Attendance Policy
A dance company is a team. Just as sports teams require all players to attend practices, we require our dancers to attend all classes and rehearsals. Absences will not only affect the individual dancer, but the class as a whole. *Excused absences receive prior approval from the director; advance notice of absence does not mean it is excused. The following are considered “excused” absences: Death in the family, scheduled school programs or performances required for credit, wedding or religious dedication of you or a member of your family, or if you are seriously ill or infectious. Dancers will watch class/rehearsal in the case of injury or mild illness. Dancers should not “skip” any classes for any other reason. Dancers who have 5 or more unexcused absences may be removed from the class and charged a re-spacing fee of $50/class. Dancers who miss 3 classes should schedule a private lesson with their instructor at the instructors private lesson fee. If a student misses a class, they will not be choreographed into the section of dance that was set in that class. Students may take a private lesson or learn the choreography PRIOR to the next class to be considered eligible for that section.
Punctuality is just as important as attendance, please be on time and prepared for class. Two (2) occurrences of tardiness will count as an unexcused absence. Students should not miss more than five (5) of any one class per dance season; after which, the dancer may be dismissed from the classes and charged a re-spacing fee of $50/class. Dance requires consistent ongoing training, and dancers who excessively miss classes will not be able to perform at the same level as those who have attended all classes regularly. Members must be present in ALL their classes and rehearsals the week prior to every performance and competition. We do offer open make up classes from the start of the season through December to any students who HAVE or HAVE NOT missed classes. Please schedule these with you teachers.
Being a member of a dance team is a privilege and comes with responsibility. Personal accountability is essential for a successful season, and commitment to your other team members is a vital component of this success. When a member of the company/class is not present, it negatively impacts your entire team. Please do not consider being a part of The Company if missing a trip to the mall with your friends is going to be an issue, or if you expect scheduling conflicts with other sports or activities. This Contract requires regular attendance in all dance classes from August-May (9 month contract). Excess absences from ANY one-dance class may be cause for dismissal from the Company/classes. No refund of payment shall be given in the event of dismissal. All competitions/conventions/recitals are held on weekends and are a full day and possibly full weekend commitment. Competition management does not send the performance day and time to the studio until 5-7 days prior to the event. Dancers and parents will need to be available for the entire weekend until we know whether you are performing Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. There are also occasions when our teams are asked to perform at local events. These events are fun, educational and great team building experiences. Extra rehearsals may be called approaching a performance or competition. Extra rehearsals will be held on Saturdays, Sundays or at other times that the studio’s schedule permits; this includes recital practices. Students and parents will be notified of any additional rehearsals at least one week prior to the date. We will make our best efforts to schedule additional rehearsals well in advance.
Additional Policies
Inspirations Dance Studio reserves the right to release a dancer at any time whose physical or emotional limitations prohibit their dancing abilities to affect other dancers in an undesirable or inappropriate way.
Courtesy & Respect
All members will be held to the highest standards of conduct. Communicating negatively about anyone in or outside our studio will not be tolerated. Dancers are expected to show courtesy and respect to all instructors and other students. Any student who exhibits repeated negative or disrespectful behavior will be asked to leave classes. Our dancers are always respectful, supportive, encouraging, and are positive in spirit, attitude and behavior. No parents will be permitted into the studio aside from scheduled parent observations. Students are expected to help keep the studio and changing room EXACTLY as they found it. Students are encouraged or may be asked to help keep their space clean. We appreciate their help in keeping the spaces we provide to them as a luxury well kept and clutter free.
Dress Code
All dance members must wear appropriate dancewear to every class. Forgetting dancewear, shoes, proper hair and/or wearing inappropriate clothing is not acceptable. You must abide by the dress code for entry into the class. Students who fail to abide by the dress code/hair requirements will be dismissed from class until they can enter with the proper requirements. The dress code for the following classes are:
Creative Movements, Tiny Tots Ballet, and Beginner Ballet: Any color leotard, Ballet pink Capezio Tights, and Pink Capezio Ballet Shoes
Intermediate Ballet, Junior Ballet, and Advanced Ballet: Black Leotard, Ballet pink Capezio Tights, and Pink Capezio Ballet Shoes (No skirts permitted unless approved by your instructor)
Pointe: Any color leotard, Capezio Ballet Pink Transition Tights, and Pointe shoes or ballet shoes (skirts allowed)
Hip hop: Any loose fitting comfortable clothing and sneakers. Must be loose fitting! No shorts or crop tops.
Advanced Jazz: Black top and black bottom (or ballet attire if directly before) and caramel pedini shoes
Acro: black top and black bottom, and foot undeez
Tiny Tappers/Beginner Tap: Any color leotard, Pink tights, and Caramel Tap shoes
Int/Adv Tap: Black top, black bottoms, and Black tap shoes
Musical Theatre: Black Top, Black Bottoms, and jazz shoes (any color acceptable until recital)
Irish: Black leotard, black tights, black jazz shoes (or ballet attire), white bubble socks
All other classes: Black top, black bottom, and foot undeez
All ballet classes HAIR in bun. All other classes hair in pony tail/bun.
Financial Commitment
Tuition for dancers varies depending on the number of classes they take. Students may be charged for additional rehearsals. Tuition is ALWAYS due by the 1st of the month. All costume fees are due by November 30th. Drop-outs: A $250 fee applies to any student who drops out of the Competition team/regular classes (after November 30th) during the dance season, for instructors to re-choreograph and rearrange the routines.
Registration Fee: $45
30 min classes: $40
45 min classes: $50
60 min classes: $60
Unlimited Classes: $250 (up to 5 classes) and 25% off each class past 5
Family Pricing: $250 (up to 5 classes) and 25% off each class past 5
Private Lesson: $60/hour or $40/30 minutes
Studio only rental: $35/hour
Competition pricing (see competition handbook)
Recital Fee: $100 (includes thumbdrive of recital and 2 recital tickets-seats will be available to you BEFORE the public)
Costume Fee: $100/class
Accounts
All accounts will be available through Dance Studio Pro. Any accounts not paid prior to the 1st of the month will accrue a $35 late fee/month on the 15th. All accounts MUST have a credit/debit card on file. A 4% processing fee will be applied to all CC transactions. Any payment not made by the 15th of each month will be automatically charged to the credit/debit card on file. No costumes will be available to students without payment and signature. Any merchandise bought MUST be paid for/put on parent account at the time of purchase
Costumes
We do our best to make sure costumes come in at the right size without major alterations, however, sometimes costumes come in and will have to be altered. Alterations are your responsibility and you understand that this may be an issue when costumes arrive. All costumes must be paid for in full by November 30th. You will be responsible for filling out the costume order form prior to November 30th.
Schedule
We follow the Berkeley County School calendar for most closings. If there is no school (except for teacher’s work days) there is no dance. You will be notified in advance for any closings for inclement weather. Our recital is at the third week of May. A tentative schedule is posted on the bulletin board at the studio 2 months in advance. See attached calendar for a list of events.












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I have read and understand each section of the above handbook. I understand that my dancer and myself an be held liable for each section of the above handbook. I have had the opportunity to ask questions to staff to get the best understanding of this handbook. I am excited and look forward to having a great year at Inspirations Dance Studio.

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