Information

Handbook

Mission Statement

Through a full range of dance instruction and performance opportunities, our goal at

Steps Dance Arts Center is to increase within each child, not only their love of dance,

but to increase his/her sense of self importance, self confidence, self esteem,

and the value of commitment to a completed goal.

Member of Dance Masters of America

Tuition Fees

30 Minute Class

1 Class $33.00 / Month

2 Classes $60.00/ Month

45 Minute or 1 Hour classes for 1, 2, or more students:

1 Class $ 37.50 / Month

2 Classes $ 67.50 / Month

3 Classes $101.25 / Month

4 Classes $135.00 / Month

1 ¼ or 1 ½ Hour Classes for 1, 2, or more Students:

1 Class $ 50.00 / Month

2 Classes $ 90.00 / Month

3 Classes $135.00 / Month

1 – 1 hr Class & 1 – 1 ½ hr Class $77.50

2 – 1 hr Classes & 1 – 1 ½ hr Class $107.50

1 – 1 hr Class & 2 – 1 ½ hr Classes $117.50

Unlimited Classes:

Single Person $ 130.00 / Month

Couple $ 160.00 / Month

Family (Up to 3) $ 195.00 / Month

Add. Family Member $ 20.00 / Month

· Unlimited students may take all classes of students level or below with teachers approval

You are responsible for paying the total monthly tuition regardless of any holiday or holiday breaks from September –June. There is no extra charge for months that have 5 weeks. You may take a make-up class for any absenses within 30 days of absense. If you are absent for 30 days and your tuition has not been paid you will be dropped from your class(es).

In order to participate in all performances, all tuition and fees must be current.

Single 1 hour Class $ 15.00

Single 1 ½ hour Class $ 17.50

½ hr. Private Lessons:

Steps Student $ 15.00 / each

Non-Steps Student$ 20.00 / each

Registration Fee: $ 20.00 per Student - due each Sept.1^st

Tuition is due and payable on the first lesson of each month.

After the 10^th a $ 5.00 late fee will be added

Students will not be able to participate in class if tuition is not paid by the 10^th. (Please see Charlotte for other arrangements.)

There will be a $ 25.00 fee for any returned checks

Classes where only 1 student is present will be 30 min. and will be counted as a private lesson at no extra charge.

Tuition Payments:

Make checks or money orders payable to, Steps (include your dancers first and last name & month being paid)

Cash payments: Get a cash receipt (Steps will not be responsible for any cash payments if you do not have a receipt)

Please do not combine tuition payments with: Costume payments, Shirt orders or ticket orders

Steps Dance Arts Center is a private school. We reserve the right to disqualify and/or drop any student at any time.

Classes with 5 or less students may be cancelled.

Class Policy

Please notify instructor of any special needs or medical conditions your dancer may have.

There will be ABSOLUTLY NO GUM OR FOOD IN THE DANCE ROOM!!!!!!!!

Dancers and Parents are expected to act appropriately and cooperate with all instructors, staff and fellow dancers.

Dancers will not be allowed to enter class if more than 15 minutes late unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.

Disruptive dancers may be asked to sit out class at the discretion of the instructor.

Parents will be invited into the classroom during the last class of the month. This is the time to bring your camera and invite grandparents. Teachers will gladly give announcements and answer your questions at this time.

Volunteers for class moms: If you would like to be a class mom please notify the instructor of your dancer’s class.

Class moms would be asked to notify the class of upcoming events and arranging for parents to help your

class backstage at the performances if needed.

Our Bulletin boards contain important information for you and your dancer, please keep up with the latest news by checking them often so you or your dancer don’t miss out on anything fun. (up dated calendars, special event announcements, order forms for shirts, program ads, tickets, picture sign ups and special work shops)

Dress Codes

Pre-Dance & Dance Basics

Apparel- leotard or tutu with tights can be any color; use your imagination

Shoes- Pink Ballet Slippers, Black Patent Leather tap shoes

Hair- In a bun or if too short pulled up away from face.

Ballet Classes

Female

Apparel- Solid color leotard (Black preferred)

Pink Tights

Skirt for Center Floor only

Leg Warmers/Ankle Warmers when needed

(NO Jazz Pants)

Shoes- Pink Ballet Slippers

Hair- In a bun or if too short pulled up away from face.

