FAQ

Registration for classes happens all year long. The best time to register is April through June for summer classes and June through August for the full season of classes that run from September through May. You can inquire at any time during the year for special sessions or any class availability.

YES! We we do offer a “risk free” trial class. Potential students should register online for the class they would like to try and indicate in the “note” that they would like to try the class first. We will not process payment until after the trial class.

Students may obtain permission from the director to participate in a trial class after the January enrolment deadline leading up to recital, as after this time we may not be able to obtain a costume for the spring recital.

Bring water for your child. Bring your camera. You are encouraged to take pictures. If you upload them on social media, be sure and check in at Next Step Dance Kodiak!

Give us a call at 907-654-5722 or contact us and we will be happy to help you choose the best class for your child according to their age and interests.

To offer the best possible experience to each student, class size is limited. A class will default to “wait list only” when it reaches the maximum registration limit. Classes are first come first served. You can register for the wait list and we will contact you as soon as there is an opening.

For their first class, please just have your dancer wear something comfortable they can move in- leggings and a shirt are always a good idea! We have shoes to borrow for your first class, or your dancer can go barefoot. Hair up in a bun or ponytail, please!

Once you’ve registered, we ask that you please purchase dress code color attire. All dress code attire will be available for sale in our Boutique located downstairs in our studio, and also online at our online store: http://bit.ly/ShopNSDK

R&M and Intro to Ballet/tap: leotards or skirted leotards in pink, lilac, or light blue. Skirts must be attached to leotard if you would like your dancer to wear a skirt. Fluffy or sparkly tutus are not appropriate, as they can be very distracting. Pink tights, pink ballet shoes. Hair in bun and no bangs.

BALLET:
Beginning Ballet 1&2: lavender leotards, lavender skirt if desired. Pink tights, pink ballet slippers. Hair in bun and no bangs.

Ballet 1&2: marine blue leotards and marine blue skirt if desired. Pink tights, pink ballet shoes. Hair in bun and no bangs.

Ballet 3&4: Plum leotards and plum or black skirt if desired. Pink footed or convertible tights, pink ballet shoes. Hair in bun and no bangs.

Ballet 5&6: black leotards and black skirt if desired. Pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes and pointe shoes if on pointe. Hair in bun and no bangs.

Ballet Boys: black dance pants or tights, and white shirts, tucked in.

For all ballet classes, warmups may be worn in cooler months from the start of class through tendus. Warm ups include dance sweaters, leg warmers or knit body warmers, “trash bag” shorts or pants.Please no t-shirts or baggy tank tops in class.

Hip Hop and Boys Funk/Jazz class:  tank tops, dance tops, tee shirts, sweatpants, dance pants, or legging.  Shoes worn for Hip Hop must be clean, dance class only “tennis shoes” or jazz shoes which are not worn outside or for normal everyday use. Black jazz shoes for Boys funk/jazz classes. Hair in ponytail or bun or braids (girls).

Tap: black leggings, dance pants or shorts, racer-back tanktop or color-coded leo for girls, plain white t-shirt for boys. Teeny Tappers-Tap 1A tan shoes, Tap 1B-adults black shoes. Hair in ponytail or bun

Musical Theatre: black leggings, dance pants or shorts. Tanktop, leotard or t-shirt for girls, t-shirt for boys. Black jazz shoes. Hair in ponytail or bun or braids.

Contemporary: black leggings, dance pants, or shorts, racer-back tanktop or color-coded leo, foot undies or ballet flats (no socks). Tan convertible or footless tights, or bare legs. Pink convertible tights are fine if coming directly from ballet class. Hair in ponytail or bun or braids.

Jazz: black leggings, dance pants or shorts, racer-back tanktop or color-coded leo, black slip-on shoes. Tan convertible or footless tights, or bare legs. Pink convertible tights are fine if coming directly from ballet class. Hair in ponytail or bun or braids.

