Village Dance Studio is a family owned business that has been in the Zionsville & Whitestown community since 1977. Our staff, students, and parents make up the VDS family where our passion for dance gets to be shared.
What sets VDS apart from other dance studios?
Our studio strives to maintain a healthy balance between the rigors of technique and the sheer joy of dancing. For this reason, our classes emphasize technical training and also teach specific dances. Our faculty are dedicated and well-qualified college graduates, many with extensive college dance & professional experience. We offer leadership opportunities to dancers of all ages, flexible dance style and class schedule options, and a non-competitive, encouraging atmosphere. We also provide age-appropriate music and costumes for our dancers and promote modest attire at all times. These values have produced results, as we have low turnover in both our faculty and our families.
Will there be costs other than tuition?
We work hard to keep extra costs to a minimum. The only other necessary costs will be for dance wear (e.g. leotard, tights, shoes – the exact requirements vary by dance style). Optional costs include costume and recital fees (if you choose to participate in the recital), recital DVD/Blu-Ray and dancer gifts opportunities, spirit wear (typically on non-recital years), and a few small fundraisers. There is also a fee for participation in our audition-only Ensemble and Juniors groups for older dancers.
What clothes and shoes does my dancer need, and where can I get them?
Click the link and scroll down for dance attire listed on our website under attire & guidelines.
When can I see my child dance?
Each year we hold an end-of-year performance, which serves as a culmination of the dancer’s year-long work and the best opportunity for parents and other family members to watch the dancer. But you can also see your child dance at other times throughout the year. During typical years parents can watch their dancer through the studio window during weekly classes. Please do not continuously video tape your dancer through the window or distract the students. We also hold three Parents’ Observation Weeks throughout the year during which parents are invited to sit in on their dancer’s class.
What is the end-of-year performance?
Every other year we rotate between a Recital and a Showcase. A Recital is big, flashy, exciting, and fulfilling—in short, everything you’d expect it to be. A Showcase is more informal and requires less of a time commitment. It also keeps fees down (no formal costumes purchased) while still providing dancers with the opportunity to dance on stage. Because of its low-key nature, a Showcase allows our classes to focus more on how to dance than simply learning a dance. This gives dancers more time to learn technique and other essentials that we value highly at VDS. Both opportunities allow dancers to put on a show and dance on the stage at Zionsville High School’s Star Bank Performing Arts Center.
What kind of time commitment does dancing at VDS involve?
It’s up to you! There is no required program to follow. We have classes and options for everyone, from the completely recreational dancer to someone preparing to dance in college. Many of our dancers also participate in other extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, youth groups, theater and more. Typical dancer involvement looks something like this:
How do I select the right level of class for my dancer? Do they always move up in level each year?
For a young beginner, see our general age placements under the class descriptions. For older new students, we offer a free trial class, and we can conduct an individual assessment or have a one-on-one conversation to better understand a dancer’s history and goals. For current dancers, level recommendations from the teachers will be sent home toward the end of each season. Because we take the technical training and social development of each dancer so seriously, we do not always advance a dancer each year. Most do move up every year—at least through Ballet V—and some younger dancers may even skip a level. Once dancers reach Ballet VI, they generally stay in each of the advanced levels for two years.
Does VDS perform in any dance competitions?
No. We believe that competitions tend to distract from the most important aspects of a dancer’s training. Without the pressure of competition, we can prioritize the self-esteem, time, and health of our dancers. Our faculty value individual growth and group encouragement.
What additional performing opportunities are available for my dancer?
Dancers who have auditioned and been selected to be in our Juniors & Ensemble groups have the opportunity to participate in our Nutcracker short & Suite. We also have opened up this production to currently enrolled Ballet II-V dancers for some of our little kid scenes. Auditions to participate in the Nutcracker, if not a member of the Ensemble or Juniors, will be held in the fall a few weeks after classes have begun.
