Main Studio: 1821 Sandal Brook Road, Indian Land, SC 29707 Studio II: 8437 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land, SC 29707 803-802-8648 DanceU@outlook.com Website: DanceUstudio.com Facebook: Dance U Instagram: Dance_U_Studio STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK 2016-2017 Welcome to Dance U! We are thrilled to have your dancer with us. We are dedicated to building happy, confident, talented dancers one dancer at a time. We believe dance is for everyone and offer classes for all ages and levels in many different genres. Please use this handbook for policies, dates, and information you need. Important Dates: September 6: Classes begin October 15: First costume payment due ($75 per costume. Half due at this time.) November 8: Election Day; No Classes November 15: Final costume payment due. Nov. 23-26: Thanksgiving Break; No Classes Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter Break; No Classes, including no class on Jan. 2 Jan. 13-16: Studio trip to Myrtle Beach for Showstoppers; all dancers 2 nd grade and older invited Jan. 16: MLK Day; No Classes March 15: Recital Fee due; $50 ($100 per family max) Apr. 11-17: Spring Break; No Classes. Studio will be open April 10. April 29: Last Regular Class May 1-6: Photo Week May 13-14: Stage Rehearsal and Recital **Dates are tentative and subject to change** **If there are other days the studio will be closed dancers will be notified** Inclement weather: Please check email, and check Facebook for studio closings. We may not close the studio based on school closings due to weather.
Tuition and Payments 2015 2016 Tuition Class Hours Monthly Per Week Tuition 30 min $40 45 min $50 1 hour $54 1.25 hour $59 1.5 hour $64 1.75 hour $69 2 hours $74 2.25 hours $79 2.5 hours $84 2.75 hours $89 3 hours $94 3.25 hours $99 3.5 hours $102 3.75 hours $105 4 hours $108 4.25 hours $111 4.5 hours $114 4.75 hours $117 5 hours $120 5.5 hours $125 6 hours $130 6.5 hours $135 7 hours $140 7.25 hours $143 7.5 hours $145 7.75 hours $148 8 hours $150 8.25 hours $153 8.5 hours $155 8.75 hours $158 9 hours $160 9.25 hours $163 9.5 hours $165 9.75 hours $168 TUITION: Tuition is due the first of each month. This can be paid via cash, check, credit card, or debit card and can be paid online through your parent portal. Please use the payment box in the lobby for checks and cash or in Studio II give directly to instructor. You may sign up for Auto Pay through your parent portal. Tuition is payable in 8 equal payments September through April. Breaks are accounted for in the annual tuition. There is no additional charge when there are 5 lessons in a month, and no discount when there are three. Tuition is an annual charge divided by eight, not by the lesson or number of lessons in a month. Tuition is not pro rated for absences, and dancers are encouraged to make up any missed classes. For your convenience, you may prepay your annual tuition and receive one month s tuition free. Annual Tuition payments must be received by September 30. Sibling discount is 10% off tuition for the child with the least studio hours per week. Three or more siblings receive additional discounts. LATE FEE: A $10 late fee will be added to each account if not paid by the 10 th of each month. This will be automatically added on the tenth of each month to all accounts. Accounts must be up to date before recital and any dancer with a delinquent account will be unable to participate until payments are up to date. Costumes will also be withheld until balances are paid. DROPPING CLASS: If dropping a class, please notify the office. You must pay in full for any month you attended a class. Simply discontinuing attendance does not constitute withdrawal. REGISTRATION FEE: Registration fee is $35. $55 per family. This is nonrefundable. COSTUME FEE: Check the class description for recital and costume information. Costumes are $75 each and include tights. Costumes will not go home with dancers who owe money. RECITAL FEE: A recital fee is due March 15. $50 per student, max $100 per family. This covers the cost of stage rental, programs, sets, trophies, production, etc. RETURNED CHECKS: $15 returned check fee and applicable late fee will be applied.
