STUDIO POLICIES

Our policies are designed to keep the administrative and studio policies as simple as possible.
We ask and expect that you read and abide by all the policies of the studio.
This will allow us to do what we really love to do: teach dance!

DRESS REQUIREMENTS

All dress requirements are enforced. A black leotard and pink tights are required for all ballet classes. Black or Pink skirts ONLY may be worn for all preschool combination classes as well as beginner through Level V ballet classes. NO play skirts/costumes/ bedroom slippers will be allowed to wear to classes. All other classes and all adult classes should check the listing of class dress requirements for proper dance attire/ shoes. Hair must be in a bun for all ballet classes and properly secured back in a pony tail or bun (dancers discretion) for all other classes. NO JEWELRY is allowed in dance classes. All dancers are required to wear cover−ups when entering and exiting the studio

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BALLET

All levels – Black leotards (any style), Body Wrappers (Style C-31/A-31) theatrical pink tights. Black or Pink skirts no longer than MID-THIGH. NO DANCE DRESSES! Split or full sole ballet shoe (split sole required for Teen and Advanced Classes) WITH elastics. Hair pulled back away from face (including bangs) into bun or pony tail for those dancers taking multiple classes following ballet. NO SWEATSHIRTS or T-SHIRTS.

JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY

Any color leotard with Body Wrappers (Style C-31/A-31) BLACK or JAZZY TAN tights. Leggings or boy shorts may be worn. Tan Bloch jazz shoes required for all Jazz classes. Hair pulled back away from face (including bangs). No over sized T-Shirts, sweats, or loose pants may be worn. Socks are not allowed to be worn as shoes.

TAP

COMBINATION CLASSES

HIP HOP

BOY’S ATTIRE

GENERAL POLICIES

DANCE PROGRAM

Our dance season begins in August and concludes with our annual recital in June. We honor the RRISD calendar for the following holidays only, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break.  If you are unsure please see the calendar tab for more information. The curriculum is designed for the student who enters at the beginning of the school year and studies throughout the dance year. We accept new students through October 1st. New families to the area after that time, or transfers, please contact the studio director.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

ALL STUDENTS MUST REGISTER, that includes both returning and new students. Registrations are done online or you can drop by the studio during normal business hours where one of our staff can assist you with the online registration process. Returning students must have accounts in good standing before registrations will be processed.  If you have questions about your account you can send an email to accounting@thedanceworks.com. Registration fee and first month’s tuition is due at the time your registration is processed.

PLACEMEMT

Students are placed into classes by age and ability. Sometimes this may involve trying several classes before the correct learning environment is achieved. It is important to have the student in a challenging but non-intimidating environment. Class changes will occur within the first two weeks of instruction.

ADD/DROP/CHANGE FEE

A $25 processing fee will be added to students that withdraw from the studio. A $15 class change fee will be assessed after September 1st for those students adding/deleting from their class schedules unless it is a director approved transfer.

TUITION

Tuition is due by the 1st of each month and delinquent after the 7th. Late fees and fees on returned checks do apply. Tuition must be paid in full for the month. No tuition is refunded. If you miss part of the month due to vacation, illness, etc. you are able to take a make-up class within 14 days. When making up a class, please phone the studio or email the director for a suitable class prior to attending. Tuition is based on total weeks of instruction per our dance season NOT a month to month calendar and is the same each month regardless of the amount of classes in a particular month.

Email invoices are sent ONLY for the following items, late tuition, recital, team, or costume fees. Costumes are ordered in the winter and arrive in the spring. Costume fees are non-refundable as we cannot return costumes already ordered/received. We do blog important news throughout the year so please make sure your email is current with accounting AND that you have signed up for the news and updates. It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to notify our office if you are not receiving emails and/or if you have any changes to your contact information. Emails are sent to the email you put on your registration.

All private lessons must be prepaid, no exceptions.

For registration fees and tuition rates, please visit our TUITION PAGE.