My dancer is approaching Advanced Ballet levels and wants to know about Ensemble and pointe shoes. How does that work at VDS?
For more information about Ensemble and Juniors, see our Performing Groups and audition information. For pointe shoes, a dancer must—at a minimum—be 12 years old, have finished one year of Ballet VI, and attend at least two ballet classes a week for half a semester. Dancers who have met these requirements should consult their teacher for further information. Our ballet teachers will assess dancers on a case-by-case basis, taking into account such characteristics as strength and technique, body awareness and structure, and mental maturity and attitude.
Can you accommodate a dancer with physical challenges?
Absolutely! We work with families on a case by case basis. Contact the office if you would like to discuss options.
Are there opportunities to get involved as a parent?
Yes. Parents are needed to help throughout the year with performance prep and more. The best way to get involved is through the Parents' Council. This is a group of volunteer parents that help and support the Village Dance Studio and their dancers. Meetings are held once a month on varied days The Parent's Council supports VDS activities such as class incentive prizes, fundraisers, holiday parties, Recital/DVD and flower sales, Ensemble trip, and more. The Parents' Council plays a huge role every other spring with our recital by organizing committees, props, other volunteers, and much more. They also help organize the Ensemble fundraisers each year.
How does VDS ensure a place of belonging and inclusion for all dancers?
Our studio prioritizes a cooperative and encouraging atmosphere and we seek to realize this goal for our dancers, our faculty, and our parents. We engage in team-building and inclusion activities in our classes, and we train many of our older dancers to assist in the younger levels. This provides our older dancers a true sense of belonging and enables them to pass on our tradition of encouragement and support to newer dancers. We have a compassionate staff who love to make dancers feel at home and are also happy to talk outside of class. This atmosphere extends to our families, all of whom are invited to participate in the Parents’ Council and so have a hand in the continuing mission and direction of the studio.
Additional resources & quick links:
What sets VDS apart from other dance studios?
Our studio strives to maintain a healthy balance between the rigors of technique and the sheer joy of dancing. For this reason, our classes emphasize technical training and also teach specific dances. Our faculty are dedicated and well-qualified college graduates, many with extensive college dance & professional experience. We offer leadership opportunities to dancers of all ages, flexible dance style and class schedule options, and a non-competitive, encouraging atmosphere. We also provide age-appropriate music and costumes for our dancers and promote modest attire at all times. These values have produced results, as we have low turnover in both our faculty and our families.
Will there be costs other than tuition?
We work hard to keep extra costs to a minimum. The only other necessary costs will be for dance wear (e.g. leotard, tights, shoes – the exact requirements vary by dance style). Optional costs include costume and recital fees (if you choose to participate in the recital), recital DVD/Blu-Ray and dancer gifts opportunities, spirit wear (typically on non-recital years), and a few small fundraisers. There is also a fee for participation in our audition-only Ensemble and Juniors groups for older dancers.
What clothes and shoes does my dancer need, and where can I get them?
Click the link and scroll down for dance attire listed on our website under attire & guidelines.
When can I see my child dance?
Each year we hold an end-of-year performance, which serves as a culmination of the dancer’s year-long work and the best opportunity for parents and other family members to watch the dancer. But you can also see your child dance at other times throughout the year. During typical years parents can watch their dancer through the studio window during weekly classes. Please do not continuously video tape your dancer through the window or distract the students. We also hold three Parents’ Observation Weeks throughout the year during which parents are invited to sit in on their dancer’s class.
What is the end-of-year performance?
Every other year we rotate between a Recital and a Showcase. A Recital is big, flashy, exciting, and fulfilling—in short, everything you’d expect it to be. A Showcase is more informal and requires less of a time commitment. It also keeps fees down (no formal costumes purchased) while still providing dancers with the opportunity to dance on stage. Because of its low-key nature, a Showcase allows our classes to focus more on how to dance than simply learning a dance. This gives dancers more time to learn technique and other essentials that we value highly at VDS. Both opportunities allow dancers to put on a show and dance on the stage at Zionsville High School’s Star Bank Performing Arts Center.
