FOOTNOTES August 2017 WELCOME TO THE DANCE FACTORY CLASSES BEGIN Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 5th, 2017 We would like to welcome you to The Dance Factory. Beginning our 36th season of teaching the love of dance. Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another. Pleases retain this booklet as it contains information you will need during the season. INTRODUCING OUR 2017-18 TEACHING FACULTY MRS. KAREN WICE (Studio Director/Owner/Tap/Jazz/Lyrical) Karen Wice, Studio Director/Owner of the Dance Factory, in its 36 th season. As a dance teacher and owner Miss Karen has over 30 years of dance experience with The Dance Factory. This gives her the patience, understanding and discipline that make her an exceptional teacher. Miss Karen is a tremendous asset to the studio with her passion she has for dance as well as outstanding teaching skills and award winning choreography. Miss Karen has received numerous awards and top honours at many competitions with her innovative & creative choreography. Her students always achieve outstanding results in both exams and competition with Miss Karen s exceptional training. Karen is a fully accredited teacher of ADAPT and a member of the WRDAA dance association. Karen keeps her teaching skills upgraded by attending teacher s courses, as well as classes with today s top choreographers to keep up with the ever-changing world of dance. Miss Karen herself has performed in Disneyland as well as travelled abroad with the TDF students. Many of her students are moving on to pursue careers at various dance programs across the country as well as professional programs in the US. The Dance Factory has exceptional results in exams. Each year the outstanding competition work and results the students receive is something everyone is very proud of. The Dance Factory teachers give every student the tools, and technique that develop exceptional dancers. The studio has a proven track record to be able to make this statement. Introducing you to the exceptional faculty that makes The Dance Factory the success that it is. MISS JENNIFER ZACHARIAS (Tap/Jazz/Musical Theatre/Lyrical/Tiny Toes/Kinder Komb/Acro) Miss Jennifer is beginning her 18 th season at The Dance Factory as a member of our teaching faculty. Jennifer holds her Advanced ADAPT Jazz Certificate. Jennifer is a fully accredited teacher of the ADAPT syllabus as well as a member of the WRDAA Dance Association. Miss Jenn also became an accredited Acro instructor through the Acrobatic Arts Program this summer. With her fun and energetic classes, she has had many successes with her students in exams and competition. Many of Jenn s young students have taken home top honours at various competitions with her innovative choreography. Miss Jenn has received numerous awards for her choreography as well. Jennifer is excited to be back teaching in the fall and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and love of dance with her students. Along with her enthusiasm for dancing, her classroom has a dynamic and lively atmosphere that all of her students will enjoy. 1
MR.CHRISZACHARIAS (Hip-Hop-Jazz- Jazz-Tap-Musical Theatre-Street Jazz) The Dance Factory welcomes back Mr. Chris to the teaching faculty. Chris has been a dancer at The Dance Factory for over 15 years and is starting his 10th season as a teacher at TDF. Chris is a fully accredited teacher of the ADAPT System of Dance in Tap and Jazz as well as a member of the WRDAA Dance Association. Chris s classes prove to be fun with his energetic and creative style of teaching. Mr. Chris is looking forward to working with the students at TDF. His inventive choreography scores extremely well each season and his students excel year after year. The Dance Factory welcomes Chris back to the teaching faculty. MRS. Gabrielle Springett (Ballet) The Dance Factory welcomes Miss Springett back to the studio for her 5th season. Miss Springett is excited to share her love of dance with all her students. Gabrielle has been a ballet teacher for over 20 years. She is a fully certified Royal Academy of Dance teacher as well as a RAD mentor. Miss Springett s dance background includes training at the Cambridge Theatre Dance School as well as she studied at the Ryerson Theatre School. Miss Springett brings to The Dance Factory a teacher who has outstanding success rates for RAD Ballet exams and as a choreographer her students have received numerous awards, scholarships and a fantastic experience. The Dance Factory welcomes Miss Springett back to the