2025-2026 • DANCE BOCHETTE HANDBOOK • 2025-2026
Alyce Bochette, Dance Bochette, Director
—— About Us ——
Celebrating 75 Seasons, Since 1951, Dance Bochette has provided Excellence in Dance education, performance and entertainment. We specialize in building talent through good technique, taught carefully and correctly. Our dancers are immersed in a culture that focuses on health, self-direction, commitment and relationships. We offer instruction in many dance styles.
Proud members of
National Dance Education Organization
Florida Dance Education Organization
Florida Dance Masters
Gulfcoast Dance, Inc.
Certified by Test to Teach:
Cecchetti Method
Core Dynamics Pilates
National Dance Educators
Danscend
—— Dance Opportunities ——
We offer a variety of ways for students of all ages to engage in dance. The study and learning of dance require motivation, personal involvement, persistence and support of parents and friends. From the youngest ages who often come “to be with friends” to those who continually discover new beauties in the discipline of dance, study can blossom into a real love of the art. Whether for pleasure or career, dance is a real-life experience and a personal reward for one who chooses it! Let us help you find a program to fulfill your dreams.
—— Dance Bochette Technique & Performance Classes ——
Our full season of instruction in Technique & Performance runs from August until June.
—— Season & Terms ——
The Dance Bochette Season offers 44 weeks of instruction, comprised of four 11-week terms (Fall, Winter, Spring and Festival). Please see the Dance Bochette 2025-2026 Financial Policies, Fees & Season Dates for specific dates. Dancers are enrolled for the entire T&P Dance Season.
—— Holidays & Breaks ——
Dance Bochette does not hold T&P classes on major holidays. Please see the Dance Bochette 2025-2026 Financial Policies, Fees & Season Dates for specific days the Studio is closed.
—— Recitals ——
Performance is a part of complete dance training. Participating in a recital can be as rewarding as learning technical skills to dance. Preparing to perform in front of an audience requires dancers to exhibit self-discipline, to work together with other dancers, and to present their art to an audience in a polished manner. All dancers who are enrolled in a Technique & Performance class are strongly encouraged to participate in our mid- and end-of-season recitals.
• Our New Beginnings showcase is projected for January, TBD.
• Our Festival of Dance performance is held at the end of the Festival Term.
In addition to regular class times, special rehearsals for both recitals will be required.
Rehearsal times and locations for the New Beginnings showcase will be posted on the Dance Bochette Parent Portal Calendar prior to the Winter Term.
Rehearsal times and locations for the Festival of Dance performance will be posted on the Dance Bochette Parent Portal Calendar prior to the Festival Term.
Everyone wants to do their best! Each dancer has a responsibility to their peers and our audience to perform at their best. Through practice, our dancers earn the right to participate in our recitals.
• Dancers must make a genuine effort to uphold studio guidelines concerning Dance Bochette culture.
• Dancers must make a genuine effort to learn the dance skills and choreography of a dance.
• Dancers who have more than three absences in the month prior to a performance date, without prior accommodation made with the Studio, will not be permitted to perform.
• Dancers who do not attend pre-scheduled rehearsals, without prior accommodation made with the Studio, will not be permitted to perform.
— Before each recital, we will distribute a Recital Handbook with specifics about that particular recital, including:
What to expect at the venue in which we are performing, including call times, sign-in and -out process, dressing room guidelines, and guidelines for parents
• Things all performing dancers need to know and theater etiquette
• Costumes, Costuming, Costume Care, Dress Codes and Make-up Guidelines
• How to put together a Recital Pack for both the Dress Rehearsal and Recital
• Please see the Dance Bochette Portal for the specific dates, times and locations for each recital.
• Community Performances
—— When the opportunity presents itself, Dance Bochette may request dancers who are enrolled in a Technique & Performance class to perform in community events, such as the annual Fort Myers ArtFest. While participation s not required, the Studio strongly encourages dancers to take advantage of these opportunities to hone their performance skills.
