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 will be officially moving 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 cannot wait to continue growing as a studio and being able to continue teaching dance in a larger space. Thank you for all the love and support during this whole process. Check out our social media to get more updates and fun looks at the renovation process!
*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 2023-2024.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.
What should I wear to my Jazz class?
For clothing most to all athletic wear is accepted as long as it is not distracting and more form fitting. No jeans, overly baggy clothing, or dresses/skirts without shorts or leggings underneath. A normal t-shirt, leotard, or tank top and leggings, jazz pants, or shorts are typically a good choice!
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 All Mixed Up and Dance Basics class?
For clothing most to all athletic wear is accepted as long as it is more form fitting and not distracting. No jeans, overly baggy clothing, or dresses/skirts without shorts or leggings underneath. A normal t-shirt, leotard, or tank top and leggings, jazz pants, or shorts are typically a good choice!
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 2023.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.
2023-2024 Class Schedule
NWBC 2023-2024 Class Schedule.pdf
2023-2024 Calendar
2023-2024 Schedule
SPR '24 classes begin April 1st! * Summer '24 registration opens July 1st!
MONDAY
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Rose Amlin
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Rose Amlin
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Rose Amlin
Ages: 5-7
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 10+
Teacher: Rose Amlin
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 18+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
TUESDAY
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Ages: 6+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
WEDNESDAY
Ages: 4-5
Teacher: Emma Neilson
Ages: 4-5
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 5-6
Teacher: Emma Neilson
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Ages: 12+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Teacher: Sabrina Han
THURSDAY
Ages: 5-6
Teacher: Emma Neilson
Ages: 5-6
Teacher: Rose Amlin
Ages: 6+
Teacher: Emma Neilson
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Rose Amlin
Ages: 12+
Teacher: Rose Amlin
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Emma Neilson
Ages: 18+
Teacher: Emma Neilson
FRIDAY
Ages: 2.5-4
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Ages: 4-5
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Ages: 12+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
Teacher: Sabrina Han
Ages: 10+
Teacher: Vivian Larsen
SATURDAY
Ages: 3-5
Teacher: Jude Myers
Ages: 6+
Teacher: Fawnia Chauvaux
Ages: 4-5
Teacher: Jude Myers
Ages: 5-6
Teacher: Jude Myers
Ages: 8+
Teacher: Fawnia Chauvaux
Class Styles
Events
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!
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!
Stop by 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. Get a chance to meet some of our teachers and maybe some future classmates! The bigger grand opening will be during our Saturday Open House.
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, and 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, choreographing meaningful work, and running/teaching at NWBC!
Emma Neilson
Teacher
Emma first started dancing when she was 4, studying Scottish Highland Dance. She danced competitively and won numerous medals and awards, and passed several medal tests through the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance (SDTA). Emma has attended summer intensives with Whitman Summer Dance Lab, Cornish College for the Arts, and International Ballet Academy (IBA). She spent three years studying at IBA and graduated from their Professional Division, after two years performing with them as an International Ballet Theatre member. Emma is currently a freelance artist, and has performed with The Guild Dance Company, Evoke Productions’ Full Tilt, and BennyRoyce Dance. This will be Emma’s second year as an instructor with Northwest Ballet Center. Emma is a Certified American Barre Technique Instructor and a Certified Flexistretcher Instructor. She also works at Dancewear Center, as an Assistant Store Manager, Social Media Manager, and a professional pointe shoe fitter.
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 2nd 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!
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!
Rose Amlin
Teacher
Rose Amlin (she/her) is a Seattle-based dance artist and educator. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2023 with degrees in dance and psychology. She has had the pleasure of performing in works by Dani Tirrell, Nia-Amina Minor, Rachel Lincoln, Majin O’Neal, Roel Seeber, Alethea Alexander, Alana Isiguen, Mike Esperanza, and many others. Rose’s own choreographic work has been presented at the University of Washington during her time there and at BOOST dance festival (2022). Rose has also found a love for dance in the vertical space and has attended workshops with BANDALOOP in Oakland, CA. Rose is continuously interested in blurring the lines between genres and has a great love for finding community and shared experiences through dance.
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!
- +1-(425)622-8112 - Sabrina Han - Studio Owner
- northwestballetcenter@gmail.com
- Monday - Saturday
Studio communications hours ("office hours") are Monday - Friday 3pm - 7pm. You can email, text, or call at any time, but responses will be made mostly during communication hours.