teaching faculty. MRS Maria Crothers (Ballet) The dance Factory is pleased to welcome back Miss Maria! Maria Crothers is a fully registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance with over 20 years of teaching experience. Most recently Maria has been the Head of the Open Division at the School of Alberta ballet, where she taught for both the Professional Division and Open Division programs and developed an Intensive Ballet program that increased the student body three fold. As a teacher and choreographer, Miss Maria has trained dancers, with great success, toward both Graded and Vocational examinations, competitions and performances, and has worked with professionals to help hone their skills. awards for her choreography over the years. As well as teaching, Miss Maria has worked in the field of Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy, we are excited to have Miss Maria back! MISS Josie Majeski (Ballet) The Dance Factory welcomes Josie back to the teaching faculty for her 5th season. Miss Josie was a part of our STEP Team program, and has been training in Tap-Jazz & Ballet for over 15 years. Miss Josie holds her RAD Advanced 1 certificate as well as her Advanced Jazz and Tap certificate with the ADAPT Syllabus. Josie also recently graduated from Bow Valley College with her Education Assistant Certificate. Miss Josie is looking forward to meeting all her new students and sharing her love of dance with each one of her students. Miss Josie is also recently engaged and we are very excited to watch her move into the next chapter of her life. The Dance Factory welcomes Miss Josie back to the teaching faculty MISS Katie Sawka (Tiny Toes, Kinder Kombo, Acro, Tap & Jazz, AcroJazz) The Dance Factory welcomes Miss Katie back to our teaching staff for her 7th season. Miss Katie was a part of our STEP Team program for 4 years and has been training in Tap, Jazz and Ballet for over12 years. Katie is continuing with her education this fall as well as teaching at the studio. Miss Katie graduated from the TTS training course to become and accredited ADAPT Teacher as well as became an accredted Acro instructor this summer through the Acrobatic Arts Program. Miss Katie is extremely excited to be working with our young dancers at the studio and sharing all of her wonderful ideas and energy Miss Arles Shipley (Ballet) Miss Arles returns to The Dance Factory for her second season as a Ballet teacher. Miss Arles grew up dancing at The Dance Factory and was a part of our STEP Team program for 4 years. Miss Arles was accepted into the RAD teaching certification program and starts her training under the mentorship of Miss Springett. We are excited to welcome her to our teaching staff and look forward to a great season. 2
MANDATORY DRESS CODE 2017-18 season Proper dance attire and footwear is expected at all dance classes. Dancers who do not have appropriate attire may not be permitted into class. MANDITORY DRESS CODE All hair must be tied back neatly off the face and neck at all times, either in a bun, ponytail or headband. All hair must be in a proper ballet bun for all ballet classes. Excessive clothing such as T-shirts and sweatpants, are not acceptable dance attire. All dancers must come dressed in mandatory apparel for dance class or they will not be allowed to join in. Proper footwear is required for dance classes as well. NO OUTDOOR SHOES ALLOWED IN THE STUDIO. For dancers who are continually not coming to class dressed properly a reminder notice will be sent home by the teacher. TINY TOES - KINDER KOMBO & PRE BALLET! Ballerina pink cotton lycra tank bodysuit (Mondor)! Ballerina pink tights without seams! Pink ballet slippers ( Kinder Kombo ONLY: need both Tap and Ballet shoes)! Hair tied back off face BOYS ATTIRE ALL LEVELS ALL CLASSES! White T-shirt, black or navy jogging pants, or dance pants! Appropriate shoes Junior Levels! Black Cotton tank suit (Mondor)! Black seamless tights (Mondor Micro Fibre #314)! Hair pulled back so off the face and neck. SHOES: Tap: Black Split Sole Lace Up tap shoe ( Leo s or Capezio CG16 ) Jazz: Black ballet slippers with black elastics or Black Split Sole Slip On Jzz Shoes TAP / JAZZ / LYRICAL Pre-Intermediate &Intermediate Levels! Black Cotton tank suit (Mondor, Capezio )! Black seamless tights (Mondor Micro Fibre #314)! Optional to wear black shorty shorts over top of bodysuit and tights! Hair pulled back the face and neck. SHOES: 3
