Sparks In Everett: The Dance School Returns with a Benefit Performance
April 19, 2026 - Everett, WA
Dancers on stage at the Sparks performance
On a memorable evening in downtown Everett, The Dance School hosted Sparks, their first fundraiser since 2019 and a celebration of artistry, community, and creative expression.
Most audience members know the performers as teachers. But tonight, the studio's instructors stepped into the spotlight as artists in their own right, presenting personal, new, and original works to an enthusiastic crowd. The energy in the room was a testament to just how much this community has been waiting for a night like this.
Dancers on stage at the Sparks performance
The name Sparks is no accident. It reflects the school's core philosophy of mentorship, the idea that a great teacher ignites something in a student, sparking initiative and creativity. That spirit has guided The Dance School for decades. The upstairs floor where students practice has been a dancing space since around 1940.
What has changed in recent years is the school's reach. From under 200 students in 2020, enrollment has grown to nearly 400 today - growth driven in large part by an expanding scholarship program that now provides over $55,000 in financial aid. At The Dance School, the question is never how much money you have or how you look. It's simply about who shows up.
That inclusive spirit extends to a growing program for students with disabilities. Instructor Emmy has spent nearly 20 years leading BOMA — Best of My Abilities — a specialized class that meets students where they are. The school is also a certified Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) respite provider, and the outcomes go beyond dance steps. Sometimes, as Emmy will tell you, the greatest breakthrough is learning how to better communicate.
The Dance School is located on Rockefeller Avenue, just blocks from the Angel of the Winds Arena. It's a place where every student, of every background and ability, has a voice.
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