Welcome to To all of the new families, welcome to our tribe & studio! To all of the returning families, a huge thank you for your loyalty & we are so glad to have you back! In this packet you will find important information to help you throughout the year. Our main & preferred source of communication is e-mail, so please be sure to add us to your contacts! COMMUNICATION Please check your mailbox every time you come in to the studio. Your mailbox is a folder in our file cabinet located next to the front desk. We will put reminders, forms we need back and important information in your mailbox, so be sure to check it weekly! All forms will also be available on our website: www.the8thcountdancestudio.com. The folders are alphabetized by the student s last name, so be sure to put your folder back in the correct spot. We will typically have someone at the desk during class hours. Please stop by and say Hi - we want to get to know you and your dancer! You can also email us at: The8thCountDanceStudio@yahoo.com or call during lobby hours to speak to someone directly (947-414-1510). Our instructors have tight schedules and are not typically available between classes. Please schedule an appointment if you would like to speak with an instructor. LOBBY While waiting in the lobby we ask that you keep noise level to a minimum. Dancers or their siblings should never run or rough house. Please clean up any toys or books that are used. There should never be any gossip or talking poorly about anyone in the studio as negativity does not create a good learning experience. The restrooms are located down the hall to the right. Please have all young children use the restroom before they go in to class. Room 1 is where the majority of our younger children s classes are held. There is a viewing window that will be open the first week of each month. Please refrain from waving or distracting the children in class. The window can be closed at any time if the instructor finds it is becoming too distracting.
SNACK CENTER, ARRIVAL & PICK-UP We have a great healthy snack center in our lobby. Most items are $1 or less, CASH ONLY. If you would like to purchase a Snack Center card for $10 please visit the front desk. Credit cards & online accounts will not be accepted for snack purchases. Dancers should arrive at the studio 5 minutes before their scheduled class time to get ready for class. Dance shoes should never be worn outside. Parents should arrive promptly at the end of class to pick up their dancer. A parent should never enter a room without the consent of our front desk manager or an instructor. Please do not open the door to any room while class is in session. MISSED CLASSES In the event of inclement weather we may cancel classes. If so, we will notify all families via e-mail by 9:30am for morning classes and by 2:00pm for afternoon classes as well as post on our Facebook & Instagram pages. We do not hold make-ups, however, your dancer is welcome to make-up the missed class on their own in a different class within their age range. We just ask that you let the front desk know at least 24 hours in advance. This goes for any missed class until January when we begin working on recital routines, which makes a make-up class invaluable. COSTUMES Costume fees will be due December 1st. If you would like to set up a payment plan please do so before then as we need all accounts paid in full by December 1st so we can order costumes. Costumes are $100 and include the required tights as well. All dancers in a combo class (ages 3+) will have 2 routines in recital and will either have; a 2-in-1 costume or an added accessory to make each costume look a little different. RECITALS Our recitals will be held on Sunday, June 9th at 12:00pm and 4:00pm at Walled Lake Northern High School. Most dancers will be in just 1 show & we will let you know which as we get closer. Tickets will go on sale May 1st. We strive to make your experience at The 8th Count as convenient and easy as possible. We will always notify you as early as we can for all upcoming events and due dates. You can also check our website day or night for up to date information about events, and you can now check your account too at www.dancestudio-pro.com/online/ danceat8th. We are here not only to teach your child dance, but to also instill self-respect, integrity, commitment & passion, as well as respect for fellow students and instructors. We are proud to be entering our 8th year & we are so glad that you will be apart of it! Dance on! The 8th Count Staff
Dress code & shoe requirements *COMPETITION TEAM MAY HAVE DIFFERENT SHOE REQUIREMENTS* *PLEASE SEE INSTRUCTOR* COMBO CLASSES (8 & under) Attire: Any color Leotard and tights with optional tutu or any activewear. Shoes: Black Capezio Mary Jane tap shoes recommended, however, any Mary Jane style tap shoes are okay but NO TIES & any brand classic pink ballet shoes (ballet shoe ties should be knotted & then cut off). Hair: Must be pulled off of face. Boys: Any brand lace up tap shoes & any brand black ballet shoes. BALLET (9 & up)- Under 9 see combo classes Attire: Black leotard and pink or tan tights. Shoes: Any brand classic pink ballet shoes. Hair: Must be in a secure bun. Boys: Any brand black ballet shoes, black pants or shorts with white t-shirt. JAZZ/LYRICAL Attire: Form fitting activewear. Tights and dance shorts encouraged. Shoes: Slip on dark tan or caramel jazz shoes. Hair: In secure ponytail or bun. Boys: Black slip on jazz shoes for jazz (for lyrical see instructor) TAP (9 & up)- Under 9 see combo classes Attire: Form fitting activewear (not covering feet). Shoes: Any brand black lace up tap shoes (Bloch or Capezio brands highly encouraged) Hair: In secure ponytail or bun. HIP-HOP Attire: T-shirt or tank top, shorts, leggings or sweatpants. All of the above apparel is acceptable as well. Shoes: Black Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Tops. Hair: In secure ponytail or bun. ACRO & TUMBLING Attire: Form fitting activewear. No loose clothing, as it can be dangerous. Shoes: No shoes required; barefoot. Hair: In a secure ponytail or bun. Dance shoes should NEVER be worn outside of the studio. It will ruin the shoes, as well as damage our floors.