Tap: Black Split Sole Lace Up tap shoe ( Leo s or Capezio CG16) Jazz/lyrical: Black slip on split sole jazz shoe Advanced Levels! Dance top or bodysuit! tights, leggings or jazz pants! Appropriate dance attire Shoes Tap: Black Split Sole Lace Up tap shoe ( Leo s or Capezio CG16 ) Jazz/lyrical: split sole oxford ABSOLUTELY NO DANCING IN SOCKS Black bodysuit (any style), with black jazz pants or leggings Tap: Black Split Sole Lace Up tap shoe ( Leo s or Capezio CG16 ) Jazz: Black split sole jazz shoes TEEN CLASSES Shoes: MUSICAL THEATRE! 6 thru 8 years Black Cotton tank Bodysuit (Mondor or Capezio) with black tights! 9-12 years: Black Cotton tank bodysuit (Mondor or Capezio) with tights! 13 years and over: Solid coloured bodysuit OR dance top, with black tights and shorty shorts OR capri dance pants SHOES:! Black ballet slippers or black split sole slip on jazz shoes! Hair tied back off face and neck! Comfortable attire!appropriate footwear ADULT TAP HIP HOP / STREET JAZZ "Black jazz pants or sweat pants "Tank top or t-shirt " Jazz runners OR hip hop shoes (NO OUTDOOR FOOTWEAR ALLOWED IN THE STUDIOS) BALLET CLASSES 4
Pre-Primary & Primary! Ballerina pink cotton lycra tank suit! Ankle socks! Pink cotton ballet skirt (available at Bodythings approx. $15.00)! Pink ballet slippers with elastics! Hair in a proper ballet bun, secured tightly Grade One- Two! Lilac scooped tank cotton bodysuit(mondor Style #1645) with matching waist elastic! Ballet Pink Tights (Mondor)! Pink full sole canvas ballet slippers with elastics(purchase @ LaSyds)! Black character shoes, canvas style low heel Grades 1-2! Black cotton character skirt with studio ribbon colours! Hair in proper ballet bun, secured tightly Grade Three, Four & Five & All Open levels! Navy pinched front Leotard! Ballet pink tights (Mondor #314)! Pink canvas full sole ballet slippers with elastics(purchase @ LaSyds)! Black character shoes, canvas style with Cuban heel! Character skirt black cotton with studio colours ribbons! Hair must be in a proper ballet bun Grade Six, Seven and Eight! Aubergine Wide Strap leotard (Mondor Style # Matrix 3523 purchase at Bodythhings)! Ballerina pink tights (Mondor #314)! Canvas split sole ballet slippers with criss cross elastic! Long chiffon ballet skirt (mandatory for exam dancers)! Character shoes, Black Canvas Cuban heel, pink elastic across top! Character skirt black cotton with studio colour ribbons! Hair must be in a proper ballet bun Major Levels! Dark coloured ballet leotard (Black Capezio Dancelogic Style # BX110 w Bratech)! Ballet pink tights only (Mondor #314)! Pink ballet slippers, and/or soft Blochs! Pointe shoes (when advised by the teacher to purchase)! Hair must be in a proper ballet bun Character Skirts: Available at Bodythings without ribbons: Junior size $40.00 (approx) Should your child be chosen for an RAD ballet exam, they will be required to purchase an RAD exam outfit. This purchase is not compulsory until your child is chosen to do the examination. Shoes should be next to new for the exam as well. 5
LOCAL DANCE SHOPS AND SUPPLIERS All dance outfits, shoes and tights may be purchased at any dance supply shop in Calgary. Address Phone Bodythings Avenida Place 278-5440 12445 Macleod Trail South Classique Dancewear 6624-Centre St South (3 263-4828 blocks east of Chinook Centre) Masque Costumes #5, 9250 MacLeod Trail 230-3306 Lasyds 5403 Crowchild Trail NW 288-3060 OFFICE HOURS Monday 6:00-8:30pm, Tuesday & Thursday from 3:45 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Wednesday 3:45-6:30pm Friday 5:15-7:00pm Office closed Saturday & Sunday Teachers do not have time between classes or on their breaks to assist you in the office. STUDIO HOURS When classes are held during the daytime when office in not open, the doors will be open 10 minutes prior to classes starting. If arriving prior to that you will find the doors locked. When the office closes at night, sometimes the teachers may lock the inside front door. Should you arrive and find it locked please use the doorbell that is on the wall at the INSIDE door. Parents are asked to pick up children on time after classes are finished, especially if it is the last class of the day. RESCHEDULING OF CLASSES The Dance Factory will schedule a dance class to another time if it should not meet the standard class capacity. If the enrolment for your dance class drops during the season, you will be notified in advance. In the event The Dance Factory cancels your class, it will be rescheduled. In the event of unforeseen circumstances that result in classes being cancelled. All make-up classes will be left to the discretion of The Dance Factory. 6
