Welcome to Avanti Dance Company! Before attending classes, all new students MUST register through our online Customer Portal. Be sure to also sign up for our monthly E-Newsletter (scroll to bottom footer of this page) so you are kept up to date on what is happening at Avanti Dance Company. You will be the first to know when new classes, dance camps and works shops/master classes and show cases are announced! We’re looking forward to meeting you soon!
Aerial Arts Youth Classes
Classes for ages 6-18!
Aerial Arts Helps Kids:
Become Strong & Flexible
Build Stamina
Gain Confidence
Make Great Friendships
Tap Into Their Inner Artist
Aerial Performance Company Weekly Training Requirements
- Minimum weekly requirements for Aerial Team: 3 hours per week
- Enrollment in at least one 1.5 hour aerial technique class or two 1 hour aerial technique classes per week
- Enrollment in one weekly 1.5 hour aerial performance team rehearsal (group meets weekly on Wednesdays either 4:30-6:00 pm or 6:00-7:00 pm to prepare for upcoming performances)
- AUDTIONS are now concluded, please visit here in July 2024 for the next season’s audition dates.
Aerial Performance Team
AVANTI’s Aerial Performance Team is a community of aspiring young aerialists who want to focus on aerial artistry, performance, and musicality in addition to developing more advanced tricks, flexibility, strength and stamina. Aerial Performance Team combines the technical skills and pageantry of Cirque with dance and athleticism giving these young aerialists the opportunity to showcase their hard work through various community performances throughout the season as well as entering choreographed routines in aerial arts competitions.
Auditions:
Aerialists do not need to prepare anything in advance for the audition. Students are selected to be on the team based on their potential to grow as aerialists and performers, not their skill level. Aerialists should feel comfortable and confident being up in the air for a minimum of 4 minutes.
Who should audition?
Aspiring aerialists who love performing and want to be part of a team, focus on aerial artistry, performance, and musicality in addition to building tricks, flexibility, strength, and stamina.
Why should your child audition for the team?
It gives aspiring aerialists something to work towards, opportunities to perform, compete, build friendships, personal attention in creating routines, and explore the field and industry of aerial arts.
Tentative Aerial Team Event Schedule 2023-2024
- Aerial Team Auditions (August)
- Festival of the Children South Coast Plaza Performance (September)
- Halloween Party Performance (October)
- All is Bright Tree Lighting Performance (November)
- Avanti Winter Aerial Showcase (December)
- Avanti Aerial Competition (January)
- San Diego Aerial Competition (February)
- Aerial Photoshoot (March)
- Las Vegas Aerial Competition (April)
- Santa Ana Art Walk Performance (May)
- Avanti Spring Aerial Showcase (June)
Meet Our Director
Ms. Hillary Bassoff
Read About Hillary
Ms. Hillary Bassoff
Hillary has been the Aerial Arts Program Director and Head Coach for Avanti since 2015. She originally created the aerial program at Avanti to share her passion for aerial dancing with aspiring aerialists. While her main focus has always been safety and technique, she strives to emphasize the artistic expression aerial dance has to offer and encourages her students to be strong, confident, and creative.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of California, Santa Barbara. After graduating, she started to pursue a career as a professional aerialist and has been in the industry performing for over 10 years in shows such as Cirque Electrique, Pirates Dinner Adventure, Real House Wives of Beverly Hills, Coachella, and Escape Halloween. She has been a guest performer for Pacific Symphony, Global Motorsports Group, The Knot, March of Dimes, Maryam Parman Foundation, etc. and in lovely venues all over California such as The Lido House, Island Hotel Newport Beach, Hilton Beachfront Resort, Huntington Beach Bay Club, Irvine Marriott, Hotel Irvine, The Mondrian LA, J.W. Marriott LA Live, etc.
While Hillary has an extensive background in performing and choreography, her passion is still in coaching and mentoring. She hopes all the skill sets that are learned in aerial arts can be translated into other aspects of life. She adores her Avanti family and is beyond excited to continue sharing her love for aerial dance.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aerial Student Showcase
June 2, 2024
NOW REGISTERING! Click the button below to register your aerialist to participate.
