About KSDA
Aerial Company Team
Thank you for your interest in our competitive Aerial company at Kelly's School of Dance & Aerial. We hope that our company will become a family and we look forward to welcoming you!
Frequently Asked Questions
At a competition, students put their skills to the test by performing routines on a stage in front of a panel of judges. The judges then calculate scores usually based on technique, performance and costume. The students are then able to come back to the studio and listen to the judges’ critiques and use them as a learning tool to improve on their technique. Again, the focus for us during competition is having fun and gaining the tools to become better aerialists in the long run.
For students who want a little more challenge, the extra performances and class opportunities are needed. In competition companies, students are working towards a common goal. Also, attendance is more important and, at times, mandatory. Since everyone is present in class nearly every week, there is faster progress. The sense of belonging to a team is also very
important. We do lots of team bonding inside and outside the studio. Company students will be the leads in our end of season Spring Show!
Register for the auditions happening on June 8th. Makeup auditions are happening July 27th.
Parents are encouraged to get together to organize fundraisers for the team, only those who participate will raise funds.
During Choreography Week, students will engage in a highly immersive and creative process, working closely with their coaches to select the perfect piece of music and establish a compelling theme for their routines: 1 solo and 1 duet. This hands-on week is dedicated to the craft of story creation through aerial, where students will be encouraged to explore their artistic voice and design original choreography. Over the course of four intense days, filled with both rigorous practice and moments of fun & teamwork, they will refine their movements and sequences. The week will wrap up with a special parent preview, showcasing the routines that have been meticulously developed. It’s imperative that students come prepared to take the initiative, demonstrating both independence and a keen ability to craft choreography, as these routines will become a central piece of their repertoire, rehearsed weekly during company class in anticipation of the competition season.
Requirements
All Emerald Company Members (will compete in):
1x Solo
1x Duet
All Emerald Company Members (will perform in):
2+ Routines Spring Show (+ a Lead Role)
Local Festivals
The basic requirements are:
- All company rehearsals.
- 2-3 Competitions (entry fees $125-$200 per routine per competition)
- 1 In-Studio SOAR Aerial Convention taking 3-4 classes ($30-40 per class)
- Choreography Week July 29-August 1. Further details TBD after auditions. ($399)
- In-Studio Power of Performance Workshop -TBA in September 2024 ($120)
- 1 Aerial Summer Camp, Class or Workshop (cost varies)
- 1 Weekly 60-75 MIN Sling (or) Silk Aerial Class
- 1 Weekly 75 MIN Lyra/Trapeze Class
- 1 Weekly 45 MIN Company Aerial Conditioning
- 1 Weekly Company Rehearsals (Thursdays 4:00-5:00; sometimes 4:00-7:15 when shows are
close) - Additional Company Dress Rehearsals
- Fort Mill Christmas Parade
- KSDA Spring Year-End Shows (+ Lead Role)
- A positive, respectful attitude and willingness to learn.
- Attendance is top priority.
Extra classes are not required but are always highly encouraged for those wishing to further
their training. Dance classes will help with learning rhyme, transitions and build technique for an
aerialist.
All Sapphire Company Members (will compete in):
1x Solo
1x Duet
All Sapphire Company Members (will preform in):
2+ Routines Spring Show (+ a Lead Role)
Local Festivals
The basic requirements are:
- All company rehearsals.
- 2-3 Competitions (entry fees $125-$200 per routing per competition)
- 1 In-Studio SOAR Aerial Convention taking 3-4 classes ($30 – 40 per class)
- Choreography Week July 29-August 1. Further details TBD after auditions. ($399)
- In-Studio Power of Performance Workshop -TBA in September 2024 ($120)
- 1 Aerial Summer Camp, Class or Workshop-cost varies
- 1 Weekly 60-75 MIN Sling (or) Silk Aerial Class
- 1 Weekly 75 MIN Lyra/Trapeze Class
- 1 Weekly 45 MIN Company Aerial Conditioning
- 1 Weekly Company Rehearsals (Thursdays 5:00-6:00; sometimes 4:00-7:15 when shows are
close) - Additional Company Dress Rehearsals
- Fort Mill Christmas Parade
- KSDA Spring Year-End Shows (+ Lead Role)
- A positive, respectful attitude and willingness to learn.
