Excelsior School Of Dance & Performing Arts
About
Excelsior School of Dance and Performing Arts (ESD) offers classes in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop and Drama. ESD is proud to include the American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 8-level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training of dance to students of all ages and skill levels.
Directors Sonja Staines and Liza Pollok are both ABT Certified Teachers, who have successfully and respectively completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in levels Pre-Primary through Level 5 (comparable to ESD’s Primary through Level 8). Each student receives individual attention, and the syllabus system encourages personal goal setting as students, over the age of 7 years, aim for an annual exam to graduate to the next level.
All students enjoy performing in our highly acclaimed annual theatrical production. Our performances are enjoyed by all; from grandparents to neighbors, and of course mom and dad!
In addition, our program caters to our teens, offering vocational training options, class assisting, and a Teacher Training Program. ESD also hosts the professional touring ballet company, Ballet Excelsior of Houston, and eligible students aim to become part of the Ballet Excelsior Trainee program (BET). The BET program gives the dancers a company experience and provides more performance opportunities. This year BET will perform locally and travel to Project Dance New York City.
We strive to provide students with a wholesome environment where they can work to achieve their personal goals, develop their musicality and artistry skills, while developing confidence, respect for authority and their classmates, and disciplines that will aid them throughout life.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Each new student, who is not a beginner in ballet, is assessed to place them according to their skill level. Keep in mind, the purpose of a professionally written syllabus is to ensure that all fundaments training areas are covered and taught - in the same way syllabus is much advised when teaching all subjects at school. It keeps the teacher and student on track progressively over their entire training, it ensures all students in a given class are at the same skill level and equips them to adapt to different styles; and doing the exams ensure the student has enough time to achieve the fundament technique and movements, inspires focus, and provides an accountability for both student and teach - thus equipping them to moving to the next level. The next level is designed to build on the previous level. New students to ESD may or may not have gaps in their training. When assessing a student we are watching for the fundamental technique - and will advise the best plan for the progress of each student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Directors Sonja Staines and Liza Pollok are both ABT Certified Teachers, who have successfully and respectively completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in levels Pre-Primary through Level 5 (comparable to ESD’s Primary through Level 8). Each student receives individual attention, and the syllabus system encourages personal goal setting as students, over the age of 7 years, aim for an annual exam to graduate to the next level.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Tuition is based on the number of weekly hours a student takes. This is a link to our Tuition Fee Schedule
http://files.ctctcdn.com/2d30912e001/301613e3-fba4-4301-a994-c87c22af36c0.pdf?ver=1466004674000