Be sure to check back here for more information coming soon!
Participant Registration Here
AERIAL STUDENT SHOWCASE SHOW ORDERS
Showcase #1 @ 3:30pm
Group 1: The Greatest Show (Sat 9am) Mila & Brinkley
Group 2: Six from Six (Sat 9am) Noa & Alex & Sasha
Group 3: Money Money Money (Sun 1pm) Mila & Mady
Group 4: A Million Dreams (Sun 1pm) Tamsin & Kaley
Group 5: Rewrite the Stars (Sun 1pm) Asha & Chloe & Riley
Group 6: The Other side (Wed 3:45pm) Mila & Piper
Group 7: Popular (Mon 4:30pm) Chloe & Cristina
Showcase #2 @ 4:15pm
Group 1: Money Money Money (Wed 3:45pm) – Thalia & Leila
Group 2: Burlesque (Wed 2:45pm) – Ayleigh, Sienna
Group 3: Popular (Wed 3:45pm) – Della, Milana
Group 4: Defying Gravity (Wed 2:45pm) – Ava, Audrey, Mila
Group 5: You Can’t Stop the Beat (Mon 3:45pm) – Ayleigh, Hazel, Lilah
Group 6: Mama Im a Big Girl Now (Mon 3:45pm) – Della, Milana, Tala
Group 7: The Other Side (Mon 6pm) – Lila & Mia
Showcase #3 @ 5:00pm
Group 1: Rewrite the Stars (Thurs 4:30pm) – Blakelee, Natalia, Whitney
Group 2: Mamma Mia (Thurs 4:30pm) – Olivia & Promise
Group 3: Speechless (Thurs 4:30pm) – Sofia, Brynn
Group 4: Welcome to New York (Sat 11am) – Harlow, Whitney
Group 5: Into the Unknown (Sat 11am) – Ivy, Carolyn
Group 6: Fabulous (Sat 10am) – Cammie & Reagan
Group 7: You’re the One That I Want (Mon 6pm) – Jemma & Addi
Showcase #4 @ 5:45pm
Group 1: Rewrite the Stars (Tues 5:30pm) – Collins & Amber
Group 2: Part of Your World (Sun 11am) – Saishwarya, Amelia, Amalie
Group 3: I’m Just Ken (Sun 11am) – Reese, Ariana
Group 4: Dance the Night (Sun 9am) – Whitney, Mia, Eva
Group 5: Speechless from Aladdin (Sun 9am) – Samara, Parker
Group 6: Fabulous from High School Musical (Sun 9am) – Reagan, Scarlett
Group 7: For the First time in Forever (Mon 6pm) – Madison, Avery, Presley
Showcase #5 @ 6:30pm
Group 1: Arabian Nights (Sun 12pm) – Stella, Taylor
Group 2: The Greatest Showman (Sun 12pm) – Presley, Makenzie
Group 3: Rewrite the Stars (Sun 12pm) – Lauren, Kaley
Group 4: Money Money Money (Sun 12pm) – Yumi, Chloe
Group 5: Mamma Mia (Mon 4:30pm) – Presley, Ellie G, Adele
Group 6: Cell Block Tango (Mon 6pm) – Macey, Allegra, Madison
Showcase #6 @ 7:15pm
Group 1: Million Dreams (Fri 4:30pm) – Isla, Ella
Group 2: The Greatest Show (Fri 4:30pm) – Raya, Elia
Group 3: Almost There (Fri 4:30pm) – Layna, Esme
Group 4: When Will My Life Begin (Fri 4:30pm) – Parker, Juliet
Group 5: Defying Gravity (Wed 2:45pm) – Sadie, Hazel
Group 6: Be Our Guest (Mon 4:30pm) – Zayna, Adelynn, Ellie T
Group 7: We Go Together (Mon 6pm) – Lake, Jordan, Olivia
Aerial Monthly Tuition Rates
(Tuition amounts below are based on 4 classes per month. Tuition will automatically be pro-rated monthly based on the actual number of classes offered in a month whenever there is a short or long month.)
