With the 2022 school year starting, Noozhawk has put together our annual ParentNooz Afterschool Activities Guide. We made sure to make things easy when planning your child’s school year and have compiled a list of local organizations who are offering afterschool programs.
To help give parents more information about afterschool programs in Santa Barbara County, Noozhawk has conducted a series of interviews with representatives of local programs for this year’s Afterschool Activities Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Valerie Huston, Interim Executive Director at Santa Barbara Festival Ballet, to learn more about their afterschool programs here in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara Festival Ballet
Question: What is the name of your Afterschool Activity/Program? What is its mission?
Answer: Santa Barbara Festival Ballet Dance conservatory. We aim to provide the highest level of dance training in a nurturing and creative environment.
Q: When was your program started and what was the inspiration for creating your program?
A: Our program was started in 1968 with previous directors Robert and Carol Hanlin. The organization has evolved with training in ballet and modern dance as well as conditioning classes. We have a performing company for teens which participates in the Nutcracker at the Arlington each year and a Youth Ensemble for younger students.
Q: What is the age range for children to take part in your afterschool activity or program?
A: Youngest is 3 years for creative movement and up through adult levels.
Q: Describe a typical day or schedule of your afterschool activity.
A: Most student take 2 -3 hour and a half classes per week. More advanced students train daily and on some days take two technique classes.
Q: What is the average program size or class size for your activity? Teacher to student ratio?
A: 7 -10 students in a class with one instructor.
Q: What is the protocol for bringing on a new employee or teacher? How are employees vetted before joining your program?
A: Teachers are carefully vetted before teaching in our school. Faculty have extensive careers in dance including dance degrees and years of performance and teaching experience. Prospective candidates teach a class and are reviewed by our Conservatory Director. Resumés are required and references are required.
Q: In what ways is your program educational?
A: In addition to dance techniques our students learn basic music skills, creative work in dance, and the skill of working well with others. In each class they are able to express emotion and quality through movment which eventually empowers them to honor their individuality.
Q: Describe what makes your afterschool program unique and worthwhile?
A: Intensity and professionalism of the program. It is comparable to training programs at centers such as the San Francisco Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.
Q: How do you communicate with parents in case of an emergency?
A: Our school receptionist has contact information for all students and would reach parents by phone or text in case of emergency.
Q: What is the date range and hours of your afterschool activity or program?
A: Our classes are availalbe throughout the academic year.
Q: What is the cost? Are scholarships available?
A: Creative Movement and Primary class rates: 10 classes for $110.00 5 classes for $65.00 Single class for $15.00 Open Teen & Adult class rates: 8 classes for $115.00 Single class for $20.00 Single class rate for SBFB alumni, UCSB & SBCC students $15.00 per class. Scholarships are available for our programs.
Click here to learn more about Santa Barbara Festival Ballet and their afterschool programs!