The School

The Excelsior School of Dance and Performing Arts began over ten years ago, when mother and daughter team, Sonja Staines and Liza Pollok, relocated from the Sunshine Coast of Q’ld, Australia to Texas, bringing with them an Australian ballet syllabus, the Sonshine Christian Ballet Syllabus. They subsequently started the Sonshine Christian Dance School, which now boasts over 100 students of all grade levels. In 2005, the Sonshine Christian Dance School was renamed the Excelsior School of Dance and Performing Arts.

The Excelsior School of Dance and Performing Arts welcomes new students to a professional Christian syllabus (Sonshine Christian Ballet Syllabus) based on European and Australian standards, which teach the traditional building blocks from which all dance can be performed. The styles of dance we teach include Classical Ballet, Modern, and Tap Dance.

Our Curriculum
Class Work
Learning skills and techniques from the SCB Syllabus based on age and skill level

Examinations
Annual testing learned and practiced curriculum for assessment and personal achievement

Performances
An annual theatrical ballet performance that combines drama and inspirational messages

For detailed class descriptions, see the Curriculum page.

Undergraduate Opportunities
The Excelsior School of Dance and Performing Arts is the feeder school into the performing Christian professional ballet company, Ballet Excelsior of Houston, which is directed by Liza Pollok.

Additionally, Level 7 and Level 8 students are eligible for the Teacher Diploma & Certification and the Associate of Arts Degree in Ministry (dance) offered in conjunction with the Liberty Theological Seminary of Alabama and the Sonshine Theater Company.

Life-long friendships are developed along with discipline, confidence, and skills.