Studio Policies

Respect Our Studio

When you enter our dance studio, you are stepping into many people’s second home. We want to keep a clean environment for our families, and maintain a positive, healthy atmosphere. Please remember to tidy up after yourself after using any area you are in. Many garbage cans are located around the studio for your convenience.

When bringing a change of clothes and shoes to the studio, please be mindful of where you place your items. Cubbies are located inside the studio for safe keeping of your belongings. If there is no room left in the cubbies, it is recommended to bring a bag for your belongings. It is also recommended to label all of your dancewear (including shoes!) with your initials, so that there is hopefully no confusion about whose shoes belong to whose feet!

Food and Water

We know that many of you are here for long hours, and that you need to eat! Please clean up after you’ve eaten. This includes food wrappers, etc. being placed in the garbage. If you bring a water bottle, Please have water bottles labelled. Any water bottles left in the studio for longer than a week will be recycled or tossed away. * PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE A NUT FREE FACILITIY. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD ITEMS THAT CONTAIN NUTS

Classes/Attendance

Please arrive on time to all of your classes. It is expected that students arrive early and ready to go at the beginning of class so as not to miss warm up! Warm up is an important aspect and risk of injury increases when students do not warm up properly.

If students will be late or absent from class, please let us know via email prior to the lesson start time. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each lesson, students not anticipated to be late may be marked absent.

Communication

If problems, questions or concerns arise, please speak directly to the person(s) involved. Gossiping, bullying and turning to Social Media are not healthy ways to deal with problems. Dancers and parents, please do not partake in any of this behaviour. If you are upset, please take 24 hours to cool down and think about how you want to handle the issue. Please phone or email to set up a time to meet with a teacher if necessary. Please do not approach a teacher during class time, as our focus is on class at that point.

Behaviour

We are very serious about creating and maintaining a positive and healthy environment at the studio. Bad attitudes will not be tolerated. We want everyone – new dancers, experienced dancers, parents, siblings, teachers – to feel welcome and respected. Students who are displaying disrespectful attitudes in class will be talked to immediately by their teacher. If parent attitudes are becoming a problem, a studio meeting will be set up and expectations will be restated.

Holidays

These breaks generally coincide with the school calendar. However, often when schools have non-instructional days dance classes still run.

Pointe Policy

The age at which dancers start pointe work varies from student to student. Strength is paramount in being able to wear pointe shoes for extended periods of time. Premature wearing of pointe shoes or insufficient training can result in serious injuries and/or disabilities. We are strongly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our dancers.

It’s important to understand that pointe work is specific to a dancer’s strength and skill level, not to an age, syllabus, or methodology. Children under the age of 12 will not be permitted to perform on pointe. Qualified teachers must decide as to when a student is ready for pointe work and the studio director and parents must first discuss and agree before a student is to progress to or perform pointe work. In addition, students must take pointe conditioning for a minimum of two years before progressing to dancing on pointe and a minimum class requirement of two ballet classes per week at the student’s respective level with continuous attendance, without exception.

Private Lesson Policy

Private lessons are available to any student looking to further or strengthen their skills in dance. Bookings can be made through info@dancestarsacademy.com and are subject to studio and instructor availability.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones are NOT permitted in the classroom. There are no exceptions! If a student is required to contact a parent/guardian during class time they will ask permission from the instructor to leave the class and make the call in the hallway or dressing room in an appropriate amount of time. Abuse or misuse of the policy will result in a parent meeting with the instructor and student.

Studio Rental Policy

From time to time our studio is available for rent for similar activities conducive of a dance studio! If you are interested in renting one of our studios please send us an email at info@dancestarsacademy.com

Studio Expectations:

Respect the studio – please clean up after yourselves!

Respect others – Everyone has off days, but communicating our feelings in a calm and healthy way can allow us to help each other process those feelings and move forward together!

Be present at all classes and studio events. If you cannot make it to dance, please contact the studio as soon as possible.

Arrive early so you are changed, warmed up and ready to dance!

Use effective forms of communication, and allow yourself a cool down period before making rash, emotion based action.

Have fun and enjoy being member of your team!

Storm cancellation policy:

Should school be cancelled due to inclement weather on the day of your dance class (or prior to it, in case of Saturday), please monitor your email for notification, FaceBook, or Instagram, as well as the CBC Storm Centre.

Required Dress Code for Classes:

Why dress code?

