2017-18 Competition Team Audition Information OVERVIEW These are the guidelines for all the companies and they will be strictly enforced. You should read these carefully and then decide if you are willing and able to make the commitment. Competition dance is designed for the student interested in competition, conventions, and intensive study. Competition can be very costly. All dance company members are required to take the following classes once a week for the entire year (Sept. May): 1). One dance class per week for each team the dancer is on (ex-jazz, Tap, Ballet). 2). One Ballet Technique class per week. 3) One Leaps and Turns Class per week Monthly Tuition charges will apply to these classes. Additional technique classes offered by In Step Dance Center in the summer and during the dance season are highly encouraged. ATTENDANCE The ISDC competition program is a year long commitment and consistent practice is vital to the success of our teams. Therefore, if you make a team you will be required to attend all rehearsals including occasional extra rehearsals. We also perform at many community functions in the spring and summer and your attendance at these is also very important. If a child misses an excessive amount of practices, he/she could be dismissed from the team. It is important to realize that everyone plays a very important role in the routines. If everyone is not here, we simply can t have an effective practice. Parties, relatives visiting, siblings, ballgames, etc. are not acceptable excuses and those types of absences will not be excused. Do not commit to a team if you can t give 100% of the time we ask from you. In the event of a sickness, a parent must call in before, not after, practice. (Special circumstances are given proper consideration if the ISDC staff is contacted in a timely manner.) If you are to miss, it is YOUR responsibility to get together with someone else from your team and review what you missed before the next practice. We simply do not have time to re-teach material in class due to one person s absence. If you miss 3 classes you are required to purchase time with an instructor for a private lesson to get caught up. If a total of 8 classes are missed then the dancer will be removed from the class and no refunds will be issued. Absences are excused for the following reason: 1. A death in the family 2. A function that directly affects a school grade (Absent form found on ISDC website must be completed by the teacher and turned in the next practice.) 3. Hospitalization for Illness or injury (doctor s note required) 4. Illnesses requiring bed rest and/or contagious illnesses Excused absences are still required to purchase instructor time at $30.00 per ½ hour and if 8 classes are missed, even if excused, the student will be removed from the team. If you are injured, you must continue to attend class. You will be expected to observe class and learn the new material. You may be asked to take notes to hand in at the end of class. Attending and not participating does not count as a full class and after 3 classes of observing only will require a paid makeup. Dancers must not miss a practice FOR ANY REASON one week prior to a competition. If your dancer is not performing to the level of the rest of the class they will be asked to attend private lessons at your expense and could be removed from the competition. This is a last resort and we highly encourage parents to video tape the class and practice at home. COMMUNICATION ISCD Competition dance is a family commitment of time, energy, and money But the rewards are priceless!!! We hope to become an extension of your family. To this end, we strive to keep you informed of our goals and activities. 1. We do the majority of our communication through email. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that we have your current email address. You can check your email on file by logging into your account though the ISDC home page. 2. There is a page on our website (www.isdcdance.com) dedicated to the competition teams. All updates and competition schedules are also posted there as soon as we receive them. 3. Any questions should be emailed to Cindy at isdcdance@embarqmail.com or you can contact her by phone at 937-642-6683 1 5/16/2017
PARENT ADVISORY BOARD: The Parent Advisory Board was created in 2008 for the following purposes: To raise funds to help support Competition Dancers To provide funds to help pay for props, team building activities, and other competition-related expenses To provide a positive network to disperse competition information regarding details about competitions, costumes, events, etc. To provide a place for team parents to discuss upcoming events The parent advisory board holds meetings that all competition parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Volunteer time!! Competition is fun and exciting but also expensive and it can only work if we have everyone s support. To keep the cost of competition lower, every year we ask for parents to volunteer their time and talents to help during different events. Such as Costume and prop building days and competitions and recitals. Over the past few years a pattern has emerged of a small group of parents carrying the brunt of the work, and all of the students are reaping the rewards. In an effort to eliminate this scenario, yet again from happening, we will be instating the following procedure. There will be a $100.00 returnable fee that must be paid with your commitment to the competition team. To this end we will be requiring a minimum of 8 hours volunteer time per family for the season. Once you have completed your volunteer time your $100.00 fee will be removed. We will be posting a sign up genius of things that you can volunteer for and there approximate time requirements in June. Remember these 8 hours are spread out over the course of 9 months. If