2024-2025
BALLET WITH THE CECCHETTI METHOD
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Joan’s Studio of Dance, located in Susanville California, has been training dancers of all ages for over 40 years. We specialize in Ceccehetti classical ballet, tap, character, and jazz. Our dance year runs from September and ends in June with our fun family friendly annual recital! We believe dance can be enjoyed by all and builds grace, poise, and self confidence both on and off the stage. Interested in trying a class? Stop by the studio to enroll today!
Cecchetti training is a rigorous method which pays careful attention to the laws of anatomy. It develops all of the qualities essential to the dancer: balance, poise, strength, elevation, elasticity, “ballon” and more. It is classic in its purity and clear-cut style.
CCA offers three pre-syllabus examinations for younger children, ages 5 – 9, that will develop poise and musicality in a fun and creative environment. The Primary One, Two, and Three syllabus instills the love of dance and allows for creative expression. The teacher directs and leads the students during the examination. A teacher must hold the Grade I Teaching Certificate in order to present students at this level.
For students on a more serious track, the two lower student grades will develop proper placement of torso, hips, and legs without exceeding anatomical limitations. The coordination of arms and head are developed with a concentration on smooth transitions throughout the exercises.
A more mature sense of musicality and quality of movement is emphasized in the third and fourth levels. Students develop strength and stability in the demonstration of the pirouettes and grand allegro. Suppleness and smooth graceful movements are developed in these levels along with the coordination of head, arms, legs, and body. Students present a one-minute dance for the Grade IV examination demonstrating the ability to perform through unset movements. Dance provides teachers the opportunity to help develop the student’s awareness of choreographic concepts.
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Joan Zuehlke
OWNER
Joan is a Cecchetti fellow of the Cecchetti Council of America and has received her advanced professional teachers certificate in classical ballet. For Joan, dancing is her whole life. She loves to dance and to spread her knowledge through teaching. You can read Joan’s full Bio below.
Jillaine Laughlin
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Jillaine has been dancing with Joan’s Studio of Dance for 25 years and has been a main teacher at the studio for 13 years. She has passed her Grade 7 Advanced Professional Exam and up to her Grade 3 teachers exam with the Cecchetti Method of Ballet. She has also danced with various companies and academies and loves Lyrical and Contemporary styles. She loves to encourage her students to use the art of ballet for creative expression while also striving for technical accuracy and excellence in their practice of the style.
Gabrielle Singleton
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Gabrielle has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She has passed her Grade 5 Cecchetti exam and has been trained in jazz, tap and lyrical.
Molly Bettencourt
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Molly has been dancing since the age of 2 years old. She has been trained in, and enjoys many different styles of dance. Molly has a passion for teaching the younger aged classes. She hopes to encourage the aspirations of her students and help them grow in their love for dance.
Juliette Singleton
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Juliette Singleton has had a deep love for dance and has pursued it since she was 4 years old. She trained in tap, jazz, lyrical, character, and ballet through Joan’s Studio of Dance. She has also been dancing with Reno Dance Company for the last year and a half and is excited to share her passion for the art of dance with her students.
Miah Mallery
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Miah has been dancing with Joan’s Studio of Dance since she was 5 years old. She passed her Grade 5 Cecchetti exam, and has been trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and contemporary. She is so excited to be sharing her love of dance and can’t wait to see her dancers grow and find their own passions.
Hannah Martin
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Hannah Martin has been attending Joan’s Studio of Dance for the past 10 years and has trained in the advanced levels of ballet, jazz, and hip hop. She starred as Clara for Reno Dance Company’s Nutcracker and has a deep love for classical ballet. Hannah can not wait to share her passion for dance with her beautiful young students.
Autumn Robbins
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Autumn Robbins has been dancing for over 12 years and has studied many different forms of dance. Her favorites include lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, and jazz. Autumn is incredibly excited to begin this new adventure of teaching and to share her love of dance with her students.
