Lake Placid School of Dance

About Us

LPSD has a long history of excellence in dance education and we are honored to continue that tradition this year. We believe in offering extraordinary training in dance while creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our dance staff provide high-quality dance training in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and variations from ages 3 and up in a positive, nurturing, and supportive environment. Students of all abilities from beginner to advanced and recreational are welcome!

All classes are live & in-person.


Classes

Creative Movement Ages 3-5
Pre-Ballet Ages 5-6
Beginning Ballet Ages 6-8
Level 1 Ages 8-10
Level 2 Ages 9-11
Level 3A Ages 10-12
Level 4A & Level 5 Ages 13+ or by permission of Director

If you are a new student to the school under the age of 8, please register for the “A” section of the class that fits your age range best. If you are 9 and up, please contact Alice Schonbek, School Director, at [email protected] to schedule a time for you to come in to class. We will assign you to the level that fits you best. Returning students, please check your email; a separate email was sent regarding your level. Returning Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Beginning Ballet students, please sign up for the B section of your class level.

Fall 2024 Session

September 9 – November 15
Registration opens June 24 at 10 am.


Winter 2025 Session

January 6 – March 7
Registration opens November 7 at 10 am.
LPCA Members at the Member Plus+ level receive 24-hour early access to registration! Learn about the benefits of membership here.


SAVE THE DATE
Spring Recital
Saturday, May 31, 2025

HOLIDAYS (NO CLASSES)
Indigenous Peoples’ Day October 14*
Veteran’s Day November 11*
Martin Luther King Jr Day January 20*
Spring Break April 14-25
Memorial Day May 26
*makeup classes will be scheduled

Upcoming dance classes below. Use the filters to narrow your search or to view classes currently in session.

Browse Classes

Beginning Ballet A

Jan–Mar
T
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Thursdays, 4:30pm-5:30pm

Level 1

Jan–Mar
M
W
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Mondays, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Wednesdays, 4:00pm-5:00pm

Level 2

Jan–Mar
M
W
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Mondays, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Wednesdays, 5:00pm-6:00pm

Level 3A

Jan–Mar
T
T
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Tuesdays, 4:30pm-5:45pm
Thursdays, 5:30pm-6:45pm

Level 4A

Jan–Mar
T
T
F
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Tuesdays, 5:45pm-7:15pm
Thursdays, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Fridays, 4:30pm-6:00pm

Level 5

Jan–Mar
T
W
T
F
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Tuesdays, 4:30pm-7:30pm
Wednesdays, 4:30pm-7:30pm
Thursdays, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Fridays, 4:30pm-6:30pm

Creative Movement A

Jan–Mar
M
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Mondays, 4:00pm-4:30pm

Creative Movement B

Jan–Mar
M
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Mondays, 4:45pm-5:15pm

Pre-Ballet A

Jan–Mar
M
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Mondays, 5:15pm-6:00pm

Pre-Ballet B

Jan–Mar
M
Monday, January 6 –
Friday, March 7
Mondays, 6:00pm-6:45pm

Meet the LPSD Staff

Alice Schonbek

Kristen Glazier

Skylar Curtis

Emily Brown

Tara Palen

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome! If you are a new student to the school under the age of 8, please register for the “A” section of the class that fits your age range best. If you are 9 and up, please contact Alice Schonbek, School Director, at [email protected] to schedule a time for you to come in to class. We will assign you to the level that fits you best.

Creative Movement Ages 3-5
Pre-Ballet Ages 5-6
Beginning Ballet Ages 6-8
L1 Ages 8-10
L2 Ages 9-11
L3A Ages 10-12
L4A & L5 Ages 13+

Children can expect to be in each level for a couple of years as their skills grow. Your instructor will inform you when you should switch into a different level.

Returning students, please check your email; a separate email will be sent regarding your level. Returning Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Beginning Ballet students, please sign up for the B section of your class level.

Fall Semester 2024 will start on September 9 and go to November 15. NEW THIS SEASON we are doing three 10-week semesters: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Winter Semester will start January 6 and run until March 7, and the Spring semester will start March 10 and run till May 30 (with time off for Spring Break). If you register for the Spring Semester you will be part of the recital on May 31, 2025, and recital fees will be added to your tuition for that semester.

YES! Just like being involved in a sport, we ask you to wear the class uniform that goes with your level. Please find all information here to guide you in purchasing your uniform.

For students in Beginning Ballet through L5, we ask that you please wear your hair in a bun or a twist. It is important to have your hair up so the teacher can see your neck and head placement. Not sure how to do that? Check out the Ballet Hair for Dads on YouTube.

At LPSD, once your child grows past the Pre-Ballet level we start to introduce more classical dance technique training. We are committed to a curriculum that focuses on technique so that we can prepare our dancers to have the best experiences as they grow and create. A solid technical foundation opens up doors to advanced training, placement in summer intensives, college programs, and potential scholarships as well as the ability to feel success and enjoyment at every level.

If you are in L1 or above, there is an option to pay in installments when you register.

In the case of a snow event, we follow the lead of the Lake Placid School District – if they are closed then our campus is closed as well. Sometimes, we make a preemptive decision to close a class, in which case you will be contacted VIA EMAIL as soon as possible. Please ensure that your email address is correct when you register. We will endeavor if possible to schedule makeup classes for snow days.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day October 14*
Veteran’s Day November 11*
Martin Luther King Jr Day January 20*
Spring Break April 14-25
Memorial Day May 26
*makeup classes will be scheduled

Please reach out to Alice Schonbek, School Director, at [email protected] to discuss options.

Yes, please reach out to LPCA Managing Director Jon Donk at [email protected].

Please reach out to Education Director Tara Palen at [email protected].

Questions?

Please email Alice Schonbeck at [email protected].

 

Scholarships & Financial Aid

For more information, please reach out to Managing Director Jon Donk at (518) 523-2512 ext. 1002 or [email protected].