SPECTORDANCE SCHOOL:  The school is the “heart and soul” of our organization. Aligning with the American Ballet Theater® National Training Curriculum, our school provides training for all ages and levels of experience in a variety of dance styles in a nurturing environment. Along with building dance skills, our training strives to build important life skills such as commitment, discipline, and respect for others. Our teachers pay particular attention to alignment, functional anatomy and the emotional needs of our students.

In order to improve and sustain the quality of our ballet program, SpectorDance is proud to include the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 9 level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development.  The ABT® National Training Curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels. Artistic Director Fran Spector Atkins has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum and will be working with all SpectorDance ballet teachers to insure consistency and excellence. 

PERFORMANCES:  SpectorDance School proudly offers a variety of performance opportunities. Twice each year, dancers may take part in high-quality original performances choreographed by Fran Spector Atkins and Amy Byington. Our works explore educational concepts, classic music, and great literature. We give our students exposure to the power of the imagination and dance as an expressive art form.
 
SPECTORDANCE YOUTH COMPANY: For more committed students, the SpectorDance Youth Company is a selected ensemble of talented, committed, young dancers ages 11 and up. SpectorDance Youth Company performs original contemporary works created to reach broad populations in our community. Auditions take place each August.
 
CHOREOGRAPHY CLASSES:  SpectorDance also offers choreography classes to give students opportunities to develop their own creative voices.
 
WORKSHOPS:  Throughout the year, SpectorDance offers workshops with guest artists in variety of dance styles.    

SUMMER PROGRAM:  Each summer we offer a month long program with classes in a variety of dance styles for all ages and levels of experience.  In addition, we highlight special opportunities to study with guest artists for intermediate and advanced dancers. These intensive courses consist of daily classes taught by a guest artist, followed by rehearsals to create a new dance piece that is performed at the end of the summer program. We also offer a week-long intensives for beginning and intermediate dancers to learn a wide variety of styles that reflect the diversity in dance today.
 
SPECTORDANCE COMPANY & CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE: In addition to our school, SpectorDance is home to our professional Company and the Choreographers Showcase.  School dancers have opportunities to enrich their learning experience by working alongside professional dancers and attending professional performances at SpectorDance.
  
STUDIO: SpectorDance is housed in a state-of-the-art venue and performing space.
Testimonials
“Fran seems to speak to and listen for the natural artist that is in each young dancer. She brings forth that which is brilliant, gorgeous, and authentic. Being in the presence of something so special touches me deeply and often leaves me moved to tears.”
Ziona Goren  
 
”My daughter Cindy enjoys spending time at SpectorDance – she would not miss her dance classes for anything, not even for her friends’ birthday parties. Fran’s gentleness, patience, and dedication to her students has made Cindy thrive ever since she started dancing at SpectorDance three years ago at the age of 5.”
Diana Huang

“I thought of you today, during a Baby Einstein video of all things! I don’t know if you know these videos, but it is agreed by all that the quality is the BEST out of all kids’ videos. It is classic, intelligent, thorough, and with classical music behind it all. It reminded me of the quality of dance training you provided me
with…the best!!”
Julianne Sherman, former SpectorDance student and graduate of U.C. Irvine Dance Department  
Artistic Director Fran Spector Atkins has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum

Employment Opportunities

Dance Instructors
Please contact Amy Byington / SpectorDance school director  sdparentinfo08@yahoo.com