Seanne McElrath
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Seanne has been dancing for over 20 years, and has participated in many local event for the arts. Whether he’s choreographing, performing, or instructing, he is always happy to be of service to this wonderful community. “I am deeply humbled and honored to be involved with such an incredible team” He has been the advanced hip hop teacher for Joan’s Studio of Dance for the last 3 years and has been challenging his student to excel in multiple styles of hip hop and rhythm sequences.
JOAN ZUEHLKE’S DANCE BIOGRAPHY
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Joan has been dancing most of her life, she began teaching at age 15 for the Pasadena Recreation Department. She performed with the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in productions of the Nutcracker and various Stage plays & musicals. Joan performed with a touring group during World War II, entertaining servicemen in camps and hospitals with USO shows. As a teen Joan was deeply involved in Spanish Dancing taking classes under Raoul de Ramirez and performing in San Gabriel Festivals for 6 years. After moving to Redding, California Joan taught with the Redding School of Dance for 2 years. Joan officially opened her own school in Redding in 1957 and later moved to Burney California. In 1973 Joan opened her school in Susanville, where it has been for 44 years.
Joan has been a member of the Cecchetti Council of America for 46 years and holds an advanced professional teachers certificate in classical ballet. She has served as a Committee Chairman, Assistant Principal, and a Principal for the ballet seminar at Mills College in Oakland California. She has also taught tap. Her method of teaching is derived from a graded syllabus by Al Gilbert & Glenn Shipley.
For Joan, dancing is her whole life. She loves to dance and to spread her knowledge through teaching. She truly believes the values and discipline dance instills in students goes so much further than just the dance floor or stage.
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12 Years Old
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
1947
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
Rose Parade
1948
SAN GABRIEL, CALIFORNIA
1956
BURNEY, CALIFORNIA
CLASSES OFFERED
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Joan’s Studio of Dance is a Cecchetti Certified Ballet School.
The method includes the following Ballet Classes:
Primary I,II,III | Age 4-9
Grades I, II, III, IV | Age 9+
Professional Grades V, VI, VII & Diploma
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Joan’s Studio of Dance also offers Tap, Jazz & Hip-Hop Classes:
Jazz Classes | Age 5+
Tap Class | Teen
Hip-Hop | Age 5+
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2024-2025
BALLET CLASS SCHEDULE
*schedule subject to change*
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BALLET
Primary 1 | Friday 3:00-4:00
Primary 2 | Thursday 3:00-4:00
Primary 3 | Monday 3:00-4:00
Grade 1 | Wednesday 5:30-6:30
Grade 2 | Monday 5:00-6:00
Grade 3 | Thursday 5:00-6:00
Grade 4/5 | Wednesday 7:30-8:30
Grade 6/7 | Monday 8:00-9:00
Beginning Pointe | Thursday 6:00-7:00
Intermediate Pointe | Tuesday 5:00-6:00
Advanced Pointe | Tuesday 6:00-7:00
Non-Syllabus 1 | Wednesday 6:30-7:30
Non-Syllabus 2 | Monday 6:00-7:00
Non-Syllabus 3 | Friday 5:00-6:00
Non-Syllabus 4 | Monday 7:00-8:00
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PLEASE TEXT OR CALL 530.310.1909
IF YOU WILL NOT BE IN CLASS.
8:00-9:002024-2025
TAP. JAZZ. HIP-HOP. COMBO. CLASS SCHEDULE
*schedule subject to change*
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TAP
Ladies Tap | Wednesday 2:00-3:00
Tap | Wednesday 4:30-5:30
JAZZ
Jazz 1 | Tuesday 3:00-4:00
Jazz 2 | Monday 4:00-5:00
Jazz 3 | Wednesday 3:30-4:30
Jazz 4 | Friday 4:00-5:00
Jazz 5 | Thursday 4:00-5:00
HIP-HOP
Hip-Hop 1 | Tuesday 4:00-5:00
Hip-Hop 2 | Tuesday 5:30-6:30
Hip-Hop 3/4 | Tuesday 8:00-9:00
COMBO/CONDITIONING
Thursday 7:00-8:00
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PLEASE TEXT OR CALL 530.310.1909
IF YOU WILL NOT BE IN CLASS.
