Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
Click on the button below to learn what each class requires students to wear!
what are your tuition rates?
We offer a monthly payment tuition option, adult monthly memberships, and several discounts for multiple student families, college students and referrals. NEW THIS YEAR, Wellspring Dance Academy is offering a Priority Registration Tuition Rate Period. Families who register between July 1-August 31 will receive our Priority Registration Tuition Rates. WSDA tuition rates will increase September 1st after our Priority Registration Period has closed.
If you are in need of financial assistance, WSDA provides scholarships to low-income families and those suffering temporary financial hardship in increments of 25%, 50%, and 75%. Children and adults may both apply with first consideration given to youth candidates. APPLY HERE!
Why do parents wait outside and not watch the classes?
Some students find an audience to be distracting, especially if someone they care very much about is in that audience (like you!). It’s also good for the student’s social development to have time with other kids and a supportive teacher. We know that parents really want to see how their child is progressing, which is why we have Observation Week. We will send more info about Observation Week out as we get closer to the dates.
In regular class weeks, we like to offer the Epic Center Atrium to parents to wait while class is in session if you wish. This space is offered free-of-charge to us from the Arts Council. They occasionally host Atrium events at the same time as our classes, and in these cases we are not able to use this space. Please try to keep noise to a comfortable level in the Atrium, as we share this building with other arts organizations who host their own events. Additional space is available on the lower level of the building if the Epic Center Atrium is occupied by an event.
Bathrooms and dressing rooms...
It’s a good idea for students to use the restroom before dance class, as entrances and exits are disruptive. Parents of young children, make sure your little ones are taken to the bathroom before class (even though we have built-in bathroom breaks for the youngest classes). There are restrooms down the hall from the Wellspring Theater, by the elevators. We also have a dressing room available for changing clothes before and after class if desired.
PARKING…
Yes, parking downtown can be tricky, but you do have a few options! On the streets surrounding the Epic Center, there is free 30 and 90-minute parking, depending on where you park. There is also metered parking behind the Epic Center where you can pay to park for two hours at a time and it is free after 5:00 p.m. Additionally, there is paid and covered parking in the ramp attached to the Epic Center. The Ramp is only $5 on Saturdays and free on Sundays!
If bad weather cancels classes, how will I know?
Weather and emergency cancellations will be sent via email, sent via Remind text, and posted to our Facebook and Instagram pages.
What are your student policies?
Students age 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult both on their way in and out of the Theater. Wellspring instructors will not release children to be picked up in front of the building.
Please only bring water into the Wellspring Theater. No chewing gum, candy, food or drink is allowed. This is to keep the theater beautiful and also to keep our dancers with food allergies safe.
It is unique for our students to rehearse and take class in the same space that not only do they perform in, but our company and many professional artists also perform in. Because of this, it is important that you stress that this benefit comes with the responsibility of respecting the space. We have expensive lights, curtains, chairs, floors, and other equipment that we have to maintain. We ask that you establish expectations with your dancer about how to treat the space, including no running, climbing, or playing with the lights or curtains. If your dancer is unable to maintain a respectful etiquette with our theatre space, they may be dismissed from our academy. If anything in our theatre space is damaged as a result of your dancer’s actions, you will be held financially responsible for the damage or replacement.
Students will wait in the lobby until the doors are opened and they are invited in by the instructor. Students must be in full uniform at this time in order to enter into class. Please ensure all bathroom needs are attended to before class. This will ensure that all dancers receive their full time with the instructor and class.
Do you offer scholarships?
Wellspring provides scholarships to low-income families and those suffering temporary financial hardship in increments of 25%, 50% and 75%. Children and adults may both apply with first consideration given to youth applicants. Although Wellspring would love to award all applicants, scholarship funds are limited and not all requests can be filled. If your dancer receives a scholarship, 4 volunteer hours/month, September through June are required. Failure to fulfill the hourly quota will result in your dancer’s scholarship being revoked for the remainder of the academic year. Click here to access our scholarship application form or request one from the Wellspring office at 269-342-4354 to receive by mail. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the 2023-2024 Academic Year.
To be considered for scholarship support for our 2023-2024 session, please submit your application. Click Here.
Funding for Wellspring's Scholarship Program is provided by donations from individuals, the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, the Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.