We just signed up for classes! What do we need to buy and where?
Welcome! We're so happy to have you. New students receive their first class uniform (leotard and tights for girls, pants and shirt for boys) free. And beyond that, we carry everything your dancer needs. There are no dancewear stores anywhere nearby, and we have a designated uniform with colors for each level to wear. So we make it easy and handle it all for you. If you signed up over the summer, be on the lookout for Shoe Fitting Day, which usually happens in mid-July, when we open the studio up for dancers to come get fitted for dance shoes, pick up uniforms, order additional items, etc. Items that are not available same day will arrive in time for the first week of class. If you signed up after Shoe Fitting Day has passed, we will get your dancer fitted when they come for their first class.
Our young preschool classes for ages 2 and 3 do not have a dress code and do not participate in performances. You will receive an email 2-3 weeks before your session begins with details specifically for you.
Welcome! We're so happy to have you. New students receive their first class uniform (leotard and tights for girls, pants and shirt for boys) free. And beyond that, we carry everything your dancer needs. There are no dancewear stores anywhere nearby, and we have a designated uniform with colors for each level to wear. So we make it easy and handle it all for you. If you signed up over the summer, be on the lookout for Shoe Fitting Day, which usually happens in mid-July, when we open the studio up for dancers to come get fitted for dance shoes, pick up uniforms, order additional items, etc. Items that are not available same day will arrive in time for the first week of class. If you signed up after Shoe Fitting Day has passed, we will get your dancer fitted when they come for their first class.
Our young preschool classes for ages 2 and 3 do not have a dress code and do not participate in performances. You will receive an email 2-3 weeks before your session begins with details specifically for you.
How do I find out about things?
The studio puts out an email newsletter every month on the 15th. That’s the best place to start. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure we have an email address on file that you actually check. If you signed up with a junk account, please update your info ASAP (while you’re at it, make sure your mailing address is complete so we can send your dancer birthday and Christmas cards!). We will not do anything with your information besides communicate studio business with you. Also, the Files section in your Studio Pro account will have important information as well. I will post rehearsal schedules, upcoming events, new schedules, and other things.
The studio puts out an email newsletter every month on the 15th. That’s the best place to start. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure we have an email address on file that you actually check. If you signed up with a junk account, please update your info ASAP (while you’re at it, make sure your mailing address is complete so we can send your dancer birthday and Christmas cards!). We will not do anything with your information besides communicate studio business with you. Also, the Files section in your Studio Pro account will have important information as well. I will post rehearsal schedules, upcoming events, new schedules, and other things.
Do we have class on [a certain date]?
You can check the master schedule in your Studio Pro account. Sign in and scroll to the bottom to find this feature. We enter dates into the system as soon as we know them, so you should be able to look ahead all the way to the end of the season and know what we know. Also, there is a list of important dates on the Calendar page. Recital, competition, scheduled breaks, all can be found here.
You can check the master schedule in your Studio Pro account. Sign in and scroll to the bottom to find this feature. We enter dates into the system as soon as we know them, so you should be able to look ahead all the way to the end of the season and know what we know. Also, there is a list of important dates on the Calendar page. Recital, competition, scheduled breaks, all can be found here.
My child needs a new leotard/wants a skirt/needs new shoes, etc.
Two things: First, merchandise requests MUST come from the adult account holder. We have had children - and even adults who weren’t the account holder - request dancewear items, and then the account holder sees the charge for it on their account and knew nothing about it. We have also had parents tell their child to ask for things they need and the child forgets, and the parent wonders when their shoes are arriving that were never ordered. Therefore, we will only honor merchandise orders that come from the parent holding the account.
Second, put your orders through the Online Store. This keeps everything in one place for me and I can tell at a glance what I need to order if I don't have it on hand. If you text it or mention it between classes, there is a good chance I will forget, or forget which text thread to check. It also helps me keep the accounting organized. We keep a small stock of everything in house except tap and jazz shoes, and place additional orders once a month on the 10th. Emergency orders can be accommodated beyond the 10th, but we will pass the shipping charges on to you.
PS- Don't buy dance shoes on Amazon. They may be inexpensive, but they are a major gamble. The fit and the quality are usually terrible. We often see these shoes fall apart quickly. We sell all the shoes required for the styles of dance we teach. We can fit your child correctly, and we can guarantee you will not get a better price for the quality.