| 4 CLASSES PER MONTH | TUITION |
| 1 Hour | $150 |
| 1.5 Hour | $190 |
| Drop-In 1 Hour | $35 |
| Drop-In 1.5 Hour | $45 |
Aerial Summer Tuition Rates
| Session Price | 1 hr/1.5 hr |
| 5 Week Session (Thu Classes) | $200/$240 |
| 6 Week Session (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat Classes) | $230/$290 |
| 7 Week Session (Sun Classes) | $260/N/A |
| Drop-In | $35/$45 |
Aerial Silks Class Levels
Level 1: Beginner/ No experience needed
Level 2: Must be able to climb to the top of the silk and get into double foot locks splits rotisserie on your own
Level 3: Must be able to climb to the top of the silk, get into double foot locks in the air, angel drop, and straddle climb
Level 4: Must be able to straddle climb to the top of the silk, execute a clean double angel drop, single star drop
Level 5: Must be able to outside leg straddle climb to the top of the silk, execute a clean double angel drop, double star drop, hip key in the air, and egg beaters
Level 6: Instructor Approval Needed
preparations and polices
What to Expect
Most classes are one hour in length (advanced are 1.5 hours). A typical class includes two students to one aerial apparatus, splitting time between active work and recovery period while alternating with partner.
DRESS CODE
Dress Code: leotard with leggings, no jewelry and finger/toenails kept trimmed.
More coverage is recommended for comfort and avoiding abrasions. Tight but not restrictive clothing is best. No booty shorts or bra tops please.
Warm-Ups
Class will begin with a short 10 minute warm-up before students will go on the apparatus.
Is it Safe?
Our goal is to prevent injury by following precautions, using good form and proper technique. Our instructors specialize in teaching aerial arts, especially to children where safety comes first. Age and skill level curriculums are followed to create an extremely safe and fun environment. Students learn at a pace where they feel confident and comfortable.
Class Instruction
Most classes are 1 hour long and will include aerial stretches, conditioning on the apparatus, focus on technique, and learning new skills. The aerial staff will guide you with placement and proper form to ensure you are executing exercises safely. Students will learn to climb the apparatus, invert in the air, and hang upside down. As strength, stamina and confidence increase the student will learn various more advanced skills such as choreography and sequences with stylized flips, flexibility tricks, wraps, slides, drops, and descends. Class concludes with free dance and/or light stretching/cool-down on the apparatus.
More Aerial Arts Information
More Aerial Arts Info
Is Aerial Dance difficult?
Even those who have no dance training or who don’t consider themselves athletic can participate in aerial arts. No experience is necessary to start our classes. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to try!
What is the minimum age for children?
The minimum age at Avanti to participate in Aerial classes is seven (7) years of age. However, we do offer a class on Sunday’s geared towards ages 5-7.
Aerial Private Lessons/Workshops
Private lessons and semi-private lessons are available upon request, for more individual attention. Workshops may be offered throughout the year which will be available for beginner to advanced students looking to expand their skill level through an intensive training session.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available and booked through our Aerial Arts Director. If you would like to book a private lesson please contact Hillary Bassoff at avantiaerialarts@gmail.com
BOOK A FREE TRIAL
If you would like to complete a trial class before fully committing, please do not register for the class of choice below. Instead, Click Here and a member of our staff will assist you with scheduling a free trial aerial class. Please note that only classes that are not full or waitlisted may be offered as a trial. If none are available, please contact us and we can recommend an alternative.
Registration & Enrollment Guide
Welcome to Avanti Dance Company!
Before attending classes, all new students MUST register through our online Jackrabbit Customer Portal by either clicking on “Register” next to the class you wish to enroll in or by selecting “Sign Up” on the menu bar (or drop down) of our website. We offer two sessions, Fall/Spring and Summer. The Fall/Spring session runs September to June and Summer session runs June-August. Students registering during the Fall/Spring session will remain enrolled through June unless a cancellation form is submitted. Summer enrollment ends with the last class offered in August.
If you have further questions, please feel free to Contact Us.
We’re looking forward to meeting you soon!
Class Changes and Enrollment Cancellation Policy
Transferring Classes
If the student/parent desires for the student to change classes, class transfers may be made any time provided there is availability in the new class. A class transfer request must be made to the front desk staff via email to info@avantidancecompany.com or admin@avantidancecompany.com. Transfers may take up to 48 hours to process. You can check back in the customer portal to confirm the student’s class change has been made.
