General Questions
WHEN IS THE RECITAL? WHAT COSTS ARE INVOLVED?
Our spring recital is in May (see "Important Dates" for exact details). You will have a recital fee and costume fee involved (this year's fees will be given during classes).
DO YOU DO THE NUTCRACKER? HOW CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE?
We rotate between The Nutcracker Ballet, The Enchanted Forest, Backstage Nutcracker, and A Sleeping Beauty for our full length ballet production. Details for participating can be found on our Auditions page and our Rehearsals page.
DOES PAS DE DEUX DANCE STUDIO COMPETE? HOW DOES MY DANCER JOIN THE COMPETITION TEAM?
Yes, we do one to two competitions a year. Dancers may compete with their normal class (if there is enough interest) simply by letting Miss Zachari know and turning in your competition fees and contract. Dancers may also request a competition solo, duo or trio in addition to their class dance. These extra dances are approved based on a variety of criteria. For more information on requirements, current fees and competition dates, please see our Competitions page.
MY STUDENT WANTS TO BE A PROFESSIONAL DANCER OR DANCE TEACHER - WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
Pas de Deux Dance Studio has professional tracks for dancers who think they want a career in dance, either as a performer or as a teacher. The first step is to set up a meeting with Miss Zachari to see if pursuing the professional track is right for your dancer. If it is, we will set up a personalized course of study to help your dancer meet her or his goals, based on current ability and age. Please go to our Personalized Professional Track page for more details on becoming a performer, or our Dance Internships page for more details on becoming a teaching intern.
DO BOYS TAKE BALLET?
Yes! We welcome boys into all of our classes.
WHERE CAN I FIND WAIVERS, CONTRACTS, AND FORMS HANDED OUT IN CLASS?
Most forms and handouts that are not date specific can be found on our School Year Classes page. Date specific handouts are only given out in class, so please put those in a place where you can easily refer to them!
WHAT ARE YOUR POLICIES REGARDING COVID-19?
You can find our covid-19 policies on our covid-19 policies page. Please note that these will be updated as more information is learned about the virus, so please check back for the most current information! Dancers enrolled at the studio will be notified any time a change is made to the policy.
What is the studio Portal? How do I log into it?
The studio portal gives you control over the contact information the studio has for your dancer. You can also check your class schedule, see what payments you have already made, and see what you have due.
If you have already activated your portal, please go to:
https://www.dancestudio-pro/online/pasdedeuxmn
If you have not activated your portal yet, or have forgotten your password, please email the studio and we can send you either an activation link or a password reset link.
If you have already activated your portal, please go to:
https://www.dancestudio-pro/online/pasdedeuxmn
If you have not activated your portal yet, or have forgotten your password, please email the studio and we can send you either an activation link or a password reset link.
I Would like to receive information about upcoming classes or performances. Do you have a mailing list?
We do have a mailing list. You can sign up to receive our monthly newsletter (a peek into what's happening in the studio each month, along with upcoming performances, workshops, events and new class offerings). You can also sign up to receive just performance information, or just information on dancing opportunities. Go to our contact page to join any or all of these mailing lists!
What is the best age to start ballet?
This depends on your child! If your child is able to focus on a task and follow directions, they are ready for one of our Baby Ballet or Pre Ballet classes (developmentally appropriate offerings for ages 3 - 7). Serious ballet training (with discussions about proper technique) can start as early as age 7, but it is never too late to start ballet! Check out our New Dancer page to find the right starting point for your dancer, or our Dance Progression page for an overview of your dancer's journey from first class through adulthood.
What does Pas de Deux mean?
A "pas de deux" is a dance for two people. In classical ballets, this is generally danced by the male and female leads of the ballet in the final act. In modern ballets, this could also be danced by two women or two men at any point in the ballet.
How much do classes cost?
Our current prices for classes, as well as all other opportunities the studio provides, can be found here.
Schedule Questions
When Do classes start in the fall?
The Monday After Labor Day
Is the studio closed every time the local schools are?
No. Please see our "Important Dates" page for a complete list of days off. Snow/ice/extreme cold days are announced via email and text, as are cancellations due to instructor illness or emergency, so please make sure the studio has your current, most checked email address and that you are subscribed to texts for at least one phone line.
When are performances?
We have a few performances over the course of the dance season.
* Fall Ballet Production (audition based): Saturday before Thanksgiving in November
* Dance Competition (for interested dancers): generally mid April or mid to late May
* Baby Ballet Recital: last day of class in May
* Spring Recital (all classes except Baby Ballet): Saturday towards the beginning of May
* Dance Trip (for interested dancers): mid to late June or early July, offered every 2 to 3 years
Please see our current schedule for the most up to date information.
* Fall Ballet Production (audition based): Saturday before Thanksgiving in November
* Dance Competition (for interested dancers): generally mid April or mid to late May
* Baby Ballet Recital: last day of class in May
* Spring Recital (all classes except Baby Ballet): Saturday towards the beginning of May
* Dance Trip (for interested dancers): mid to late June or early July, offered every 2 to 3 years
Please see our current schedule for the most up to date information.
