Frequently Asked Questions

General Info

Where is my class located?

Dance Fremont is located on the second floor of 8420 Greenwood Ave N. The entrance is in the alley/parking lot between our building and Windermere. We suggest parking in the residential streets south of 85th Street. You can also pay to park in the lot after certain hours.
If you are taking the bus, the 5 and 45 drop you off right at our door 🙂

How do students register?

Existing students, or new students registering for our Primary or Preparatory program classes may register online here. Our Proficiency program classes require a placement class for new students. Please contact Dance Fremont to make an appointment.

Is your studio available to rent?

Yes! You may arrange a rental anytime the studio is not in use for Dance Fremont classes or rehearsals. At least 1 week’s advance notice is preferred.

Our large studio offers a professional dance studio space for rehearsals, auditions, private lessons, and group classes/workshops.  Stiletto/spiky heels and shoes worn outside are not permitted on the dance floor. Rates vary between $25-$40/hr and may require the renter to provide proof of liability insurance depending on the type of rental.

For photos and details click HERE.

When is tuition due?

Tuition is due on the 20th of each month. Students are required to be enrolled in Auto-Pay unless they have paid annual tuition, or have made other arrangements with Dance Fremont. You can find more information and our payment policies here.

What forms of payment do you take?

We accept payment by check, cash, or credit card, as well as through our new online system. Please note that a processing fee is added to all payments made via credit card. You can find class rates and payment policies here.

Can payment be made online?

Yes. You can pay tuition and registration fees online through your account. You may also mail in payments by check, and we are happy to process credit card payments in person.

When are your holiday closures and breaks?

You can find a full list of our holiday closures and breaks here.

What is your snow closure policy?

Dance Fremont’s policy is to close for snow or inclement weather if the Seattle Public Schools close, or if conditions warrant it. We post any closures on our home page and on our Facebook page as early as possible, and we email affected classes.

Do you have a dress code?

Yes. You can find our requirements here.

Where should students purchase dance apparel?

There are a number of dance boutiques in the Seattle area. The following stock required Dance Fremont attire:

Are there any male students?

Yes, there are male students training at Dance Fremont—and we always welcome more!

School Year Program: Youth Classes

Is there an open house for new and potential students?

We host an Open House & Dance Attire Sale at the beginning of each school year. We also encourage new students and their parents to contact us at any time to make an appointment to take a tour of our facilities and get an orientation to our program.

What is a good age to start ballet?

Dance Fremont offers dance classes to children ages 3 and up. Our classes for children ages 3 through 7 progressively build their dance skill and knowledge, and introduce ballet and modern dance vocabulary in age-appropriate ways. Students age 8 and up are ready for the extra rigor and structure of formal ballet and modern technique classes.

What is the required time commitment for students?

The time commitment starts at 60 minutes per week for students in Creative Dance and increases to 11–15 hours per week for high school students who choose to participate in elective classes and the Fremont Danceworks Company, in addition to their ballet technique classes. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the time commitments:

  • Creative Dance /Pre-Primary/Primary, ages 4 – 7: 1 day/hour per week
  • Level I, ages 8–11: 1 – 2 classes per week; 1 hour classes
  • Level II, ages 9–12: 2 – 3 classes per week; 1.25 hour classes
  • Level III, ages 11–14: 3+ classes per week; 1.5 hour classes
  • Level IV-VI*, ages 12–18: 4+ classes per week; 1.5 hour classes

*With the addition of Modern and Dance Composition classes, and performance participation, the commitment for Level 6 students could increase to 6 days per week (15 hours).

Do students have to audition to be accepted into the program?
  • For the Primary Program classes (Creative I, II, & Preparatory I), students are welcome to join a class at any time, space allowing. Placement is determined by age.
  • For Preparatory II & Ballet Level IA, students may join at any time before the third quarter, space allowing and in consultation with the director.
  • For Ballet Levels IB through VI, students must have previous training and will be assessed by the director for placement in the appropriate level. Placement is determined by ability, not by age or level at a previous ballet school. Students who have been placed en pointe in another program will be assessed for consideration to study pointe work, as well as for placement in the appropriate level at Dance Fremont.
Does the Unlimited Classes tuition also cover Open (drop-in) classes?