What kind of time commitment does dancing at VDS involve?
It’s up to you! There is no required program to follow. We have classes and options for everyone, from the completely recreational dancer to someone preparing to dance in college. Many of our dancers also participate in other extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, youth groups, theater and more. Typical dancer involvement looks something like this:
- Under 1st grade: 45 minutes (1 class) per week
- 1st-3rd grades: 1 – 1 ½ hours (1-2 classes) per week
- 4th-6th grades: 1 – 2 ½ hours (1-3 classes) per week
- Above 6th grade: can vary from 45 minutes to 7+ hours (1-5 classes) per week
How do I select the right level of class for my dancer? Do they always move up in level each year?
For a young beginner, see our general age placements under the class descriptions. For older new students, we offer a free trial class, and we can conduct an individual assessment or have a one-on-one conversation to better understand a dancer’s history and goals. For current dancers, level recommendations from the teachers will be sent home toward the end of each season. Because we take the technical training and social development of each dancer so seriously, we do not always advance a dancer each year. Most do move up every year—at least through Ballet V—and some younger dancers may even skip a level. Once dancers reach Ballet VI, they generally stay in each of the advanced levels for two years.
Does VDS perform in any dance competitions?
No. We believe that competitions tend to distract from the most important aspects of a dancer’s training. Without the pressure of competition, we can prioritize the self-esteem, time, and health of our dancers. Our faculty value individual growth and group encouragement.
What additional performing opportunities are available for my dancer?
Dancers who have auditioned and been selected to be in our Juniors & Ensemble groups have the opportunity to participate in our Nutcracker short & Suite. We also have opened up this production to currently enrolled Ballet II-V dancers for some of our little kid scenes. Auditions to participate in the Nutcracker, if not a member of the Ensemble or Juniors, will be held in the fall a few weeks after classes have begun.
My dancer is approaching Advanced Ballet levels and wants to know about Ensemble and pointe shoes. How does that work at VDS?
For more information about Ensemble and Juniors, see our Performing Groups and audition information. For pointe shoes, a dancer must—at a minimum—be 12 years old, have finished one year of Ballet VI, and attend at least two ballet classes a week for half a semester. Dancers who have met these requirements should consult their teacher for further information. Our ballet teachers will assess dancers on a case-by-case basis, taking into account such characteristics as strength and technique, body awareness and structure, and mental maturity and attitude.
Can you accommodate a dancer with physical challenges?
Absolutely! We work with families on a case by case basis. Contact the office if you would like to discuss options.
Are there opportunities to get involved as a parent?
Yes. Parents are needed to help throughout the year with performance prep and more. The best way to get involved is through the Parents' Council. This is a group of volunteer parents that help and support the Village Dance Studio and their dancers. Meetings are held once a month on varied days The Parent's Council supports VDS activities such as class incentive prizes, fundraisers, holiday parties, Recital/DVD and flower sales, Ensemble trip, and more. The Parents' Council plays a huge role every other spring with our recital by organizing committees, props, other volunteers, and much more. They also help organize the Ensemble fundraisers each year.
How does VDS ensure a place of belonging and inclusion for all dancers?
Our studio prioritizes a cooperative and encouraging atmosphere and we seek to realize this goal for our dancers, our faculty, and our parents. We engage in team-building and inclusion activities in our classes, and we train many of our older dancers to assist in the younger levels. This provides our older dancers a true sense of belonging and enables them to pass on our tradition of encouragement and support to newer dancers. We have a compassionate staff who love to make dancers feel at home and are also happy to talk outside of class. This atmosphere extends to our families, all of whom are invited to participate in the Parents’ Council and so have a hand in the continuing mission and direction of the studio.
Additional resources & quick links: