Northwest Ballet Center
Ballet - Jazz - Contemporary - Jazz Funk
About the Studio
NWBC HISTORY: NWBC was originally started by Rae McCaul back in the late 1970's. Then was passed on to long time teacher, Lauralee (and her husband, David) Dewey, when Rae retired around 2015. In 2021 Lauralee and David passed the studio on to (at the time) teacher/studio coordinator Sabrina (and her husband, Daniel) Han. Sabrina has been working on continuing the wonderful legacy of NWBC since.
NEW LOCATION: After almost 40 years in the Lake Forest Park Town Center, NWBC officially moved locations to the Ballinger Village Shopping Center in July of 2023. It was a difficult decision, as we loved our time in the LFP Town Center, but it was time for something bigger. We are excited to continue growing as a studio and to be able to teach dance in a larger space. Thank you for all the love and support during this journey. Check out our social media to get more updates on all the fun at NWBC!
*Please read our monthly newsletters (under the Dancer Resources tab) for updates on how our studio is operating during this time.*
Dancer Resources
Where can I register for classes?
Register by EMAIL, for available spots, when online registration is closed. Please include your dancer's name, birthdate, and preferred class(es).
**Auto Pay must be turned on in the Dance Portal to register!
You can also email, text, or call us with questions!
When and where do I pay my tuition?
Auto-Pay: Tuition payments will be processed through the Dance Portal on the 10th of every month.
Cash/Check: Payment must be turned in the studio's money box by the 9th of every month (no exceptions). Please note dancer's full name and which month(s) is(/are) being paid for. Checks can be made out to Northwest Ballet Center.
How much do I need to pay a month?
30 Minute Class: $55.00
45 Minute Class: $60.00
60 Minute Class: $65.00
90 Minute Class: $75.00
120 Minute Class: $85.00
Multi-class Discount (taken off of total monthly tuition):
10%: 2 classes
15%: 3+ classes
Private Class/Drop-ins (per class):
- 30 minutes: $18
- 45 minutes: $20
- 60 minutes: $22
- 90 minutes: $24
Tuition is broken into 10 monthly installments for the dance year (Sept.-June). All months of instruction are considered a full month. Summer quarter tuition may run at a different rate depending on what is planned for that particular quarter.
Do I have to pay a registration fee?
New Dancer Registration: $30.00
Returning Dancer Registration: $10 (discount applied after classes start)
** No registration fee for Summer quarter (July/August).
What class(es) should I sign up for?
**New Dancers: Ages listed are just for a base reference. Must have turned the listed age before the start of the dance year (September) to register. Final placements (if needed) will be made during the first few classes.
**Returning Dancers: Dancers typically stay in the same level for a full dance year (September-June), regardless of age. Unless there is a noticeable difference in levels (from the studio's eyes) classes tend to move levels together. It is also not uncommon for dancers to stay in a level for more than one year. Levels all depend on the demographic of dancers we have enrolled each year.
Dancer Handbook
NWBC Dancer Handbook 2024-2025 .pdf
What should I wear to my Ballet class?
Males: We prefer fitted athletic tops and bottoms. However, as long as your teacher can see what your body is doing without excess clothing in the way, most to all athletic clothing will suffice. More "traditionally" a solid white shirt and black tights or bottoms will also work!
Females: Leotard and tights (your choice of style and color)! Ballet/wrap skirts are optional. For upper levels, teachers may allow other styles of athletic wear during class time.
What should I wear to my Jazz class?
For clothing a normal t-shirt, leotard, or tank top and leggings, jazz pants, or shorts are typically a good choice!. No jeans, overly baggy clothing, or dresses/skirts without shorts or leggings underneath.
What should I wear to my Contemporary class?
For clothing most to all athletic wear is accepted as long as it isn't distracting or hides too much of your body. Typically a t-shirt, leotard, or tank top and leggings, jazz pants, or shorts are a good choice!
What should I wear to my Jazz Funk class?
What should I wear to my Dance Basics class?
For clothing a t-shirt, leotard, or tank top and leggings, jazz pants, or shorts are typically a good choice! No jeans, overly baggy clothing, or dresses/skirts without shorts or leggings underneath.
Where can I buy my dance shoes and clothes?
How can I order studio merch/gear?
Print out an order form and turn it in to the studio. The studio will make and process orders sporadically throughout the year.
NWBC Merch Order Forms 2024.pdf
When do I have to order studio gear by?
- August/September orders will receive gear by October (as long as nothing is back ordered).