Male

Apparel- Fitted White T-Shirt

Black tights/fitted Jazz pants

White socks

White/Black Ballet Slippers

Jazz Classes

Apparel- Leotard or tight fitting shirt (NO Baggy Shirts)

Jazz Pants

Shoes- Jazz Shoes or Dance Sneakers

Hair- up away from face in a Pony Tail or Bun

Tap Classes

Apparel- Leotard or T-Shirt

Jazz Pants fitted at the ankle, full foot must be exposed

NO Jeans or pants that cover your feet

Shoes- Black Tap Shoes (Int. & Adv. Non Patent Leather Shoes)

Hair- Up away from face or in a pony tail

Manners for Dancers

Dancers show respect for themselves by:

being prompt for class (15 minute rule applies)
being dressed properly for class, without underwear under leotards,

without jewelry other than small earrings, and with ballet shoestrings either tucked in or tied in a knot and cut off.

having their hair up off the neck and out of the eyes. Ballet class: Girls hair must be in a bun unless too short.

Dancers show respect for others by:

keeping their hands to themselves during class;
waiting quietly for others to have a turn;
waiting until the music is finished before entering the classroom;
talking only when spoken to by the instructor.

Dancers show respect for their teacher and the art form they are learning by:

being properly dressed and ready for class on time;
listening when the teacher speaks;
when sitting on the floor, sitting cross-legged with backs up straight;
being prepared for their turn;
always asking before leaving the room for any reason;
applauding their teacher at the end of class.

Dancers show respect for the studio by:

leaving gum, food, or drink outside the classroom:

ABSOLUTLY NO GUM OR FOOD IN THE DANCE ROOM!!!!!!!!

never hanging on the bars;
never running, cheerleading or doing gymnastics in the studio or lobby;
putting trash and cans in the proper places;
putting away books and magazines when finished with them.

Parents show respect for the dance class, teacher and studio by:

knocking before entering the classroom while the class is in progress;
asking the receptionist to get a child from class;
standing away from the viewing window if it becomes obvious that students are being distracted;
having students ready for class before entering the classroom;
picking students up promptly after class

Dates to Remember

September 7: Classes begin

October 18: Sweat shirt orders begin

October 25 – 30: Dress up week, Bring a friend,wear a

costume and learn the Monster Mash

November 12: Last chance to order Sweat Shirt

November 15: June Costume Deposits are Due

November 15 – 20: Measure for June Costumes

November 25 – 28: Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

December 1: Nutcracker ticket go on sale

December 4: Opening of Christmas Tree Lane

December 11: Rehearsals, 9:00 Pre-show, 10:00 Act I,

1:00 Act II

December 13: Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal Act I at Steps

December 14: Nutcracker Dress Rehearsal Act II at Steps

December 17: Full Cast and Dress Rehearsal at Downey

6:00 Winter Showcase

7:00 Nutcracker Act I

8:00 Nutcracker Act II

December 18: Dancers Call 5:30 at Downey

Performance at 6:30

December 19 – January 3: Closed for Winter Break

January 4: Open

March 25 – 31: Closed for Spring Break

April 1: Open

April 1: Show T-shirt orders begin

April 18: Last chance to order show T-shirts

May 7: Ceres Street Faire and Parade

May 30: Closed for Memorial Day

June 1: Swan Lake and Annie Tickets go on sale

June 21: 5:30 Swan Lake Dress Rehearsal at Downey

June 22: 5:30 Annie Dress Rehearsal at Downey

June 24: 6:00 Swan Lake Dancers call

7:00 Swan Lake Performance

June 25: 6:00 Annie Dancers Call

7:00 Annie Performance

June 26: Steps Party at Whitmore Park, Ceres

Potluck, year-end awards and presentations

June 27- July 31: Closed for Summer

August 1: Open for 2005-2006 Season

Show Etiquette

Attendance is mandatory at dress rehearsals.

1. Please be on time to all rehearsals and shows. We realize the rehearsals can go long but, they will be even longer if we are not able to start on time. You should arrive at dress rehearsal in full make-up and costume, and prepared to start rehearsal at the scheduled time.

