Northern Virginia Dance Academy
About
Ms. Sturm was a founding member and principal ballet dancer with the Washington Ballet. She is passionate about passing on this beautiful art form to her students, with a safe, time honored, and highly repected ballet technique. She has produced dancers that have become professional dancers and have been accepted into some of the most pretigious summer Intensives in the country. Ms. Sturm has authored four books on the subject, and is also the artistic director of the Asaph Dance Ensemble, as well as Northern Virginia Dance Academy
It is exhilarating and fulfilling to teach others to communicate and find their voice through a language such as dance. Seeing young faces suddenly become inspired and articulate in their new language is inspiring to me as well; it is amazing to see how many dancers achieve things they never thought possible!
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Assessing their ability and natural facility, then determining which classes will allow them to flourish and excel while being challenged to reach beyond their potential
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was trained at the Washington School of the Ballet in Washington, D.C. and graduated from their Academy. I was a full scholarship student at the School of American Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre School, and then became a founding member and principal dancer with the Washington Ballet. I later co-founded the Asaph Dance Ensemble and opened the Northern Virginia Dance Academy. I have also been and adjunct professor in the dance department of the American University in Washington, D.C., and I was on the faculty of the Washington School of Ballet.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Private lessons are $60 per hour. All other classes are paid for on a monthly basis at a lower price rate depending upon the number of classes per week and the length of the classes (1 hr or 2 hrs):
1 hr classes:
1 per week....$70 per month
2 " .....$100 per mo.
3 " .....$120 per mo.
4 " ....$135 per mo.
1 1/2 hr classes:
1 class per week.....$80 per month
2 " .....$150 per mo.
3 " ....$190 per mo.
4 or more (all 1 1/2) $225 per mo.
How did you get started teaching?
I was asked to teach occasionally at Washington Ballet while in the company. When I had my first child, I opened up my own studio and co-founded the Asaph Dance Ensemble.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with gifted students, special needs students, students whowant to be professional dancers, those who have other aspirations but love dance, adults with different levels of expectations, etc.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
In our spring studio performance, one of my students was very nervous about completing a successful double pirouette on stage. He would not give up trying, even though I assured him that a single, quality turn is wonderful, and to keep working on the double for next year. He continued to work on his goal, and he did indeed achieve a good double pirouette on stage. His feeling of victory was infectious, and it changed his life and perspective!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for someone who wants to train the whole person, not just the feet. Dance is an art, not a sport, and when the integrity and character are as high a priority as the technique, a true artist is born!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
They should inquire about policies on commitment, on attendance, what is required to improve, and what the protocol is for learning pointe work. No teacher should be eager to progress a student in level or into pointe work just to hold on to the student. Safety and excellence are paramount