*REVISED* September 2018: September 10th- Classes begin September 19th- Yom Kippur (CLOSED) 2018-2019 Calendar October 2018: October 20th- Halloween Dance Party 5:00-8:00pm- COMPANY October 22nd-25th- Bring a Friend to Dance & Costume Week October 31st- Halloween (CLOSED) November 2018: November 19th-25th- Thanksgiving break (CLOSED) December 2018: December 1st- Recreational costume order forms & payments due December 9th- Company holiday party 1:00pm- COMPANY December 22nd-Jan 6th- Winter Break (CLOSED) January 2019: January 7th- Classes resume January 21st- Martin Luther King Day (CLOSED) February 2019: February 1st-3rd- CONVENTION- Junior/Senior COMPANY- (Optional for mini/petite) February 9th- Pajama Valentine s Day Dance Party 5:00-8:00pm- COMPANY February 10th- Full team dress rehearsal- COMPANY February 18th-24th- Mid-Winter Break (CLOSED) March 2019: March 1st-3rd- Revolution Talent Competition- COMPANY March 8th-10th- Hall of Fame Dance Challenge- COMPANY March 22nd-24th- Platinum Dance Competition- COMPANY- OPTIONAL April 2019: April 1st-7th- Spring Break (CLOSED) April 12th-14th- NexStar Competition- COMPANY April 27th-28th- Picture day weekend May 2019: May 3rd-5th- Applause Talent or Believe Competition- COMPANY- OPTIONAL May 27th- Memorial Day (CLOSED) June 2019: June 3rd & 6th- Dress Rehearsals- Walled Lake Northern High School (Exact day will be assigned) June 9th- Recitals- Walled Lake Northern High School (Exact show will be assigned) August 2019: August 12th-22nd- Summer Intensive *Required for company dancers*
WHAT HAPPENS IN MY CHILD S CLASS? Tap/Ballet Combo (Ages 2-3- 30 minute class) Students at this age are most likely experiencing their first classroom experience. There may be some separation anxiety the first few weeks, so we will work with you to try to make your child as comfortable as possible. Combo students need to wear their tap shoes into class and bring their ballet shoes in. They will have a special name card to put their ballet shoes on, and the teacher will have them change into their ballet shoes at the appointed time. Be sure to remove all ballet ties by knotting and cutting them off or knotting and taping them inside the shoe. The teacher will come to the door and greet the students every week. The goal is for the students to go into the room without the parent. Sometimes this takes a bit of time and adjusting but we assure you that your child is in good hands. The instructor will spend some time introducing herself, learning the children s names and having the dancers learn each others names. The beginning of class is spent doing simple exercises to get the dancers warmed up. They will then begin working on different skills through games and follow-the-leader type exercises. For example, they will try to move like different animals, to practice jumping, hopping, and galloping. You will see them use many different props and toys to keep their attention, so the class will change every few minutes. The goal is to get the entire class to understand how the classroom works, while learning basic dance skills and proper terminology. It sometimes takes a few months for all of the dancers to learn to wait for their turn and to understand the flow of the class. Skills covered this year hopping, skipping, jumping with 2 feet & from foot to foot, galloping with either foot leading, balancing on one leg, pointing vs. flexing the feet, turning, following directions, taking turns, the different sounds made with tap shoes, basic rhythm and musicality. Terminology for this year Ballet- first position, demi plie, sauté, 1 st, 2 nd position arms, releve, tendu, arabesque, passé, chasse, curtsy. Tap- shuffle, dig, toe taps front & back, brush, march, hop, heel toe. Your little dancer will be awarded a stamp at the end of class for good behavior. Your child will do one routine in the June recital. Students start to learn their dances between November and January depending on the class. This class is a very fun introduction to ballet and tap for your tiny dancer.
