First Day of Classes: September 2, 2025
WHAT TO WEAR:
• Ballet class: ballet shoes, leotard, and tights. No Exceptions – this is required class wear for ballet.
• All other classes: dance wear (leotard and tights or leggings) and class-specific shoes (tap, jazz, lyrical, etc.).
• NO CELL PHONES IN CLASS
• No blue jeans or other “school clothing”
• Make sure hair is pulled back
• No chewing gum
• It is the parents and students’ responsibility to come to class with the proper attire
• Only water is allowed in the studios
• NO OUTSIDE FOOD INSIDE THE STUDIO
Shoes may be purchased through Studio Dance. We suggest pink ballet shoes, tan Mary Jane taps with
Velcro (combo through tap I), black jazz taps (tap II and above), and black jazz shoes. We will order shoes the first week of each month.
ATTENDANCE:
Students cannot learn to dance or develop proper placement and tone if absent frequently. Dance classes are unique in that the student is learning an art as well as exercising the body physically. Regular attendance is imperative, as absences and tardiness can hold back an entire class, and the studio cannot jeopardize its responsibilities to the rest of the class for one student. Please make every effort to have your child at every class. Observation in classes is not permitted unless an invitation is sent via email; there simply is not enough room in the studios for dancers and observers.
PAYMENTS AND MAKEUPS:
Tuition is based on a full academic year (September-May). Once registered, a student is enrolled September-May, and no refunds or reductions will be allowed for classes missed. Tuition will remain the same for each month regardless of how many weeks are in a month; this includes holidays and spring break. Make-up classes are available for illness and should be made up within a two-week period of missing class if choosing to do so. Classes are not pro-rated, and if you are going to be absent for a period of time, the tuition rate is still the same in order to ensure your child’s spot in class.
Tuition is paid as follows:
• Pay registration fee of $25 and pay September and May fees upfront. This will be done in August at registration.
• Forms of payment: Cash, check, and credit/debit card.
• If tuition is not paid by the 7th of the month, it will be considered late and a $5 late fee will be assessed. Withdrawal from class: One-month notice is required to withdraw from class. Withdrawal request must be in writing.
• Holiday Dates for 2025-2026: Labor Day 9/1/2025, Fall Break 10/06 – 10/12/2025, Thanksgiving 11/26-11/30/2025, Christmas 12/15/2025-1/4/2026, Spring Break 3/16-3/22/2026. We do not close for teacher workdays.
• Snow: We follow the Johnson City School closings for snow; call the studio when in doubt or check out Studio Dance Facebook and Instagram pages
INSURANCE:
Studio Dance does not carry medical insurance for its students. It is required that all dance students be covered by their own family insurance policies.
RECITAL:
Our recital will be conducted in late May. This is the climax of our dancing year. Recital dates will be set as soon as possible. We will use an auditorium or theatre in the area that will suit our needs.
• Recital participation fee is $25 per dancer (this fee helps cover the cost of end of the year trophies and cost of the recital venue)
• Parents make the decision as to how many dances their child will be in, and participation in the spring recital is not required.
• Costumes for the recital will be ordered in December. Costume costs average between $65 and $80 each.
• If you like, costume deposits ($50 per costume/class) may be made now or anytime up to November 13.
• Once deposits have been made you are responsible for costume balance. No costumes go home until all unpaid balances are cleared.
• ALL STUDENTS MUST ATTEND DRESS REHEARSAL
• Any more than 2 absences during February, March, or April must be made up to participate in the recital. (That’s not two per month, but two during those three months.) Sometimes a private lesson may be in order.
• Tuition must be paid in full in order to obtain recital tickets.
DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP STUDENTS:
Please drop off and pick up your student at the door if child is 12 and under. We do not allow our students to wait in the parking lot. If you’re going to be late, please let the teacher know at the beginning of class. The studio is not responsible for care of students before or after class. If you choose to wait inside the studio during class, please remain in the front lobby, as the back is reserved for our dancers.
FROM THE DIRECTOR:
My true passion in life is dance, it's where my heart is. There is no greater feeling than moving to music and letting the rest of the world disappear. Studio Dance has been like a second home since I was three years old— my mom swears I could walk on my hands before my feet — and through the years I have competed as a soloist and with many groups. I have had the opportunity to dance in New York City, Disney World, and Universal Studios. My favorite genre of dance is jazz, but I love it all! I have been an instructor at Studio Dance for a decade now and I’m inspired by the amazing work of the faculty and students. Choreography has allowed me to play a different role, one that I enjoy more and more each day. I am a 2019 ETSU graduate, with a bachelor's degree in Business and a minor in Dance, and spent four years on the university's dance team. I competed at the UDA National Competition in Orlando all four of years and was named Best All-around ETDT Dancer two years in a row. I have most recently attained dance teacher certification by the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
My ultimate career goal was to obtain a degree in dance and one day own my own dance studio. Thank you to a wonderful role model, teacher, and friend, Jo Ann Hodge, who helped make this dream come true. As director and instructor at Studio Dance, my aspiration is to inspire dance students to fall in love with dance, gain self-confidence, develop a solid work ethic, and follow their dreams. I want to be an inspiration to others and carry on the tradition of leading Studio Dance for many more years. Our instructors all have an excellent background in dance and enjoy the challenge of teaching children. Each instructor has attended various dance workshops, studying with some of the best-known choreographers and professional teachers from New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities. The faculty at Studio Dance believes a child’s dance education should help develop self-respect, confidence, improve learning skills, creativity, and instill an appreciation for music and dance as art forms. All the instructors are adults, and each instructor has one or more assistants in each class depending upon class size. Instructor bios can be found at www.StudioDanceJC.com.
I can’t wait to dance with your kids!
- Carsen Giles, SDJC Owner and Artistic Director
