POLICIES
I. Mission Statement
To provide exceptional professional instruction and training for students of the performing arts allowing students of all ages the ability and confidence to reach for their dreams instilling discipline and dedication which are keys for great success in all life's endeavors.
We will accomplish our mission adhering to the following:
• Creating a safe and comfortable environment where students are allowed to experiment and nurture their artistic ability.
• Provide up to date professional instruction and technical training in the ever changing artistic styles.
• Offer a strong faculty of current and previous professionals in the performing arts that will be excellent role models, continuing their own training and provide an understanding that each of us can make our own "Good Luck".
• Working with and caring for each student, taking the time and having the patience to allow each of them to develop their artistic side to the fullest.
II. Financial Policies
Monthly tuition is based on a nine-month dance semester with approximately four classes per month. For your convenience, tuition is payable monthly. There is no extra charge for months with five lessons nor is there a reduction or refund for any classes missed or holidays. We continue enrollment even after the start of the dance year, so some of our classes may reach our maximum class size and we will have to close enrollment for this class. For this reason, if you sit out a month, you may not have a place in class the next month.
August will be prorated.June is calculated as an additional half month and is not included in either payment schedule (monthly or trimester). A $30 registration fee is due at the beginning of the fall session. All students must pay a 2011-2012 registration fee unless one was paid after April 1 of 2011.
Tuition is due the first week of every month. If the studio is closed or your dancer misses class, tuition is still due on the first of the month. Tuition is non-refundable. If tuition is paid on or after the 10th of the month, a $10 late fee will be added. You are responsible for monthly tuition until you notify the studio office of your intent to withdraw from a class. Charges will continue until we receive notification of a dropped class from a parent.
All checks returned are subject to a $30.00 bank fee. After the second returned check, you will be required to pay in cash or with a cashiers check or money order. If you account is not cleared by recital, your student will not be allowed to perform. We accept cash, check, debit, MasterCard, and Visa. Any account over 60 days past due is subject to an 18% interest charge.
Siblings receive 10% off tuition. Discounts are applied to the lesser tuition first.
• Class Cards are designed for ADULT STUDENTS ONLY. Students under 18 may not use class cards. Cards are non-refundable & we are not responsible for lost or stolen cards. NO EXCEPTIONS to these policies will be made. Adult students have no registration fee. Class cards may be purchased individually or at discounted rates for class cards of 5, 10 or 15 classes. We will no longer honor black class cards.
• DWC highly encourages enrolling in our automatic credit card payment plan. The card is run automatically on the 3rd of each month.. Credit card information is NOT kept on file from year to year; information must be updated upon registration.
• Students with unpaid accounts will not be admitted to class until their account is paid up.
• There are NO refunds and tuition cannot be rolled over to another program or session.
Waiver and Release Form
A signed waiver for each student must be on file with DanceWorks by the first day of classes. Students may not be allowed to participate in class until the waiver has been returned.
Snow Cancellation Policy
During inclement weather, please check our website – www.danceworksconservatory.com or call the office at 816-941-7903 to see if the message states there are no classes. It is the student and parents' responsibility to find out if classes will be in session due to the weather. We do not always follow Blue Valley School closings. Please use caution and care for traveling from your particular area.
III. Studio Policies
A dress code is an important part of the discipline instilled in a young dancer. Cover-ups need to be worn at all times outside the studio. Dance tights need to be worn to all classes. Hair must be pulled up out of the face and held securely for all classes.
Combo Class (3, 4, 4-5, 5-7)
Pink Ballet Shoes*
Black Tap Shoes - No Ties - Black Elastic
Leotard and Dance Tights (any style and color, skirts or biker shorts are ok)
Combo Class 7-8
Pink Ballet Shoes*
Black Tap Shoes
Caramel Jazz Shoes
Leotard and Dance Tights (any style and color, skirts ok, biker shorts or jazz pants for jazz & tap)
Pre-Ballet
Pink Ballet Shoes*
Pink Dance Tights
Solid Color Leotard
Hair pulled back and securely tightened in a bun
Ballet 1 & Up
Pink Split Sole Ballet Shoes* for Girls, Black for Boys
Pink Dance Tights for Girls, Black for Boys
Black Leotard (a solid color is ok for Ballet 1 & 2) for Girls, White Tight Fitting Tank for Boys
Hair pulled back and securely tightened in a bun
Tap
Caramel Flat Tap shoes (advanced classes may specify black for recital)
Jazz pants, biker shorts, dance skirts, tank tops
No Jeans, jean shorts or skirts
Jazz
Caramel Jazz Shoes (advanced classes may specify black for recital)
NO Dance Paws or Socks allowed
Leotards, tights, jazz pants, biker shorts, tight fitting tank tops
No Jeans, jean shorts or skirts
Hair secured out of the face
Lyrical
Caramel Jazz Shoes, Dance Paws
NO Socks allowed
Leotards, tights, jazz pants, biker shorts, tight fitting tank tops
No Jeans, jean shorts or skirts
Hair secured out of the face
Hip Hop
Clothes you can move in(t-shirt, shorts, or sweats)
Preferably no jeans
Sneakers
*It is important that dancers have proper pink ballet shoes. DanceWorks will not accept shoes without a flexible sole. Please understand that "non-dance" shoes or house slippers do not allow your student to point their feet.