volunteering is not something you wish to do and you would rather just pay the $100.00 charge you are welcome to do so. Competition Expenses for 2017-18 This year we are requiring all competition dancers to be on reoccurring payment schedule. This will charge all tuition and fees that are accumulated automatically the first day of the month on a credit or debit card on file. Competition charges will be added to the account as it is incurred. Accounts are expected to be paid in full at the beginning of each month. If the card is declined you will be charged a late fee of $10.00 the first day and every 5 days the payment not paid. All accounts must be paid in full for your dancer to compete. If you prefer you can also set up an auto draw where we estimate your total year cost and pay a set amount each month. In April your account will be evaluated and any additional charges or credits will be adjusted and charged. To set this up you must contact Becky Williams by e-mail to ISDCDance@embarqmail.com with your name and phone number for Becky to contact you. A $150.00 Nonrefundable fee will be charged in September that will be a deposit for team uniform, makeup and other competition costs. All costumes will require a separate $100.00 deposit with ½ due Oct.1 st and the other ½ due in Nov. 1 st and the balance due March 1st (just like Costumes for a recreation class has be handled). Costume will include all items for the costume such as hats, bows, hair pieces etc. that ISDC will be providing not Items that you are required to purchase. This fee also does not include the cost of shoes. Team uniform (jacket-shirt and Shorts), Makeup, eyelashes, and conventions will be charged as they are ordered. Entry fees The first competition entry fees will be posted as follows, 1 st in December, 2 nd in January, 3rd in February and 4h on March. Please remember that entry fees range from $45-$55 per student per dance. This can add up quickly if your child is in 4 dances your entry fee for one competition could be over $200.00, all accounts must be current at the time of each competition to be eligible to compete. Below is a schedule of estimated fees and when they hit your accounts. You are always welcome to pay ahead on your account we just will not be requiring it this time. Each account should be kept current even with the extra fees. Estimated Expense List: (this is an estimate only based on last season s pricing. Price will change slightly once the new schedules are out) June - $100.00 commitment fee. (This will be credited back to your account once volunteer hours are completed) July - Choreography camp: Is approximately $42.00 per class bit could be more if a guest choreographer is used. Standard discounting does not apply. This is non-refundable. If a student has committed to a team and drops the class after the July 1 st you will still be responsible for this fee. September- $150.00 Competition warm-ups will be ordered and posted to account. If attending Showstoppers Oct. 21-22, 2017 the $220.00 Kalahari, Sandusky Ohio. Convention will be charged to your account. October $50.00 per costume depots will be posted. Nov. $50.00 per costume depots will be posted plus $100.00 in-house convention fee or $235.00 the Hollywood Dance Jamz convention fee $235.00 Cincinnati date February 23-25, 2018 2 5/16/2017
December First competition fee. Usually fees cost around $45.00 per dance per student. (So if your student is dancing in 5 numbers that would be $225.00 per competition). January- Makeup kits $45.00 (for new comp. dancers) $8.00 earrings (for new dancers) $4.00 per eyelash set and Entry fee for 2 nd competition price to be determined. February- 3rd competition entry fee, costume balance is due, prop fee if any will be posted. March, 4th competition entry fees. May- Any additional unpaid fees will be charged to the credit card on file. Note: Here is the estimated cost (not including tuition fees) for 1 dancer competing in 1to 5 dances. Item 1 Dance 2 Dances 3 Dances 4 Dances 5 Dances Warm-Up $150.00 Recital Package $45.00 Convention $100.00 Makeup $50.00 Earrings $8.00 Volunteer $100.00 Costume $100.00 $200.00 $300.00 $400.00 $500.00 Choreography Camp $42.00 $ 84.00 $ 126.00 $ 168.00 $ 210.00 *Comp 1 Entry $47.00 $ 94.00 $ 141.00 $ 188.00 $ 235.00 *Comp. 2 Entry $47.00 $ 94.00 $ 141.00 $ 188.00 $ 235.00 *Comp 3 Entry $47.00 $ 94.00 $ 141.00 $ 188.00 $ 235.00 *Comp 4 Entry $47.00 $ 94.00 $ 141.00 $ 188.00 $ 235.00 Total $783.00 $1,113.00 $1,443.00 $1,773.00 $2,103.00 * Fee is example only and will be different based on Competition cost FUNDRAISING Competitive dance can be a very costly activity. However, we offer many fundraising opportunities to help minimize the financial burden. In addition to personal fundraisers available to the entire studio, the Parent Advisory Board holds fundraising for competition teams. CONVENTION STUDY All companies with the exception of Petite company are required to attend one of the three following conventions: o The Showstopper Convention at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky October 21st - 22nd, cost $220.00 per dancer plus hotel & travel. Registration must be received in writing and fee paid by Tuesday Oct. 1, 2017. o Hollywood Dance Jamz Convention fee $235.00 Cincinnati convention center February 23 rd -25 th fee due Nov. 1st o Convention ISDC In-House Convention in November date to be announced. Cost $100.00 per dancer. o If you do not register for either Showstoppers or Hollywood dance Jamz you will be automatically enrolled in the in- house convention. It is our belief that the more you dance the better you become! We encourage dancers to attend all of the above conventions, as well as the optional classes or workshops offered at ISDC. Petite company is not required to attend any conventions or technique class but they may do so if they wish. COMPETITION SEASON SCHEDULE We will be attending 3-5 out of town competitions (Usually Columbus, Dayton area but possibly other out of town locations). You are expected to be at ALL competitions. These competitions take priority over all other activities. We expect our dancers to honor their commitment to the studio and to their teammates. All dancers are required to attend the competition awards ceremony. This is a Nationals competition year that will 3 5/16/2017
