FAQ

The following are some guidelines for class attire. Feel free to have fun with different colors and styles! All genders may wear any of the items listed below.

Pre-ballet: Comfy clothes, or leo/tights/tutu/skirt. Bare feet (footless tights) or ballet slippers (footed tights).
Ballet: Comfy clothes-leggings and T-shirt or leotard/tights suggested. No jeans please. Ballet shoes recommended (if they present sensory challenges for your child, bare feet are ok). Please properly prepare your child’s ballet shoes (instructional video below). Shoes without ties are even better.
Ballet/Tap combo classes: Ballet and Tap shoes required. Please properly prepare your child’s ballet shoes before the first day of class (instructional video below). Tap shoes with velcro instead of ribbons or laces are recommended. Comfy clothes, or leotard/tights/skirt/tutu.

How to properly tie ballet shoes (important!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1tPhMTp1Ew

Dance Supply Locations:
Call ahead for availability!

Centerstage Dance Shop
www.dance-wear.net
5261 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105-4342
(206) 527-4697

Discount Dance (online only)
www.discountdance.com
Enter code: TP105626
to receive 10% off your first order
and 5% off all other orders

Creative Dancewear
www.creativedancewear.net
705 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Yes, we accept late registrations at any point during the session. The cost will be prorated.

We love to share our students’ progress with family and friends! During the final week of our Fall and Winter/Spring sessions, we hold a special “watching day” where you’re invited to observe a portion of your child’s class. For the rest of the session, we find that children thrive when they participate independently. We understand that starting a new class can be a little overwhelming, so for first-time students in our creative pre-ballet class, parents are welcome to stay for the first class if needed to help with separation anxiety.

We understand that plans can change. You can receive a full refund or credit if you cancel by August 9 for fall classes, November 15 for Winter/Spring classes, or April 1 for Summer classes/camps. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer refunds or credits after those dates. A $50 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations made before the refund deadlines.

To share our students’ progress, we hold a “watching day” during the final week of each Fall and Winter/Spring session, when parents and friends are welcome to observe a portion of the class.

We make every effort to run all scheduled classes and camps. However, in the event of low enrollment, cancellations before the session begins may be necessary. If your class or camp is affected, we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss alternative options or issue a refund.

Developed by Anne Green Gilbert, the BrainDance is a sequence of eight fundamental movement patterns that are based on the movements babies naturally make in their first year of life. These movements are thought to be crucial for developing the nervous system and integrating sensory and motor skills. It’s a movement practice that can be adapted for people of all ages and abilities, and it’s used in various settings, from classrooms to therapy sessions.   
The eight patterns in the BrainDance are:
  1. Breath: Deep, conscious breathing is the foundation. It oxygenates the brain and helps regulate the nervous system.
  2. Tactile: This involves stimulating the sense of touch, often through self-massage or gentle contact. It helps with body awareness and sensory integration.
  3. Core-Distal: These are movements that expand outward from the body’s core (center) to the extremities (limbs, head, and tail) and then draw back in. They build strength and coordination.
  4. Head-Tail: These movements involve a gentle flexion and extension of the spine, like a “yes” and “no” movement with the head, and a subtle wagging of the tailbone (though not literally!). They promote spinal mobility and flexibility.
  5. Upper-Lower: This pattern focuses on coordinating movements between the upper and lower body separately, improving coordination and balance.
  6. Body-Side: These are movements that emphasize one side of the body at a time, enhancing balance and coordination.
  7. Cross-Lateral: These movements involve coordinating opposite sides of the body, like crawling or walking. They help integrate the two hemispheres of the brain and improve coordination.
  8. Vestibular: These are movements that stimulate the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and spatial awareness. They can include rocking, spinning, or tilting. 
The BrainDance can be performed in any order, and individual movements can be repeated as needed. It’s often used as a warm-up for physical activities or as a tool for improving focus, concentration, and reducing stress.