2. Please remember to bring everything you need for your performance. Costumes, shoes, all props needed. Please remember to bring your own bobby pins, hair nets, and make-up. An extra pair of tights and safety pins is always a good idea. All costume pieces should be labeled with dancer’s name and in a garment bag, including hairpieces and shoes.

3. Please respect each others property. Do not borrow, move, or step on anything that is not yours.

Do not remove props from prop table. Props are not toys!

4. Please have hair pulled back in buns for all ballet numbers. No Phony Pony's allowed on stage for ballet numbers

5. Please DO NOT wear underwear under costumes.

6. No food, gum, or colored liquid while in costume. Water & crackers only.

7. No jewelry, dark nail polish, brown lipstick. That means earrings too unless your character requires it. Please use red or reddish pink lipstick.

8. Please meet your child backstage. (For bows meet in the inner hall before the scene)

Costumes should be covered up when you are not back stage. Costumes are not allowed in the audience.

9. Please, please, be quiet backstage AND in the wings waiting to go on.

10. Have fun and SMILE!

11. Only backstage helpers and class moms should be back stage during performances.

12. M.I.B.s (Staff and backstage volunteers) are your friends. They are there to help make the show run smoothly. Please follow their directions quickly and quietly.

13. Please remind friends and family members to turn off cellular phones and pages during the

performances.

14. Please remain seated during performances. Heads popping in and out of the video is no fun to

watch. Dancers will not be allowed to go in and out of the theater during the performances.

15. Late comers need to wait for a scene change or black out to enter the theater.

16. Video taping will be allowed only at the dress rehearsals not during the performances.

17. Flash photography is not allowed. (It is hazardous to the dancers)!!!!!!

ASA 400 or 800 speed film works without flash.

18. No food or drinks will be allowed in the theater or lobby for rehearsals or

Performances. If you have any food or drinks outside of the theater please make sure

You pick up after yourselves and your dancers.

Thank you for all the patience, cooperation and hard work you have given this production.

Above all have fun and smile.

Show Information

Reheasals:

v can be very long and boring. Please be patient with the process. Bring some activities for younger dancers to

keep them occupied. Bring water and non messy snacks.

v Do not always go as planned. Please be flexible.

v Please pay attention to all announcments concerning changes to rehearsal schedule and where to be so you don’t miss your cue.

Show Tickets:

v Ticket order forms will be available on December 1, 2004 for the Nutcracker and June 1, 2005 for Swan Lake and Annie. Fill out form and return with payment to the studio or mail to the mailing address. Your tickets will be in an envelope with your name on it at the dance studio as soon as they are processed.

v If your dancer wishes to sit with you in the audience to watch the acts they are not in, you will be required to purchase a ticket for that seat. Remember no costumes will be allowed in audience.

v When purchasing tickets

If you have young children and may need to exit the theater during the performance, please purchase aisle seats close to an exit, making it easy for everyone for you to exit. A seating chart for the theater will be available and posted on the bulletin board to help you with your seat selection.

v All ticket sales are final. There will be no refunds or exchanges.

Costumes December Show:

v Some classes will use costumes provided from the studio. These need to be returned immediately after the show. Do not take them home.

v Other classes will be asked to make costumes with what they have at home or to purchase on their own some pieces to complete their costume.

Costumes June Show:

v Costume Deposits are Due by November 15, 2004. $50.00 per class, per student (example: 1 student 1 class = 1 deposit. 1 student, 3 classes, = 3 deposits. 2 students, 1 class each, = 2 deposits).

v Deposits may be made in one sum or in partial payments. Please make costume deposit checks separate from tuition payments.

v Some classes or characters will use costumes provided from the studio. These need to be returned immediately after the show. Do not take them home. If you are not sure please ask Charlotte, Barbara or Anna.

v We will be Measuring for June costumes beginning November 15 – 20. Sizes must be OK’d and intialed by parent or guardian. Remember when choosing your childs size they may grow before June. It is easier to take in a costume than it is to let out.

v Your costume will be 10% to 20% higher if ordered on the second costume order.

Attention

Returning students please check your closets, dance bags, and your car for sny studio costumes that you may still have. Bring to the studio immediately. Thank you

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Text Box: Notes

Phone Numbers & Contacts

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