Acro: unitards for girls, shorts and plain white fitted t-shirt tucked into shorts for boys

Tumbling: unitards, shorts, leotard (girls) or fitted tank top or t-shirt tucked into pants. T-shirts must be fitted and able to be tucked in to shorts for safety in spotting, and so students don’t get distracted by loose clothing when working upside down.

Heck yes! We love our adult dancers, and we offer full year and short courses (8 weeks) in adult ballet and tap! Contact us to see about joining in, we would love to have you!

Costs vary all year with different programs and are available on the registration pages. We ensure affordable fun! Rates vary upon levels of dancers, number of classes per week, length of program (such as 8 week short courses for ballroom dance or ballet partnering) and discounts for siblings or family members, multiple classes, or payment of the semester in full. Tuition costs include registration fee and city taxes.

We are always available via email or phone to discuss concerns you may have. Classes at NSDK run back-to-back, and often teachers do not have time to thoroughly discuss concerns between classes. We want to be sure we are giving you the best and most complete information, so please do not try to engage teachers in lengthy conversation between classes! You can contact us via message or call us at 907-654-5722 to set up a time to come in and chat or ask questions you may have!

Attendance is a serious commitment at NSDK in order to make sure your dancer progresses at their fullest capability and that they keep up with new material and choreography. But we all get sick sometimes, and that’s A-Okay. Your dancer can jump into any other class that suits your schedule to make up for the missed hour. It can even be a different subject! You can make up a missed class, but if you chose to not make up your account will still not be credited for the missed class. So really try not to miss any!

Arrive early. Have your hair neatly secured back and dance shoes on before you enter the classroom. Dress appropriately for the class – follow dress code including hair, tights and shoes.

Wait in the lobby until your teacher comes to get your class. Give mom or dad a high five and enter the classroom area with your teacher.

If for some reason you arrive after class has begun, enter quietly and join in the lesson without disrupting.

Bring your dance bag and spill-resistant water bottle into the classroom and set it on the floor in front of the mirror.

Wait for designated water breaks, or ask your teacher’s permission before you have a drink of water.

Do not chew gum or bring food into the classroom.

Put your cell phone away in a safe place. Make sure it is on silent.

Save your stories and personal conversations for after class.

Be attentive. Listen to your teacher’s instructions. Raise your hand to speak and wait to be called upon.

Listen to the questions your classmates ask, as the answer will likely benefit you.

Keep your critiques and opinions of others to yourself. We all have different skills we can improve on.

Have a positive attitude. Clap for and encourage your classmates whenever possible.

Always give your best effort.

Have fun!

We are looking forward to seeing you in class soon! As always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

We know that activities can get expensive, and one of our goals is that every child who wants to dance is able to! We offer a variety of ways to offset monthly tuition payments.

Studio Cleaning

• Each weekend, the studio needs a top to bottom cleaning ($56/weekend)
• Once weekly during the week a lighter cleaning ($30/cleaning)

Scholarships

NSDK Tuition Scholarships

Supported by generous NSDK families, rose/t-shirt/photo sales, and donations as part of our ticket sales, NSDK offers 3, full-year, tuition scholarships. Application is answering a short questionnaire, and performing a 30 second piece of choreography of your own making. This application is not about finding the best technical dancer, it is about finding passionate students who want to dance as much as possible and aren’t able to support their full tuition on their own.

Costume Scholarships

We also provide 2 costume scholarships each year, thanks to generous support from an NSDK family. Families interested in costume scholarships should reach out to the NSDK office directly, and consideration will go first to families who have multiple costumes for their dancer(s).

Tribal and Other Scholarships

Many of our local Alaska Native organizations or tribal entities offer tuition scholarships for their members. Other local entities such as Kodiak Arts Council offer annual dance and arts scholarships as well. We are happy to provide invoices to these generous organizations.

Homeschool and Migrant Education reimbursement

We are a vendor with AK Teach, IDEA, and other home school options that will reimburse families for their dance tuition. Migrant Education through the KIBSD also pays full tuition for students.