Attendance

To reach full potential in class, a student must attend on a regular basis. If students miss class, there will be no make-ups unless it is advised by the instructor. TUITION WILL NOT BE PRO-RATED FOR MISSED CLASSES.

Dance classes are much like the academic class, when you miss, you miss instruction and information. UNLIKE academic environments, when you miss dance class YOU affect the rest of the class. Choreography, discussions, decisions on partners and placement, etc. Dance class is an elite team of young people that help each other improve through mentoring and sharing.

Studio Conduct

• Before Class – If the studio door is open, intermediate and above students have permission to enter an empty studio prior to their class for the purpose of warm-up. Younger students, under the age of ten, are not allowed in studios before their class time or without supervision.
• During Class – Quiet is required of all students once class has begun. Students are expected to be courteous, respectful, and well behaved. Disrespectful, uncooperative, or aggressively competitive attitudes are not acceptable from parents or students and those behaving in such a way will be asked to leave.
• After Class – Students are encouraged to exit the studio quietly taking all personal belongings with them. If there is a situation that needs to be discussed, students/parents should be brief or schedule a time with the instructor without interrupting the class schedule.

Classroom Behavior Guidelines

• Arrive at least ten minutes early to prepare appropriately for class. If late, wait for the exercise in progress to be over before entering studio. Students arriving late may be asked to observe instead of participate.
• If a student needs to leave early, he/she must ask the teacher’s permission before class begins. Please leave discreetly so as not to disrupt class.
• Students should stay in the back of the room if he/she does not know the combination.
• Students should never stop in the middle of an exercise unless an injury is sustained.
• Eyes and attention should always be on the teacher. Talking, leaning on the barre, yawning, or leaving class before it is over is not acceptable.
• Be appreciative of corrections and apply them. Students will progress only to the extent that they are able to apply corrections.
• Students should not talk back to the teacher regardless of the situation. It is improper to question the teacher’s authority. If there is a problem, students may talk to the teacher after class.
• Students should be kind to classmates. A positive attitude and tone must be kept at all times in the studio and dressing room. Displays of foul temper and rudeness are unacceptable. The teacher reserves the right to ask a student to leave if negative behavior is observed.
• Gum chewing, eating, and drinking are prohibited in the studios. Students should remember to use the trash receptacles.
• Students should leave the dance studio area as soon as class is over.
• After class, students should applaud the teacher and thank him/her for class. In ballet, a bow or curtsy is appropriate.

News & Upcoming Events

Come in the front door. The front lobby has multiple places of information, bulletin boards, flyers, the main receiving window counter. And of course check the website as well.

Lost and Found

There are Lost and Found baskets both upstairs and downstairs in the dressing rooms. Items are placed there at the end of the day by staff, and or cleaning personnel. These baskets are cleared at least every two months and definitely before long breaks. Any item not labeled with a name is donated. Exception of shoes which are put in the GIVE BACK BOX. We make every effort to ensure labeled items are retained and owner notified. However, we are not responsible for items left on the premises.

Teacher Conferences

Institute for Dance faculty welcomes the interest and questions from parents and students. Please be sensitive to each instructor’s class schedules and either leave a note for them in the office with Ms. Betsy or contact them by emailing info@institutefordance.org.

Studio Information

A bulletin board and flyer holder is located in the lobby. Students and parents are encouraged to look regularly for information concerning fund raisers, performances, rehearsals, master classes, seminars and other studio-related information. We also try to send as much information out by e-mail, so please make sure the office has your current email address.

When dropping your child off for class, please park your car and escort him/her inside. Please do not leave children unattended before or after class. The studio is not responsible for children before or after class.

Class Placement

Class placement is based on ability and age appropriateness for the movement being taught. An Institute instructor will recommend class placement for students upon registration and trial class. Students previously enrolled with the Institute for Dance, Inc. will receive class placement for the next school year before the Summer session. During the summer students are to remain in the same level that they were enrolled in for the previous school year.

Punctuality

Your child is put at a disadvantage and the class is disrupted by tardiness. If too much of the class is missed the student will be asked to sit and watch in consideration of his/her physical safety.

General Dressing Information

Students are required to have appropriate attire by the second week of class. No colored nail polish, dangling earrings, watches, necklaces, or bracelets are to be worn in class. Underwear is NOT to be worn under dance attire. Tap shoes should be checked once a week and taps tightened when needed to avoid damaging the floor surface and causing injury. The instructor must check all shoes before elastic and ribbons are sewn.

Please have your dancer arrive at the studio with street clothes covering his/her dance attire. Dance shoes are not allowed to be worn outside. Doing so tracks in dirt and damages the dance floor. We offer a separate dressing room for students. Restrooms may be used for dressing if done in a timely manner. All street clothing and shoes should be placed in the student’s dance bag or cubby. Please do not bring items of value to the studio. The Institute for Dance is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

All warm-up attire is to be removed after barre exercises or at the request of the teacher. Absolutely no street clothes are to be worn during class. This includes loose fitting t-shirts, shorts, etc. The teacher has the right to dismiss any student from class who does not adhere to the dress code.

Intro to Dance & Pre-Ballet

Pink leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, black tap shoes. Hair neatly secured off the neck in a bun.

Ballet I – Advanced Ballet

Girls: Black single strapped leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair neatly secured off the neck in a bun. No crisscrossed straps or rhinestones for upper ballet levels, please.

Boys: Black tights or stretch pants, white t-shirts tucked in or rolled with 1” elastic belt, white socks, black ballet shoes.

Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, Lyrical

Form fitting black jazz clothing and any Institute for Dance apparel, black tap and/or Jazz shoes.

Modern

Leotard with footless tights or unitards. Hair neatly off the face and neck. Barefeet.

Character

Black leotard, pink-footed tights, black character shoes, and character skirt. Hair neatly secured off the neck in a bun.

Rehearsal Attire

Any colored leotard, tights, and proper footwear.
Skirts are allowed only with the permission of the choreographer.

Cancellation of Classes

If lack of enrollment causes a class to be canceled (less than five students) all concerned students will be personally notified and assisted in finding an appropriate alternative class.