Handbook

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Please see Ms. Janell if you are interested in receiving Birthday Party information or booking a party at THE DANCE EXPERIENCE.  Parties are offered Saturday afternoons, Sundays and during studio vacations.

CLASS CANCELLATION

In the event of inclement weather, a message will be left at 518-463-1195.  Please call 2 hours prior to your class time.  If the studio is closed, no one will be available to return phone calls, so please do not leave a voice message asking if classes are cancelled.  Please call back and listen to the message.   

  We are also a member of The School Closings Network, so please check the local media websites.  During busy times, the television stations do not always list businesses, so please check the websites. 

In the event of class cancellation due to instructor illness or snow storms, make-up classes may be offered, but tuition refunds cannot be granted.  Make-up classes may be offered during scheduled vacations or on another day of the week.  Each class is allowed one cancellation before make-up classes must be offered.

COSTUMES

Costumes must be ordered in December to ensure arrival for the End of Year Performance in June.  These costumes will cost approximately $60.00 for children’s costumes.  Adult sizes cost more.  Remember that $10.00 of your registration fee is applied toward this costume.  The balance of the costume will be due January 2 – 7.  Dancers are measured in early December for the costumes they will wear in June.  Consideration is given for growth, but parent recommendations are required.  If you do not want a costume to be ordered, a request must be submitted in writing prior to December 23^rd .  Emails are ok, provided you receive an email confirmation that your message was received.  COSTUMES CANNOT BE RETURNED OR EXCHANGED.  If a student drops out of a class after the costume is ordered, parents are still responsible for payment of the costume balance.

** Participation in the End of Year Performance is not mandatory.  Some individuals love to dance, but do not like to perform.  If the idea of an on stage performance does not appeal to you, you can still learn a great deal and enjoy the class!

DRESS UP DAYS

There are 4 weeks throughout the year when students can wear old dance costumes or multi-colored leotards.  DRESS UP DAYS will be held every other month:

• October 24 – 29 dancers can wear Halloween Costumes
• January 2-7
• March 6-11
• May 1-6

OBSERVERS

Parents are always welcome to stay in the waiting area during dance classes, although space is limited.  Observers are not permitted in the dance space during classes since it is distracting to the dancers.  The only exception is for Holiday Demonstrations – December 16^th – 22^rd.  Visitors must remove their street shoes and be seated in the observation area before class begins.  No food, beverages, or gum is allowed in the studios.  QUIET is required of all observers in order to maintain a professional learning situation for the students.  Observers will be asked to leave if they are distracting to the students or teachers.

GENERAL STUDIO RULES

• ABSOLUTELY NO GUM, FOOD, OR CANDY ALLOWED DURING CLASS.  SNACKS SHOULD BE EATEN BEFORE OR AFTER CLASS, NOT DURING.
• NO STREET SHOES ARE ALLOWED ON THE STUDIO FLOOR AT ANY TIME.  DANCE SHOES ARE NOT TO BE WORN OUTSIDE.
• ALL STUDENTS MUST WEAR STREET CLOTHES OR COVER-UPS TO AND FROM CLASS.
• TEENS AND ADULTS SHOULD BRING WATER BOTTLES WITH THEM TO CLASS, BUT THEY MUST BE LEFT IN THE WAITING AREA.
• HAIR MUST BE PULLED BACK.  BUNS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL BALLET CLASSES.
• NO JEANS OR DENIM SHORTS ARE TO BE WORN DURING CLASS.
• STROLLERS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE WAITING AREA.

NEWSLETTERS

Studio newsletter will be emailed regularly to keep everyone informed about studio happenings.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@TDEdancers) to get updates!

OFFICE HOURS

The Dance Experience is open for classes September 17^th – May 31^st, with the exception of the scheduled vacations and snow days.  The office is only open the first week of the new season and the first week of each month.  Office hours are Monday through Friday 4:30 – 5:30pm and Saturday 9am – 12pm.  Please plan accordingly to purchase dancewear, shoes, and pay tuition.   

PHOTOGRAPHER

A professional photographer will come to the dress rehearsal in June to photograph our dancers.  Individual, as well as group photographs will be available.  We encourage all dancers to come as the studio receives a copy of each group photo.  There is no obligation to purchase any photographs.

PRACTICE CD’s

In the spring, a CD of their End of Year Performance songs will be provided to each student who requests one in writing prior to February Break.  The CD’s will be distributed in April.  Practice is the only way to improve skills and the music helps!

STUDENT ILLNESS OR INJURY

MEDICAL CONDITIONS, whether temporary or chronic, should be brought to the instructor’s attention.  Even minor injuries should be communicated to your instructor.  Please call 518-463-1195 and leave a message if you/your child must miss a class.  None of our teachers are medical doctors, so please consult with medical professionals regarding how to treat injuries.

WHY DO I HAVE TO… BECAUSE…

Wear a certain color leotard? It is the tradition and part of the discipline of ballet (it’s also helpful for a last minute second costume).

Throw away my chewing gum? You could choke!

Do barre exercises? It is an essential part of ballet and gets you ready to perform center floor steps.

Warm up? Your body needs to be ready to dance.

Practice? It is the only way to improve.

Put my hair in a bun? The teacher needs to see the correct line of the neck and body.

MANNERS FOR DANCERS

Dancers show respect for themselves by:

1. being prompt for class;
2. being dressed appropriately for class, without underwear under leotards, without jewelry other than small earrings, and with ballet shoe strings tucked in;
3. having their hair off their neck – for 7 years and up it should be in a bun for ballet.

Dancers show respect for others by:

1. keeping their hands to themselves during class;
2. waiting quietly for others to have a turn;
3. waiting until the teacher or assistant calls them into class;
4. talking only during share time or when spoken to by a teacher.

Dancers show respect for their teachers and the art form they are studying by:

1. being properly dressed and ready for class on time;
2. listening when the teacher speaks;
3. being prepared for their turn;
4. always asking before leaving the room for any reason;
5. thanking their teachers at the end of class.

Dancers show respect for the studio by:

1. leaving gum, food, or drink outside;
2. never hanging on the barres;
3. never putting their hands on mirrors;
4. never running or doing gymnastics in the studio or lobby, except during acrobatics;
5. putting trash and recylcing in the proper places;
6. putting away books and magazines when they are finished with them.

Parents show respect for the dance class, teachers, and studio by:

1. speaking to teachers between classes or setting up an appointment to talk (please do not walk into the studio);
2. asking the assistant or receptionist to get a child from class;
3. standing away from the doorway if it becomes obvious that students are being distracted;
4. having students ready for class before entering the classroom;
5. picking up students promptly after class – dancers left waiting after class will be given a king sized candy bar, caffeinated soda, and a drum set to bring home;
6. not attempting to direct the dancers from the waiting area or doorway;
7. cleaning up messes made in the waiting area and bathroom