2024-2025 YEAR CALENDAR
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Sept 3rd | Classes Begin
Oct 24-30 | Creative Dance Week (can wear a costume to class)
Oct 31 | Halloween | Studio Closed
Nov 25-29 | Thanksgiving Break | Studio Closed
Dec 1 | Last day to add/drop classes or students
Dec 23-Jan 3 | Winter Break | Studio Closed
Dec 16-20 | Open House Week
Jan 2025 | Theme: Broadway/Famous Ballet Month
Feb 10-14 | Valentines Family Week
March 2024 | Theme: Splits Month (working towards splits)
Apr 14-18 | Spring Break | Studio Closed
May 12-15 | Rehearsal Week
May 16 & 17 | Dance Recital
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REGISTRATION 2024-2025
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Registration Day | Thursday, August 22, 2022 | 2:30-7:00pm
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TO REGISTER AFTER REGISTRATION DAY:
– Print a Registration Form
– Fill out the Form
– Take it to Joan at:
110 S Gay Street | Susanville, CA 96130
-Or Email it to Jillaine at:
jsingleton0818@gmail.com
Call to discuss registration & correct class placement at 530.310.1909
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SIGN UP FOR REMINDERS
Coming Soon!
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ABSENT FROM CLASS
PLEASE TEXT OR CALL 530.310.1909
IF YOU WILL NOT BE IN CLASS.
TUITION
Per Student
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1 Class | $60 per month
2 Classes | $110 per month
3+ Classes | $130 per month
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Recital Costume Fee | Varies – TBA
Tuition is due in advance.
We do not offer multiple student or family discounts
Tuition and Studio Payments
Tuition is due in the first week of every month. The latest day to pay is the 10th of the month
before late fees are applied. Cash and checks are the only payment method accepted. Tuition can be mailed to
110 S. Gay St.
Susanville, Ca. 96130
or can be put in the tuition deposit box in the studio.
Please see our tuition chart for class and monthly prices. The tuition payments are broken up into monthly segments.
Sep 2024 – Full Tuition (4 weeks of class) Feb 2025 – Full Tuition (4 weeks of class)
Oct 2024 – Full Tuition (4 weeks of class) Mar 2025 – Full Tuition (4 weeks of class)
Nov 2024 – Full Tuition (4 weeks of class) Apr 2025 – Full Tuition (4 weeks of class)
Dec 2024 – Half Tuition (2 weeks of class) May 2025 – Half Tuition (2 weeks of class)
Jan 2025 – Full Tuition (4 weeks of class)
We are a vendor with Mt. Lassen Charter School. If your child is enrolled with this school, then Mt. Lassen will cover all tuition costs. Please show proof of enrollment upon registration to qualify for tuition payments through Mt. Lassen.
Absences and Class Add / Drop Policies
Attendance – Consistency is crucial in a dancer’s training towards coordination and muscle
development. We encourage our dancers to attend their classes regularly in order to develop their education and muscle memory as a dancer.
During the spring semester (Jan-May) please let your teachers know if you will be missing class. Regular attendance is necessary for a dancer to learn recital choreography. Missing multiple classes during the months of show preparation will cause the dancer to fall behind on important class development and show preparation. If too many classes are missed close to show the dancer may be pulled from the performance.
The last day to add a class is December 1st, 2024.
Recital Information 2025
We close out the studio spring session with an annual dance recital in May 2025! Dancers will learn a dance for each class they attend and then perform it in our big Spring show! Teachers will start choreography for the big show in February and costumes are measured for and ordered no later than the end of February.
The two performances will be held at the Veteran’s Hall on May 16th and 17th. Rehearsals will be held on the afternoons of May 12th and 13th at the hall. Tech rehearsal will be on May 14th and dress rehearsal will be on the 15th. Students will need to wear costumes and have their hair done for dress rehearsal. All rehearsals are mandatory.
