Category: Handbook (Page 1 of 2)

Central Mass Dance Academy 2015-2016

I have read the handbook, understand, and fully agree to all of the rules and regulations contained.  I understand myself or my child must adhere to all of the rules and regulations as set forth in the handbook.  I understand that the academy has the right to dismiss any student or family from a class or the academy who fails to comply with its rules and regulations.

Dancer’s Name: _______________________________________________________________

Dancer’s signature (12+): _______________________________________________________ 

Parent/Legal Guardian’s Signature: ______________________________________________

If you have any questions or concerns about the handbook please email [email protected] 

Classes

A minimum of 5 students per class must be met in order for class to commence.  Central Mass Dance Academy reserves the right to combine or cancel any classes.  All of our classes are taught by highly qualified dance instructors that go through a full interview, evaluation and training process prior to being hired.

All classes consist of a warm-up that includes stretching, across the floor progressions, center work, new movements, and dance combinations. Proper dance terminology will be enforced. Tiny Twinkles, Twinkle Babies Twinkle Stars and Combo Star classes are an introduction to dance, including tap, ballet, jazz and free dance.

Parents are not allowed to observe classes outside of our Parent-Observation Weeks.  It is important to have the child in a focused and structured atmosphere.  Allowing a child to develop independence in the classroom is important, and our staff is well trained to help each child’s unique needs as they grow into well-trained dancers.

Attendance

     Dancers benefit the most from their classes through consistent class attendance.  If your child is unable to attend class, please call the studio to let us know.  If your child is ill or injured but not contagious and well enough to come in, please have them come and observe class.

Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class by the teacher or teacher’s aide.  There are no refunds for missed classes and it is the dancer’s responsibility to attend another class of the same level as a makeup.  Classes cancelled due to inclement weather can be made up, but they cannot be refunded.

Being on time is important!  Late arrivals disrupt the class and may cause the dancer not to receive the proper warm-up and therefore can result in injury.  Students arriving 15 minutes late to class without a call will not be permitted into class and no refund will be given.  Any student missing 6 or more classes in one genre of dance without proper documentation will not be allowed to participate in that respective dance in the recital.

Each year, students with perfect attendance will receive an award for their achievement. These are students who have only had to makeup three classes throughout the entire year, inclement weather excluded.

Tuition and fees:

Annual enrollment fee:  $20.00 not to exceed $25.00 per family

 Intensive Dancer Program

   Central Mass Dance Academy offers an Intensive dancer program for students interested in making their dance training a priority or they are interested in pursuing a dance related career.  This program is by invitation only and is for dancers that have shown an exceptional amount of commitment, progress, and concentration in dance.  Our goal is to produce an excellence of dancers who exhibit dedication and top notch performance ability. All students in this program take a mandatory number of dance classes each week.  The number of classes is decided by their level.  Please contact the office at [email protected] for more information and/or set up an audition.

Payments

Tuition will remain the same whether it is a five week month or shortened months due to holiday breaks.  A yearly price is determined and broken down into 10 monthly payments, i.e. a 45 minute class for the season is $490, broken down into 10 monthly payments of $49.00.

All tuition is billed automatically through our online billing system.  Due to this system all families wishing to cancel a class or enrollment must give 30 days notice in writing.

Tuition can be paid automatically through our secure auto-pay system on the 1^st of every month. The first month’s tuition is due along with registration prior to the first class, or within 7 days of registration.  A student’s spot will not be held if this payment has not been received.

**A late fee of $10.00 will be assessed to any student account not paid by the 6^th of the month.  This fee will continue and be added to your account every 7 days until your account is up to date**

If tuition is paid by the automated system a thirty day notice must be given to any changes in debiting/withdrawal dates.  These dates are only able to change once within a thirty day window; however multiple payments per month can be set up.

All returned payments, however received, will be charged a $25.00 fee.

When purchasing on a credit card all non-tuition transactions will be charged a 3% fee.  This fee will be waived on all tuition transactions.

Family Discounts

A discount will be given to families that pay for the year of dance in full by October 1, of the calendar dance year.

The family tuition cap is set at $450 a month.  Families with multiple students will not be charged a tuition cost over this amount.