ATTENDANCE AND ABSENTEE POLICY If your child is not able to attend a class because of illness, etc., please notify the office prior to class. All missed classes can be made up at another time by calling the office and making arrangements. Please see policy letter for more details. PAYMENT Any customer paying bills in cash must do so only during office hours and must obtain a receipt to cover their payment. This is the only way a lost payment can be traced. Please refer to your policy letter for further payment policies. VALUABLES Dancers are asked NOT to leave valuables lying around. Please take them into the studio with you OR best to leave at home. Valuable runners, shoes, winter boots and coats should be looked after in the same manner. Please ensure your name is on all of your articles. The Dance Factory is NOT responsible for any items that are lost or stolen from the studio. Please note that the change-room, reception area and boot rack are not supervised. Last season a TREMENDOUS amount of boots and shoes went missing and mixed up. Please ensure your child s shoes are well marked as well as checking when they arrive home that they have the proper footwear. Should your child s shoes/boots go missing the office WILL NOT call students for you, however will help you in hopefully having your items returned to you. We will allow you to post a sign on the bulletin board as well as give you phone list of dancers who dance around the same time that your child s shoes/boots went missing. HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS To help keep the studio cleaner, we have boot racks at the front door. Dancers AND parents are asked to leave street shoes and boots on these racks before proceeding. Street shoes are not permitted in the change areas, or studios, dance shoes only. NO tap dancing on the floor in the change room OR lobby. No chewing gum in class and no food or drinks are allowed in the dance studios. Please be aware that food and drinks are only allowed in reception area, not in back change room. Dancers are asked to bring their own water bottles if they feel it necessary, as a drinking fountain is not provided. It is recommended that the bottles be filled with water to best quench the thirst and replenish the body properly from the workout. Siblings waiting for their brother/sister while in class we ask that they have parental supervision at all times. Our change-room and waiting area are quiet areas as not to disrupt the classrooms. DANCERS ONLY in the change-room. Parents are more than welcome to sit in the main lobby and wait for their dancer. PLEASE do not sit and wait in the changeroom, it is for DANCERS only. Last season we had a tremendous amount of vandalism in the washrooms located off the lobby and student change room. We ask that parent s surpervise their children so we can hopefully eliminate the problem. The Dance Factory WILL NOT tolerate any vandalism and anyone caught doing so may be dismissed from the studio COSTUMES YEAR END SHOW It is expected that each student will participate in The Dance Factory s year end show. See calendar for dates. There are extra costs for costumes as well as tickets for the performances. Attendance is very important to dance classes in order to be able to participate. Poor attendance in classes will result in a dancer NOT being allowed to participate in the Year End Show. Your child s teacher will choose a costume for the Year-end Show. All items with the exception of tights will be gathered that are necessary for the costume. We realise that not everyone has the knowledge/and or the time to sew costumes, so we will strive to find the most efficient way for each and every group, depending upon the age, size and experience of the children within each class. Approximate costs for the Year-end Show can range from $80-$110 for each child in the group. We order most costumes 7