Two things: First, merchandise requests MUST come from the adult account holder. We have had children - and even adults who weren’t the account holder - request dancewear items, and then the account holder sees the charge for it on their account and knew nothing about it. We have also had parents tell their child to ask for things they need and the child forgets, and the parent wonders when their shoes are arriving that were never ordered. Therefore, we will only honor merchandise orders that come from the parent holding the account.
Second, put your orders through the Online Store. This keeps everything in one place for me and I can tell at a glance what I need to order if I don't have it on hand. If you text it or mention it between classes, there is a good chance I will forget, or forget which text thread to check. It also helps me keep the accounting organized. We keep a small stock of everything in house except tap and jazz shoes, and place additional orders once a month on the 10th. Emergency orders can be accommodated beyond the 10th, but we will pass the shipping charges on to you.
PS- Don't buy dance shoes on Amazon. They may be inexpensive, but they are a major gamble. The fit and the quality are usually terrible. We often see these shoes fall apart quickly. We sell all the shoes required for the styles of dance we teach. We can fit your child correctly, and we can guarantee you will not get a better price for the quality.
My little dancer is misbehaving!!!
This is normal and we expect it! Little ones test boundaries with new adults to find out where the boundaries are, because this creates a sense of safety and security for them. Also, small children learn so much about their world by interacting with it physically. They crave certain sensory experiences. Sometimes these sensory experiences make adults uncomfortable because they are not adult-like behaviors. We know exactly what we signed up for, teaching preschool-aged children. Most of the time, these behaviors are perfectly ok! Sometimes we are going to redirect it. Occasionally we are going to implement time-out, if a behavior is destructive or defiant. One of the main things young children learn in dance class is how to behave in a group - how to take turns and follow directions.
The one thing we need you to do is allow the instructor to handle it. When parents interfere, they are usually trying to help, but what actually ends up happening is that the child learns that Mommy is a higher authority than Teacher, and therefore it’s not as important to listen to Teacher. The child will continue the behavior, Mommy will continue to interfere, and Teacher’s authority is completely undermined. If we want children to recognize other adults as leaders and authorities, parents need to allow the other adults to take charge. If we need you to step in, we will ask.
This is normal and we expect it! Little ones test boundaries with new adults to find out where the boundaries are, because this creates a sense of safety and security for them. Also, small children learn so much about their world by interacting with it physically. They crave certain sensory experiences. Sometimes these sensory experiences make adults uncomfortable because they are not adult-like behaviors. We know exactly what we signed up for, teaching preschool-aged children. Most of the time, these behaviors are perfectly ok! Sometimes we are going to redirect it. Occasionally we are going to implement time-out, if a behavior is destructive or defiant. One of the main things young children learn in dance class is how to behave in a group - how to take turns and follow directions.
The one thing we need you to do is allow the instructor to handle it. When parents interfere, they are usually trying to help, but what actually ends up happening is that the child learns that Mommy is a higher authority than Teacher, and therefore it’s not as important to listen to Teacher. The child will continue the behavior, Mommy will continue to interfere, and Teacher’s authority is completely undermined. If we want children to recognize other adults as leaders and authorities, parents need to allow the other adults to take charge. If we need you to step in, we will ask.
My dancer is shy/nervous. Should I take her out of her class?
Also completely normal! Many children feel this way when they come into a new social dynamic they have never encountered before, where there is another adult besides their parent in charge and a group of peers they may not know yet. Even adults feel shy or nervous in new places with unfamiliar people. The best thing to do is leave them be. Send them into the dance room (yes, even if there are tears!), we’ll let them watch, and usually they will calm down and get interested in what’s happening in the class. We do not recommend the parent coming into the dance room with the child. Sometimes we may even recommend that you step out altogether. Go have some alone time! Believe it or not, they usually do better if you leave them to us. This is another instance where they will learn that they can trust Teacher if Mommy is not there. If it’s obvious they aren’t going to calm down, we’ll send them back to you. It may even take a few weeks of this. But if the adults model consistency and calm, the child will almost always come around and even come out smiling!
