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 Recital 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.
*RECITALS: Please note the information in the Performance Opportunities below.
Will my child have any performance opportunities?
Yes! Each year Surrendered School of Dance has opportunities for students to showcase what they have been learning giving you and your family to celebrate their work with them!
Spring Recital: Each school year is capped with a Spring Recital in late May or early June! This is our biggest celebration of the year where students get to share their hard work with their family and friends from a stage. If you would like your child to participate in our Spring Recital, they must be enrolled in classes before March 15 in order for them to dance during the recital. Students may still enroll any time after March 1 but please note that the last few minutes of class will be for rehearsing the classes recital dance.
Christmas Program: Each December we have a Christmas recital for our students! In order for students to participate in the Christmas Recital they will need to enroll 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 the classes Christmas dance.
Why is tuition the same amount every month even though some months have fewer classes than others due to breaks?
Surrendered School of Dance sets an annual tuition dues rate at the beginning of the school year based on a 32 week school year running September through late May or early June. This annual tuition dues takes into account scheduled school breaks and months with more weeks than others. The annual rate is then divided into equal monthly payments so that our families will be able to budget for how much tuition will be due each month instead of charging a variable tuition based upon the number of classes held in a month. If you would like to pay for the entire season at once we offer a 3% discount on the annual tuition rate.
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 as a toddler 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. 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.
Typically dancers do not start pointe work until Intermediate Ballet C.
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 for classes in Studio 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 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.
Additionally, most of our teachers are current or former professional ballet dancers with Paradosi Ballet Company who have been vetted throughout their years of service with the organization. Teachers from Paradosi Ballet have anywhere from 10 to 30 years of dance training and performance experience.
Teachers who have not been members of Paradosi Ballet Company receive additional screening and must demonstrate competency in the dance styles that they are teaching while doing so in a manner that is in alignment with our values.
Do you have changing rooms?
We do not have changing rooms at our studios. 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.