Policies
Communication
- Our private Band groups are updated regularly with information about upcoming performances, competitions, etc. The main Dance Conservatory group has information that applies to everyone in the studio. It also has photo albums where our dance families can share photos and videos from the performances/competitions. Each team also has it’s own individual Band group where we’ll post practice videos and information that only applies to that specific team.
- Parents or dancers should text Annette at 208-589-0382 about upcoming absences, if you have any questions/concerns, etc. You can also email [email protected] But please DON’T text or email teachers unless you’re coordinating solo cabaret lessons with Emily.
Attendance
- Students are expected to be at all classes, practices, performances, and competitions. Good attendance is imperative, as absences and tardiness can hold back the student themselves and the entire class. But if your student will be absent or late, please text Annette at 208-589-0382 and she’ll let the teacher know.
- If a Jr/Yth dancer misses class it is their responsibility to review and learn the things they missed before their next class. Practice videos are regularly posted in the team’s Band group for our dancers to use for learning and review. But please note that watching the videos is NOT the same thing as having the hours in class. Time is spent in class working on technique, cleaning choreography and formations, etc. so dancers should make every effort to be in class.
- There are no refunds or deductions for missed classes.
Be on time
Please text Annette if you’ll be late or absent so Emily can arrange lesson plans if needed. Please be on time to drop off and pick up your dancers (young dancers get worried when their ride isn’t there). Please be courteous of our teachers’ time, especially after the last class of the day. Teachers aren’t allowed to leave until all of their students have been picked up. Thanks for making every effort to be on time.
Dropping off / Picking up dancers
As you pull into the studio please stay to your right, then circle around the parking lot in a counter-clockwise circle staying to your right as you leave. (See the attached parking map for instructions). PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY AND WATCH FOR DANCERS! Safety is our highest priority, thanks for your cooperation.
Observing class
Dancers pay attention better and work harder when they’re not distracted by family members and/or friends observing class. We have an open door policy so you can observe part of class if you ever need to, but dancers learn best when you don’t. Most parents drop off their dancers then go and run errands or something. We have your phone numbers and can call you if we ever have an emergency or need you for anything. We love our dance parents, you guys are AMAZING! But we just want the dancers to get the most out of their class time.
Studio closures
Please check the calendar for when we have scheduled holidays. In addition, if Rigby schools are closed due to bad weather or other circumstances, we won’t be having dance that day either (check your email for studio closures). We generally don’t do make-up classes when dance has to be cancelled for things out of our control, but we put in a LOT of extra hours helping the dancers at performances and competitions that we’re not compensated for, so we feel that’s fair. Tuition is based on having 3 to 5 classes per month. You’re not charged extra for months that have 5 classes, and not charged less for months with 3 or 4 classes. If there’s ever a month with less than 3 classes we’ll schedule a make up class or refund part of tuition. Credit is not given if students miss class for absences.
Behavior
We believe that it’s just as important to be a GOOD PERSON as it is to be a GOOD DANCER. Our dancers (and their families and guests when they’re at dance events) are expected to be kind, respectful, and have good sportsmanship. Dance is supposed to be FUN and we don’t need/want drama or problems on our team. Dancers are expected to work hard in class, be respectful to their teacher and teammates, and help us have a positive, fun environment. Dancers on our Jr/Yth and PreTeen teams should review their choreography and syllabus at home (as directed by their teachers) and come to class prepared. When everyone works hard, does their best, and has good attitudes, then we can have fun, successful teams.
Groups of at least 3
Since we have boys and girls dancing together on our teams, we have a rule that dancers must stay in groups of at least 3 at all times. This includes practices, backstage at performances and competitions, before and after class, etc. This ends up being a fun rule because dancers invite more teammates to be in the group setting with them. It helps dancers get to know more people on their team, and helps things stay classy, fun, and safe. To protect our teachers and dancers, this rule also applies to our teachers. They’re not allowed to be with a student one-on-one. If a dancer’s ride is late picking them up, another student has to stay with them until both students can be picked up. We’re all good people, but rules are in place to protect everyone.
Relationships
We encourage our students NOT to have romantic relationships (or crushes, etc.) with other members of our team. It makes things awkward and causes problems throughout the year if they do. Dancers are encouraged to keep friendships at a casual level and be friends with everyone on the team.
Photos / videos
The Dance Conservatory photographs and videotapes our students in class and performances/competitions. Our PreTeen and Jr/Yth teachers post videos of their teams’ syllabus and choreography on our private studio Facebook page so dancers can review and practice at home. Usually the teacher will record the routines the last few minutes of class. We also post pictures of our dancers at competitions and at our Summer Ballroom Workshop. By registering at our studio you agree that your dancers picture/video may be taken and that you consent to the use of the pictures/videos for promotional and learning purposes. Performance/competition videos and pictures may be shared by our dance families with their families and friends.
Costumes
Our costumes are all carefully selected/made to ensure the dancers modesty, and to fit the style of dance they’re doing. Dancers rent our costumes, and need to make sure they’re kept in good condition and that all the pieces are returned at the end of the dance season.
Full year commitment
When you register for any of our teams you’re committing to the full dance season, September through April. Teams don’t work if you withdraw your child mid-year because we have very specific, set choreography with the numbers of dancers that are on each team. It also doesn’t work when your dancer misses performances or competitions because their assigned dance partners are left without a partner, and formations and choreography are messed up without all of the dancers there. Please consider carefully what level of commitment you’ll have before enrolling your children in ballroom teams.