from various suppliers and most costumes come ready to wear. All orders MUST be placed as a group to enable us to get the best price for all supplies. Fees for Year- End costume will be due in February. COMPETITION Competition work will begin in November. Students, who are interested in joining our competition program or adding numbers, watch for details for auditions that will be held October 1st. Competition work is not for every student as it does require a lot of extra work and time, as well as additional costs. Ballet should be considered if you want to do group competition work. All competition work is in addition to regular classes, and all choreography is done on Saturday s. Ballet must be taken if performing a solo, duet or trio. Dancers competing for The Dance Factory may not compete for any other dance studio or organization. EXAMS The Dance Factory offers exams in Tap, Jazz and Ballet. Students selected for exams will be sent a form home the end of November. Fees for exams are charged, but are minimal for lower grades. Any dancer being considered for a ballet exam MUST be attending two classes per week and be in a syllabus class. Any dancer doing an Pre Inter. 3 or higher jazz exam must be taking at least one ballet class per week and be attending on a regular basis a minimum of two jazz classes a week. MESSAGE BOARD/LOST AND FOUND BOX There is a message board on the wall in the change room. The teachers hand out numerous notices over the year. Should your child miss a handout, it will be put on the message board. If your child is too young to check the board, then we ask that a parent periodically check. Lost and Found box is kept in the change room. Each year it is overflowing with items. Please check it if your child has lost something. December Break, Spring Break and Summer Break the lost and found items are placed in a donation bin. ADDRESS/TELEPHONE/EMAIL CHANGE If over the course of the season you should have an address, telephone or change in email, we ask that you notify the office immediately. Please keep in mind most correspondence will be made by email, an up to date email address is required to ensure you are receiving all notifications. INJURY Should a dancer be injured during dance class or rehearsal teachers will do their best assessment by the following procedures. 1. Assess the injury by talking to the dancer (if serious enough 911 will be called immediately) 2. Phone the parents/guardian immediately (1 st home number 2 nd cell number 3 rd alternate emergency number) 3. Call an ambulance. Only if this is necessary and an ambulance be called the expense of the ride is the responsibility of the parents/guardians. PARKING DO NOT park in the areas with 5 minute parking signs unless of course you are only going to be 5 minutes. More parking can be found around the north & south sides of the building or across the street. Please pull into a parking stall when dropping off and picking up. This will ensure that dancers crossing the parking lot will be able to do so safely. 8
S.T.E.P TEAM Student Teacher Education Program. You will see these young dancers around the studio daily. They volunteer their time at the studio in assisting teachers with various dance classes, being role models for all the dancers at the studio by sharing their dance knowledge with the dancers at The Dance Factory. The program helps guide and develop dance instruction skills and builds character. Look for the many contests and events the STEP Team holds each season. Or dancers if you ever need extra help over the season these young ladies would be thrilled to work with you on a one on one basis. TDF PARENTS ASSOCIATION The Dance Factory is home to a parents organization in which they provide an opportunity for parents and dancers in our competitive program of The Dance Factory to come together for the primary purpose of fundraising. Also, to give the dancer s additional opportunities to enhance their dance training. Information and registration forms will be posted in early September on the bulletin board. Check it out for more information on the association. Understanding Dance Education As a parent, the financial support of your student is important, but of equal-perhaps even great-value is your emotional support. Encourage your child to be the best that he or she can be without regard to what others may achieve. Dance is an individual art form; each child needs to achieve at a pace that s comfortable for him or her. No two students will progress at the same rate, even if they experience the exact same training. It s important to encourage the children to focus on themselves, give their all, and be satisfied with their own accomplishments. Dance education encompasses far more than technique or the steps your children will learn. We believe the discipline of dance training gives young people a better understanding of commitment by offering them the chance to learn, experience the spirit of teamwork, and understand what hard work can accomplish. Our goal is to educate the minds, bodies and soul of our students, to teach them the skills needed for a successful life, whether or not they