Classes and Schedule Class Description: Acro: Ages 5 18. This style teaches flexibility, agility, and tumbling including aerial work. Acro 2 Students must demonstrate a round off and a fall to bridge. Acro 3 students must demonstrate both a front and back walkover and can choose between an aerial or back handspring focus. 45 minutes. NO RECITAL OR COSTUME FEE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE 1 HOUR RECITAL ACRO. Ballet 1 6: Ages 8+. Ballet technique both at the barre and center floor as well as ballet choreography. 45 minute ballet class. Teacher placement required and students can be shifted within the first month to ensure proper level of class. One recital costume. Ballet/Jazz 1 or 4: Beginning level ballet and jazz combo class focusing on both ballet and jazz technique. Teacher placement required. One hour. One recital dance and costume. Ballet/Leaps & Turns: Emphasis on ballet technique both at the barre and center floor. Class time will also be devoted to Leaps and Turns technique and practice. 45 minutes. No recital, no costume. Strictly technique. Ballet/Jazz Combo: Ages 3 8. Ballet/Jazz combination, with the focus on building strong ballet technique. Jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and improv will also be introduced when age appropriate. Baby Ballerinas and younger dancers will focus on the joy of music and movement while developing a strong foundation of ballet and jazz. Ages 3 8 (through second grade). ONE RECITAL DANCE (new this year) and ONE costume. Conditioning/Stretching: The focus of this class is on building the strength that is so necessary for dancers, especially in the upper body and core. The class will end each evening with meditation and relaxation. Ages 8 and up. 30 minutes. No recital or costume. Dance Intensive Grade 3 5: This class is geared toward serious dancers ages 8 12 who are homeschooled and can spend the early afternoons in a dance intensive class 2 or 4 hours a week. Focus on ballet and jazz technique as well as conditioning. Many genres will be taught throughout the year. No recital or costume. Dance U Company. By audition. Class is required for company dancers. Competition dances including solos, duets, trios and groups will be decided within the class. Additional fees will apply for competitions, choreography, costumes, performance trips, etc. Some competition dances will be performed in the recital. Most classes are 75 minutes. Hip Hop: This fun filled co ed class focuses on improving coordination, strength, and flexibility in a high energy class learning the latest hip hop trends. Ages 5 and up. 45 minutes. One recital dance and costume. Home School Fitness: Come have fun in our loving, energetic environment while we introduce all genres of dance, create obstacle courses, enjoy improv and performing for the class and have lots of fun with other home school friends. Ages 5 and up. 45 minutes. No recital or costume. Jazz 1 6: Ages 8 11. Jazz technique, flexibility, turns, leaps, and kicks. 45 minute jazz class. Teacher placement required and students can be shifted within the first month to ensure proper level of class. One recital costume Lyrical: Ages 7 +. Must also be enrolled in Ballet or Combo. A beautiful dance genre engaging students in both ballet and jazz technique while focusing on the musicality in movement. One recital dance and costume. Mommy and Me: The best introduction to dance and music for little ones is with Mommy or your favorite care giver. Come enjoy social time interacting with others in a fun, high energy class. Ages 18 36 months with a care taker. 30 minutes. No recital or costume. Musical Theater: Ages 6+. This class combines ballet and jazz technique focusing on multiple Broadway styles and music. This will introduce dancers to both classical and current musicals. One costume and one recital dance. Pre pointe: Ages 10+. Teacher evaluation required. Strictly technique and conditioning to ensure pointe readiness (which is also accomplished in regular recital ballet classes). Ballet technique both at the the barre and center floor. 45 minutes. No recital or costume.
Pointe 1, 2: Ages 11+ Teacher evaluation required. At least 4 years of ballet experience as well as teacher placement for level 1. Level 2 must successfully complete Dance U level 1 before advancing. One recital dance and one costume. Pom: Pom is a dance style that involves jazz and hip hop moves with pom poms. Introductory tumbling, jumps, and flexibility will be taught. Ages 5 11. 45 minutes. One recital dance and costume. Recital Acro: All skill levels welcome. This one hour acro class will focus on skills in our regular acro classes but will also be in the recital with an acro dance. One costume. Tap: Lace those tap shoes and come enjoy the fun of rhythm while building coordination and strength. 30 minutes. Ages 4 and up. One recital dance and one costume. Tiny Tumble: Ages 18 48 months engage in fun music and movement activities, with the focus being on basic tumbling, flexibility, and coordination. 30 minute class. No recital or costume. General Release of Liablity: Medical and Media IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate in any event (including travel and off-site activiites) at any time during the current year I give my child permission to participate in activities and classes associated with Dance U and: 1. I ACKNOWLEDGE, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of the Activity and that my child is qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such Activity. I further agree and warrant that if, at any time, I believe the conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation in the Activity. I FULLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, COSTS, AND DAMAGES I incur as a result of my participation, or that of the minor, in the Activity. 2. I give permission for my child s photos to be used in all media including, but not limited to social media, newspapers, and advertisments. By registering your child through our Dance U Parent Portal System, you accept this agreement electronically when finalizing registration. Let Dance U office staff know if there are any media considerations. All medical issues should be noted in DETAIL through the parent portal so Dance U instructors have access to any concerns or needs for each dance student. This is the PARENT S responsibility.