—— Drop-In Classes ——
For many of the T&P classes, dancers may sign up for single class for an additional fee. Prior enrollment in Dance Bochette Technique & Performance classes is not a requirement, but dancers must meet the pre-requisite criteria for the class. Please refer to our 2025-2026 Financial Policies, Fees & Season Dates for rates.
—— Dance Bochette Enrichment Opportunities ——
• Please refer to our 2025-2026 Financial Policies, Fees & Season Dates for rates.
• Skills-Focus Opportunities
• Dance Bochette occasionally offers special dance-focused opportunities for the community. Prior enrollment in Dance Bochette Technique & Performance classes is not a requirement, but dancers must meet the pre-requisite criteria for the activity. These opportunities include:
• Attendance at Florida Dance Masters Conventions in Orlando over Thanksgiving & Coral Springs in April,
• Masterclasses by dance professionals to emphasize advanced levels of skills development,
• Intensives by dance professionals to immerse dancers more deeply into their art,
• Workshops by industry leaders to concentrate on increasing skills and knowledge of a designated subject or genre, and
• Seasonal Classes to focus on a designated skill or genre.
—— Private Lessons ——
Dancers may contact the Studio to schedule private lessons for an additional fee. Dancers can utilize private lessons to fine-tune previously created choreography, advance both specific or general skills and techniques, focus on performance skills, and address preventing or healing injuries.
—— Dance Bochette Creative Dance Opportunities ——
Children’s Creative Classes
Our distinguished Creative Dance program is designed for children’s growth through movement and music. Participation in dance at an early age has been shown to nurture creativity, reduce anxiety, develop a greater sense of trust and cooperation, improve physical health, increase balance, coordination and spatial awareness, and enhance critical neurobiological systems.
— Classes for those under five may include Dance With Me, Teddy Bear, Twinkle Toes (Pre-ballet) and Tumble.
— Classes specifically designed for homeschoolers available upon request.
— Dance Bochette Performance Group Program
The Dance Bochette Performance Group Program is an opportunity open to all dancers currently enrolled in a Dance Bochette class. Offering dancers the opportunity to elevate their dance experience beyond Dance Bochette classes, the Dance Bochette Performance Group Program provides those selected with the opportunity to learn choreography especially created for the individual or group, to have specialized instruction in dance performance, and to showcase their work both locally and statewide in performance and competition.
— Auditions are held annually, usually in the summer, for those interested in joining the Dance Bochette Group Performance Program.
— Participation in the Dance Bochette Group Performance Program requires additional fees for original choreography, rehearsal times and costumes, as well as any costs associated with performance and/or competition both locally and statewide.
—Dancers who are selected to participate in the Dance Bochette Group Performance Program, or their legal guardians, must commit to pre-designated rehearsal, performance times and fees as listed in the current season’s Dance Bochette Group Performance Agreement before being fully accepted into the program.
— Studio Culture —
Dance Bochette strives to provide more than high quality dance instruction to our students. We hope to create a culture that supports each student in their healthy development of useful personal and social skills.
• Classroom Guidelines
To help make time on our floor rewarding and nurturing for all of our dancers, Dance Bochette expects that our dancers participate in helping to create a safe and nurturing space for all dancers to learn and grow.
• Expectations of Instructors
Each Dance Bochette Faculty represents a professional attitude and training in dance. Each has accomplished skill and is excited to share with your dancer. Dance Bochette Faculty will meet each class prepared with a positive attitude and the day’s lesson plan. Each instructor will prepare thoughtful, inclusive performance choreography.
• Expectations for Students
— Dance Bochette students are expected to be prepared at their scheduled class time and to bring their I-love-to-dance attitude to class.
— Be attired and groomed according to the class guidelines.
— Bring the supplies you need. Cubbies are available for dance bags, shoes and personal items.
— Please bring your own water in a labeled closed water container.
— Bring a dry snack if you wish. Gum or candy is not permitted.
— Be mentally prepared to take advantage of your class time.
— Be receptive to instruction and ask questions.
— Help to create the supportive environment we value by using your best manners and treating your peers and instructors with respect.
— Remember that dance is both an individual and team art form. Work as a team member.
Additionally,
— Report absences on the Dance Bochette Portal if you know you are going to be absent.