stay involved in dance. Dos and Don ts Some parents may compare their child s progress or class placement to that of others in the studio. Watch for this behaviour in your children as well, and encourage them to focus on their own accomplishments. Looking to others for inspiration is a good thing; however, a negative focus or comparison distracts from the energy that could be focused on becoming a stronger dancer. In addition, speaking negatively about your child s teacher, fellow dancers or other parents in front of your child or other studentscould result in problems far beyond your original concerns. Children learn important lessons from their teachers and parents, acquiring important behaviour patterns through their example. Our school s faculty takes that responsibility seriously. It s the Dance Factory s philosophy to encourage our students to feel, think, and act respectfully to their peers, the adults in their lives, and themselves. If you have questions or concerns about your child s dance education, don t panic and please don t talk only with other parents when questions arise. Make a phone call or appointment to speak directly to your child s teachers. Please conduct all communication through the school office rather than approaching your child s teacher or Miss Karen (director) between or during classes or calling them at home. If you do request a conference, please listen carefully to what your child s teachers have to say. They spend a significant amount of time with your child and can offer expertise in the field of dance education. NEWSLETTERS Newsletters are published every two months. This season again we are going to have the newsletter available on our website instead of a paper copy that gets lost in the dance bag. First newsletter will be online in November, with a reminder sent out for you to check out our website for the latest news. For those who do not have access to a computer paper copies will be left on the desk. 9
MEET THE TEACHER WEEK September 25-30 (MARK YOUR CALENDAR) is your opportunity to meet your dancers new dance teacher for the season. The LAST 10 minutes of all the classes will open there doors to the parents for a VERY quick orientation. This is only for the teachers to briefly explain there plans for the season. NOT a viewing opportunity and NOT a one on one with the teacher. If you feel you need to speak to your teacher in detail please follow the procedure below. QUESTIONS If you have any further questions regarding your child s progress over the year, please feel free to call the studio at 278-1817. Your teacher will return your call at their earliest convenience. We ask that you handle your problems and concerns at the 278-1817 number and not your teacher s personal number. We would like to remind you that teachers do not have time to handle grievances between or during classes. Please do not pass your grievances on to the office staff. Please leave a message and your teacher will be happy to call you back to discuss matters at a quieter moment and time convenient for both. Listed below is the main email for The Dance Factory, emails for specific teachers may be sent to this and they will be passed onto the appropriate teacher. Enjoy your season at The Dance Factory, we know it will be fun! dancefactory1@shaw.ca Visit our WEB site! www.thedancefactory.ca Change room is for dancers ONLY Parents who are waiting for their dancer s please wait in the lobby NOT the change room. August 30 September 5 September 25-30 October 7,8 & 9 October 14 October 21 & 22 November 11 2017-2018 CALENDAR Office Opens Classes Begin Meet the Teacher Week Thanksgiving (STUDIO CLOSED) Competition Auditions Triple Threat Dance Convention Competition Rehearsals Start 10
Dec. 4-15 December 22 January 7 January 8 Open House - viewing of classes begins (teachers exact dates will be in November newsletter, as it is split into different weeks for the teachers) Christmas Holiday (STUDIO CLOSED) Classes Resume February 15,16 & 17 February 19 March 25- April 1 April 2 March March 30 Feb April May 19 & 21 May 21 June June 17 June 11 Teachers Convention (STUDIO OPEN) Family Day (STUDIO CLOSED) Spring Break (STUDIO CLOSED) Classes resume Tap and Jazz Exams (to be announced) Good Friday Studio Closed Ballet Exams (TBA) Victoria Day Weekend (STUDIO CLOSED) Competition Show Dress Rehearsal s Year-End Shows (location /time TBA) Year-End Show s (Jubilee Auditorium) Last day of classes for the 2017-18 season ALL DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE 2