Dance Team Options (2026-27)
At The ATTIC, our dance teams offer students the opportunity to deepen skills, build lasting friendships, and share their faith through performances, competitions, and community events.
Whether your dancer is looking for a fun performance experience or a more focused competition path, each team is designed to encourage their dance growth and Christ-like character. Explore the options below to find the best fit for your dancer this season!
1. Dance Team Overview
Dance team costs (including any additional classes) can be split into monthly payments billed the first week of each month (August–May). Credit card auto-pay is available.
2. Performance Team (Messengers)
Performance Team (our “Messengers”) offers a performance experience for dancers besides just Christmas showcase and recital. It includes a weekly class to learn and practice dances for performances/events. Performance team dances are engaging to an audience and are typically jazz or contemporary jazz. All Attic dances share a message of Christian faith.
Performance Team Requirements
To qualify for performance team, you must:
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Be 7 years of age
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Have completed at least one full year of dance
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And be registered for another class, praise team or competition team at The Attic from September–May
Performance Team Cost & Inclusions
Cost is $325 for the year and includes:
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30+ weeks of class (runs 9/8/26–5/15/27 with no class the weeks of Thanksgiving (11/23–11/27), Christmas (12/21–12/25), New Years (12/28–1/1), Spring Break (3/29–4/2))
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Community performance and service opportunities (Sept-May)
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A service event such as Feed My Starving Children
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Christmas showcases at The Attic the week before Christmas break
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Recital finale dance
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End of year banquet (for dancer and family)
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Christian dance convention opportunities
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Team builders (Bible studies and retreat night), etc.
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See additional required items in section below.
Although quite a few opportunities will be available throughout the year, only two performances are required per year. A full schedule with dates and the sign-up link will be available by September 1st. Some events/performances require admission fees for attendees (including dancers) and that info will be noted on the sign-up and is not included in the cost of the team (in some cases fees may be due in advance of event date).
Additional Required Items (Not Included in Cost)
Most items can be used for several years:
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Tan jazz shoes may be required for events (Sometimes jazz shoes can be found in our $3 family bins)
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White tennis shoes (low, not high tops) for outdoor events.
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Black tank or spaghetti-strap style leotard (MUST be worn under the blue sparkle top and cover what a normal leotard would cover – no front cutouts)
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Black plain style capri or full-length pants
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Makeup set of lip color, eye color, and blush–approximately $15 total (We will stay with the same products until they are discontinued and we aren’t able to purchase enough for new dancers–usually the center has stock, but can often be purchased locally). Specific colors are required.
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Attic team jacket (approximately $76 with name on front)–Jackets are black with a rhinestone logo on the back.
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Royal blue sequin top ($36)
Makeup Note: If you have a conviction to not have your child wear makeup, just let Tracy know.
Compassion International Sponsorship
The dance team sponsors a child, Jesca, from Kenya through Compassion International.
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Each team dancer pays approx $6-7 (included in tuition) per year to cover the $43/month sponsorship needed to support Jesca and her family.
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We keep a collection box at the center for extra gifts (birthday, Christmas, Easter, etc.) for those that wish to additionally bless her family.
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We ask each dancer to write one letter or send one card to Jesca each year.
3. Competition Team (Ambassadors)
Competition Team (our “Ambassadors”) requires performance team above and offers a competition experience and a weekend Christian dance convention, January 29-31, 2027 (The convention is optional but recommended, and for some of our highest-level competition teams it is required).
For competition weekends, you must keep the entire weekend free for the dancer. We won’t have schedules until 7–10 days prior to event.
(We offer non-competitive solos, duets, and trios, but must go through assessment.)
To give an idea of pricing: $650 small or large group comp team with 2 competitions. $850 duets/trios w/ 3 competitions. A performance team class and a ballet class will also be required. Some teams require a weekend convention.
Competition Team Requirements
All offers are made from assessments (dancers complete a questionnaire providing commitment and preferences along with their assessment).
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To go through our assessment process and be on our competition team, dancers must be 9+.