— Leave wet shoes and umbrellas by the lobby door.
— Wait inside until your ride arrives.
— Respect Studio property.
Studio Dress Code
Appropriate dance attire is required during classes and/or other Dance Bochette and/or Gulfcoast Dance, Inc., activities. For a dancer to properly learn safe dance technique, Studio instructors must be able to easily assess correct technique and body alignment. Additionally, dancewear must be supportive to the body and able to allow full body movement without distraction.
— Style-appropriate attire and shoes, as listed on the Dance Bochette Portal for each class or activity, must be worn.
— For safety and instruction, attire must be well-fitted to the dancer’s body.
— For safety and instruction, hair must be styled off the face and shoulders.
— For safety and instruction, the only permissible jewelry that may be worn during class time is earrings that are less than ½ inch in diameter and/or length.
— For respect, attire must not display vulgar, controversial, political, religious or inflammatory messages, whether in words or in graphics.
Studio Visitors
• Visitors are welcome to remain in the lobby during class.
• Visitors are welcome to come into the classroom on pre-scheduled Visitor’s Days.
• Dancers, or their legal guardians, may also request permission for visitors to come into the classroom at least one day prior to class.
• For both safety and courtesy, visitors into the classroom may not talk or distract the dancers in any way.
• Visitors may not make either video or audio recordings in either the lobby or the classrooms unless given expressed permission by Dance Bochette staff to do so.
— The Dance Bochette Studio Portal —
The Dance Bochette Studio Portal is the Studio’s online management and communication system and can be found at https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/dancebochette.
• Dancers, or their legal guardians, are required to create an online account on The Dance Bochette Studio Portal.
• Accounts may only be created by a dancer 18 or older or by the legal guardian of a minor dancer.
• The account holder may authorize additional Contact to receive Statements and Studio e-mails and/or to have a separate log-in.
• At the discretion of their parent or guardian, older students are encouraged to share their phone and e-mail information in order to receive communication directly from the Studio.
• The Dance Bochette Studio Portal is used mainly for the following purposes:
—— for a dancer, or their legal guardian, to register with the Dance Bochette as a student
—— for a dancer, or their legal guardian, to register for classes
—— for the Studio to maintain dancer-specific information, such as contact information, a picture, skill levels and sizing for costumes
—— for the Studio to post tuition and other applicable fees
—— for a dancer, or their legal guardian, to remit any payments due to Dance Bochette
—— as a communication tool between the Studio and their dancers, or their legal guardians
—— for the Studio to share information relevant to current dancers and/or their legal guardians
—— for the Studio to post music and/or videos for students to utilize to practice
—— for the Studio to post important documents, such as the Dance Bochette Handbook, Financial Policies & Fees, the Dance Bochette Privacy Policy, and the Liability Wavers
—— for the Studio to maintain the Dance Bochette Season Calendar for classes, special, recitals, special events, days off, important deadlines and other time-related items
—— Please see the Dance Bochette Privacy Policy found on the Portal for information about how information kept in the Portal is utilized.
— Designated Communication Channels —
Dance Bochette utilizes multiple channels to communicate with dancers, or their legal guardians. Please select the one most appropriate to your needs.
Dance Bochette Studio Portal
The Dance Bochette Studio Portal is our Studio’s main communication channel. The Portal provides dancers, or their legal guardians, with information such as:
— upcoming event opportunities
— upcoming event information, including requirements, costuming details and expectations
— financial records
— The Studio sends critical or time-oriented communications to dancers, or their legal guardians, through the Portal . Dancers, or their legal guardians, can contact the Studio through the Portal.
Dance Bochette Studio Email
Those who need to contact the Studio for information not found on the Portal may email the Studio at Info@DanceBochette.com. The Studio will respond to emails as soon as possible.
Dance Bochette Studio Phone
Those who need to contact the Studio for information not found on the Portal may call the Studio at 2393343274. The Studio will respond to messages as soon as possible.
Texting
While we realize texting is a critical communication channel, we respectfully request that texting only be utilized when the Portal, a phone call to the Studio, or an email is not a viable option.
