Policies

Text Box: CLASSES ALWAYS BEGIN ON TIME LIABILITY DISCLAIMER: The Studio and its Instructors are not liable for personal injuries or loss or damage to personal property. Since dance is a physical activity, injuries may occur. Each student may decline to participate in any activity which is harmful and is also responsible to inform the instructor of any physical limitation which may prevent full participation in class. LATE FEES: A late fee will be charged to a student's account if it has not been paid in full by the 10th of the month. See below. $20 late fee. This fee will also be added again for the remaining months in which the tuition remains unpaid. Example: Sally Sue has not paid tuition for October. It is now November and her October and November tuition are now both due. Sally will be charged the initial $20 late fee for not paying tuition by the 10th of Oct. and charged an additional $20 November 1st as it is still unpaid. If Sally also has not paid November's tuition by the 10th, then she will also incur an additional $20 for her past due November tuition. Why do we charge late fees?: As a business we have no other option then to charge when tuition remains unpaid for extended periods of time. If tuition is not received, we still have our own costs of operation which must be paid regardless, and our instructors must be paid in order to continue to provide the best dance education in the area. If tuition has become a problem for your family, please do not simply ignore the issue. Contact our office staff at either studio location. INSTRUCTORS / CHOREOGRAPHERS: At NEAD we commit to only housing a professional dance faculty for the maximum development of each and every child. Instructors and Choreographers main focus is to conduct their class. From time to time, verbal and physical corrections will be made to students standard in the dance field. Examples of verbal corrections can be explaining to students to quiet down, to pay attention, or to move the placement of body in various directions if they are incorrect. Examples of physical correction would be the instructor placing the hands on the child to help them move their body into the correct placement, which is usually done at ballet barre, tap and jazz classes and spotting for tumbling classes. In any case, whether is be simple corrections or discipline within the class, all methods used will be of the of the utmost professionalism, as we have only the safety and enjoyment of our students interests at heart. QUESTIONS / CONCERNS / FEEDBACK: At Northeast Academy of Dance, communication with our students and their families is very important to us. If in the event a problem or concern does arise, or you would like to provide feedback about any of our operations. By policy instructors are to remain focused on their class and the development of their students. STUDENT REFERRAL PROGRAM: Students or Parents who refer another student to enroll in one or more classes at Northeast Dance Academy are eligible for ONE of the following choices. One month of free tuition for one class, or a $45 scholarship to the studios summer intensive program. The referred student must remain enrolled for three months after the student has registered. The free months tuition will be refunded at the end the new students third month. Must be approved by Michelle. Does not apply for multiple family rates, or enrolling a sibling within the same immediate family. DISCOUNTS: A 10% discount is available to students or parents who pay their tuition in full for the entire year. The full years tuition must be paid by the first week of classes during the month of September. ABSENCE: from class is not refundable, in the event a student chooses to discontinue class attendance, tuition payments will cease at the end of that month. It is the students responsibility to notify the studio if they are dropping a class. DROPPING CLASSES: In the event a student chooses to discontinue class attendance, tuition payments will cease at the end of that month. It is the students responsibility to notify the studio if they drop a class. Tuition payments will continue until that notification has been received. DRESS REQUIREMENTS: are strictly enforced. Students without proper dance attire will not be able to participate in class that day. Required shoes must be purchased for certain levels and classes. Dance clothing may be purchased through the NEAD dance shop. If we do not have the item in stock it can be ordered. HAIR: should always be worn away from the face in Ballet combo classes. Long hair must be fastened neatly in a ponytail or braid. All students enrolled in ballet classes for 1 or 1.5 hours, must have their hair in a bun. Younger dancers involved in tumbling should have their hair up in ponytails or brads using soft elastics. Teens 13+ in jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary classes may choose to wear their hair down so long as it is not impeding movement or vision. DANCE SNEAKERS: These shoes are great for performances, certain styles and levels of dance. However beginning in September of 2006 Dance sneakers will no longer be allowed in any dance classes. We feel as though these sneakers because of the thickness of the sole, prevent students from utilizing their feet to the fullest and make it difficult to execute proper technique. CLASS BEHAVIOR: We all want your child to enjoy dance class, however, it is very important that the class dynamics remain in control. Students are expected to behave respectfully to both the other students in the class and the instructor. Students who are disruptive during class will be asked to either take "time out" within the class room or, depending on the situation and age of the student, be asked to leave the room for the duration of the class. If difficulties persist, a meeting may be requested to determine what would be the best possible long-term solution. ANNUAL PLACEMENT AND PROGRESSION: Students do not move up to the next level according to the amount of years that they have studied dance. They must be able to execute proper technique for each movement to the fullest for that level. Once the teacher or director has determined that the student is ready to move up, then and only then will they be able to do so. Some students may take several years and others only one, according to natural ability, effort, and practice. POOR ATTENDANCE WILL AFFECT PROGRESSION. Progression is determined by the artistic director or instructor only. If you have any questions please direct them to Tyler or Michelle. HOLIDAY RECITAL: Our first in the series of two annual recitals is held in December, usually the second or third week prior to our holiday break. This recital is not necessarily to observe any one particular holiday or another, but to celebrate the time of year, and all the we value and cherish. Family, Friends, and those special to us in our lives. In our Holiday recital we take a very laid back approach to costuming. Students will be asked in most cases to purchase similar colored or designed shirts from a local retail store, (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.) and combine with a pant and shoes. Most often we use items students already own from our dress code, (jazz pants, booty shorts, leotards, etc.) Instructors reserve the right to request specialty pants or accessories if required. ANNUAL SPRING RECITAL: The recital is in June with dress rehearsal the same week. Tickets are sold to families beginning in late May. Tuition must be current to purchase tickets or to have a child perform in the recital. Video taping and photographs ARE NOT PERMITTED at the recital, although you may take pictures at dress rehearsal. There will be a professional videographer and tapes can be purchased. Dancing in the recital is not a requirement for taking classes at NEAD. However at the end of the season beginning in April, recreational classes begin work on recital choreography which typically takes the final 15 to 20 minutes of class time (in some cases longer time may be allotted.) RECITAL COSTUMES: Costumes, shoes, and tights are required for each routine a student performs in the recital. Prices range $65 - $85 per individual costume, (with the younger classes at the lower end). In many cases an instructor may not require tights for a specific class. New shoe purchases will only be required if a student’s shoe has damaged or torn from use throughout the season, or if a routine requires a specific shoe such as heels, boots, or other types. WATER: A dancer may take water into the dance room for classes that are at least an hour. Water bottles that are left will be thrown away. GUM OR FOOD: NEVER allowed in the dance room. It is allowed in the students break area. BREAKS: will be taken only in classes over 60 minutes. During this time students may use the restroom and get a drink. If it is necessary to leave during class time, ALWAYS ask permission of the instructor. NEWSLETTERS: come out monthly and outline important developments involving the studio and potentially your child. Please read them. They contain important information that you will need to know during the dance season. TUITION PAYMENTS: Please refer to the tuition portion of this site. RETURNED CHECKS: Please refer to the tuition portion of this site. WORK STUDY / INTERNSHIPS: We offer work study opportunities for serious dance students needing financial assistance on a limited basis. Responsibilities may include work at our front desk, in an office, cleaning the studio, or in some limited cases assistant demonstrating with the instructors, in exchange for discounted tuition. For more information please speak with Michelle. PHONE: The studio phone is for office use only. Please do not ask to use the phone unless it is an emergency. CELL PHONES: Cell phones are not to be brought into the dance room. Please turn your cell phone off before coming into class. JEWELRY: (with the exception of small earrings) is not appropriate for dance class. Take it off before coming onto the dance floor. Absolutely no jewelry allowed during performances. VISITORS: are permitted with the permission of the instructor only. This is important so that your child can focus on the task at hand, rather then distractions. Peek sessions will be held once in November, during the week prior to Thanksgiving break and again in April prior to vacation. This gives students ample time to get comfortable in their class and at this point should be making significant progress since their enrollment in September, prior to having a viewing audience. If at anytime the students become uncomfortable with guests or if the room becomes to loud for the instructor to teach properly, the studio faculty reserves the right to ask visitors to leave the room. The studio also has viewing windows which can be used to view your students progress. These may also be closed for privacy reasons at the discretion of the instructor. PICK UP/DROP OFF: As mentioned previously, please have your student at the studio and ready to dance at the proper time. Dancers coming into class late are