes?
Yes. We offer a Teen/Adult Ballet Class in six-week sessions throughout the year.
This class is open to teens and adults who would like to begin, return to, or continue ballet training in a welcoming, Christ-centered, and supportive environment. It is a good fit for students who are new to ballet, dancers returning after time away, or those looking for a maintenance ballet class to help keep up their technique without committing to a full school-year program.
Classes are taken on flat and are not intended for pointe work. This class does not include performance opportunities, but students are still welcomed into the ministry-minded culture of Surrendered School of Dance, where we seek to encourage dancers both artistically and personally.
Session dates, times, and registration information are posted as they become available.
May my child take a pointe class?
Pointe classes are by teacher placement only.
Dancing en pointe requires significant strength, technical development, and physical maturity. Beginning pointe work too early can increase the risk of serious injury. For this reason, students at Surrendered School of Dance are not permitted to begin pointe training until they have:
- Enrolled in Intermediate Ballet Level C or above
- Attended ballet classes at least three days per week
- Completed pre-pointe training
- Been evaluated and approved by their instructor through a successful pointe readiness evaluation
Enrollment in Intermediate C or above does not automatically guarantee approval for pointe. Each dancer must demonstrate the strength, alignment, technique, control, and maturity needed to train safely.
If your student is new to SSD, even if they have previously taken pointe at another studio, they will need to be evaluated by one of our instructors before enrolling in a pointe class. Every studio has different training standards and progression paths, and we want to ensure each dancer is fully prepared to train safely and successfully within our curriculum.
May I watch my students class?
We want you to be able to enjoy your student’s growth as a dancer. Watching your child grow is one of the great joys of being part of their dance journey.
However, we have found that allowing observers inside the studio during class can be distracting and may hinder student focus and progress. Our classes are designed as a discipleship-through-dance environment, which allows students to focus fully on learning, growth, and worship during class time.
To support both student development and parent involvement, we have created structured opportunities for families to observe:
Observation Options by Location:
Tacoma Campus
- Studio 1: Observation window available
- Studios 1 & 3: Monitors with live Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) feed viewable in the lobby and kitchen
Orting Campus
- Parents may observe through the open door between the waiting area and classroom
After School Enrichment Programs
- At this time, class observation is not available for students enrolled in our enrichment programs at private schools.
- However, many partner schools host an end-of-session chapel where parents are invited to watch their students dance in worship at no cost.
- Please reach out directly to your student’s school for details about these opportunities.
We appreciate your understanding as we strive to balance a focused learning environment with meaningful ways for you to celebrate your dancer’s progress!
How do you screen your teachers and staff?
The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. All staff, volunteers, and teachers at Surrendered School of Dance are required to:
- Pass a Multi-State Criminal and Sex Offender background check
- Complete an Abuse Awareness Training Course
- Undergo reference checks
In addition, all dance instructors go through an extensive interview and evaluation process to assess both their teaching ability and alignment with our values. Instructors must demonstrate competency in their dance style, sound teaching practices, and a strong commitment to working safely and respectfully with minors before they are permitted to work with minors.
Will my family get to watch my child dance?
Absolutely! We love giving families the opportunity to celebrate their dancer’s growth.
- You’re welcome to watch classes from the observation area in our lobby, which includes a viewing window or live video monitors depending on the studio.
- We also host showcase events throughout the year, where students have the opportunity to dance in worship and share on stage what they have been learning in class.
These moments are a joyful way for families to witness both the technical progress and the heart behind our dancers’ training.
Do you have changing rooms?
We ask that students arrive dressed for class, either wearing their dance attire under street clothes or with warm-ups layered on top.
However, if needed, we do have a single-stall private changing room available at our main Tacoma campus for student use.
Do you offer financial assistance?
We understand that every family’s situation is unique, and we never want finances to be a barrier for a student who desires to be part of our community. Because circumstances differ from family to family, we offer need-based assistance for those facing financial hardship. Our heart is that no student is prevented from participating in our discipleship-through-dance community due to financial limitations.
If you are experiencing hardship and would like to request support with the requested contribution, please complete an Assistance Application through our Resources tab.
How does tuition contributions work?
Surrendered School of Dance operates as a ministry of Paradosi Christian Ballet. Tuition contributions are structured as a requested monthly contribution that supports instruction, facilities, staff, and the ongoing mission of the school.
Contributions are requested monthly and help make it possible for us to provide consistent training, maintain our space, and serve students in a Christ-centered environment. We work hard to keep requested contribution levels as accessible as possible while sustaining the ministry.
Families may provide a contribution by:
- Bank transfer (ACH), check, cash, or debit card at no additional cost
- Credit card may includes a small processing surcharge to help offset card fees charged to the ministry
If at any time a family experiences financial hardship or cannot provide the requested contribution, we encourage them to contact us. We are committed to working with families whenever possible. Participation in classes is not conditioned on the ability to provide the full requested contribution, and no student will be denied instruction solely due to financial hardship.
Note on terminology: Our studio management software comes from the for profit dance industry and uses the term “tuition” as a standard label. Any amount listed as “tuition” reflects a requested contribution level that supports the ministry and operations of Surrendered School of Dance.
What is the schools relationship to Paradosi Ballet Company?
Surrendered School of Dance is the official dance school of Paradosi Ballet Company, the Pacific Northwest’s first professional Christian ballet company, founded in 2007.
We are one organization, Paradosi Christian Ballet, a Washington-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization operating under unified leadership and a shared financial structure to fulfill one mission:
“Through the arts we will worship God, love people, share the Gospel, and make disciples of Jesus everywhere we go.”
The school participates in this mission by providing discipleship through training in ballet and within a Christ-centered community. Our approach emphasizes technical development, worship through the arts, and intentional discipleship woven naturally into the student experience.