Information Packet
2023-2024
Premiere Academy of Performing Arts
School of Dance
241 State St. Salem, Or 97301
503-763-8815
email: papadancers@gmail.com
website: www.papadancers.com
General Information
Emails-Important Information:
Important information will always be posted on the parent/student board. It is your responsibility to frequently check the board for new information. It’s the parent’s responsibility to be aware of dates and events and all studio activities, such as recitals, extra classes, and dates PAPA is open or closed. PAPA will post all such notices on the parent board. It is the parent’s responsibility to inform the school of any address or telephone number changes.
Attendance:
If you miss a class, please notify the studio by phone or email. If you know you will be missing a class in the future, let your instructor know so they may prepare for your absence ahead of time. If you would like to attend a make-up class, ask your instructor which class would be the most appropriate. Please remember we do not pro-rate for any reason, this includes emergencies and vacations.
Class Visitors & Observers:
All visitors and observers must remain in the waiting area. Children 11 and under may not be left unsupervised at our studio. Please come in and wait with your child if they are younger then 11 years old. For our younger students the first class of each month is parent viewing week. You are welcome to sit in and watch your child’s class during this time. If you choose to do so, we ask that you do not talk or use cell phones during this time. Please ask the instructor before taking pictures or video during parent viewing day. Doors to the studios should remain closed to eliminate distractions. We are a place of learning, please help us keep our environment quiet and focused for our students. All children must be supervised (both students & siblings) when they are not in class. We are not a daycare.
Questions/Concerns:
Our environment here at Premiere Academy of Performing Arts is very important to us. Please stay positive and be respectful to our teachers, staff, and students. We always welcome your questions or concerns, please email us at papadancers@gmail.com or let us know after class so that we may set up an appropriate time to discuss any concerns you may have.
We reserve the right to refuse service
2023-2024 Performance & Events
July 8th - Schedule Begins
July 10th thru 14th – Fairytale Camp
July 17th thru 28th – Summer Intensive
August 8th-11th -Bat Intensive
August 26th - Nutcracker Auditions for (Ballet 6, 7, 8, 9)
October 27th-28th – Halloween Dance Concert (Hip Hop, Modern & Jazz)
November 18th and 19th Tea Party (Tap)
December 16th-17th -Nutcracker Performance (Ballet)
February/March -Choreography Showcase/Tap Jam/Class Presentation
March/April-Exams (Dates to be announced after once NW tour is determined)
May -Registration week and Open House for our 2023-2024 dance year
Late May -Halloween Show Auditions (Modern 4, 5, 6)
June 22nd thru 23rd - Annual Dance Recital & production
2023-2024 Closed Dates
September 2nd-4th Labor Day Break
November 22nd-24th Happy Thanksgiving
December 18th -January 1st Winter Break
March 25th–March 30th Spring Break
May 25th-27th Memorial Day
June 24th -July 6th Summer Break
School fees & Performance Cost
New Registration & fees:
Our annual Registration fee for one new student is $40.00 or $60.00 per family and is non-refundable. Please remember that if you discontinue classes at any time, when you return to class, you will need to re-register and pay the registration fee.
Re-registration & fees:
For our current students, we open up registration for our new dance year a week before we open to the public to ensure your spot in classes.
Tuition:
See the current class schedule for class costs. Tuition is due at the first of the month and no later than the fifth of the month. There will be a $20.00 late fee for all payments received after the fifth of the month. We DO NOT PRO-RATE. You are responsible for the full month’s tuition whether your child is absent or not. There is a $30.00 returned check fee. If you cannot make it to the studio to pay by the fifth of the month, please mail your payment to us at 241 State Street, Salem, OR 97301. Payments may also be made by phone or via an emailed invoice. After three months of non-payment or arrangements have not been made, students may not attend classes.
Our Fall Show line up:
If you participate in one of the following productions, there will be a production fee that goes to cover the cost of the production for things such as: costume rentals, new costumes, props, updating and cleaning costumes, staging, rehearsal time, programs, etc. Please keep in mind that for these productions you will be checking out costumes and returning them. You will not keep production costumes. This is very helpful to help keep cost down for the dancers as the productions are like a play and have much put into them to bring them to life. Class tuition needs to be current before costumes are checked out. This fee is nonrefundable.
Halloween Show October (Modern, Jazz, Hip-hop)
Holiday Tea Party November (Tap Dancers and Advanced Ballet)
The Nutcracker December (All the Ballet Dancers)
Ballet Exams (Ballet One through Ballet Nine):
We are very proud to be one of the official RAD schools that can bring this level of education to our students. The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the world's most influential dance education and training organizations. The RAD syllabus is internationally recognized for the highest standards of teaching and learning.
In the Spring, ballet students will have an opportunity in an exam. This is a very special event where candidates take an exam with an official RAD examiner. This is the biggest and most important event of the year, as this is the conclusion of that year’s training. And a true marker of where the dancer is in skill and education of classical ballet.
