Our Advanced level helps students develop mastery of the complexities of pre-professional ballet technique and vocabulary, leading to increased self-confidence. The program allows for individuals to assess and work on their distinct strengths and goals. They continue to work with peers to gain experience dancing as a core unit, or corps de ballet, as well as dancing leading roles in our twice-yearly productions. Dancers also continue to explore their personal responses to music and choreography to encourage the unique development of each dancer.
What are the requirements for the Advanced level?
At SCD, safety is one of our highest priorities. At this level, as the technique becomes more demanding and pointe work is introduced and developed, we do have a number of requirements to make sure that your student is safe and their body and movement is being nurtured for a lifetime of health. With this is mind, we have minimum age requirements of 15 years for our Advanced level. Students wishing to dance on pointe are required to attend four ballet classes each week with an attendance record of 90% or better. Students can expect to spend a minimum of two years of training at this level in order to master the movement vocabulary of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Grades 8, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 syllabi. Some students may spend more than two years should the teaching staff feel that is what would best serve the overall development of the dancer. The two-year minimum is usually met by those who consistently attend at least three (and usually more) classes each week.
What about Summer Dance Camps and Summer Intensives?
Dancers at this level might attend a summer intensive outside of Sonoma, which can be used to supplement SCD's dance camps or as an alternative to them. All Advanced dancers are expected to attend at least three weeks of Summer Dance Camp or equivalent. Students who have an interest in pursuing dance professionally and/or dancing in college are strongly encouraged to attend summer intensives associated with ballet or dance companies.
What are the requirements for the Advanced level?
At SCD, safety is one of our highest priorities. At this level, as the technique becomes more demanding and pointe work is introduced and developed, we do have a number of requirements to make sure that your student is safe and their body and movement is being nurtured for a lifetime of health. With this is mind, we have minimum age requirements of 15 years for our Advanced level. Students wishing to dance on pointe are required to attend four ballet classes each week with an attendance record of 90% or better. Students can expect to spend a minimum of two years of training at this level in order to master the movement vocabulary of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Grades 8, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 syllabi. Some students may spend more than two years should the teaching staff feel that is what would best serve the overall development of the dancer. The two-year minimum is usually met by those who consistently attend at least three (and usually more) classes each week.
What about Summer Dance Camps and Summer Intensives?
Dancers at this level might attend a summer intensive outside of Sonoma, which can be used to supplement SCD's dance camps or as an alternative to them. All Advanced dancers are expected to attend at least three weeks of Summer Dance Camp or equivalent. Students who have an interest in pursuing dance professionally and/or dancing in college are strongly encouraged to attend summer intensives associated with ballet or dance companies.
SCROLL DOWN FOR INFORMATION ABOUT
• Class times and tuition fees • Dancewear • Helpful links • Information about tuition assistance and private lessons
• Class times and tuition fees • Dancewear • Helpful links • Information about tuition assistance and private lessons
TUITION
Level |
Day and Time |
Monthly Tuition |
Advanced |
Monday 6:00 - 7:30pm Tuesday 7:30 - 9:00pm Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00pm (tbc) Thursday 7:00 - 9:00pm Friday 7:00 - 8:30pm Saturday 1:00 - 3:15pm |
$405 (three sessions per week) $540 (four sessions per week) $675 (five or more sessions per week) |
NOTE: Tuition is due at the beginning of the month and considered late if not paid by the 15th.
Find all our Financial Policies here: https://www.sonomaconservatoryofdance.org/policies-and-procedures.html
Find all our Financial Policies here: https://www.sonomaconservatoryofdance.org/policies-and-procedures.html
TUITION ASSISTANCE
Tuition assistance is available for qualifying families. Contact our office staff at 707.350.8923 or send an email to [email protected] if you would like further information.
Tuition assistance is available for qualifying families. Contact our office staff at 707.350.8923 or send an email to [email protected] if you would like further information.