Advanced classes may be required to purchase other styles or colors of shoes for recital. Please make sure your student does not wear anything that may cause distraction to themselves or the class.
Remember: DanceWear Express is right here next door. Students get a 15% discount. We stock everything you need and can always special order items.
General School Rules
• We expect all students to be on time for class and dressed in the proper dance attire.
• DanceWorks Conservatory reserves the right to revise curriculum and schedule.
• A class with fewer than 4 students is subject to cancellation.
• Additional classes may be added to the schedule as enrollment demands.
• Students are expected to behave respectfully and courteously at all times toward DanceWorks faculty and staff, as well as toward each other.
• It is important for students to be courteous towards one another in order to insure a comfortable atmosphere for all students to learn and grow as artists.
• Students must wait inside the building for their ride to pick them up.
• All students must wear street shoes and cover up clothing once outside the building.
• Chewing gum, food and drinks (except water) are not allowed in the studio. Food and drinks are allowed in the lobby areas only.
• Toe tape, band-aids, containers, wrappers, etc. must be disposed of properly.
• DWC is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. Labeling all personal items with the student’s name is recommended. Please check the lost and found for missing items. Monthly, all items that have not been retrieved will be discarded or donated to charity.
Etiquette for Young Dancers
We thought it important to pass along some rules of etiquette for those new to the dance world. These principles are very important to the development of young dancers in regards to discipline and learning. At DanceWorks we have three major rules in registering a young dancer:
• All young dancers must be potty trained
• Dancers should not be wearing training pants or pull-ups under leotards.
• All young dancers should be free of pacifiers
• These three rules may sound silly but we have found that if a child is dependent on any of the above three items, they generally are not disciplined for a structured dance environment.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO’s - Important things to do:
• Dancers should have hair pulled back out of their face.
• Dancers should have names on their dance bag and every pair of shoes.
• Dancers should have elastic in their tap shoes to replace ribbons. (If you don't know how, please ask the teachers or the office).
• Dancers should wear tights
• Dancers need to visit the restroom prior to dance class.
• Dancers should have the appropriate shoes for the appropriate class.
DON’TS – Important things not to do:
• Dancers should not chew gum at the dance studio.
• Dancers should not wear their dance shoes outside.
• Dancers should not wear street shoes inside the dance rooms.
• Dancers should not wear underwear under their leotards.
• PARENTS should not peek through the window into any classroom.
Attendance, Tardiness & Class Make-Up Policy
• Students are required to attend all classes they are enrolled in.
• If a student must miss a class for any reason, a phone call to the office or an email to info@danceworksconservatory.com is necessary in order to inform the teacher of the absence. A reason as to why student is missing is appreciated.
• If a student misses class, they are allowed four weeks to make up the class they missed. Please call the office to arrange the make-up class and to get a list of classes that would be acceptable for them to make-up in. The office must be informed of the make-up in order to let the teacher know of an additional dancer. Students who do not follow this policy may be billed for the extra class they took.
• Students who have poor attendance may be moved down a level, as regular attendance is essential to improving the skill and strength required for advanced levels.
• Tardiness is not acceptable. Students should be in class, ready to dance at the designated class time. For combo classes, entering late is a big distraction to all the students and stops the flow of class. For more advanced classes, warming up at the beginning of class is crucial to injury prevention, and class is designed for the development of technique. Students are encouraged to arrive a few minutes before class to begin stretching and warming up. Please call if you know you will be late.
Class Placement
• New students should take a “placement class” during which the teacher will determine the correct class for the student. Sometimes, an extended period of up to two weeks may be required to observe the student in our classroom setting before this determination can be made.
• Placement at every level is based on several factors including age, maturity, accomplishment, physical strength and commitment.
• Class placement is at the sole discretion of the DWC faculty & staff.
Class Advancement
Advancement may occur at any time, but on average students are expected to remain in a level for a minimum of two years. Students may not be promoted every year. At times, students may require a couple of years to accomplish the technique in a particular level. Our primary concern is that a student be placed in a level that is appropriate to his or her skill level and physical strength. If the child is promoted too soon, then he or she will miss some very valuable training. These children also struggle in the next level, which is unnecessary and could result in injury. A student who carefully develops his or her technique early in the curriculum will find advancement in later years to be smoother and more rewarding.
IV. Parent Policies
Family Watch Week
It is important for parents to come to the studio and observe their student’s progress periodically throughout the school year. There are several opportunities during the year for parents to observe their children in class. Observation dates will be November 14th to 19th and February 20th to 25th.
Use of Physical Touch by Teachers During Class
Instructors may be touching students from time to time, in order to help them find the proper alignment/placement and develop the proper technical and qualitative aspects necessary to dance.
Resolving Issues
DWC recommends that parents, students and teachers have open communication. If an issue arises, parents are encouraged to contact the office immediately to discuss their concerns.
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
Danceworks Conservatory and its instructors are not liable for personal injuries, or loss of or damage to personal property. Since dance is a physical activity, injuries may occur. Each student may decline to participate in any activity which that student deems harmful and must inform the instructor of any physical limitations which may prevent full participation in class.