We begin taking exams in Ballet One, which is the beginning of our more serious training and classical ballet journey.
Please be sure you have read and understand your exam prep packet. This will cover the most asked questions about exams and how to prepare.
Annual Spring Dance Recital:
This is a yearly celebration which happens every year with all of our dancers participating. There will be a production/costume fee for each class your student participates in. Fees may range from $60 to $150 per class. The production/costume fee is nonrefundable. These costumes are then yours to keep. Class tuition needs to be current before costumes will be passed out.
Spring Production:
For those students in our performance level classes, you may have an opportunity to audition for our Spring Ballet/Production. This is like our Fall shows where we will put the money in a pot, which will be distributed to help cover the cost of the production (such as costume rentals, props, updating and cleaning of costumes, advertisement, stage time and rehearsal time.) Fundraising will also be required to help supplement the cost of the production. Class tuition needs to be current before costumes are checked out. This fee is nonrefundable.
Discount Information
Discount:
We offer a 5% discount for a student enrolled in multiple classes or sibling discount of 5% per sibling (only one discount per student). Please remember that if the student is enrolled in multiple classes, they will need to buy multiple costumes for the shows/recitals.
Unlimited Class Discount:
We offer an unlimited class package price for our beginning intermediate through advanced students. This is a great discount for those wanting to study more genres of dance and can’t get enough of the studio. The unlimited rate allows students to take all genres.
$250.00 for our Junior Unlimited those in Ballet 5 and below
$300.00 for our Senior Unlimited those in Ballet 6 and above
Discontinuation of Classes:
If at any time you wish to discontinue classes (including Summer), you are required to give a written 30-day notice or an email. If you leave without a 30-day notice, you will be billed an additional 2 months. We cannot guarantee an open spot in class if a student drops the class and then returns. Also, understand when a student takes time off, they may not be in the same class level upon returning.
Withdrawal from class/changing/adding classes: One month notice is required to discontinue any classes. Withdrawal must be in writing and will not be accepted over the phone. Withdrawal from class/changing adding classes must be done at the studio office or by email and not with the teacher. Notices will be accepted and applied on the 1st of the month, regardless of when it is submitted. You will then be billed for one more month of classes you are in. For notices given before the 1st of the of month, the 30 day notice will not begin until the 1st of the second month.
Dress Code
Our studio’s dance boutique has all your dance attire needs, we are here to help you dress for success!
Creative Dance A & B:
Pink leather or canvas ballet slippers for girls & white slippers for boys. Moveable clothing such as: any color leotard with tights, stretch pants with a fitted shirt. Skirts must be kept simple and above the knee. In order to keep attention on class please do not wear any accessories such as hats, tutus, wands or elaborate hair pieces. Hair needs to be tied back in some way (bun, ponytail, braids or plaits). NO JEWELRY.
Pre-Ballet 1 (Pre-Primary):
Girls: Pink leotard, pink ballet skirt, ballet socks, and pink ballet slippers. Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY, NO SHORTS.
Boys: Black shorts, white leotard or tightly fitted white t-shirt or tank top, white socks and white ballet slippers.
Pre-Ballet 2 (Primary):
Girls: Pink leotard, pink ballet skirt, ballet socks, and pink ballet slippers. Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY, NO SHORTS.
Boys: Black shorts, white leotard or tightly fitted white t-shirt or tank top, white socks and white ballet slippers.
Ballet 1:
Girls: (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Marine leotard, with matching alignment belt, ballet socks, and pink ballet slippers, character skirt and low heeled character shoes.
Hair must be tied back in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black shorts, white leotard or tightly fitted t-shirt/tank top, white ballet slippers and syllabus character shoes.
Ballet 2:
Girls: (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Navy leotard, with matching alignment belt, ballet socks, and pink ballet slippers, character skirt and low heeled character shoes.
Hair must be tied back in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black shorts, white leotard or tightly fitted t-shirt/tank top, white ballet slippers and syllabus character shoes.
Ballet 3:
Girls: (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Lavender leotard with matching alignment belt (specific to class-please order at front desk), pink tights, pink full sole ballet slippers with ribbon, character skirt and character shoes. Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black Tights, white leotard or tightly fitted t-shirt/tank top, white ballet slippers and syllabus character shoes.
Ballet 4:
Girls: (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Teal leotard with matching alignment belt (specific to class-please order at front desk), pink tights, pink full sole ballet slippers with ribbon, character skirt and character shoes. Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black Tights, white leotard or tightly fitted t-shirt/tank top, white ballet slippers and syllabus character shoes.
Ballet 5 A & B
Girls: (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Red leotard with matching alignment belt (specific to class-please order at front desk), pink tights, pink full sole ballet slippers with ribbon, character skirt and character shoes. Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black Tights, white leotard or tightly fitted t-shirt/tank top, white ballet slippers and syllabus character shoes.
