General Information

The Dance Experience Calendar 2022–2023
Saturday, September 17th      CLASSES BEGIN!

Columbus Day         Classes ARE Held

 October 31                   No Classes – Halloween

GENERAL STUDIO RULES

  • ABSOLUTELY NO GUM, FOOD, OR CANDY ALLOWED.
  • NO STREET SHOES ARE ALLOWED ON THE STUDIO FLOOR AT ANY TIME. SNEAKERS USED FOR HIP HOP CANNOT BE WORN OUTSIDE THE STUDIO.
  • 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 JEAN SHORTS ARE TO BE WORN DURING CLASS

NEWSLETTERS

Studio newsletter will be distributed regularly to keep everyone informed about studio happenings. These newsletters will be sent via email to those who have given us their addresses. Only those families who do not have email will be given a hard copy.

OFFICE HOURS

The Dance Experience is open for classes September 17th – June 3rd, 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 – 8:30 and Saturday 9 – 1. The office is not typically open during the morning and afternoon classes.

PHOTOGRAPHER

A professional photographer will come to the studio in May 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 compact disc of their End of Year Performance songs will be provided to each student who requests one, in writing, prior to February Break. Practice is the only way to improve.

END OF YEAR PERFORMANCE

The End of Year Performances will be announced in the near future. Most classes participate in only 1 performance. We do our best to keep siblings in the same show, although this is not always possible.

The End of Year Performances will be videotaped by a professional videographer and dvds will be available for purchase. Individuals cannot videotape the performances.

STUDENT ILLNESS OR INJURY

MEDICAL CONDITIONS, whether temporary or chronic, should be brought to the instructor’s attention. Even minor injuries should be discussed with your instructor. Please call 463-1195 and leave a message if you/your child must miss a class.

 

CLASS CANCELLATION

In the event of inclement weather, a message will be left at 463-1195. We are also a member of The School Closings Network, so please check the local television stations and/or web sites. 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 by January 2nd 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 payment for the costume will be due in January. Dancers are measured in December for the costumes they will wear in June. If you do not want a costume to be ordered, a request must be submitted in writing prior to December 22rd. Consideration is given for growth, but parent recommendation on costume size is greatly appreciated. COSTUMES CANNOT BE RETURNED OR EXCHANGED. If a student drops out of a class after the costume is ordered, parents are still responsible for 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 a recital 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  Halloween Dress Up Week

January  Dress Up Week

February  Dress Up Week

April Dress Up Week

OBSERVERS

Parents are always welcome to stay in the waiting area during dance classes. Observers are not permitted in the dance space during classes since it is distracting to the dancers. The only exception is our Holiday Demonstrations in December . 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.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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 performance 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:

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

Dancers show respect for others by:

  • keeping their hands to themselves during class;
  • waiting quietly for others to have a turn;
  • waiting until the teacher or assistant calls them into class;
  • 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:

  • being properly dressed and ready for class on time;
  • listening when the teacher speaks;
  • when sitting on the floor, sitting cross-legged with backs up straight;
  • being prepared for their turn;
  • always asking before leaving the room for any reason;
  • thanking their teachers at the end of class.

Dancers show respect for the studio by:

  • leaving gum, food, or drink outside;
  • never hanging on the barres;
  • never running or doing gymnastics in the studio or lobby, except during acrobatics;
  • putting trash in the proper places;
  • putting away books and magazines when they are finished with them.

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

  • speaking to teachers between classes or setting up an appointment to talk (please do not walk into the studio);
  • asking the assistant or receptionist to get a child from class;
  • standing away from the doorway if it becomes obvious that students are being distracted;
  • having students ready for class before entering the classroom;
  • picking up students promptly after class;
  • not attempting to direct the dancers from the waiting area.