Student Code of Conduct

• Have Fun!
• Respect all members of the studio and instructors.
• Dress code is strictly enforced.
• No gossiping.  No negative comments to or about anyone.  This will result in expulsion from the intensive program or even the studio.
• Come to classes and rehearsals prepared and always give 100% effort. This is called “work ethic”, and “heart”. This will pay off in the end.
• No sitting down in class or rehearsal unless authorized by the class instructor. (This is not enforced in the younger age classes).  This is true even if you are not dancing; you should be practicing in the back of the classroom.
• Tell the director or instructor if you are ill or have an injury immediately.
• Work as a team.  Support each other with positive feedback.
• Never say any negative comments about any other studio or dancers from another studio.  This will result in expulsion from intensive program, a dance or a performance.
• No eating or drinking in the classrooms, snacks are allowed in the waiting area.  We are a PEANUT FREE ESTABLISHMENT! Only water is allowed in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher
• No gum chewing.
• Dancers are expected to use the bathroom before and in between classes.  No dancer will be allowed to leave during class.
• All cell phones are to be left in bags or at home, no cell phone use by the students is allowed during class time.  CMDA is not responsible for lost or stolen property!
• *NEW We have installed a camera system throughout the studio. This is to monitor the classrooms, dressing rooms, students’ behavior, and class conduct.

 Parents Expectations

Parents must agree to trust the faculty at the CMDA to do what is best for their child and the performance.  Trusting CMDA is a freeing and ultimately wonderful thing.  By trusting CMDA you can sit back and watch your child’s progress.  There are truly an unbelievable number of decisions that must be made to achieve an acceptable performance.  Parental involvement in these decisions is not tolerated because it simply does not work.  It is impossible for twenty or thirty people to agree on anything.

Please do not second guess CMDA decisions on:

1. Costumes
2. Music
3. Choreography
4. Competitions
5. Conventions
6. Schedules
7. Teachers
8. Casts

Choice of dancers, music and costumes for routines is solely up to the director and other staff.

PLEASE!!! No negative comments to or about any dancer or parent.  Negative comments about other dance organizations or studios are not tolerated.

• Please refrain from giving comments to dancers from the sidelines.

Year Long Expenses

Here is a list of some of the yearly expenses that are expected at Central Mass Dance Academy.

1. 10 Tuition payments
2. Dress code items :leotard, tights, shoes, etc…
3. Recital costumes.  Plan ahead.  You will receive important information about this early in the year

• Costumes A Costume down payment of $45.00 will be due on November 15^th.
• Recital tickets are $18.00 for adults and $15.00 for children under 10 and senior citizens. Each family will be responsible for purchasing their tickets.  Your child will be assigned a recital day and time and it is the parent’s responsibility to purchase accordingly.  Seating for recital is assigned and sold on a first come first serve basis.

1. Recital video, $25.00
2. Recital pictures,  prices vary by package $15.00+

• Studio Etiquette
• No dancer should be left at the dance studio for more than 15 minutes after their classes.
  • After 15 minutes your account will be charged an additional $5.00 for every 10 minutes you have not arrived.
• For students in class longer than 1 ½ hours, we ask that parents drop off and pick their child up.  Please no waiting in the lobby.
• If you are in the waiting area the following must be followed:
• No smoking
• No swearing
• Clean messes
• Keep young children attended
• There is no public telephone.
• Dancers may bring water to class.  Water beaks will only be allowed at the discretion of the instructor or in between classes.  Students should not be late for class due to a water break.
• Please drop off and pick up students.  We have a small waiting area and with another business in the building we need to be courteous of that.
• Please follow parking guidelines.  We are one of several businesses that share this parking lot.  Do not leave your care idling in the area even if you are just “running in”.  You must find a spot to park.
• We installed a gate connecting our parking lot with the municipal lot next door, Please use this lot on our busiest days and walk your child to and from our building through the gate. This should ease the congestion.

 Recital

The studio will hold an annual dance recital in June.  Participation is not mandatory (unless enrolled in the intensive dancer program). All students not performing in the recital should inform their instructor as soon as possible.  Once a commitment is made, costumes can be purchased.

Recital tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis in late May.  Seating is assigned.  Please purchase tickets early.  All tickets purchased are non refundable.  All persons must have a ticket. This includes children and people in wheelchairs.

Rehearsals for the recital are mandatory.  The week prior to the recital your child will be required to attend several rehearsal nights at a designated location.  Dress rehearsal for the recital is mandatory.  Anyone that does not attend dress rehearsal will not be allowed to participate in the recital.No dancer will be allowed to perform in the recital unless their account is paid in full.

• No cameras or video recorders will be allowed in the auditorium.  There will be a video order form will be provided if you wish purchase a copy.  Photos will be taken at the dress rehearsal in full costume, hair and make-up.
• No food or drinks will be allowed in the auditorium.
• Only backstage workers with badges will be allowed in the backstage area once the show has begun.
• All students will remain in the backstage area once the show has begun as well as during intermission.
• No parents will be permitted in the dressing rooms or backstage areas during intermission.
• All students participate in the finale.
• No costumes are to be worn in the auditorium!