Do you offer summer classes?
Yes! Please see our summer classes page for the most current offerings!
Payment Questions
HOW MUCH IS TUITION? WHEN IS IT DUE?
Tuition is based on class length. Tuition is due 3 times a year (at registration, September, and February), or you may pay for the entire year in advance. Please see our fee chart for an overview of costs associated with the studio.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
In general, all fees are non-refundable once paid. The exception is for classes that do not run. If your dancer's class has to be canceled due to low enrollment, and you are unable to switch into the alternative class, you will receive a refund. Please note - if your dancer drops a class, you will not be eligible for a refund even if it is canceled. More information can be found on our Payment Policies page.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CAN'T PAY ON TIME? IS THERE A LATE FEE?
If you know paying on time is going to be difficult, please set up a payment plan in advance with the studio. As long as you adhere to your payment plan, no late fees will be charged.
If you miss a payment deadline, there is a $10 late fee per class that will need to be added onto your payment. (Ex. If your dancer takes one class per week, you will have a $10 late fee. If you have one dancer taking twice a week and another dancer taking three times per week, you will have a $50 late fee.)
Payment plans can be set up for all fees except for costumes and tickets. There is a $10 late fee per costume piece to cover any additional shipping charges incurred by ordering a costume late. Tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis, and accounts must be current before purchasing tickets.
More details can be found on our Payment Policies page.
If you miss a payment deadline, there is a $10 late fee per class that will need to be added onto your payment. (Ex. If your dancer takes one class per week, you will have a $10 late fee. If you have one dancer taking twice a week and another dancer taking three times per week, you will have a $50 late fee.)
Payment plans can be set up for all fees except for costumes and tickets. There is a $10 late fee per costume piece to cover any additional shipping charges incurred by ordering a costume late. Tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis, and accounts must be current before purchasing tickets.
More details can be found on our Payment Policies page.
CAN I PAY BY CREDIT CARD?
Yes! Please log in to your studio portal to make a credit card payment. Please note that there is an additional service charge for any credit card transactions. Cash and checks are still the easiest and preferred forms of payment at this time. Please note that if you choose to pay via credit card and a class is cancelled, you will only receive a refund for the actual tuition payment; service charges are non-refundable in all circumstances.
Dress Code Questions
WHAT SHOULD MY DANCER WEAR TO CLASS?
This depends on how old your dancer is and which class(es) your dancer is taking. Please see the dress code for details.
HOW DO I DO A BALLET BUN?
WHY DOES YOUR STUDIO REQUIRE LEATHER BALLET SHOES INSTEAD OF CANVAS?
This requirement has a variety of reasons:
1. Support and protection: Because leather is a thicker material than canvas, it helps to support the foot and provides better protection than canvas.
2. Strength: Leather requires the foot to work harder, therefore training the muscles properly to be stronger. This is an advantage for dancers wanting to dance en pointe.
3. Traction: Canvas provides very little traction when dancing. We are lucky to have wood floors in the studio and for most of our performances, so leather shoes provide the appropriate amount of traction to dance safely on these surfaces.
4. Proper fit: Leather is able to mold to the dancer's foot, as well as stretch with a growing dancer. A proper fit is important so that the foot can work correctly. A proper fit also ensures that the teacher can see how the foot is working and be able to catch problems faster.
5. Durability: Leather is a stronger material than canvas, and therefore takes longer to develop holes. The less porous nature of leather also helps it to resist dirt better and makes it easier to wipe clean. All of this means that leather ballet shoes will last longer than canvas ones.
1. Support and protection: Because leather is a thicker material than canvas, it helps to support the foot and provides better protection than canvas.
2. Strength: Leather requires the foot to work harder, therefore training the muscles properly to be stronger. This is an advantage for dancers wanting to dance en pointe.
3. Traction: Canvas provides very little traction when dancing. We are lucky to have wood floors in the studio and for most of our performances, so leather shoes provide the appropriate amount of traction to dance safely on these surfaces.
4. Proper fit: Leather is able to mold to the dancer's foot, as well as stretch with a growing dancer. A proper fit is important so that the foot can work correctly. A proper fit also ensures that the teacher can see how the foot is working and be able to catch problems faster.
5. Durability: Leather is a stronger material than canvas, and therefore takes longer to develop holes. The less porous nature of leather also helps it to resist dirt better and makes it easier to wipe clean. All of this means that leather ballet shoes will last longer than canvas ones.
Where can I buy my dancer's uniform?
Leotards, tights, ballet skirts, warm up sweaters: http://www.ShopNimbly.com/PasdeDeuxMN
Leather Ballet Shoes: Grand Jete (on Grand Avenue in St Paul) or Step 'N Stretch
* skirts, legwarmers and warm up sweater may also be purchased at either of these stores
Leather Ballet Shoes: Grand Jete (on Grand Avenue in St Paul) or Step 'N Stretch
* skirts, legwarmers and warm up sweater may also be purchased at either of these stores