4. Praise Team (Proclaimers)
Praise Team (our “Proclaimers") requires performance team above and offers an additional team class with an opportunity to perform additional dance pieces at performance team events throughout the year.
Praise team dancers can also register and attend a 3-day Christian dance convention experience (January 29-31, 2027) for those interested.
Praise Team Requirements
To be eligible for Praise Team a dancer must:
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Be 9 years of age
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Have completed at least three years of dance since age 5
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Be registered for performance team at The Attic
Cost is $462 for the year.
5. Worship Team (Vessels)
Worship Team requires performance and group team above and is an opportunity for Extreme level contemporary dancers to make worship videos. (Class fee applicable per segment.)
6. Class Levels
Please see Class Levels on the Policy page.
7. Understudy Assignments
Understudy assignments are sometimes available. Many factors play into determining understudies including: the competition company’s rules for substituting, age (to not change division), level of dances, etc.
The understudy attends classes and practices with the team weekly.
The understudy would only perform should the need arise, but they must be available to substitute if needed (being available for all the performance commitments of that team).
It is possible that the understudy would never be needed to dance in a performance (for that particular act/dance).
Understudy Costs
Understudies attend weekly at no cost. The only costs they would incur would be an
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Approximately $65-$85 competition fee per competition (group dances, duet, etc) should they be needed to perform
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$80 for a costume (which would be ordered when the team order is placed to insure we have one
8. Solo Opportunities
A limited number of solo opportunities are available.
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High school seniors that are interested (and have danced at the center for the past few years) are given first consideration.
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Secondly, solos will be offered based on assessment results (to those that have had prior duet/trio performance experience) and have expressed interest on their questionnaire.
9. Assessment Process (2026-27)
This assessment process is used:
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To qualify ALL soloists for 2026-27.
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To qualify and group dancers of similar ability/skill and age for competitive team placement including small groups, duets, trios (competitive & non-competitive) for 2026-27.
Dance team is a “TEAM” sport and the following can negatively impact assessment scores when there have been:
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Excessive absences
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Tardy arrivals
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Class disruptions
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Dress code infractions
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Late arrival to competition/event
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Violations of the team commitment made
Offers of placements will be sent by June 8th. If there are still remaining spots on teams for competitive group dances, the registration may be extended until September (for just those remaining spots) for dancers injured at the time of assessment or new to The Attic.
If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
Below you will find the “First-Time” Assessment Process as well as the “Standard” Assessment Process for those who have gone through an assessment process at The Attic before or for those that prefer a Dance Team Assessment Class.
Email info@theatticdance.com (well in advance of the deadline) if there is a concern and the alternate process may work better for your dancer.
10. First-Time Assessment Process
If you have been assessed at The ATTIC in another year or you prefer to take an assessment class, jump below to the “Standard” Assessment Process.
Deadlines
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Register and turn in the questionnaire and commitment by Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
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Last day to turn in videos is Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Step 1
Sign up for the "Assessment for Team Placement" as you would register for a class on the Parent Portal. The cost is $15 and covers the expense of having instructors/evaluators review and score assessment submissions.
Step 2
Once registered, you will receive an email with two documents:
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Document #1—Team commitment
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Document #2—Questionnaire
If there is anything in the team commitment portion (from Doc #1) that you will not be able to commit to, email info@thatticdance.com right away to discuss.
To best group and place our dancers, we ask each dancer to complete a questionnaire (with their parent/s) that includes questions regarding whether they will be juggling other activities, the practice commitment they can make, what styles of dance they are most interested in, and what their ideal year would look (keeping cost considerations in mind, which are noted on the form).
Please, please do not list anything you would not be accepting should you be offered. This affects others so we ask that you carefully consider.
With parental input, complete your questionnaire and submit to info@theatticdance.com or give it to Tracy at the Attic desk by Wednesday, May 20th. Taking a picture and emailing it works great. Questionnaires must have a parent signature (indicating they have reviewed). With this, also please submit a copy of your signed “Commitment”.
Step 3
Submit questionnaire and signed “Commitment” by Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Step 4
Make two videos. If you wish to make your videos at The Attic, request a 45-min slot by emailing info@theatticdance.com to make arrangements. Please bring or arrange for someone to video (or we have a tri-pod available to use).
