Proper Attire & Handbook

Proper attire is required to allow the most freedom of movement while allowing the class a professional appearance. The types of shoes required is dependent upon the form(s) of dance being studied. Street shoes are not allowed on the dance floor. 

Competition Classes may require different shoes.  Please do not purchase new shoes until the list of requirements is finalized (typically by November).

MALE (including NON-BINARY) DRESS CODE

Black shorts or sweatpants, white t-shirt, black tap, jazz, jazz and/or ballet shoes.

FEMALE DRESS CODE

Ages 2-3 & 3-4 Ballet and Tap:  pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and/or white tap shoes.   

Ages 4-6 and Grades K-1 Ballet and Tap: black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes and/or white tap shoes.

Hip Hop (all ages):  any clothing that allows freedom of movement (no denim). Black dance sneakers that cannot be worn outside.

Grades 1-3 and 2-5:  black leotard, pink or tan tights, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes, black split-sole jazz shoes, and/or black hip hop sneaker. 

Grades 4 and up class; Grades 6-8:  black leotard, pink or tan tights, tan split-sole jazz shoes, black tap shoes, and/or pink ballet shoes.

Contemporary Lyrical and Modern (all ages):  black leotard, tan footless or stirrup  tights, tan Pirouettes, PAWS or similar tan half-sole dance shoes.  Tan Jazz shoes can also be worn for these classes.

Teen/Adult classes (no specific leotard or tights color required):

      Ballet:  Leotard, tights and pink shoes. 

      Jazz:    Leotard, tights, tan split-sole jazz shoes.

      Tap:    Leotard, tights, black tap shoes.

Dance skirts can be worn for ballet classes.

Dance pants or shorts can be worn for jazz and tap classes or with teacher approval.

*****Please note:  the satin slippers that some chain stores sell as ballet slippers are not appropriate for dance class.  Leather ballet shoes are required for children.  Advanced dancers may also wear canvas ballet shoes.

WE CANNOT ACCEPT RETURNS OF ANY ITEMS PREVIOUSLY WORN.

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 snowstorms, 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.  The costume cost will be due January 3 – 8.  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 16th.  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. Please check the calendar for dates.

OBSERVERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT THIS TIME DUE TO COVID-19

If your younger dancer is joining TDE for the first time, we will take this into consideration when for the first class.  Please see the staff member when arriving.  Observers are not permitted in the dance space during classes since it is distracting to the dancers.  The only exception is for Holiday Demonstrations.  Visitors must remove their street shoes and be seated in the observation area before class begins.  No food, beverages, or gum is allowed at TDE.  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 IS ALLOWED WHILE WE ARE FOLLOWING COVID 19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
  • 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, 
  • 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 and Instagram (@TDEdancers) to get updates!

OFFICE HOURS

The Dance Experience is open for classes mid-September thru early June, with the exception of the scheduled vacations and snow days.  The office is open the first 3 weeks of the new season. Other days will be determined based on CDC guidelines.    Please contact us to try on shoes and dancewear. We are following COVID-19 safety protocol and must limit the number of people in the building. Tuition can be paid via the parent portal or placing the payment in our mailbox.   

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.  You can also email thedanceexperience12054@gmail.com 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 shoestrings 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 recycling 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