Also completely normal! Many children feel this way when they come into a new social dynamic they have never encountered before, where there is another adult besides their parent in charge and a group of peers they may not know yet. Even adults feel shy or nervous in new places with unfamiliar people. The best thing to do is leave them be. Send them into the dance room (yes, even if there are tears!), we’ll let them watch, and usually they will calm down and get interested in what’s happening in the class. We do not recommend the parent coming into the dance room with the child. Sometimes we may even recommend that you step out altogether. Go have some alone time! Believe it or not, they usually do better if you leave them to us. This is another instance where they will learn that they can trust Teacher if Mommy is not there. If it’s obvious they aren’t going to calm down, we’ll send them back to you. It may even take a few weeks of this. But if the adults model consistency and calm, the child will almost always come around and even come out smiling!
My child is signed up for another activity for the next six weeks, but we will be back when it’s finished!
That’s fine, but if you want to hold your child’s place in class, you have to continue paying tuition. Otherwise we will consider the spot open and offer it to another family. The younger age classes usually end up with a waitlist. If your spot is still available when the other activity is finished, you will need to re-enroll your child and pay the reinstatement fee (50% of the normal registration fee). Also bear in mind that classes will close at a certain point each semester so we can focus on preparing for performance.
That’s fine, but if you want to hold your child’s place in class, you have to continue paying tuition. Otherwise we will consider the spot open and offer it to another family. The younger age classes usually end up with a waitlist. If your spot is still available when the other activity is finished, you will need to re-enroll your child and pay the reinstatement fee (50% of the normal registration fee). Also bear in mind that classes will close at a certain point each semester so we can focus on preparing for performance.
My child wants to drop this class. First of all, did they give it a reasonable try? It can take a good 6-8 weeks to really get into the swing of things, especially if they joined later.
I'm not trying to tell you how to parent, but I remember when I was in middle school and I wanted to do cheerleading. Mom signed me up. I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would and told her I had changed my mind. She explained to me that a commitment was an important thing to follow through on, and the she wasn’t going to allow me to let my cheer squad down by leaving them. She made me finish the season. I still didn't like it, but I did learn a valuable lesson about finishing what I started, and I haven’t forgotten it.
Another important point to keep in mind: We offer certain benefits to loyal, returning students. They pay a lower rental fee for their concert uniform, they get to enroll for next season without paying the registration fee, and once they reach five years with us, they get their tuition waived in December. Dropping out resets the clock on this.
Nope, still want to drop.
Ok. You can do this through Studio Pro as well. VERY IMPORTANT: There are no refunds on tuition. If you pay on the 1st and drop on the 2nd, you don’t get it back. If you paid the year in full in advance, you don’t get it back. Part of this whole commitment piece is monetary.
I'm not trying to tell you how to parent, but I remember when I was in middle school and I wanted to do cheerleading. Mom signed me up. I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would and told her I had changed my mind. She explained to me that a commitment was an important thing to follow through on, and the she wasn’t going to allow me to let my cheer squad down by leaving them. She made me finish the season. I still didn't like it, but I did learn a valuable lesson about finishing what I started, and I haven’t forgotten it.
Another important point to keep in mind: We offer certain benefits to loyal, returning students. They pay a lower rental fee for their concert uniform, they get to enroll for next season without paying the registration fee, and once they reach five years with us, they get their tuition waived in December. Dropping out resets the clock on this.
Nope, still want to drop.
Ok. You can do this through Studio Pro as well. VERY IMPORTANT: There are no refunds on tuition. If you pay on the 1st and drop on the 2nd, you don’t get it back. If you paid the year in full in advance, you don’t get it back. Part of this whole commitment piece is monetary.
End Of Season FAQs
Why no costumes for recital?
Mostly because the cost of dance costumes has gotten unreasonable. The last time we flipped through a catalog, prices were in the neighborhood of $80, and that's wholesale. Even if we didn't mark up, you would be paying this amount for every dance your child was in. That's a lot of money to see something onstage for 3 minutes and then shove it in the closet. Instead of this, we maintain a set of matching leotards with skirts and pants that you rent from us each year. This choice has been a positive one in many ways. It makes it much easier for parents to say yes to taking another class if it doesn't mean buying another costume. It cuts down on the backstage stress because no one needs to do any head-to-toe quick changes, and we purposely chose a leotard style that would accommodate any undergarments that may be necessary. Any time we are invited to do a community outreach performance, we have something to wear, and we can all come dressed and ready, no need to scout out an area to change in. And at the end of the season, you turn it back in, we launder and store it. Easy.
