In order for things to flow smoothly at the studio, there are a few policies that we must all follow.
CORRESPONDENCE:
All information is disseminated via e-mail. PLEASE read all email from the Enterprise Academy of the Performing Arts. You may also read these emails in the Parent Portal under “Messages.” If your email address changes, please NOTIFY the OFFICE. Office hours are from 2:30 – 7:00, Monday – Thursday. Please try to do all of your business with Angie, the office manager, during these hours.
DROP POLICY:
Students may only drop a class at the end of a trimester. Tuition will not be prorated during a trimester period. If at any time you need to withdraw, you must NOTIFY THE OFFICE IN WRITING prior to the withdrawal. Non-attendance is not considered withdrawal from class. Trimester charges continue and tuition is due until we receive written notification of withdrawal. If a student drops mid-term, neither the May tuition nor the current trimester tuition will be refunded, due to that student taking up a spot in class that another student could have occupied for the entire year. There is a drop fee of $10.00 per class if a class is dropped from one trimester to the next. At the beginning of the year, you may change your schedule without a drop fee if you do it by September 1. After that time, the drop fee will be enforced.
BUILDING POLICIES:
We strive to keep our building nice, clean, and bug free. In order to do this, we can only allow food and drinks in the VENDING AREA which is located in the BACK HALL. ONLY WATER WILL BE ALLOWED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE BUILDING. Please help us keep the building clean by informing your child of this policy. It will be strictly enforced!
DRESSING ROOMS:
There are 2 Dressing Rooms in the building:
- One Dressing Room is for all students who are in school grade 6 and below.
- One Dressing Room is for all students who are in school grade 7 and up.
Personal lockers are available for rent by the year. The rent runs from June 1-May 31. The fee is $40.00 per year and each locker has a lock with a 3 number code. Lockers can be rented by contacting the Office.
There should be NO OPEN FOOD OR DRINK in the Dressing Rooms.
This is to protect your children’s clothing and belongings.
RESTROOMS:
There are 2 RESTROOMS located at the end of the main hall.
- ALL Female Dancers should use the Blue Restroom on the left.
- Teachers, parents, and all males should use the Green Restroom on the right.
DRESS CODE:
For ballet class, all girls must wear pink tights and pink ballet shoes and any style of leotard in the color assigned to their dance level (see chart).
Ballet skirts are optional, but if worn, they must be the same color as the leotard or white or black. Hair must be neatly secured in a bun (no ponytails). Boys should wear a white fitted t-shirt, black stretchy pants or bike shorts, and black ballet/tap/jazz shoes.
For tap class, Levels K through 5 should wear tan flat tap shoes; Intermediate and Advanced students should wear black low-mid heeled tap shoes. Leotard with shorts or skirts are appropriate.
For jazz, all students should wear tan jazz shoes and jazz dance wear/leotard with shorts.
For contemporary class, wear any leotard, skirt or shorts, foot paws or bare feet.
For musical theater class, wear any leotard, skirt or shorts and tan character shoes.
For Hip-Hop class, wear any style clothing you consider hip-hop style with any tennis shoes. If you already own hip-hop boots, you may wear them to class. You may be asked at a later date to purchase a certain style of shoe or boot for the recital.
For acro/tumbling class, wear a leotard with stretchy shorts/pants or a one-piece gym suit and bare feet.
HAIR for ballet must be in a bun; for all other classes it should be neatly secured away from the face and off the neck. No heavy jewelry or loose fitting clothes should be worn to any class. NO APPLE WATCHES.
DANCE UNIFORM:
The leotards, tights, shoes, and buns associated with ballet and dance serve multiple practical and aesthetic purposes.
Why do dancers need buns?
A tight bun ensures that the dancer’s hair will not be in her line of vision and impede her while spotting turns. It also creates a more ballerina-like body line by making the neck look longer.
Why do dancers wear tights?
Tights provide light compression of the muscles in the leg and foot which improves circulation and helps dancers to “feel” their legs and engage the correct muscles. They provide unrestricted movement while providing good coverage for the sake of modesty.
Why do dancers wear leotards?
Leotards obviously allow freedom of movement, but they also help prevent injury and enhance the presentation of the movements.
The leotard’s tight fit serves to keep the muscles warm as well as allowing the teacher to see how the dancer is using those muscles. The leotard and tights are worn so that the teacher can see the lines of the body and keep the dancers safe. It enables the teacher to keep an eye on technique and make sure bodies are working and developing correctly.
But why do all students need to dress the same?
Part of being a dancer is about being well presented.
Uniforms create unity and teamwork in the classroom. It means that everyone is the same, and that the dancing is the thing that is highlighted, rather than the outfit. This helps our students to avoid distractions and have their attention completely focused on the teacher. It also begins to teach and develop working as a group and team. When all students look the same, they are able to connect and be on the same page in class.
It makes the class look clean – matching the feel and essence of the classical ballet form as a whole. The teacher has a much easier time surveying the class – free of distracting colors or shapes – and is then able to provide the necessary corrections to help each of the dancers grow.
Above all though, wearing the correct uniform is a sign of respect. Respect for the teacher. Respect for the art. And respect for the “future” audience. We do not wear laddered tights or holes in our shoes to class as it is messy and looks as if we don’t care. Being perfectly presented with tidy hair, immaculate uniform, and remembering all your things is the biggest compliment a teacher can receive. It tells her that you are serious, and that you respect the art to which she has dedicated her life.
Dress for success!
Feeling like a dancer in class can foster a positive shift in the students’ confidence and
attitudes!
Following a dress code can truly change the whole atmosphere and
overall performance within the classroom!