2025-2026 Charleston Dance Center Rules & Regulations

This agreement has been updated for the 2025–2026 season. Please take time to review each section thoroughly.
If you have any questions or concerns, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions on the website, or speak with the Director. While this document outlines our most important policies, it is not intended to cover every possible situation. In the event of a unique circumstance not specifically addressed here, the Director reserves the right to make final decisions.

WELCOME TO CHARLESTON DANCE CENTER!

• A non-refundable registration fee is required each season to secure your dancer’s spot in their selected class(es).
• This fee is due at the time of registration, along with the first month’s tuition. Enrollment is not confirmed until both the registration fee and tuition have been received.
• Registration fees help offset administrative costs and do not apply toward tuition or other studio fees.
  If a class does not meet the minimum enrollment requirement, it may be combined with another class, rescheduled, or canceled. You will be notified promptly if any changes occur.

• A payment method must be saved on file for all students.
• Monthly tuition is auto-charged on the 1st of each month via our online portal ( Dance Studio Pro).
• You may avoid card processing fees by paying in person with cash or check before the 1st of the month. Checks should be made payable to Charleston Dance Center with your dancer’s name and payment purpose in the memo.

• ACH (bank draft): 1.5%
• Credit card: 3.5%

• Returned checks will incur a $50 administrative fee.
• If a payment does not clear on the 1st, you have until the 10th of the month to pay without penalty. On the 10th, a $10 late fee is applied.
• An additional $1 per day is added through the 20th (max late fee: $20).

• To withdraw from classes, you must submit a written notice (via email to info@charlestondancecenter.com) and settle your account within 14 days of withdrawal.
• If no notice is received, tuition will continue to be charged and you will be held financially responsible, even if your dancer stops attending.
• Charleston Dance Center reserves the right to refer any unpaid balances over 30 days past due to a third-party collections agency. Any fees incurred as a result of collection efforts will be the responsibility of the account holder.

• My dancer will be assigned performance choreography and a costume for each class they’re enrolled in- excluding Hip Hop, where costume guidelines will be given to procure yourself.
• I am responsible for costume costs, required shoes/tights, and the Performance Fee (outlined below).
  If I decide to withdraw my dancer from the Year-End Performance, I must notify CDC in writing by December 1, 2025.
• If notice is received by that date, I may be eligible for a refund of performance-related fees. After December 1, performance fees are non-refundable.
• My account must be paid in full in order for my dancer to participate. CDC reserves the right to deny participation due to an unpaid balance. After December 1 2025, performance-related fees are non-refundable, including if a dancer is pulled due to absences or financial ineligibility.

• A professional recording of the show
• A commemorative performance t-shirt for your dancer(s)
• Limited admission tickets for the recital (exact quantity depends on family type)

Youth sizes: $50 per costume
• Adult sizes: $60 per costume

• Most classes perform one routine = one costume
  Example: A ballet/tap combo class will require two separate costumes
• Hip Hop classes do not have studio-ordered costumes. Instead, a class “look” will be communicated, and families will purchase pieces independently

• Costume installments will be billed through your Online Portal and applied to your account automatically.
• Full payment is required by December 1, 2025. To help with budgeting, costume fees are split into three equal payments due on:


• October 1, 2025
• November 1, 2025
• December 1, 2025


• Costumes will not be ordered if the dancer’s account has an outstanding balance — no exceptions.

• Costumes are ordered over Winter Break. If your account balance is not paid in full by the costume deadline, your dancer’s costume will not be included in the group order.
• CDC does not send individual reminders for outstanding balances prior to placing the order. It is the family’s responsibility to ensure all payments are made on time.
• If your dancer is excluded from the group order due to non-payment, you may have a very limited window to pay your balance and have the costume ordered separately - subject to availability.
• In this case, a $50 late costume fee will apply to cover administrative and shipping costs.

• Students are required to stay at rehearsal until all their numbers are rehearsed.
Students under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent.
• It is crucial that students remain present for the entire rehearsal, as any student leaving early will not be permitted to participate in the Year-End Performance.
• Additionally, certain classes may have additional rehearsals prior to the Year-End Performance.
• We will provide advance notice of rehearsal times, and while participation in these rehearsals will not be mandatory, we strongly encourage all students to attend to ensure a successful performance.

• Dancers may arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled class time.
• Please pick up promptly when class ends.
• Although our front desk is staffed, CDC is not responsible for supervising dancers after class.
• Dancers are not allowed to stay at the studio beyond their class time. If a dancer is left beyond a reasonable time, repeated or extreme instances may result in a $25 late pickup fine added to your child’s account.
• Students enrolled in the last class of the night must have a ride at the studio at the conclusion class for the safety of both our dancers and studio staff.
• Please note: While we require immediate pickup at the conclusion of your child’s class, and our studio classes are scheduled weekly, occasionally, the studio may close early, with notice given to our dancers in affected classes. However, students not enrolled in cancelled classes may not be notified of early dismissal and will delay studio closing. In this event, a $25 late fee will be added to your child’s account.