Policy of Kindness
Our studio is first and foremost devoted to the policy of kindness. From our students to each
other and their teachers, as well as kindness from our teachers to each other and their students. Our teachers will be constantly building an attitude of encouragement and team building in their classes. Bullying and unkindness will be dealt with privately between the students involved and the teacher. If needed, additional measures may be implemented, including involvement of student’s parents and disciplinary actions, to address the issue effectively and maintain a positive studio atmosphere.
Studio Etiquette
Please wear appropriate dance attire to all classes.
Ballet – leotard, tights, chiffon skirt (tutus are allowed for Primary classes) and hair in bun
Tap – leggings or shorts and top
Hip Hop – movement friendly workout clothes (leggings, sweatpants, tank tops, tshirts, etc)
Jazz – leggings, dance shorts, form fitting tops
Please NO – low cut crop tops, low cut bras, booty shorts, or see through attire.
Sports bras are allowed if they offer full support and coverage
Gum chewing is not allowed in class and all classes require hair be pulled back or in a bun.
NO apple watches, large earrings, or jewelry
NO cellphones are allowed in class. Students will be expected to silence their phones and not
check them during class times. In case of emergency please call teachers directly.
Students are expected to be on time to class and advanced dancers come early to warm up before class. Students will be expected to be attentive to their instructor, save social time with peers for after class, and try their best in class with polite attitudes.
Pick up and drop off safety
Our studio is located in a relatively safe neighborhood, however, it is not safe for a dancer under the age of 12 to wait outside for their ride or walk to another location. If you have a younger dancer please have them wait in the studio after class until their ride arrives.
Nutrition and Burnout
We ask that all dancers eat a full meal and have proper nutrition with protein before attending dance class. We also encourage dancers who will be attending more then one class in an afternoon to bring a snack and electrolytes.
Our studio has seen an increase of burnout in dancers. If a dancer comes to class after a full
afternoon of physical activities, their risk of injury is greater and their performance in class will be affected. While we love for our dancers to have many athletic opportunities, their skills in dance will not increase if their energy is being worked through more physical activities then their body can handle. If a dancer wants to progress seriously in their art we recommend that they spread their physical activities out throughout the week or focus on just one or two physical pursuits.
Injury Prevention
Our studio is dedicated to injury prevention in our students. We will not allow a student to do a move that could cause injury, unsupervised or without appropriate instruction and guidance. We strive towards intentional technical application that builds a dancer’s strength and coordination; preventing injury.
Pointe Shoes
Pointe shoes are a wonderful ballet tool that must be earned by a dancer through years of ballet and technical classes. A student will not receive pointe shoes until she is deemed strong and mature enough in her dancing by her teachers. A student must have appropriate ankle, foot, and core strength before getting pointe shoes. They are a wonderful tool but can be dangerous if not danced in by a mature dancer. Please be advised we will not support a parent purchasing pointe shoes for their child without the approval of a teacher.
Cecchetti Method of Ballet / Teacher Information
We are proud members of the Cecchetti Method of Ballet (originating from Italy) and our
teachers have been extensively trained in this method which focuses on technical accuracy,
artistic expression, and strength in movement. Our teachers have been through extensive dance programs through the Cecchetti Method or through other intensive programs. Our student teachers are under mentor ship and attending a program for dance teaching techniques and classroom management.
Observation Guidelines
There is a waiting room with a window for viewing during class.
Please view the class from this area.
Visitors are welcome to join the class on special occasions.
Points of Contact
Questions regarding tuition / payments – Miss Jillaine (530) 310-1909
Questions regarding classes / student placement – Miss Gabrielle (530) 310-6705
Please contact your class teacher for class specific questions!
Studio email – jsingleton0818@gmail.com
Studio website – https://www.joansstudioofdance.com/ (all studio info can be found on our
website including teacher information and PDF printouts of all schedules, calendars, tuition
pricing, etc)
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Questions regarding tuition / payments – Miss Jillaine (530) 310-1909
Questions regarding classes / student placement – Miss Gabrielle (530) 310-6705
Please contact your class teacher for class specific questions!
Studio email – jsingleton0818@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
©COPYRIGHT 2024 | JOAN'S STUDIO OF DANCE