- January/February orders will receive gear by March (as long as nothing is back ordered).
What studio merch can I order?
Items may be available at the studio. Orders for items not available at the studio are made during different times of the year.
NWBC Class Schedules: Summer Quarter 2024 and 2024-2025 Dance Year
NWBC Class Schedule (Summer 2024 and 2024-2025 Dance Year).pdf
NWBC 2024-2025 Calendar
Newsletters!
2024-2025 Schedule
Fall Quarter 2024: September-December
MONDAY
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 4-5
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 6+
Teacher: Vanessa Fontaine
Ages: 5-6
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Vanessa Fontaine
Dance Team: Seniors
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 10+
Teacher: Vanessa Fontaine
Ages: 13+
Teacher: Vanessa Fontaine
Ages: 12+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
TUESDAY
Ages: 2.5-5
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
Ages: 6+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 10+
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 12+
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
Ages: 12+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 18+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
WEDNESDAY
Dance Team: Seniors
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Dance Team: Seniors
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Teens/Seniors
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Dance Team: Juniors
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Juniors
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Ages: 12+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
THURSDAY
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Jude Myers
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
Ages: 4-5
Teacher: Jude Myers
Ages: 4-5
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
Ages: 5-6
Teacher: Jude Myers
Ages: 5-6
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Vanessa Fontaine
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
Ages: 10+
Teacher: Vanessa Fontaine
Ages: 10+
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
Ages: 12+
Teacher: Vanessa Fontaine
Ages: 18+
Teacher: Katelyn Kingham
FRIDAY
Teens/Seniors
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Juniors
Teacher: Sabrina Han
SATURDAY
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Clara Hanley
Ages: 6+
Teacher: Fawnia Chauvaux
Ages: 4-5
Teacher: Clara Hanley
Ages: 5-6
Teacher: Clara Hanley
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Fawnia Chauvaux
Class Styles
Events
Stop by our studio and get a little taste of our dance school. We will be available to help with registration and getting all your studio gear ready to go. Get a chance to meet some of our teachers/staff and maybe some future classmates! The NWBC Dance Team will also be selling some delicious baked goods to fundraise for upcoming competitions. Come and support!
This Summer dance camp is geared towards dancers ages 6-13 (upcoming 1st graders-8th graders). Each day is filled with technique classes, choreography, crafts, games, and more!
This Summer dance camp is geared towards dancers ages 3-5 (preschool-upcoming kindergarteners). Each day is filled with dancing, crafts, games, and more!
This year NWBC presents HEORES & VILLAINS! Our annual end of year, Spring Recital is going to be held at the Shorecrest High School PAC. We are so excited to celebrate year 46 with dances all about different heroes and villains. This year recital will be split into 2 shows (1PM and 3PM). Tickets will be pre-sold through the Dance Portal starting May 1st. Contact us for more information!
NWBC Dance Team auditions are June 5th at 6:30 pm with a mandatory parents/caregiver meeting to follow (approx. around 7:30 pm). Auditions are open to dancers ages 8-18 with prior experience to dance (ballet, jazz, contemporary, and/or jazz funk). We are looking for dancers who are passionate about dance, ready to work hard, excited to train in multiple styles, and want to make great friends. We hope to see you there!
This year we will be combining annual Fall and Winter recitals into 1 Fall Holiday Recital! There will be 2 back to back showings (1PM and 3PM) that will showcase some of what our dancers have learned this quarter. Each show is a little different, so feel free to watch both. Our teachers and dancers are working hard to put together some awesome dances. Keep an eye and ear out for some spooky and fun holiday music/dances. Check out our social media or become a part of our email list to learn more about the show. You won't want to miss out!
Join us at our new studio and get a little taste of our dance school. We will be available to help with registration and getting all your studio gear ready to go. Our 2023-2024 dance team will also be doing a short performance in Studio B. Come grab a snack, get registered, and enjoy getting to mingle with some of our teachers and maybe some future classmates!
Register for our 2023-2024 Dance Year! We have so many new classes available at our brand new location. We can't wait to dance with you soon!
This year NWBC presents Dance Speaks! Our annual end of year, Spring Recital is going to be held at the Shorecrest High School PAC. We are so excited to celebrate year 45 with dances that share motivational, inspiring, and positive stories. Tickets will be pre-sold through the Dance Portal starting May 1st. Contact us for more information!
This year we will be splitting our annual Winter Recital into 2 shows! These back to back shows (1PM and 3PM) will showcase some of what our dancers have learned this quarter. Our teachers and dancers are working hard to put together some awesome dances. Keep an eye and ear out for some Nutcracker and fun holiday music/dances. Check out our social media or become a part of our email list to learn more about the show. You won't want to miss out!