Video Requirements
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Only 2 videos will be accepted
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Neither video can be edited
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They must both be a continuous play
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For both videos, wear a black leotard with black bottoms (shorts, dance skirt, capri leggings, or full length leggings)
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Hair should be in a bun
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Shoes can be jazz, lyrical, half sole, or barefoot (your preference). You can even change shoes throughout when making video #1
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Show confidence and if having someone video, make sure it is someone that will not make you nervous
Videos can be airdropped while at the center or sent to our dropbox upload link. We can also accept a dvd or flash drive with your videos. You can even record on an Attic iPod, but just make sure we know where to find the video.
Video 1
The first video is all of the elements. Here is a sample video.
This video will be a running video with no edits. Please make sure you record elements like splits in a position to see from the side and not from the front or an angle that would make it difficult or impossible to evaluate. Videos can be made from anywhere and it is not required to be made in the studio. We do not expect you to memorize this list below and clipboards with this info are available to use in the studio (just ask at the desk). While making Video #1, you can play music, talk to your videographer if needed, breathe between elements, and take water breaks. You do not need to feel rushed.
Since evaluators are looking for consistency, you must do each element 2 times before moving to the next item (except for #1 & #10, which is only once). You can do a third should you feel the first two didn't reflect your best. In those cases, the third will be considered in the evaluation. Everything doesn't have to be done well, but we recommend doing everything to the best of your ability to receive the most overall points. You will receive zero points by not attempting. If you attempt, you may receive some points. It may even be better than you think. *#10 (center split) and *#12 are the only things that do not add points, but they are helpful to instructors to know what everyone can do when they begin to work on choreography. If you realize you forgot something, part way through, you can do it at the end. If anything is missed completely, it will be zero points for that element.
Video 1 will include the following:
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Pliés (2 demi, 1 grande in first, second, and fifth)
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Tendus (2 en croix)
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Chaînés (2) & piqués (2) (left & right)
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Pirouettes (left & right)–the maximum with a controlled landing
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Battement combo-2 front, 1 side, 1 back (left & right)
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Leap (left & right)-chasse, step, leap
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Tour jet (left & right)
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Capezio leap (also referred to as calypso) (left & right)
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Russian switch leap (left & right)
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Splits (left, right & *center)–with arms held parallel to floor for full credit – 4 second hold for each
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Second turns (left & right)
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*Any tricks/skills/extensions that are consistent (be prepared and know which you will do prior to recording)
Video 2
The second video is your choreography video, which will be looking for emotion, timing & execution.
You will only dance this once in your video. You are welcome to make multiple and submit the best. Here is the choreography to learn from the front and here is the same choreography from behind. The song is "Shepherd" and is the hotel session version by Local Sound.
11. Standard Assessment Process
This process is for those that have been assessed in a prior year or prefer a Dance Team Assessment class.
Deadlines
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Deadline to register and turn in questionnaires for assessment is Wednesday, May 20th, 2026.
Step 1
Sign up for (and attend) just ONE the Dance Team Assessment class dates as you would register for a class on the Parent Portal. The cost is $28 for this class and covers the expense of having 3 instructors instruct and evaluate for the duration of each class.
Step 2
Once registered, you will receive an email with the questionnaire and team commitment.
If there is anything in the team commitment portion that you will not be able to commit to, email info@thatticdance.com right away to discuss.
To best group and place our dancers, we ask each dancer to complete a questionnaire (with their parent/s) that includes questions regarding whether they will be juggling other activities, the practice commitment they can make, what styles of dance they are most interested in, and what their ideal year would look (keeping cost considerations in mind, which are noted on the form).
Please, please do not list anything you would not be accepting should you be offered. This affects others so we ask that you carefully consider.
With parental input, complete your questionnaire and submit to info@theatticdance.com or give it to Tracy at the Attic desk by Wednesday, May 20th. Taking a picture and emailing it works great. Questionnaires must have a parent signature (indicating they have reviewed). With this, also please submit a copy of your signed “Commitment”.