Student/Parent Handbook
Welcome
Stardance Performing Arts is a dance studio in Hayesville, NC that is now offering North Georgia and Western Carolina a superior dance education program. Our program has been developed with our students' best interest in mind with curriculum that consists of Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, Creative Movement, and Pom Dance. Adults are also welcome to join an adult learning program for Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Stardance for your child's dance education this upcoming season. In order to provide you with possible information about the studio, I have developed this Parent/Student Handbook, that provides a detailed description of studio policies and procedures. Please keep this as a reference for the dance school year for when questions arise, but we are always available to answer any questions! I am looking forward to another exciting and successful year with our Stardancers!
Sincerely,
Shelley Gordon, Artistic Director + Owner
Registration
Each students must complete a registration form as well as read and agree to the policies and procedures listed in the Student Handbook. A non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of registration. The first month's tuition installment will also be due at the time of registration. If a student has scheduling conflicts and is unable to participate in assigned classes, the first month's tuition will be refunded no later than October 15th.
Registration Fee:
Single Student: $20.00
Family Rate*: $25.00
*Family Rates apply to immediate family members only*
SDPA Scheduling
SDPA will follow the Clay County School Schedule for closings due to holiday breaks. In the event of inclement weather closings, SDPA students will be notified at minimum 30 minutes before the the start of the first class, via Facebook, email, or telephone. SDPA does not follow the Clay County School System when closing due to inclement weather. Our students' safety is our top priority when making the decisions about studio closures.
SDPA will observe all national holidays on the Clay County School calendar. In addition, we will excuse any student's absence due to religious beliefs or holidays not listed on the our school calendar.
Classes will not be canceled for teacher work days.
SDPA does not prorate tuition installments due to class cancellation. If a student's class is cancelled due to weather conditions or a holiday, you may check with the office in regards to make-up class. However, tuition will not be refunded if a makeup class is not available or if a student chooses not to participate.
Arrival & Departures
Students should arrive no later than 10 minutes before class start time and be picked up no later than 15 minutes after their class had ended. Students are not allowed to hangout in the parking lot or leave before their guardian or other permitted transportation has arrived.
Class Scheduling
Student scheduling will be based on age and experience. Please remember that the first month of classes is an opportunity for instructors to get to know their students. All students learn differently and progress at different rates. Be aware that we have the right to change any student's placement to better suit their needs. Also note that enrollment into our advanced classes are by invitation only. Placement will be determined by age, experience, ability, technique, potential and dedication.
Attendance
Our goal is to provide a superior level of dance education, and in order to maintain that level, we need participation from everyone. Attendance will be vital for the progress of your dancer and a successful year. Excessive, unexcused absences of one student will negatively affect his/her entire class. A student's dance ability and technique will severely suffer if they are not in a class on a regular basis. Excessive, unexcused absences will result in a dismissal from our program*. In the event that a student must miss a class, we ask that you please notify us via telephone, email, or social media messaging. There are many opportunities for make up classes depending on age and class style.
Form the first week of January through early June, we will be working very hard on our recital dances. This makes class time even more valuable; therefore, if a dancer in any one hour class misses more than two weeks in a row during these months, the dancer or parent is required to schedule a private lesson with the teacher.
*If a student has missed 50% or more of their scheduled classes, they may be terminated from our program. Costume fees and tuition payments will not be refunded if a student is terminated under these conditions.*
Withdrawals
A student may withdraw from any or all classes at any given time throughout the year, but you must contact the studio if you wish to withdraw. Tuition installments will not be refunded or pro-rated during the month of withdrawal. Costume payments will also not be refunded if a student withdraws after December.
Parent Waiting Area
Parents are welcome to stay in the waiting area while their child is in class; however, parents and waiting students are not allowed in the dance rooms during instruction times.
If a student is not able to attend class without their parent, they will be placed in the waiting room until they decide that they can participate. If a student continually has problems leaving their parent, we may suggest that you wait another year before enrolling your child in our program.
Student's Classroom
Students may put their shoes and other belongings in the provided cubby holes within the classrooms to decrease clutter and lost items*. There is to be no food within the classroom, but students are allowed to bring water within the classroom.
*SDPA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. A "lost and found" box is kept in the office and will be emptied each month*
Recital
SDPA will hold an annual recital in the spring. Although not mandatory, we encourage all students to participate in this exciting event. A mandatory dress rehearsal will be held prior to our recital, and additional rehersals may also be scheduled prior to the week of our recital.
Each student will be charged a $125 recital fee that includes: a recital video, new tights, and any additional accessories needed for class costumes. Each class will have one costume which ranges between $70-$80. Costume payments are due by October 31st, and recital fees are due by the first week of April. If you would like to have these fees divided into payments, we would be happy to make arrangements to do that! All costumes must be ordered before December to ensure a spring delivery. If we do not receive your costume payments, your child's costumes will not be ordered. Costumes will be ordered for delinquent accounts upon the time of payment; however, we can not guarantee a timely delivery. Once costumes have been ordered, there are NO REFUNDS/CREDITS.
Tuition Schedule
Tuition payments are due the first class meeting of each month. There will be a $20.00 fee added for payments received after the 15th of each month. You may pay by cash, check, or card. Please make checks payable to Stardance Performing Arts.
1 class weekly: $60/month
2 classes weekly: $105/month
3 classes weekly: $140/month
4-8 classes weekly: $180/month
9+ classes weekly: $300/month
Private Lessons: $30/Half Hour
$50/Hour
August and June tuition is combined as one month due to fewer classes each month. If starting after August, you will be required to pay the entire month of June. Tuition is not prorated for classes missed due to illness, vacation, or inclement weather. A $30.00 returned check fee will be applied to any check returned to SDPA. When a payment is made, a receipt will be given to you each time you pay in cash.