We have other, optional performance opportunities that do involve costuming. We perform The Nutcracker every December, and we have a competition group. These costumes are also owned and maintained by the studio and families pay a fee for their use and upkeep.
Mostly because the cost of dance costumes has gotten unreasonable. The last time we flipped through a catalog, prices were in the neighborhood of $80, and that's wholesale. Even if we didn't mark up, you would be paying this amount for every dance your child was in. That's a lot of money to see something onstage for 3 minutes and then shove it in the closet. Instead of this, we maintain a set of matching leotards with skirts and pants that you rent from us each year. This choice has been a positive one in many ways. It makes it much easier for parents to say yes to taking another class if it doesn't mean buying another costume. It cuts down on the backstage stress because no one needs to do any head-to-toe quick changes, and we purposely chose a leotard style that would accommodate any undergarments that may be necessary. Any time we are invited to do a community outreach performance, we have something to wear, and we can all come dressed and ready, no need to scout out an area to change in. And at the end of the season, you turn it back in, we launder and store it. Easy.
We have other, optional performance opportunities that do involve costuming. We perform The Nutcracker every December, and we have a competition group. These costumes are also owned and maintained by the studio and families pay a fee for their use and upkeep.
What do I do with my dancer's performance uniform after the show?
The best thing to do is bring them a change of clothes and have them turn it in right then and there. We will have a bin set up in the backstage area to collect them. We do not want your tights back. Any tights in the bin will be disposed of. You do not need to take it home and wash it; everything will be washed when it is turned in. If it goes home with you after the show, you have two weeks to return it to avoid being charged for a replacement. You do not need to put your dancer's name on it; every piece has a numbered label inside and we have a record of who was assigned which pieces.
The best thing to do is bring them a change of clothes and have them turn it in right then and there. We will have a bin set up in the backstage area to collect them. We do not want your tights back. Any tights in the bin will be disposed of. You do not need to take it home and wash it; everything will be washed when it is turned in. If it goes home with you after the show, you have two weeks to return it to avoid being charged for a replacement. You do not need to put your dancer's name on it; every piece has a numbered label inside and we have a record of who was assigned which pieces.
Do I need to do anything to shut off autopay?
No, you do not need to do anything. When the season ends, your dancer's class is over, and tuition will no longer be collected for those classes. If your account still has a balance (you bought a last-minute pair of tights, you ordered a plushie or a video, etc), those will be collected on the 1st of the following month. VERY IMPORTANT: Do not drop your dancer from their current classes unless they are actually dropping out and not participating in the show. We are still using those class rolls for reference through the day of the show and we don't want to miss a child doing head counts because the roll for their class was short one name.
No, you do not need to do anything. When the season ends, your dancer's class is over, and tuition will no longer be collected for those classes. If your account still has a balance (you bought a last-minute pair of tights, you ordered a plushie or a video, etc), those will be collected on the 1st of the following month. VERY IMPORTANT: Do not drop your dancer from their current classes unless they are actually dropping out and not participating in the show. We are still using those class rolls for reference through the day of the show and we don't want to miss a child doing head counts because the roll for their class was short one name.
How do we sign up for next year?
If you finished this season, you are rolled over to the next, automatically. We use an opt-out system, rather than an opt-in. That way our current students get priority on their class placements for the next school year, and we know approximately how many spaces remain for new students. If your dancer wants to take something different next year, you can make those changes in your Studio Pro account. If your family decides not to take dance next year, you can let us know and we will get you dropped from the roll. Please see the section above about dropping classes to fully understand what you will miss out on by dropping out.
If you finished this season, you are rolled over to the next, automatically. We use an opt-out system, rather than an opt-in. That way our current students get priority on their class placements for the next school year, and we know approximately how many spaces remain for new students. If your dancer wants to take something different next year, you can make those changes in your Studio Pro account. If your family decides not to take dance next year, you can let us know and we will get you dropped from the roll. Please see the section above about dropping classes to fully understand what you will miss out on by dropping out.