Consider making a contribution to our Tuition Assistance Program
PRIVATE LESSONS
with Patty O'Reilly, ARAD, Artistic Director: $100/hour — $55/half-hour
with SCD Staff: $65/hour — $35/half-hour
with Patty O'Reilly, ARAD, Artistic Director: $100/hour — $55/half-hour
with SCD Staff: $65/hour — $35/half-hour
RECOMMENDED DRESS CODE FOR INTERMEDIATE LADIES
o Tank leotard
— Theatricals "Adult Pinch Front Tank Cotton Dance Leotard" — Wear Moi "Mabel"
o Camisole leotard
— Wear Moi "Elena" — Bloch "Essential"
o Bloch Endura adaptatoe tights or similar o Bloch Tensus Demi Pointe Shoe or similar
o Capezio Hanami pink canvas ballet slippers or similar (for non-exam/free class — elastics should be sewn)
o Pointe Shoes per recommendation of instructor (ribbons and elastics should be sewn)
o Tank leotard
— Theatricals "Adult Pinch Front Tank Cotton Dance Leotard" — Wear Moi "Mabel"
o Camisole leotard
— Wear Moi "Elena" — Bloch "Essential"
o Bloch Endura adaptatoe tights or similar o Bloch Tensus Demi Pointe Shoe or similar
o Capezio Hanami pink canvas ballet slippers or similar (for non-exam/free class — elastics should be sewn)
o Pointe Shoes per recommendation of instructor (ribbons and elastics should be sewn)
RECOMMENDED DRESS CODE FOR INTERMEDIATE GENTLEMEN
o Black shorts, leggings, or tights with plain white t-shirt o Dance belt
o White or black ballet slippers with socks (white or black)
o Black shorts, leggings, or tights with plain white t-shirt o Dance belt
o White or black ballet slippers with socks (white or black)
GENERAL DRESS CODE INFORMATION
- Ladies should have at least one royal blue leotard.
- Intermediate I ladies wear their royal blue leotard to all their classes.
- Intermediate II ladies may wear leotards in different colors in the approved styles listed above.
- For dancewear purchases, we recommend the following.
- Arrange for a fitting at SCD before ordering online.
- Order from www.metronomedancewear.com and support a small business!
- Click “Shop Online” and type “Sonoma” in the search box.
- www.discountdance.com
- Jewelry is discouraged.
- Dancers with long hair are encouraged to have it secured up and away from the face and neck (a simple ponytail or headband works).
- Legwarmers and/or ballet sweater may also be worn and are encouraged in colder weather.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
- Classes and rehearsals are held at our studio (561 Broadway Suite B, Sonoma CA 95476).
- Class size is limited to 15 dancers.
- Students are encouraged and expected to make up missed classes as soon as possible. More information can be found on our Policies and Procedures page under "Class Information." Please inquire at the front desk if you need more information.
- Performance opportunities are planned during the School Year, and students enrolled in these levels will be considered for roles in our productions, which are performed at the Sebastiani Theatre. As we approach the start of rehearsals for each production, all families with eligible students will be given an agreement with all the details to review.
- Keep in mind that students enrolled in more than the minimum requirement each week, who participate in as many performance opportunities as possible, who attend the Summer Dance Camps and/or who attend Master Classes when offered will most likely progress more quickly than students who participate at the Conservatory at a minimal level only.
- Intermediate students, particularly those interested in progressing to the Advanced level and/or dancing professionally, are strongly encouraged to consider participating in our full-length productions as well as continuing to attend classes from which they have graduated for extra practice.
- Dancers at this level and above are encouraged to attend auditions for summer intensives. Auditions are listed in publications such as Pointe and Dance Magazine.
- Students, with the director’s approval, may choose to enter the Royal Academy of Dance Advanced I or Advanced II Vocational Examination as appropriate. An agreement with all the details, including uniform requirements and fees, will be given to all eligible students.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Schedule of Classes for 2023-24: https://www.sonomaconservatoryofdance.org/schedule-and-placement.html
- School Year Calendar: https://www.sonomaconservatoryofdance.org/calendar.html
- Tuition Information: https://www.sonomaconservatoryofdance.org/tuition.html
- Policies and Procedures, including Financial Policies: https://www.sonomaconservatoryofdance.org/policies-and-procedures.html
- Registration Form (we do require one to be filled out each year)
- If you have danced with us in previous school years, use this link: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/jr3.0/ParentPortal/Login?orgId=508291
- If this is your first year with us, use: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=508291
We know you have other options and thank you for choosing to dance with us,
~ Miss Patty and the Staff of SCD
~ Miss Patty and the Staff of SCD