require travel out of state usually in June or July but will be announced once the schedule is available. will be made by Cindy Lopresti. The final decision on attending Nationals 2017-18 Competition Schedule To Be Announced Recital and other Events Competition dancers will perform twice on recital day. All numbers will be in the final recital and the others will be spread out amongst the other recitals. Competition dancers are required to help with recitals on dress rehearsal and recital days. Competition dancers may also be asked to perform at community events. Competition dancers are expected to participate in competition parties, big sis /little sis programs, helping out when needed and being a good roll model in the studio and community. Once we have released the Competition Schedule in the fall, if a dancer is not able to make a competition, then their number(s) might not compete in that competition, at Cindy s discretion. If a dancer is not able to make a competition, we reserve the right to choreograph the number in such a way that the dancer s absence will not adversely affect the other dancers. It is not fair to the other dancers to re-choreograph a dance due to one person. This is not like a team sport where someone can just step into your spot if you are not there it will adversely affect the entire team. We pay your entry fees to the competitions up to 3 months in advance and those are NON-REFUNDABLE. We must be notified in writing of any conflicts immediately. No later than Nov. 1 st! The 2017-18 competition schedules will be announced as soon as the competition dates are posted from the dance companies. We will send an email with the schedule once it has been set. This is a travel year and the destination for our Nationals and the Date will be announced as soon as the competition schedule is available. Please know that we are not notified of the exact time the dancers perform until 7-10 days prior to the competition. As much as we would like, we have no control over any changes of days or times that we are scheduled to perform. So please do not schedule other activities for the same weekend. Solos, Duet and Trio s Solos, duets and trio dancers need to have a minimum skill set for their age level to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the instructor. Because you will be competing under our studio name we welcome your input but ISDC Staff will have final say over song selection, style of dance and choreography changes. Each dancer must compete in 2 group numbers, one in the style of dance that your solo, duet or trio is and any additional style. Pricing: $400.00 for Solo, $500.00 Duet ($250.00 per dancer), $600.00 for trio ($200.00 per dancer). This fee includes choreography and 9 mandatory ½ hour sessions with the instructor. Additional private lessons can be purchased at the cost of $30.00 per ½ hour. Competition entry fees for solos range from $80-$120.00, duets and trios rage from $50.00 - $90.00 per dancer. Scheduling and payment of Solos/duets/trio s and additional sessions will be handled through the studio not the directly through the instructor. Contact Cindy via Email (isdcdance@embarqmail.com) to schedule. Note: your account must be completely current in order to schedule a solo/duet/or trio. Payment in full is due at the first lesson. Solo s, Duets & Trios will NOT participate in the recital but may be offered a timeslot to perform for friends and family between recitals. All applications to compete in a solo, duet or Trio must be filled out and submitted with a parent signature to the studio by June 1 st. We are very excited for the upcoming season!! Please email Cindy at isdcdance@embarqmail.com if you have any questions. 4 5/16/2017
Parent Signature Sheet: - This must be turned in on Wednesday 5/27/2015 I have read this entire packet and understand my commitment both time and financial to In Step Dance Center Competition team. Parent Signature Student Signature We will announce what teams your dancer has been chosen for as quickly as we can. Once announced you will have 7 days to respond with your commitment to the teams you will compete in. Results will be posted by their number on the website. The class schedule will not be finalized until Sept. 1 st. (We will make every effort to keep competition classes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings) Because we require all competition dancers to have an active credit card on file that will be charged on the 1 st day of the month for all outstanding charges, May tuition will be charged 3 days prior to recital ticket sales, please include a credit card number if it is different than the one currently on file, on May 5 th any outstanding charges will also be automatically charged to your account. If your account is not kept current your dancer will be asked to sit out during practice and you will be responsible for additional privet lessons to get them caught up on the classes they missed due to non- payment. Credit card number Expiration Not having your card charged is easy just pay off your account before the first of the month. The card will only be charged the outstanding balance amount. Please note that on Wednesday 5/17/2017 auditions will be conducted in groups and your student will be excused once they have completed the audition. Please be available by phone during audition times to pick up your dancer once they are finished. 5 5/16/2017