It is very important for us as a team to understand the importance of implementing a dress code in our programs. Just as gymnastics or hockey has a sports uniform, so does dance class! Baggy t-shirts and sweatpants become an obstructive alternative to dancewear. Parents, please make it your priority to ensure your child has the proper dancewear and shoes for each class. Hair must always be neatly off the face in a ponytail, bun, or braids.

It is now possible to take care of everything you need to begin classes right here on our website!
We sell brand new quality dancewear including bodysuits, tights, jazz, tap, & ballet shoes, and much more for affordable prices!

GIRLS:

Tiny Ballet Stars I: Pink or purple leotard (short sleeve) with attached or matching skirt, pink full sole ballet shoes, and pink footed tights.
Tiny Ballet/Jazz Stars II: Pink/purple or black leotard (short sleeve), with attached or matching skirt, pink full sole ballet shoes and pink footed tights.
Junior Ballet: Lavender leotard, black skirt (unattached), pink or skin tone leather or canvas ballet slippers, classic pink footed tights.
Pre-Inter/Advanced Ballet (13+ yrs.): Black Classic leotard in thin strap, tank, or 3/4 sleeve style. Black wrap skirt (short style, above the knees). Pink or skin tone leather or canvas ballet slippers, convertible tights matching colour of shoes.
Jazz (All levels): Black Capri pants or shorts, solid black leotard, skin tone or black leather jazz shoes, beige or skin tone tights.
Tap (all levels): Black or tan low heeled tap shoes, black leotard, and beige or skin tone tights.
Lyrical/Contemporary: Leotard (any colour), beige or skin tone tights, black shorts or capri pants OR skirt, jazz shoes or bare feet.
Hip Hop (All levels): Comfortable clothing for movement such as t-shirt and leggings, not so baggy or long that it may restrict movement. Absolutely no denim. Clean, non-marking indoor running shoes.
Acro/Cirque (all levels including Little Monkeys): Boycut unitard, or Black tank bodysuit with black shorts, footless beige or skin tone tights. Absolutely no loose clothing or bra tops. Hair must be slicked back and away from face in either low ponytail or French braids.
Baton: Black or purple tank leotard, black pants or shorts, beige or skin tone tights, skin tone or black leather jazz shoes.

Hair: Please note that students who do not have their hair up will be asked to fix their hair according to the studio policy in order to participate in class. If they are unable to do so in class, an email will be sent home to remind parents that this is for the safety of the students. Stray hairs impede visuals in class and could result in injury. We ask that everyone respect this rule.

Tiny Stars: Ponytail or bun completely off face and neck.
Junior Ballet & up: A bun is required: Slick back your hair (with water if needed) into a ponytail. Wrap hair into bun with pins. Secure with sheer hair net and more pins. No stray hairs and minimal bangs.
Jazz, Tap, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, Baton: Ponytail, bun or braids. Absolutely no stray hairs.

Please note that hair MUST be in a bun for all ballet classes. Not sure how to make a ballet bun? Click here: How to Make a Ballet Bun

Hair must be neat and off the face at ALL TIMES.
No jewelry other than stud earrings permitted in any class.

Please be sure that your child has the proper attire by the first class of the session.

BOYS:

Tiny Stars and Junior Ballet: white T-shirt, navy or black cotton shorts or leggings. White ankle socks, white ballet slippers with elastic across the instep.
Pre-Inter/Advanced Ballet and up: White T-shirt, black leggings, white ankle socks, and white ballet slippers with elastic across the instep.
Jazz/Tap: black or white T- shirt, black jazz pants (track pants or wide bottom styles are not allowed), black or tan jazz shoes.
Lyrical/Contemporary: T-shirt, black jazz pants (track pants or wide bottom styles are not allowed), jazz shoes or bare feet.
Hip Hop: Comfortable clothing for movement such as t-shirt and track pants, not too baggy as to restrict movement. Absolutely no denim. Clean, non-marking indoor running shoes.
Acro: Tight fitting white or black T-shirt, tight fitting black shorts or pants, bare feet. Clothing must not be loose enough to fall away from body during bends and tricks.
Baton: Tight fitting white or black T-shirt, tight fitting black shorts or pants, skin tone or black jazz shoes.

Adult Ballet:

Students must wear workout clothing, or clothing comfortable for movement. Yoga/jazz pants or capris may be worn. Ballet slippers, Jazz shoes or socks.