ATTENDANCE

Consistent attendance is beneficial for students and teachers. Students should arrive to class on time so as not to interrupt the class. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late will be required to enter the studio and wait until they have the teacher’s approval to join class. Upon instructor permission, they will quickly and quietly prepare to join class. Students arriving more than 15 minutes late to class will be asked to view only.

We appreciate our parents/guardians and their willingness to help our students, however, please do not enter the dance studio once class has begun to assist your child with shoes changes, bathroom breaks or make corrections. The instructors are proficient in class management/structure and will come to the lobby to get you if we need your assistance. Thank you!

Also, as time is limited between classes, our instructors are unable to discuss dance related questions — if you need to discuss anything with your child’s teacher, please phone the studio or email the director to schedule an appointment.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE FROM CLASS

Students should arrive in adequate time to change clothing, eat, etc. before class begins. Parents and/or guardians must come into the studio to pick up the students younger than 8 years of age. We appreciate parents arriving a few minutes before class ends in order to wait for their dancer to come out of class. No student should leave the studio without a parent or guardian. We are very sensitive to students’ whereabouts and their safety, however, The Dance Works will not be held responsible for your student.

Any student left unattended at the studio for longer than 30 minutes before or after the class they have registered for will be charged as if they attended an additional dance class. The same holds true for siblings. Do not leave siblings unattended at the studio.

VIEWING OF CLASSES

Parents and family are welcome to view classes on a weekly basis from the flat screen televisions in the lobby. If the televisions are not turned on, please ask an instructor or cafe employee to help you. We ask that you do not turn them on yourself. Please refrain from interrupting class and do no walk into the classroom during class time. Video taping of classes will not be permitted, unless the instructor of the class says otherwise. Please feel free to enjoy the goodies from the cafe at our main location during your child’s class!

SUBSTITUTE INSTRUCTORS

Due to additional dance performances, choreography work, illness or personal reasons, substitute teachers may be needed at times. All substitutes are highly qualified and must be treated with the same respect as the regular instructor.

STUDIO CLOSURES

The studio will be closed for all major holidays. Exact dates of closure will be noted on the studio calendar. Regarding closures due to bad weather, please call the studio before you leave, as we will update our recorded message about class cancellations.

RECITAL

The Dance Works holds ONE yearly recital where all students are welcome and encouraged to participate. They are held in a professional environment, currently the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center located adjacent to McNeil High School. There is a participation fee as well as fees for costumes. Preparations begin in the winter with costumes ordered during the month of December.

We encourage all students and families to participate in our year end recital. This is where you (as well as your family, friends) can see the progress your dancer has made and how he or she has blossomed from a student to a performer! The shows are always entertaining and more than worth all of the hard work! Visit our recital page for more information.

RECITAL FEE

Each student participating in the spring recital will be assessed a single student fee of $85 or family (more than one student participating) of $95. More detailed information is posted at the studio and on the recital page as the time approaches. The spring recital is optional.

PRIVATE LESSIONS

Private lessons may be set up for those needing extra help or interested in perfecting their technique. Scheduled time will be allotted to fit into the student’s and teacher’s schedule. Cancellations MUST be made 6 hours prior to the time allotted or you will be charged for the session.

GENERAL RULES

Please be considerate of all others around you. Absolutely no gum, food or drink in the studios. Students taking more than ONE HOUR of classes consecutively are allowed to bring in POP TOP WATER BOTTLES ONLY. Any other type of container will not be allowed. Any food items need to remain in cafe. Due to health department standards the cafe will not be able to store any blended drinks or sandwiches in our cooling units. You are responsible for cleaning up and throwing away your trash.

Please leave valuables and jewelry at home, as the studio is not responsible for missing items. Don’t forget to double check and make sure you have everything before leaving the studio. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND labeling each item with your initials or name to help if they do get lost or misplaced. Items left in lost and found will be donated to charity each month.