Students paying tuition for the Unlimited Classes may take any class in their designated level or below in any of the Youth Program classesOpen Classes are considered a separate program and must be paid for with a class card.

School Year Program: Teen & Adult Classes

Do you have classes for teen and adult beginners?
How old do students need to be in order to participate in drop-in/open classes?

Current Adult Program students range from 17-80 years. Our only age requirement is that you must be at least 15 years old to take our open classes. Dance Fremont students under age 15 require permission to join.

Do teen and adult beginner students need to have some prior dance experience?

No experience is needed! We have beginning ballet and modern classes geared towards adult students completely new to dance, or students desiring a slower, more methodical approach. Classes are taught with an emphasis on accumulative learning, and steps are broken down clearly and logically.

Pointe Class

When can students begin pointe work?

Pointe work is the end result of slow and gradual training of the whole body and pointe readiness is contingent upon many factors, including age, technical level, and skeletal structure. Students in Ballet III may be considered candidates for preparatory pointe work.

Students often begin pointe work at around 12 years of age.

Is pointe a requirement for advancing through the program?

The study of pointe is not a requirement for advancement through the levels or participation in the performing company.

What is the registration process for pointe classes?

Students wishing to study en pointe must take at least three ballet classes per week, have the recommendation of an instructor, and be assessed independently by the faculty to determine if the student is a candidate for pointe study. Physiologic development, anatomic facility, strength of technique, hypermobility of the feet and ankles, length and frequency of study, attendance habits, maturity and past injury are all taken into consideration.

Performances

How many performance opportunities are offered for students?

Students in Creative Dance and Primary Dance classes are introduced to the experience of dancing in front of an audience in our quarterly Parent Watch Weeks, when parents are invited to observe their children’s dance class in the studio.

Students in Preparatory Dance and up may perform in Dance Fremont’s winter production, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and in the end-of-year performance, Rite of Spring.

Students in Level IV-VI can participate in Dance Fremont’s annual Spring Repertory Concert. This is an opportunity for advanced dancers to work with local choreographers, learn iconic repertory, and showcase their own choreography. Dancers may have more opportunities to perform the repertory at local dance festivals and showings.

Where can I purchase tickets to performances?

As performances draw near, you can find ticket information on each performance’s respective page. We will post ticket links for The Steadfast Tin Soldier and Spring Repertory on our social media platforms. 

Can teachers bring their classes to performances?

We host a special matinee school performance of The Steadfast Tin Soldier every winter. Please contact Dance Fremont for more information and to reserve your seats.

What is required of the Steadfast Tin Soldier performers and their parents/guardians?

Steadfast Tin Soldier is a delightful performance opportunity and a treasured experience for generations of Dance Fremont students—and we highly encourage students to participate. However, dancers and their families should consider the time commitment carefully ahead of time. Most rehearsals are on Saturday afternoons, with a couple Sunday rehearsals. Students in Level V & VI may also have some Thursday evening rehearsals. There is also a performance fee to help cover upkeep, maintenance, and construction of new costumes. There is a mandatory meeting for all parents/guardians who have not previously had a child take part in the production.

Summer Programs

Are there any prerequisites for summer programs?

Our full-day intensives and more advanced weekly classes have training and technique prerequisites. Find full details on required training for each summer program here.

Are summer program offerings only for existing Dance Fremont students?

No. Our summer programs are available to both to current students and students who are not currently enrolled at Dance Fremont. Join us!

Does Dance Fremont provide room and board for non-local workshop and intensive students?

Yes. Home stays with Dance Fremont families are available for a limited amount of out-of-town students. Cost for room, board and transportation to and from Dance Fremont is $350 for one week, $600 for two weeks, $750 for three weeks. Subject to availability.

Do the workshops and intensives include lunch and snacks?

No. Students must bring their own snacks and lunch. Breaks will be provided to eat and refresh, however students are not allowed off the Dance Fremont premises during the day.