WHAT HAPPENS IN MY CHILD S CLASS? Tap/Ballet/Tumble Combo (Age 3-5 or 4-6- 45 minute class) Students at this age may be experiencing their first classroom experience. There may be some separation anxiety the first few weeks, so we will work with you to try to make your child as comfortable as possible. Combo students need to wear their tap shoes into class and bring their ballet shoes in. They will have a special name card to put their ballet shoes on, and the teacher will have them change into their ballet shoes at the appointed time. Be sure to remove all ballet ties by knotting and cutting them off or knotting and taping them inside the shoe. The teacher will come to the door and greet the students every week. The goal is for the students to go into the room without the parent. Sometimes this takes a bit of time and adjusting but we assure you that your child is in good hands. The instructor will spend some time introducing herself, learning the children s names and having the dancers learn each others names. The beginning of class is spent doing simple exercises to get the dancers warmed up. They will then begin working on different skills through games and follow-the-leader type exercises. For example, they will try to move like different animals, to practice jumping, hopping, and galloping. You will see them use many different props and toys to keep their attention, so the class will change every few minutes. The goal is to get the entire class to understand how the classroom works, while learning basic dance skills and proper terminology. It sometimes takes a few months for all of the dancers to learn to wait for their turn and to understand the flow of the class. Skills covered this year hopping, skipping, jumping with 2 feet & from foot to foot, galloping with either foot leading, balancing on one leg, pointing vs. flexing the feet, turning, following directions, taking turns, the different sounds made with tap shoes, basic rhythm and musicality. Terminology for this year Ballet- first position, second position, demi plie, grande plie, sauté, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th position arms, releve, tendu, arabesque, passé, pirouette, pique, chasse, curtsy, ballerina walks and runs, pas de chat. Tap- shuffle, shuffle hop step, dig, toe taps front & back, brush, march, hop, heel toe heel, flap, flap heel, stomp. Your little dancer will be awarded a stamp at the end of class for good behavior. Your child will do two routines in the June recital. Students start to learn their dances between November and January depending on the class. This class is a very fun introduction to ballet and tap for your tiny dancer.
WHAT HAPPENS IN MY CHILD S CLASS? Jazz/Hip-Hop Combo and Hip-Hop (Age 5-8/3-5- 45 minute class/30 minute class) Jazz/Hip-Hop Combo students will wear their hip-hop shoes into class & bring their jazz shoes in with them. The teacher will have them change into their jazz shoes at the appointed time. The teacher will come to the door and greet the students every week. The goal is for the class to be ready and waiting to enter the room. The instructor will spend some time introducing herself, and learning the children s names. Part of the class is spent doing a simple warm-up and stretching exercises then the dancers will work on hip-hop skills. Students will switch their shoes and go over jazz terminology and travel across the floor to work on locomotor skills. They may also work on skills or a combination center floor. Skills covered this year simple isolations, skipping, galloping with either foot leading and alternating, balancing on one leg, pointing vs. flexing the feet, straight vs. bent legs, turning in place and traveling, basic rhythm and musicality, proper weight placement, beginning flexibility exercises. Terminology for this year ball change, leap, pirouette, chaine turn, battement, passe, splits, burpee, indian step, isolations, chasse, tendu, leg extension, jazz hands, bounce. Your child will do two routines in the June recital. Students start to learn their dances between November and January depending on the class. This class is a great introduction to jazz, hip-hop, beats and rhythms.