• Dancers who arrive 15 minutes or more late may be asked to observe instead of participate.
• Arriving late reduces warm-up time, which increases the risk of injury and disrupts the flow of class.

To maintain the quality of our programming and instruction:

• Each class requires a minimum of six enrolled students throughout the season to remain active.
• If enrollment drops below this number at any point, the class may be canceled.
• In that case, remaining dancers will be offered an alternative class, if one is available at a similar level or style.

• Frequent absences or tardiness may result in removal from the class at the instructor’s discretion.
• Excessive absences may also result in removal from the Year-End Performance, even if a costume has already been ordered.
• Costume fees and other performance-related expenses are non-refundable if a dancer is removed due to attendance concerns.

• Dress code helps ensure safety, proper technique, and a focused learning environment.
• Dancers who are not in proper attire or without dance shoes may not be permitted to participate in class.
• Each class style has specific attire and shoe requirements.
• A full list is available on our website’s Class Descriptions page.

• Dance shoes must not be worn outside and should be changed into upon arrival.
• Wearing dance shoes outside of the studio can damage both the shoes and our dance floors.
• No oversized clothing, t-shirts, or sweatshirts during class, as they hinder proper body alignment and muscle tension checks.
• No dangling jewelry.
• Hair should be pulled back securely; ballet requires a bun.
• Be Prepared – We recommend every dancer come to class with a dance bag containing:
  • A refillable water bottle (or $ to purchase one)
  • Hair ties, bobby pins, and a brush or comb
  • Band-aids or blister pads
  • Deodorant (especially for older dancers)
  • All required shoes and proper dancewear for their classes
  • Label everything — shoes, water bottles, and clothing — to avoid mix-ups or lost items.

• CDC provides class observation via television monitors located in the lobby.
• These are available as a courtesy to our families. Please do not adjust the settings or attempt to operate the monitors.
• Monitors are available only for downstairs studios (Studio A and Studio B on the class schedule). At this time, there is no live viewing option for upstairs studios.

• To maintain a focused and productive learning environment, observers are not permitted inside the dance studios during class.
• Parents, siblings, and guests are not allowed in the studios unless specifically invited by a staff member.
• Even brief interruptions - including quick questions for the instructor - can disrupt the class and delay transitions between sessions. If you need to speak with a teacher, please visit the front desk or email us, and a staff member will ensure your message is received. Instructors are happy to follow up outside of class hours.
• Unapproved entry into any studio room is not allowed.
• Repeat offenses may result in the loss of access to the parent viewing area and/or being asked to wait outside during class times.
• In the event of an emergency, please notify the front desk staff - a team member will assist and bring your dancer out of class if needed.

• No food, gum, or drinks (other than water) are allowed inside the dance studios.
• Snacks and water bottles are available for purchase at the front desk. Cash only - we do not run tabs or add purchases to your online balance.
• We encourage all dancers to bring a personal, refillable water bottle.
• We are excited to offer dancers access to a Bottle Filling Station located in the front lobby.
• Drinking directly from the dispenser is not permitted.
• If a dancer forgets a water bottle, disposable water bottles may be purchased at the front desk.
• Cups and bottles will not be provided by the studio.
• Cell phones must be silenced during class and stored in dance bags.
• No pets are allowed inside the studio.

• Any personal items left behind - including clothing, shoes, or dance bags - will be placed in the Lost and Found bins, which are emptied at the beginning of each month.
• CDC is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
• Please label all personal belongings with your dancer’s name.

• Deliberate damage, defacement, or misuse of studio property will not be tolerated.
• Any such incidents will be addressed directly with the dancer’s family, and you may be held financially responsible for repairs or replacements.

• CDC is monitored by interior and exterior security cameras for safety.
• Video footage is strictly for liability and security purposes and may only be accessed by the Director/ studio owners. Parents are not permitted to view footage.
• To further enhance safety, our studio entrances are equipped with automatic passcode entry.
• For security reasons:
  
  • Do not share the studio passcode with others, including friends or extended family.
  • Do not hold the door open or allow others to enter behind you unless they are part of your immediate group.

• Running inside the building
• Physical behavior such as hitting, pushing, biting, grabbing, kicking, spitting, or pinching
• Obscene, derogatory, or disrespectful language
• Standing, climbing, throwing, or kicking chairs, tables, or studio equipment
• Disrespectful behavior toward teachers, staff, or fellow students during class will not be tolerated.
• If a dancer is disruptive or unkind during instruction, they may be asked to step out of class for the remainder of the session.
• Repeated issues will be communicated to parents and may result in disciplinary action or dismissal from the program.
• These expectations apply not only to dancers, but also to parents, siblings, and guests.
• If a parent or sibling engages in disruptive, aggressive, or disrespectful behavior, they will be asked to leave the premises immediately. Serious violations may result in permanent removal from the parent viewing area or the facility entirely. Repeated offences may result in the student being removed from the program.
• All individuals—dancers, staff, parents, siblings, and guests—are expected to treat one another and the studio environment with kindness, responsibility, and respect at all times.

