Studio Policies
Tuition is due the first day of the month and delinquent after the 7th of the month. A $10.00 late fee will be charged on all late payments received after the 7th of the month, a $20.00 late fee will be charged after the 14th of the month, and a $30.00 late fee after the 21st of the month. No exceptions. If payment has not been received in full by the end of the month, students will not be allowed to participate in classes, the student will be dropped from all classes, and will be required to re-register and pay a new registration fee. All tuition is based on four lessons per month. Fifth lessons are considered a bonus and are used to offset any missed classes due to holidays throughout the year when the studio is closed. This includes the week of/after Recital.
The Dancers’ Studio accepts cash, check, money orders, Visa and MasterCard. A $25.00 service fee will be charged for any returned checks. After multiple returned checks, a parent may be asked to pay in cash or certified funds.
The Dancers’ Studio does not send monthly bills. It is the parent’s responsibility to mail or bring payment to the studio. All tuition must be current to participate in studio functions. This includes all performances and competitions.
There are NO REFUNDS or ADJUSTMENTS made for missed classes. Tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance. Students are allowed one make-up class per month, and it must be used within 30 days of the absence. Make-up classes must be taken at the same level or lower as the original class that was missed. Please check in with the front desk to use your make-up lesson.
Class size is generally between 12 and 15 students, although some classes may be smaller or larger, based on the instructor and style of dance. Waiting lists will be started if a class is full.
Substitute teachers are used occasionally when studio instructors are not available to teach. Tuition is not adjusted when a substitute teacher is used.
All students are required to pay a yearly registration fee of $25.00. This registration fee is renewable at the beginning of each season, beginning in August. A $25.00 registration fee is charged when any student drops out of dance for a month or longer, or is dropped from classes due to non-payment of tuition for 30 days, even if the student was previously registered during the season.
Parents are not allowed to sit inside the studios during classes or private lessons. Parents may view all lessons through the viewing windows from the lobby. On occasion, parents may be invited in to the studio by the instructor to see a demonstration or preview of student routines.
The Dancers’ Studio offers 5 annual performances to all students. These performances are: The Southern California Fair, Winter Demonstration, Holiday Ballet, our Annual Recital, and a Summer Musical Theater Camp. All performances are optional, and most require a Performance/Cast Fee to participate. Each student is required to purchase a costume for each class to participate in our Annual Recital, and costume pieces may need to be purchased for other performances. In addition to Cast Fees, tickets are sold to all performances, and any person who wishes to attend must purchase a ticket. Tickets for all performances are FINAL SALE, NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.
Students who participate in our Annual Recital must be enrolled in his/her class a minimum of 3 consecutive months leading up to the recital, including the month of June (April, May, June). Recital costumes are ordered in February, but students may join at a later date and still participate in the recital if a costume is available, and is approved by the instructor. These students joining after costumes have been ordered must still be enrolled for 3 consecutive months (April, May, June).
Should your child need to miss a class for any reason, we ask that you kindly notify the studio office. We keep track of attendance for your convenience, so we thank you in advance for your help.
It is the parent’s responsibility to come inside the studio and pick up monthly newsletters or collect any current information. While monthly newsletters are available in the lobby, students often do not remember to take one home. The Dancers’ Studio is not responsible for making sure that each child delivers information to the parent. Please come in the studio! You may also visit our website, to read current announcements and newsletters.
The Dancers’ Studio does not provide childcare. It is the responsibility of each parent to pick up their child immediately following their classes. We advise parents of children under the age of 6 to stay at the studio while their child is in class. Students ages 8 and younger should never be left at the studio unattended if he/she is not in class. We offer a play area for siblings, as well as a student lounge for students taking multiple classes, but we are not responsible for watching children who are not in a class. You are responsible for watching your own child in the lobby, play area and student lounge, and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
Class etiquette is extremely important when learning any discipline. Each student must follow the studio dress code or will not be allowed to participate in class. Jewelry is not allowed in any classes or private lessons, with the exception of small stud earrings, which are allowed. Necklaces, dangly earrings, rings, bracelets and anklets are strictly prohibited, and anklets are not allowed under tights. This strict jewelry rule is for the safety of our students and instructors. Each student will receive 1 dress code warning before he/she is asked to sit out of class. Students who are tardy on a regular basis may be asked to switch to a class that is offered at a more convenient time. Students arriving more than ten minutes late may be asked to sit out of class. We often send an email to the parent if a student is tardy or attends class without proper dress code to confirm that the parent is aware of the situation.
Our professional marley dance floors are very delicate. Water is allowed in the studio, but we ask that you keep all other food and drinks out in the lobby to help keep our floors clean. Dance shoes are to be worn in the studio only, and not outdoors. Please change into your dance shoes once you arrive at the studio. No street shoes are allowed on studio floors except for hip hop classes, and those shoes must not be worn outside, only for class.
Private lesson times are available with most of our instructors. Make-up classes are not offered to students who miss a private lesson, unless the teacher cancels the lesson, or if the parent gives the instructor at least 24 hrs. notice of the absence and the instructor’s schedule will allow for time to reschedule. Make-Up lessons must be scheduled within 30 days of the absence. Time slots are reserved for each private lesson, so no refunds or adjustments will be made to tuition at any time. Private lesson students must commit to a certain number of months of lessons, as agreed upon in the private lesson contract. Please see the private lesson contract for more details.
Performance Team auditions are held once per year, in August. Students who participate in Performance Teams are required to take a minimum number of classes, and must attend all registered classes and rehearsals regularly. Parents are required to purchase all costumes, accessories, shoes, and must pay all necessary competition and studio fees. Please see the Performance Team information packet for more information.
The Dancers’ Studio does not allow video recording of any kind at any of our performances for the following reasons: 1) For the safety and protection of our students, we cannot censor what is being recorded and what is publicized using various forms of media, 2) All choreography is property of The Dancers’ Studio, and can only be used or recorded with permission from the studio, 3) As a courtesy to our studio families, The Dancers’ Studio offers professional video recording DVDs for purchase, which allow us to censor the conduct in which the recording is made, and provide a quality product. Exceptions can sometimes be made for smaller performances, such as the Fair Performance, with the permission of The Dancers’ Studio, but never for our larger productions, such as The Holiday Ballet and the Annual Recital.
Due to the physical nature of the activity, an injury may occur while a child is in class. The Dancers’ Studio is not responsible for injuries that occur on the studio premises, parking lot, or at studio performances or events. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide medical insurance or medical funding in the event that an injury does occur. The Dancers’ Studio Teachers and Staff will provide assistance in obtaining medical attention for any student, as needed.
The Dancers’ Studio closes throughout the year to honor select holidays. The studio closes for Thanksgiving Break, two weeks at Christmas, and Spring Break. We are also closed after recital from the end of June until our new season begins in August. The studio sometimes offers a summer session of classes or private lessons during the month of July. The studio also closes for Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the 4th of July. Should your class fall on one of these three holidays, an extra make-up class may be used within 30 days of the holiday. Tuition will not be adjusted due to holidays.
The Dancers’ Studio reserves the right to refuse service to anyone at any time. We strive to maintain a healthy environment for our staff, students and families, and will continue to work only with students and families who are kind, respectful to others, and have a positive attitude.