The Dance Place provides an excellent dance education with caring, professional teachers. As the only studio in the Kershaw County area specializing in Classical Ballet, we offer an array of classes for both the serious and the recreational student, aged 3 - adult. Our dancers are given extensive opportunities for growth, whether it be in performances with our liturgical teams and in our full-length productions, or in the challenges of our Cecchetti USA syllabus classes and evaluations.


...to give all students a strong technical foundation for any form of dance they choose to pursue

...to foster an understanding and appreciation of the art of ballet as developed through the centuries, including familiarity with a number of the world's most beloved ballets


...a full length ballet production every spring

...music appreciation and training

...a chance for even the youngest students to perform with advanced dancers and guest artists, giving them guidance and inspiration for the future

...Christian culture and standards, close family atmosphere and an emphasis on excellence in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere

...acting experience and familiarity with the conventions and traditions of the theater

...beautiful, age appropriate costumes

...a production of The Nutcracker each December, in which students may choose to participate


Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.


...tradition, beauty, the foundation for all forms of dance

While each dancer's progress is ultimately tied to their individual commitment, tenacity, hard work, and natural ability, The Dance Place provides the ballet education necessary for the ambitious dancer to pursue their dreams. Please keep in mind that additional technique and performance classes are vital for the serious student's development. If you are interested in pursuing ballet more seriously, we encourage you to sign up for a Cecchetti technique class. Specific class placement is at teacher discretion.

For the recreational dancer, our range of classical ballet, modern, liturgical, technique and Cecchetti classes are available for every age and experience level. Specific class placement is at teacher discretion.

Creative Pre-Ballet | Pointe | Cecchetti USA Syllabus Classes

Adult Ballet & Pointe
We offer Adult Classes for both beginners and those with prior experience. These classes place an extra emphasis on fitness, as well as technique. Adult students will also have the opportunity to perform in our ballets, although it is not a requirement!

Variations
Accomplished students study the original choreography of solo variations from famous ballets, building their repertoire. This class is usually offered in the fall.

Pas de Deux
Young men and women learn the basics of partnering, including supported turns and lifts. This class is usually offered in the fall.

Teacher Training
We offer teacher training and certification in the internationally recognized Cecchetti method of classical ballet. Judith Hawkesworth, a CUSA Fellow and Examiner, will individualize training to suit each teacher's needs. For more information about the Cecchetti method, visit cecchettiusa.org.


...for those committed to a disciplined pursuit of ballet technique

Dancers must show good progress, physical strength and mental focus, as well as being at least eleven years old and studying classical ballet for at least two years regardless of age, before they can be considered for pointe. All pointe students start in a beginning pointe class specifically aimed at developing strength and ability on pointe. In order to take this class and subsequent levels of pointe, dancers must be enrolled in at least one other ballet technique class at The Dance Place. Best progress has been noted in students taking more than two classes a week.

...an introduction to the fundamentals using play, stories, and dance

Our Creative Pre-Ballet classes use fun, games, and creative movement to teach our youngest dancers the basics of dance. Each month includes a different special theme day, such as:

Bring a Friend to Dance Day
Parents Dance Day
Thankful Hearts Day
Parents Observation Day
Recital Reveal Day
Love One Another Day
Costume Day
Bring Your Doll to Dance Day

These dancers are all included in our full-length ballet at the end of the year and have the option to participate in our production of The Nutcracker. (Ages 3+)

...internationally recognized ballet technique training

Cecchetti USA Syllabus Classes offer a chance for the focused dancer to strengthen her ballet technique. Each level has a set syllabus of excercises that the student memorizes and perfects throughout the year. At the end of the year, students with teacher permission will have the opportunity to present the exercises for an examiner from Cecchetti USA. These technique classes are required for students going on pointe. For more information about the Cecchetti method, visit cecchettiusa.org. Grade placement is at teacher discretion and evaluations are optional.

...an opportunity to worship and witness through the power of dance

Our Liturgical Dance Teams develop a repertoire of dances set to contemporary Christian music and perform at various programs and churches throughout the year. There is no monthly tuition fee for Liturgical if the student is enrolled in another class. There is an initial fee of $65.00, plus a costume fee and conference fees. This information will be available at registration.

...expressive, contemporary, a variety of traditional techniques

Modern dance is a an expressive form of contemporary movement that incorporates a variety of dance forms that culminate into a cohesive whole. Dancing barefoot, dancers will learn a variety of traditional modern techniques while increasing core strength, boldness in movement, and adaptation to varying styles. Our Modern classes also take part in our full-length ballet at the end of the year.

...for students who want more personalized attention

All of our teachers offer private lessons, which can be scheduled separately between student and teacher. These are available either on a regular schedule or in preparation for something specific, like a Cecchetti evaluation or performances.

Pricing for these one on one sessions is as follows:

$25 per Half Hour Lesson

$35 per 45 Minute Lesson

$45 per One Hour Lesson

...a way to connect with the community through dance

The Dance Place Performance Teams serve the community, spread awareness and appreciation for classical ballet, and provide dancers with additional performance opportunities. Team members perform in lecture-demonstrations for various after-school programs and in a full-length Nutcracker production, the proceeds of which benefit the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County.
  • Overview
  • Classical Ballet
  • Pointe
  • Creative Pre-Ballet
  • Cecchetti
  • Liturgical
  • Modern
  • Private Lessons
  • Performance Teams

Tuition & Fees 2023-2024

There is a $85 recital package fee per student each semester. This includes a recital costume and tights, recital fee in lieu of tickets, t-shirt with the recital design, and a digital download of the recital.

Invoices are sent on the 1st and are due no later than the 15th of each month. Full tuition is due regardless of a students attendance for the month.

There is no deduction for missed lessons, including holidays. Holidays are taken into account when formulating fees for the year. If a classes is canceled due to inclement whether or sickness on our part, a makeup class will be scheduled at a later date.

Payments should be made by check, cash, or credit card to The Dance Place. A $10.00 late fee will be added to unpaid invoices on the 16th of the month. Returned checks will be charged a $25.00 fee. If two months of tuition payments are missed, your child will not be able to return to class until the full balance is paid. If you decide your child will no longer attend classes, you are responsible for full tuition until we receive notice.

Registration Fee
If paid by June 1, 2023 $10.00-15.00 per student*
If paid by July 1, 2023 $15.00 per student
If paid by August 1, 2023 $20.00 per student
If paid after August 1, 2023 $25.00 per student

* $5.00 discount per student for returning families

Payment Schedules

Monthly
First Class (Pre-ballet, Ballet 1-4) $45.00
First Class (All Other Classes) $55.00
Additional class (same student), add $40.00
Additional student, subtract $5.00
Recital Fee (Part 1), due by Aug. 15 $85.00
Recital Fee (Part 2), due by Jan. 15 $85.00
Once a Year
Receive One Month of First Class Free!
First Class (Pre-ballet, Ballet 1-4) $530.00
First Class (All Other Classes) $610.00
Additional class (same student), add $360.00
Additional student, subtract $45.00
Recital Fee (Total), due by Aug. 15 $170.00

Private Lessons
Available Upon Request
30 minutes $25.00 per lesson
45 minutes $35.00 per lesson
60 minutes $45.00 per lesson

Photography Credits: Jimmy Wood and Anthony Hawkesworth | Website by Katherine Dickinson