• In the event of a minor injury, basic first aid will be administered on-site.
• If a dancer experiences a serious injury or medical emergency, CDC will contact the parent/guardian or listed emergency contacts immediately. If necessary, emergency services (911) will be called.
• Please ensure that your contact information is accurate and kept up to date at all times.
• Parents are responsible for all medical expenses incurred, including emergency transportation if required.

• CDC staff includes members trained in the administration of EpiPens.
• If your dancer has a prescribed medical device (e.g., EpiPen, inhaler, diabetes management supplies), we strongly encourage you to provide one to the studio.
• All medications must be clearly labeled with your dancer’s name and will be stored in a secure area in the front office.
• In the event of a medical incident, CDC will administer provided medication as needed while emergency services and guardians are contacted.
• In the event of an allergic reaction, CDC may call emergency contacts to authorize Benedryl administration until the student can be picked up.
• If the reaction is severe and no EpiPen has been provided, CDC reserves the right to administer Benedryl as a lifesaving measure until emergency services arrive.
• CDC may keep certain over the counter medications (e.g. Advil, Tylenol, Tums, Cortisone cream, etc.) in a secure area in the front office.
• In the event your dancer needs medication, CDC will not administer any medication without written parent approval. In this event, CDC will reach out to emergency contacts.
• If a student repeatedly asks for studio medication, CDC may ask that parents send in a replacement for their child.
• At the parents discretion, students may keep medication in their dance bag for personal use only. Medication is not to be shared with other students.

• To keep our dancers, families, and staff healthy, we ask that you please do not bring your child to class if they are sick or showing symptoms of illness. This includes fever, vomiting, persistent cough, contagious infections, or any illness that could be passed to others.
• If a dancer becomes visibly ill during class, a parent will be contacted for immediate pickup.

• By enrolling at Charleston Dance Center, you acknowledge that CDC is not liable for any illness or injury sustained by a parent, guardian, or child while on studio property or participating in CDC activities.
• By enrolling a student at CDC, families acknowledge that CDC staff are not healthcare providers and agree to hold CDC harmless in the event emergency aid is administered in good faith.

• For real-time updates regarding weather-related closings, follow us on social media and check your email for notifications.
• Students are welcome to attend a makeup class within the same month of the missed class. To arrange a makeup opportunity, please contact us at info@charlestondancecenter.com.

• By signing this agreement, you grant CDC permission to use images or video footage of your dancer for marketing, publicity, and studio documentation purposes. This includes—but is not limited to—social media, printed materials, advertisements, and the CDC website.
• In addition, any dance-related content shared publicly on personal social media accounts or tagged with Charleston Dance Center’s handle or hashtags may be reshared or repurposed by CDC for promotional use.
• This consent is provided without financial compensation, and Charleston Dance Center retains ownership of all studio-produced media content.
• If I wish to revoke this consent, I will inform the studio in writing (please email info@charlestondancecenter.com).

• Use social networks respectfully and exercise good judgment in posting material.
• Avoid posting any content that could be seen as negative, harmful, or inappropriate toward CDC, its faculty, staff, or students.
• Avoid making disparaging remarks about other dance studios, their teams, employees, or students.
• Do not post performance choreography, music, or full video routines, as these are considered intellectual property.
• Bring to the attention of CDC any posts encountered that undermine good sportsmanship.

Additionally, any effort to recruit CDC students, faculty, or staff for another dance program or studio—whether directly or indirectly—will be considered a violation of this agreement.

Violation of this policy will result in immediate termination of your dancer’s enrollment and a fee equal to one full year’s tuition per enrolled child.

We value the trust between our families and faculty and appreciate your cooperation in preserving a respectful, professional environment for everyone.

• This contract may be terminated at any time by either party. Proper notice must be given to Charleston Dance Center at least two weeks prior to the dancer’s final class, in writing.
• If you choose to withdraw your dancer without providing two weeks’ notice, you will still be responsible for 50% of the following month’s tuition to cover that notice period.
• If withdrawal occurs at the end of the month (e.g., notice is given on the 30th), families will still be charged for two additional weeks, regardless of attendance. This ensures that class planning and instructor scheduling remain stable.
• Charleston Dance Center reserves the right to terminate a dancer’s enrollment immediately if a parent or student is found to be in violation of this agreement or any studio policy. While we strive to give notice and work through concerns when possible, immediate dismissal may occur without warning in cases of serious misconduct or breach of contract.
• In these instances, tuition may still be charged through the end of the current month, at the studio’s discretion.