Adding Classes
Parents may register online anytime to add another class to the student’s current schedule. Any class indicating “register” next to the class name is open for registration in the customer portal. If a student commences taking additional classes without having properly enrolled into the class via the online portal, the student and/or parent will still be responsible for any fees related to such additional classes.
Cancelling Enrollment
Not showing up for a class(es), does not constitute a withdrawal from class. Accounts will continue to be charged for tuition even with absences until the online cancellation form has been properly completed. If the dancer or parent wishes to discontinue classes indefinitely and stop the auto-payment schedule for tuition, the “online cancellation form” must be completed thirty (30) days prior to the next billing cycle. Cancellation requests will not be accepted by phone, email or through the Jackrabbit messaging portal.
Absences and Make-Ups
Effective immediately: Absences must be submitted in advance using the Customer Portal To learn how to submit an absence through the Customer Portal click here to watch a video.
Only aerial students who have pre-submitted their absence will be eligible for a make-up class to be fulfilled within one month of absence. Students who no show their class will not be eligible for a make-up class. No refunds are credits will be given for missing a class.
Students who have properly submitted an absence in advance will have 30 days to make up any missed classes while student is enrolled. Once enrollment has been cancelled the student forfeits any make-ups. Make-ups may not be transferred to another student. To schedule a make-up, parents can do this in the customer portal (Jackrabbit account). You will need to login to your Jackrabbit account to do this. For assistance with navigating how to book a make-up CLICK HERE for a short how to video. If you need further assistance please contact us our admin team at the studio or email admin@avantidancecompany.com
Short months were there are fewer classes such as a scheduled holiday closure, tuition payments will automatically be adjusted to reflect the actual classes offered in that month. No make-ups are offered for scheduled closures.
Full and Cancelled Classes
Cancelled Classes
Classes require a minimum of six students to open. If enrollment is low in a class Avanti reserves the right to combine two classes or cancel a class due to low enrollment.
Full Classes
A waitlist will be started for any classes which are closed due to reaching maximum capacity. Students will be waitlisted on a first come first serve basis. Students will be notified of available openings based on this list.
Tuition Policies
Tuition is due to ADC on the 1st of each month and is non-refundable. Tuition rates are based on four classes per month. Tuition will be adjusted up or down depending on whether it is a long (five-week) month or a short (three-week) month. Families must give a 30-day notice if you chose to take a break from ADC. If the student takes a break mid season he/she will be required to re-enroll and pay the $25 re-registration fee.
Payment
Auto-payment via credit or debit card is mandatory for tuition payments. For those who are unable to comply with the auto- payment requirement, there will be a $10 fee per month added to their monthly tuition. MAKE-UPS: No tuition refunds will be given for missed classes. ADC will make every effort to allow a student to attend make-up classes for scheduled classes he/she has missed but cannot always guarantee this privilege. Students must make up any missed classes within one month of the absence during the Fall-Spring Season or make up any missed classes within one week during the Summer Session. Students may only attend the same number of make-up classes as the number of classes missed. Students may not drop into a class for a make-up without prior permission. All make-ups must be approved by the front desk staff and a recommendation of classes to take for the make- ups will be provided.
Late Fee
We have a very fair policy regarding the assessment of late fees. Payments are due on the first of each calendar month. There is no late fee assessed until after 8th of the month. Any account unpaid after the 8th of the month will have late charged of $25.00. There is a $25.00 penalty fee charged for any returned payments. Any student with an overdue balance of more than 45 days will not be allowed into class until payment in full is received.
Attendance Policy
If a student has an unexcused absences of three or more classes consecutively or missed the same class five or more times within a two month period for any class which is at maximum capacity, ADC reserves the right to drop the student from the class and make his/her spot available to another student who has been on a waitlist for said class. HOLIDAYS: The studio will not necessarily close regardless if area schools are closed. If in doubt call the studio or check our website before coming to class. If classes are canceled notification from the studio will be sent via email or posted on the website www.avantidancecompany.com