A new school of dance just opened this month at Urban Grace, and it is here to complement existing dance schools in Tacoma rather than to compete against them.

Master teacher Debi Hays opened Ballet Arts Tacoma to offer ballet students enrolled in other schools, and anyone with a passion for dance, the opportunity to refine their technique and develop a deeper respect for the art under the tutelage of an accredited instructor.

“I want to help dancers who say they can’t achieve their goals,” Hays said. “I’m here to teach dancers who want to go to the next level - anyone who has a passion for wanting to become better. It doesn’t mean they need to have a career in it.”

With 40 years of learning, teaching and performances to her name, Hays said her proficiency in technique, which won her accreditation from top international ballet schools, makes her rather unique among American dance instructors.

A native of British Columbia, Hays’ career began at 13 years old when she won the grand prize at the Surrey Arts Festival. Continuing her training with zeal for the next several years, her talents were noticed and she was selected to attend the acclaimed Royal Ballet School in London after a lengthy and stringent audition process. An arts grant from the Canadian government covered her tuition and living expenses to study overseas.

Upon graduating high school at 17, she left home for England, an exciting time for dance as this was during the era that Mikhail Baryshnikov defected from Russia to Canada. (Hays said she still remembers seeing him at her school, a once-in-a-lifetime brush with one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century.) Students studied rigorous curriculum five days a week, and on weekends handed out programs for performances. “It was an awesome experience,” Hays said.

From there she went on to attend London’s Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), which Hays described as “basic training for ballet.” One of the world’s most influential dance academies, RAD specializes in classical ballet. The challenging curriculum accentuates perfection of technique and offers formal accreditation to students upon successful completion of exams. Hays achieved full accreditation there with honors. “I’m one of very few teachers accredited that way,” she said.

With a firm foundation in schooling, Hays auditioned for the Deutsche Oper Am Rhein (German Opera on the Rhine) in Düsseldorf, Germany where she danced for 13 years. Her many roles and performances include “Coppelia,” “Swan Lake” and “The Bartered Bride,” just to name a few.

She retired in 1986 and turned to teaching. She was ballet director at Elite Dance in Puyallup before opening Ballet Arts Tacoma. “Because ballet is my expertise, that’s what I feel most passionate about.

“I’m not here to compete with other schools. My teachers were all for taking master classes because you come back stronger and refreshed.” Even after all these years, Hays said she still experiences challenges as a dancer, and she wants to share her joy of constant growth with students. “I’m not saying I’m a perfectionist. I’m always growing and learning. It’s an ongoing process. A dancer should never be stagnant.”

Hays said Ballet Arts Tacoma will stage no public performances; she is leaving that to Tacoma’s already established dance academies. She is aiming to continue teaching on weekends in the fall so there will be no conflict for those who are receiving regular schooling. Her forte is pointe work, and she teaches the French names for steps as well.

Ballet Arts Tacoma’s current class schedule is Sunday (8-12-year-olds from 2-3:30 p.m.; 13+-year-olds from 3:30-5 p.m.; and pointe class from 5-6 p.m.); and Monday afternoons are for private lessons from 5-9 p.m. (first come, first served basis). Registration fee is $5; drop-ins $25 per class; monthly $100 (five Sundays) and $80 (four Sundays).

The studio is located at Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St. For more information, call (253) 441-9502 or e-mail debi@balletartstacoma.com. Also check out www.balletartstacoma.com.