This year we will be splitting our annual Fall Recital into 2 shows! These back to back shows will showcase what our dancers are learning in a fun and spooky way. Our teachers and dancers are working hard to put together some awesome dances, including our annual "Thriller" and "This is Halloween" dances. Check out our social media or become a part of our email list to learn more about the show. You won't want to miss out!
Our annual Sumer Spotlight Dance Camp is great for dancers of all levels! This we will have 2 focus groups split by age (6-10 year-olds and 11-18 year-olds). All dancers will get the chance to learn technique and mini combinations in ballet, jazz/HH, and contemporary dance styles. Along with all our arts & crafts, dancers will also have a portion of day set for their own personal choreography. They will become choreographers, directors, and dancers by the end of the 4 days! Registration begins and runs the full month of July.
This year our annual Twinkle Toes Dance Camp will be split into 2 age groups! 9:30-11:30 am for dancers ages 3-4 years old and 12-2:30 pm for dancers ages 5-6 years old. This is a great chance for your dancers to try some different styles of dance, learn choreography, and meet new friends! We play games, do some arts & crafts, and go on a fun walk around the town center. Registration will be open the full month of July!
This year NWBC presents Dancing Through The Decades! Our annual end of year, Spring Recital is going to be held at Shorecrest High School PAC. We are so excited to get things closer to normal and be in an indoor theater. Come and celebrate 100 years of music and dance with us! Tickets will be pre-sold at the studio or through our email northwestballetcenter@gmail.com starting May 1st. Contact us for more information!
Our annual 4-day dance camp for dancers ages 6-18!
Our annual Summer day camp for dancers ages 3-5!
This year NWBC presents A Disney Dance In The Parks! Our annual end of year, Spring Recital is going to be held outdoors. This is first for us, but with all the challenges the pandemic has brought, our dance family is ready to put on an awesome show! There will be options to watch in-person and virtually through Zoom. Tickets will be pre-sold at the studio or through our email northwestballetcenter@gmail.com. Contact us for more information!
This great 4 day camp is for dancers ages 6 and up. They will get the chance to learn technique and choreography in multiple styles of dance (ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, etc.). We also do a small little showcase on our last day of camp that includes dance pieces created by each of the dancers who attend camp. They will have time to choreograph their own works as soloists, duets, and/or groups. **A studio t-shirt and a pizza party lunch (Friday) is included in the cost as well!
This is an awesome day camp for dancers ages 3 to 5. They will have the chance to learn some ballet and jazz technique while getting to play fun dance games in our wonderful studio! **Studio t-shirt included in price!
Meet the Team!
Sabrina Han
Studio Owner & Teacher
Sabrina Han took over NWBC in 2021, but has been with the studio since 2017. She has trained in jazz, contemporary, ballet, modern, tap, and some street styles as well. She competed for 4 years with the Dulcineas Dance Team, a WIAA award winning team, under the direction of Kathryn Noonan. Her BFA degree with a double major in Dance and Education (ECO) was obtained from UW in 2019. She has had the opportunity of studying under/performing and collaborating with Brian Brooks, Carlye Eckert, Jennifer Salk, Rachel Lincoln, Hannah Wiley, Bruce McCormick, Wilson Mendieta, Steven Sofia, Etienne Cakpo, Brian Evans, Alethea Alexander, Dani Tirrell, Brandin Steffensen and many other artists. She has produced her own works, “perspective” and “moments” at UW in 2018/2019. While at NWBC, Sabrina has developed its jazz and contemporary programs, as well as, start the very first NWBC Dance Team in 2021. As Sabrina’s love for dance grows, she wants to continue exploring dance and how it can connect with other parts of life, choreograph meaningful work, and run/teach at NWBC!
Vivian Larsen
Teacher
Vivian Larsen is a teacher, choreographer, and performance artist. She has recently received her BFA in dance from Cornish College of the Arts. Vivian began training at seven in Las Vegas. She has trained in contemporary, ballet, modern, lyrical, and jazz. Vivian studied at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts high school, Las Vegas Dance Academy, and Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. After moving to Seattle, Vivian performed and choreographed in many Cornish productions and student-produced work. Vivian is currently teaching and choreographing in the Seattle area and is excited to work with the students of NWBC!