- Attendance is top priority.
Extra classes are not required but are always highly encouraged for those wishing to further
their training. Dance classes will help with learning rhyme, transitions and build technique for an
aerialist.
Other Considerations
Aerialists will compete in one solo and one duet. Choreography will be set during Choreography Week July 29th- August 1st.
The Aerial Company will compete in 2-3 competitions. Each competition is scheduled over a weekend and will most likely be a 2 day competition. A detailed schedule is sent out 1 week prior to the competition. All aerialists are required to stay for KSDA’s routines and for the award ceremony.
At KSDA, the Aerial Company Team upholds the highest standard of excellence at KSDA. We believe in the importance of discipline and aim to cultivate a strong work ethic among our aerialists. This is reflected in our dress code, which includes wearing black leggings, a black leotard, and neatly styling hair in a bun or ponytail.
KSDA encourages all Gold Company Students ages 14+ to assist one or more weekly aerial classes at the studio! The Student Teacher Assistant Position is an incredible way to refresh terminology, learn how to teach and a fantastic reference to add to any future resume. After one full year of teacher assisting, high-school students receive an hourly minimum wage credit on their account per hour worked. Students ages 10+ can apply to assist a preschool-kindergarten age acro & aerial classes.
We will be offering performing opportunities throughout the year at Fall & Spring Festivals, ChristmasVille and our Annual Show. These are great ways to get out there and share our love for aerial and Jesus with the community. Aerial Company members will play the lead roles for our Year-End Spring Show. Auditions for certain roles will take place in the Fall & rehearsals will happen during a combined class through show weekend.
We will provide fun social events all year long, and each person will be matched with a team sister. Sisters will help and cheer each other on during the season. They will exchange presents during special occasions such as holidays, competitions and performances.
Cost & Tuition
A cost summary is a crucial component when planning for events such as extracurricular activities, where expenses can widely vary depending on several factors. Understandably, the total cost will differ for every family, influenced by variables such as the total amount of class time accumulated and siblings participating, among others. It’s our top priority to minimize these costs where possible, and we trust that this estimated cost summary will serve as a useful tool in your financial planning for the upcoming season.
4-4.25 HRS WEEKLY ($340-$360 monthly)
- 75 MIN LYRA/TRAPEZE CLASS
- 75 MIN SLING (or) 60 MIN SILKS CLASS (depends on level)
- 45 MIN AERIAL CONDITIONING
- 60 MIN COMPANY REHEARSAL
4-4.25 HRS WEEKLY ($340-$360)
- 75 MIN LYRA/TRAPEZE CLASS
- 75 MIN SLING (or)60 MIN SILKS CLASS (depends on level)
- 45 MIN AERIAL CONDITIONING
- 60 MIN COMPANY REHEARSAL
$75 Company Jacket (one time purchase). All company members are required to purchase a company warm-up jacket that will be monogramed with their name. This jacket is to be worn at all competitions & events.
Choreography Week– $399
Competition Fees-
2-3 Competitions (entry fees $125-$200 per routine per competition)
Company Uniform– Jacket- $75
All company aerialists are required to purchase a company warm-up jacket to be worn at all competitions (one time purchase)
Recital Fees
Please check our aerial page for Recital and Christmas show & rec. costume fees. Christmas Parade is required and will require a $25 Christmas Sweatshirt.
In Addition
See explanation of additional costs in the Requirements section above.
Company Costumes
When it comes to costumes we aim for them to be as fantastic as possible while also trying to save you money! For some routines, a costume fee of $105-$135 will be required for all the costumes to be the same and will be chosen & ordered on our end. But there will also be instances where costumes descriptions will be sent out to each students based on their role/performance, and you will be able to purchase, make, borrow, or rent ($25) a costume (hence the name – DIY – Do It Yourself) All costumes must be approved by Miss Alina before purchase
- 2x- Spring Show costumes ($105-$135)
- 1 DIY Spring Show Lead costume
- 1X-2x – Competition costumes($135)
- 2X-Spring Show costumes ($105-$135)
- 1 DIY Spring Show lead costume
- 1X-2X-competition costumes ($135)