NEW JANUARY CLASSES!
Karate, Zumba, Introduction to Music
Convenient after school class times are still available.
New To Dance?
Call our 24 hour information line at 888.792.9114.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have compiled this list of questions based on our experience over the past seven years. For further information about choosing a dance studio, call our 24 hour information line to hear a recording of our FREE report, "5 Things Every Parent Should Know Before Choosing A Dance Studio." To receive a hard copy of this report, please call or email us.
How do we differ from other dance schools?As for other dance schools, we cannot comment on their teachers or procedures, but we do have several distinct differences from other dance schools in the Elko area. Our floors are one of our major differences—our professional floating floor system offers additional cushioning and support to help prevent injuries and fatigue. We also keep our class sizes small with our 3-5 year old classes limited to only 10 students in a group and the rest limited to 15. Our unique curriculum utilizes movement concepts in addition to dance skills, terminology, choreography and improvisation. We provide students with commemorative school and concert t-shirts or merchandise and we never require our students to fund raise to cover dance school activities.
What type of flooring do you use?The type of floor on which dance is taught is just as important as the instruction. We have specially designed floors that have a built-in "spring." Dance is a highly impactive pursuit and we believe that a dancer's body need not absorb all this impact. Ours is the only dance school in Elko equipped with state of the art "floating" floors. Our "floating" floors absorb some of the shock of dance which enables students to dance more efficiently and for longer periods without excess fatigue or injuries.
What type of curriculum do you use?Our unique curriculum incorporates movement concepts such as space, rhythm, direction, and dynamics in addition to dance skills and terminology. We have found that these concepts are not only useful in the study of dance, but are applicable to other movement activities. We believe the study of dance is more than simply learning skills and choreography. Our students will be exposed to a number of subjects relevant to the study of dance including anatomy, physiology, history and career opportunities in dance and the arts.
What type of classes do you offer?We offer a variety of classes including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, and preschool classes. In addition, we offer a number of movement classes and workshops in Pilates, Zumba Ballroom and Choreography to name a few.
Do you offer private instruction? Absolutely! We realize that not everyone learns best in a group class. Whether your goals are to become a more confident dancer, want to dazzle your wedding guests with your first dance, or need additional learning tools, we are always happy to assist you in creating a program just for you!
At what age can students begin classes? We currently offer classes for ages 3-Adult. We do offer classes for dancers as young as two years of age by special request.
How often do classes meet? Most of our classes meet once per week. Some of our level II & III classes as well as our Zumba classes, are offered twice weekly. For students wishing to dance more often, they may take multiple classes throughout the week.
How long do classes last? Classes vary in length from 30 for our Preschool and Kindergarten classes to 75 minutes for our advanced classes.
Are performance opportunities available? Yes! We believe that performance is one of the many rewards of studying dance. We present a professional dance concert each May complete with lights, sound, and costumes. Students may take part in our concerts if they so choose. In addition, students may be invited to join our newly formed company, Velocity Dance Theatre.
Does my child have to take additional classes to be part of the dance company? Yes. Being part of a dance company requires that students have technical abilities in a number of styles. Company membership is by audition. Once students become part of the company, their current class selections will be reviewed and additional classes may be needed. Company rehearsals must also be taken.
Who teaches your classes? Our school has a number of highly qualified teachers who are dedicated to providing proper dance technique. Our teachers' backgrounds are as diverse as the styles in which they teach. All have extensive experience working with dancers of all ages and abilities.
Are special clothes and shoes required? Yes. We are a professional school of dance and as such, require students to wear specific dance wear by level and style of dance. A dress code serves to create cohesion and a sense of camaraderie in class. In addition, it enables our teachers view the alignment and placement of bodies in movement. To determine the needs of a particular class, please refer to our dress code.
Where can I purchase dance wear? For your convenience, we carry an array of dance wear. While we do not stock a large volume, we will be happy to assist you in determining sizes and placing orders for you. You may also order dancewear online with FREE shipping by clicking HERE.
What about boys? We encourage and welcome both male and female dancers. Dance is a wonderful supplemental activity to sports. In fact, many professional athletes are required to take dance as a means of increasing flexibility, agility, and prevention of injuries.
I've never danced before. Do you have classes for me? Absolutely! The study of dance may begin at any age. We strongly believe that everyone has the ability to dance. Children that are new to dance will be placed into classes based on a number of factors. For adults and teens beginning their dance amd movement journey, we offer Pilates and Zumba classes. Our Open Technique is presented periodically and presents a wide variety of dance styles. A new style is presented each month. From this class, students may choose to pursue specific styles or continue in this class as long as they wish. This is a non-performing class.
What is the best class for me/my child? When considering class placement, a number of factors including age, previous experience, style preference, and future dance goals will be considered.
At what age do students get their Pointe (toe) shoes? Going En Pointe (on Pointe) is a milestone in any dancer's life. The age of 12 is often touted as the ideal age at which to begin Pointe. While this may hold true for some, it is certainly not the case for all dancers. Our decision to allow students to pursue Pointe work is based on several factors: the number of years and intensity of previous training, technical ability, physical and mental readiness, core strength, as well as doctor and parent consultations. Pointe work is truly a wonderful pursuit and should be considered at great length, as the commitment in terms of both time and money is considerable.
Can my child start dance partway through the year? While it is best to begin classes in September (the beginning of our teaching year), students may be able to join classes partway through the year. Provided there is space available in the class, it is possible to be assessed to determine whether a student can catch up to the rest of the class. Students must be willing to take private lessons until the teacher feels they are ready to join the class. We often offer new classes in January.
I can sew. Can I make my child’s costume instead of paying the costume fee? No. In order to ensure that all costumes and identical, we order them through professional costume companies. You may be able to sew very well, but another parent who thinks they can sew well may produce an entirely different outcome than yours. Also, you may be organized and have the costume ready on time, but some parents just won’t have the costume ready when needed. We make it easy for you by doing all the work! Our staff measures and orders the costumes, places exchanges if needed, and distributes them in time for class pictures.
What is the difference between Jazz and Hip-Hop? Hip-Hop is a street influenced style of dance and can be seen in music videos. Jazz is a more classic style of dance characterized by more upper body movement, isolations, and is more graceful than Hip-Hop. It is the type of dance commonly seen in Broadway shows.
Are Modern Dance and Hip-Hop the same? In comparison to Hip-Hop, Modern dance is a more eclectic and grounded style. It is based on the work of pioneers such as Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, and Jose Limon. This expressive style utilizes floor-work, off-center body shapes, contractions, and flexed feet.
What is Contemporary Dance? In today’s vernacular, Contemporary dance is a style that incorporates and is influenced by a number of other styles including Jazz. Our contemporary class fuses various styles of jazz, including lyrical, with the idiosyncratic style of modern dance.