Vanessa Fontaine
Teacher
Vanessa Fontaine (she/her) is a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer based in Seattle. Originally from Las Vegas, NV, Vanessa attended Cornish College of the Arts and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance in 2024. Currently, Vanessa is a performer at Julia’s On Broadway, the longest running drag cabaret in Seattle. Vanessa loves all forms of live theatre, and loves to share her passion with her students!
Katelyn Kingham
Teacher
Originally from Illinois, Katelyn grew up in Huntsville, AL, where she began dancing at a local studio. After high school, she moved to Dallas to tour with Ingredients Dance Company. She then returned to Alabama to dance and instruct at several studios. In 2019, Katelyn continued her education at Nashville Ballet’s pre-professional program before moving to Seattle to attend Cornish College of the Arts. She has since performed with Cornish Dance Theatre, Artists at the Center, and MadArt installations. With a BFA in Dance, Katelyn is excited to return to teaching and share her love of dance with the community.
Jude Myers
Teacher
Jude is a NWBC 2022 Alumni! He spent his last few years of high school dedicating his time in the studio. Multiple days a week training in the upper level ballet classes and several other styles in the masterclasses. He has trained under Sabrina Han, Andrea Byrd, and Shira Liore. Jude will be entering his 3rd year of teaching the Pre-Ballet levels at NWBC, while working on getting his college degree. He is so excited and ready to work with the dancers!
Clara Hanley
Teacher
Clara has been dancing at NWBC for 10 years with the studio and was a teachers aide for two years in classes with teacher Sabrina and teacher Jude. She is stoked to continue to be able to dance with you all. She has danced under teacher Sabrina and teacher Rose and several other teachers who have since retired. She graduated spring of 2024 and is now attends Edmonds college, where she will be working on her musical education degree. She enjoys working with kids and helping them find the joys of dancing. She is so excited to meet the dancers!
Fawnia Chauvaux
Teacher
Fawnia Chauvaux has an extensive movement background in Dance, Yoga, and Physical Therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Washington with emphasis on World Dance and Culture and has studied: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, African, Brazilian, and Latin dance. She has been teaching a variety of dance to all ages since 1999. She is also a Certified Yoga Teacher and teaches Yoga for kids and adults. She has experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant teaching kids with developmental delays and special needs and adults in Outpatient and Home Health.
Lauralee Smith-Dewey
Teacher (Retired)
Lauralee Smith-Dewey is a retired certified Montessori Teacher. At the age of 19, with a strong desire to dance, she walked into Martha Nishitani’s 1970 modern dance class, and has never stopped since! She has since studied dance with several of Seattle’s local instructors: 1974 Nikitins School of Dance (Jazz/Ballet), 1977 Gwen Barker (Classical Ballet), 1980 Laura Denke (Pointe), 1992 Rae McCaul-Northwest Ballet Center (Performed on Pointe at age 40!), 1996 Ray Bussey (Jazz). Lauralee has also taken many open level adult classes at the Pacific Northwest Ballet school throughout her life in Seattle and Bellevue. In Ray Bussey’s class, she met Elizabeth Reyes, who mentored her at Northwest Ballet Center, first as a performer, and then as a teacher. She began teaching Pre-ballet classes for the 3-5 year age groups and continued with her “All Mixed Up” combination of Hip Hop, Jazz, and Ballet. It’s definitely a favorite with all age groups. Supporting her fellow instructors, and the entire community of dance at Northwest Ballet Center, at age 70 she continues her passion for dance.
Elizabeth Reyes
Teacher (Retired)
Elizabeth has been teaching for over 40 years. She was enrolled in dance classes at the age of 3 after her mother found her dressed in crinolines with album cover fans, dancing to Bolero. She has studied ballet, jazz, modern and tap. Instructors: Perry Brunson, Ray Bussey, Pat Hon, Dale Merrill, Jerry Tassin, Phyllis Legters, Mary Cowden Snyder, Joanne Nix, Betty Stipek, Rae McCaul Performance: Dance Theater of the North, Repertory Dancers Northwest, Colleen Corkery’s Jazz Ballet Choreography: company repertoire, musicals, public television clips, community fairs
Gallery
Contact Us!
- 20206 Ballinger Way Northeast, Shoreline, WA, USA
- Come join us at the Ballinger Village Plaza. We are right between the dentist and the gym. We can't wait to dance with you at our new location!
- northwestballetcenter@gmail.com
- Monday - Saturday
Studio communications is open Monday - Friday (generally between 10 am - 5 pm). You can contact us at any time, but responses will be made mostly during communication hours. *Email will always be the best form of contact!*