You WILL NOT be receiving a monthly statement from the office for your monthly tuition. If at any time you would like a statement of your account, you may request one from the front office. Monthly statements will be communicated for overdue balances only.
Dress Code
We feel that maintaining a proper dress code is vital to ensure a high standard of dance education. Adhering to the dress code will form a sense of unity and equality among students and reduce unnecessary distractions. All students will be fitted for shoes at the beginning of the year. You will also have the opportunity to purchase the necessary dance wear through our front office or nimbly link (as seen in the dress code tab on our website). This is a convenient way to get what you need and at half the cost you'll find from big retail stores. This will also ensure that all students will be properly dressed for class. Students who do not abide by the required dress code will not be allowed to participate.
Female Students
Creative Movement: black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers. Sheer ballet skirt or shorts are optional.
Ballet/Tap Combos: Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, tan tap shoes. Sheer ballet skirt or shorts are optional.
Acrobatics: Black leotard, pink or tan convertible or footless tights. Dance shorts are optional but must be tight fitting, so that proper trick spotting back be demonstrated.
Ballet Technique: Black leotard, pink tights, pink split sole ballet shoes. Sheer ballet skirt is optional.
Pointe: Follow ballet technique dress code; but no leg warmers
Jazz: Black leotard, suntan tights, tan split sole jazz shoes (laceless is preferred). Jazz pants or shorts are optional.
Tap: Black leotard, suntan tights, tan tap shoes. Jazz pants or shorts are optional.
Lyrical: Black leotard, suntan tights, tan jazz shoes. Ballet skirt is optional.
Contemporary: Black leotard, suntan convertible tights, shoes optional. Dance shorts or capris are optional.
Hip Hop: Any color leotard, dance pants, black hip hop sneakers. NO JEANS OR STREET CLOTHES.
NOTE: HAIR SHOULD ALWAYS BE SECURED OFF OF THE FACE AND NECK. A STANDARD BUN IS REQUIRED FOR BALLET TECHNIQUE AND POINTE.
MALE STUDENTS
The standard for our male students is a white, fitted t-shirt, black pants or shorts and black dance shoes (style appropriate). Male students will wear the same style shoes as the female students.
NOTE: STREET SHOES AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING SUCH AS T-SHIRTS AND SWEATPANTS* ARE NEVER CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE. JEWELRY OF ANY KIND IS PROHIBITED DUE TO SAFETY REASONS. SWEATSHIRTS AND OTHER WARM UP GARMENTS ARE ALLOWED WHILE DANCE IS STRETCHING BUT MUST REMOVE THEM ONCE CLASS BEGINS.
*Male students are allowed to wear black sweatpants.
Class Descriptions
Creative Movement (Ages 2-4): Teaches rhythm and coordination by introducing basic ballet technique and movement phrases. Offered in 45 minute class sessions.
Pre-Ballet/Tap Combo (Ages 3-4): Introduces basic tap and ballet technique combining rhythmic variations, musicality, and proper terminology. These skills will help students advance in higher levels of dance.
Ballet/Tap Combos I, II (Ages 4-7): Introduces basic tap and ballet technique combining rhythmic variations, musicality, and proper terminology. These skills will help students advance in higher levels of dance. Offered in 60 minute class sessions.
Acrobatics I, II, III (Ages 4-Teen): Incorporates balance, flexibility and coordination to develop basic acrobatic skills. Will include things such as backbends, handstands, cartwheels, walkovers, and more types of acrobatic techniques. Offered in 45 minute and 60 minute class sessions.
Ballet Technique I-VI (Ages 8-Adult): The foundation for all dance forms. Barre, center work, and traveling progressions will develop proper alignment, balance and posture. The Cecchetti method is the predominant style used. Offered in 60 minute class sessions.
Pointe I, II (Ages 11-Teen): A continuation of ballet technique for more advanced dancers. Dancers must obtain approval from instructor and artistic director before entering the class and must be enrolled in ballet technique. Offered in 60 minute class sessions.
Jazz Technique I, II (Intermediate Teen-Adult): An upbeat and energetic style that has been derived from ballet technique. This class will focus on technique, style, coordination, flexibility and strength. Ballet technique is strongly recommended. Offered in 60 minute sessions.
Tap Technique I, II (Intermediate Teen-Adult): Perfect the developing coordination by combining technique, rhythm, timing and style. The Al Gilbert technique is the predominant style used. Offered in 60 minute class sessions.
Jazz/Tap Combos I, II, III (Ages 6-Intermediate Teen): Offered in 60 or 90 minute class sessions.
Lyrical I, II, III (Ages 11-Teen): Combines ballet technique with a jazz style. Lyrical is an expressive dance form focusing on coordination, flexibility, and technique. (Ballet technique is required). Offered in 60 minute class sessions.
Contemporary (Ages 11-Teen): a dance style that encourages individual creativity and freedom of self expression. Focuses on strength and natural movements of the body. Excellent for developing body awareness. Offered in 60 minute class sessions.
Hip Hop I-VI (Ages 5-Adult): Hip Hop is a freestyle form of dance using today's popular music. This is a fun, upbeat class in a less structured environment. Offered in 60 minute class sessions.
Stretch and Tone (Teen-Adult): Increases strength, endurance and flexibility. Recommended for intermediate and advanced levels. Offered in 45 and 60 minute class sessions.
Musical Theatre (Ages 11-Teen): Provides an introduction to skills in acting, singing and dancing. Offered in 60 minute class sessions.