Dress Code When dancers come dressed appropriately to class, they are ready to learn and can move more freely. Please carefully adhere to the dress code. SHOES: Dance shoes should not be worn outside and street shoes should not be worn in the studio. Please note that dance shoes do not always fit the same as regular street shoes, especially when ordering online. You may access the Dance U dress code and purchase shoes at Discountdance.com using the studio code TP52437. Shoes can also be fitted and purchased at The Dance Bag or at Lebo s (both on Pineville Matthews Road). Ballet shoes: Capezio Daisy 205C in pink leather, or Capezio Gracie 207C in pink leather, or Capezio Cobra OR JULIETTE in light pink. Older dancers (12+) can choose between canvas or leather. Boy s ballet shoes in black. Classes: Baby Ballerinas, Pre K, all Ballet/Jazz Combo classes, Ballet 1 6, Pre pointe, Pointe 1 2 Jazz shoes: Bloch Super Jazz 20401 in tan, or from Discount Dance Theatrical T7902 in tan. Classes: 2 nd grade Ballet/Jazz Combo, Ballet/Jazz Combo 1 and 4, Jazz 1 6, POM all ages, Musical Theater, Leaps and Turns 1 st Grade, K Ballet/Jazz Combo, Pre K and Baby Ballerinas do NOT need jazz shoes. Tap shoes: Capezio 3800C or Theatricals T9050 for Tap 1 3 (Mary Jane style). T9500 for Tap 4 6 (oxford style). Classes: Tap 1 6, and PreK Tap Hip Hop Shoes: Black or Gray Low top or high top Converse (or any style that looks similar) Classes: HIP HOP 1 4: Purchase at Target or any shoe store that carries Converse, or ANY similar style Lyrical: Twyla II Body Wrappers in Jazzy Tan, leather Pointe 1 2: Pointe shoes; do not purchase without discussing with instructor. All shoes need to be approved and professionally fit. Clean Sneakers any style: Mommy and Me, Conditioning Acro classes and Modern are bare feet. Dancers in Leaps and Turns can choose between bare feet or jazz shoes. Dance Intensive requires all shoes. Dance U Company needs to follow Company shoe list.
HAIR: Hair should be pulled back in a bun or high ponytail in all classes at all times. DRESS: BALLET/POINTE/COMBO/JAZZ/LYRICAL: any color leotard and tights; skirts or shorts are optional TAP/HIP HOP/POM/HOME SCHOOL FITNESS/ACRO: comfortable clothing Studio Policies LOBBY RULES Remain calm and quiet. Dancers can hear noises in both lobbies during classes. If you bring food and drinks into lobby, please dispose of everything properly. The lobby is a shared space and can be very crowded. Please be considerate of others. Use the payment box for all payments not made with a credit or debit card. DO NOT HAND TO DANCE U STAFF or put on desk, with the exception of studio II where instructors will take payment and keep in a safe place. Be on time to pick up dancers. We are not responsible for dancers outside of class time. STUDIO RULES No street shoes are allowed on dance floor. Shoes should be removed in studio. Visitors are not allowed except for on parent observation days. This avoids distraction to your dancer s lesson. Viewing window will be open at the teacher s discretion. CLASS RULES Dancers are expected to be respectful at all times with a proper work ethic to ensure that all dancers are in a positive learning environment. Dancers are expected to attend class so they do not fall behind. In case of illness or injury, makeup classes will be discussed. Be on time to class. Do not bring toys or other distracting items to dance class. CLASS PLACEMENT All classes 2 nd grade and younger are placed in class by age as well as all hip hop classes. At age 8 Dance U instructors use an evaluation system based on the curriculum taught to place dancers in the proper ballet, jazz, acro, and tap class to ensure that dancers do not miss any skills. We offer a competitive dance company. Dancers are chosen through a rigorous audition process each spring. If your dancer is chosen for Company, please refer to the Company contract for additional policies. Rules are in place to ensure that your dancer is receiving the best dance education possible. It is our goal at Dance U to build happy, confident, talented dancers, and adherence to these policies is expected. We are thrilled you have chosen Dance U and are excited to share our passion of dance with your child.