At Excelsior School of Dance, for 25 years we have offered a thorough training program rooted in the rich traditions of classical ballet. This 10-year classical ballet program is grounded in the renowned ABT® (American Ballet Theatre) National Training Curriculum. Our structured syllabus, formal examinations, and trained teachers ensure technical excellence and artistic development at every level — from young beginners to pre-professional dancers. Each fall, we accept and ‘place’ new students to be part of our program and community.
Annual Theatrical Productions
We lead our dancers as they participate in ministry-based performance opportunities. Our annual theatrical productions, like Deliver Us (the story of Moses), Esther, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, give dancers the opportunity to share their God-given gifts and inspire others through skillful, meaningful storytelling on stage. In-studio rehearsals and focus build a spiritually and emotionally healthy environment and venue for the dancers. Always with a redemptive theme, the main production in May casts the entire student body — ornately costumed — in a theatrical show that tells a message of eternal value.
Our program also caters to our teens, offering vocational training options and class assisting with teacher training. ESD also hosts the professional traveling ballet company Ballet Excelsior of Houston, who has traveled worldwide with the Christian message of hope. Eligible advanced students may aim to become part of the Ballet Excelsior Trainee Program (BET). The BET program gives dancers a company experience and provides additional performance ministry opportunities.
End Goal
As ESD dancers systematically master technique in the curriculum and experience theatrical/ministry performances, their comprehension of the myriad future opportunities in—and related to—the industry emerges: professional ballerina, teacher, choreographer, business owner, university student of dance electives like science, musician, photographer, theater manager, playwright, ballet story writer, costume designer, filmmaker, stage director, artist, among many, many others. Through a platform of correct training, ESD graduates experience the ability to express themselves through the universal language of dance while enjoying the benefits of a learned-discipline art form. The experience enhances any future pursuit of a young person to articulate their message.
*Directors Sonja Staines and Liza Pollok, moved from Australia to the US in 1993, pioneering the work in 1993 with the Sonshine Christian Ballet Syllabus. With life long studies in dance education, including studies and experience with Cecchetti Ballet method, RAD, ISTD and CSTD, and Directors Sonja Staines and Liza Pollok are also now both ABT Certified Teachers, having successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 (ESD’s Level 8) respectively, and they embrace this, the National Curriculum for the USA. ESD syllabus is based on ABT National Curriculum.
Excelsior School of Dance
ABT®-Certified Syllabus
Classical Training Program – 10 Levels
Structured Progression & Examinations
Ministry-Based Performances
Annual Christian Theatrical Productions
Teacher Training Opportunities