Some Common Questions
Are there fee discounts? Dance West offers the
same discount to family members that it offers to individuals who take more
than one class per week, simply add the total number of classes taken by your
family in a week.
Three people from one family taking one class each per week is the same discount
as one person taking three classes per week.
What is the minimum age to begin taking classes?
Kinder students should be a minimum of three years old and out of diapers
(with no chance of accidents in class).
I missed registration in June, can I still take classes?
By phoning the office (604-591-5753) and describing what you are looking
for, the front desk will be able to tell you if there is available space.
How do I know what level of class to take? When
you come in to register we will ask you about your previous dance experience
and make suggestions about where to place you. Once you are in the class the
teacher will determine if the level of instruction suits you, and if it is
not correct will recommend another class so you receive the best instruction
possible.
What are Festival classes and who takes them? Festival
classes prepare students that wish to compete in the Surrey dance festival, and commercial competitions. (Entering competitions is
not compulsory.)
All Festival students must have a high level of technique, so ballet is a
required subject. Dance West has different levels of Festival classes.
As students progress to advanced levels, choreographers are brought in to
create challenging and innovative routines for them. Students who wish to
perform solos or duos in the festivals must take private lessons during the
year to learn their routines.
When do ballet students begin working en-pointe?
When students have taken ballet classes for several years and have developed
strong feet and legs then they are assessed for pointe work. Students are
usually eleven or twelve years old, and their bodies must be strong enough
to handle the extra stresses of pointe work.