Ballet 6 A & B
Girls: (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Students may wear black leotard to class, but must have the following for exams and class presentations:
Royal Blue leotard with matching alignment belt (specific to class-please order at front desk), pink tights, pink full sole ballet slippers with ribbon, character skirt and character shoes. Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black Tights, white leotard or tightly fitted t-shirt/tank top, white ballet slippers and syllabus character shoes.
Ballet 7 (Grade 7 & Advanced Foundation)
Girls: (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Students may wear black leotard to class, but must have the following for exams and class presentations:
Grade 7 Exam: Lavender leotard with matching alignment belt (specific to class-please order at front desk), pink tights, pink full sole ballet slippers with ribbon, character skirt and character shoes. Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Advanced Foundation: Purple leotard with matching alignment belt (specific to class-please order at front desk) pink tights, pink full sole ballet slippers with ribbon, Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black Tights, white leotard or tightly fitted t-shirt/tank top, white ballet slippers and syllabus character shoes.
Ballet 8 & 9(Grade 8 & Advanced 1 & Advanced 2)
Girls: (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Students may wear black leotard to class, but must have the following for exams and class presentations:
Grade 8 Exam: Burgundy leotard with matching alignment belt (specific to class-please order at front desk), pink tights, pink full sole ballet slippers with ribbon, character skirt and character shoes. Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Advanced One & Two: Black leotard with matching alignment belt (specific to class-please order at front desk), pink tights, pink full sole ballet slippers with ribbon, Hair must be in a bun or plaits. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black Tights, white leotard or tightly fitted t-shirt/tank top, white ballet slippers and syllabus character shoes.
Intro to Modern:
Girls: Unitard (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Any undergarments/support used underneath should be nude and hidden. Warm-up sweaters must be black and fitted to the body and only worn for warming up. Shoes: Nude dance paws. Hair must be back in a bun. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black unitard or black tights/stretch pants with black tank top and dance paws. Dance belts must be worn.
Modern 1, 2, 3:
Girls: Unitard (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Any undergarments/support used underneath should be nude and hidden. Warm-up sweaters must be black and fitted to the body and only worn for warming up. Shoes: Nude dance paws. Hair must be back in a bun. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black unitard or black tights/stretch pants with black tank top and dance paws. Dance belts must be worn.
Modern 4, 5, 6:
Girls: Unitard (specific to class-please order at the front desk). Any undergarments/support used underneath should be nude and hidden. Warm-up sweaters must be black and fitted to the body and only worn for warming up. Black dance shorts and dance top, in addition to unitard (Jena will give specifics).
Shoes: Nude dance paws. Hair must be back in a bun. NO PONYTAILS, NO JEWELRY.
Boys: Black unitard or black tights/stretch pants with black tank top and dance paws. Dance belts must be worn.
Pre-Tap, Tap 1:
Girls: Leotard, leggings, shorts or skirt. Mary Jane style tap shoes.
Boys: Black jazz pants, white t-shirt and Black Oxford style tap shoes.
Tap 2, Tap 3, Tap 4, Tap 5:
Girls: Leotard, leggings, shorts or skirt. Black Oxford style tap shoes
Boys: Black jazz pants, white t-shirt and Black Oxford style tap shoes.
Hip-hop:
Black sweats and black fitted tank top. Knee pads are suggested. Black hip-hop dance sneakers (shoes must be completely clean). NO JEWELRY.
PLEASE NOTE: This class uses hip-hop music. We try to filter the music; however, if it is played on the radio, it may be played in class. If this is offensive to you, then you may want to choose a different style of dance.
Jazz: Girls: Unitard (specific to class-please order at the front desk), tan colored jazz shoe (specific to class-order at the front desk)
Dance Class Etiquette
-Dancers should arrive 15 minutes early and warm up their bodies.
-Be prepared, be in dance clothes and have hair done before entering the classroom.
-Please silence your cell phones and do not use them during class.
-Be respectful to teachers, staff, other students and parents at all times.
-Do not talk during class. Raise your hand if you have a question.
-Give your teacher your full attention during class.
-Do not argue with or talk back to your teacher.
-Keep a positive attitude in class. Absolutely no negative comments will be tolerated.
-Do not sit down at any time during class unless you are instructed to do so.
-Do not argue or be rude to your classmates.
-Try each new movement with an open mind and dance it to your fullest.
-Leave outside subjects outside of class. Class time should be focused on dance only.
-Help new students feel welcome to the studio and to their class.
-Have fun ïŠ
Thank you for working towards becoming Phenomenal dancers!
Dance Studio Rules
-While class is in session, all parents/visitors must wait in the waiting room upstairs and may not sit in the classroom. If you have a special circumstance, please talk to your instructor ahead of time.
-Classroom doors should remain shut during class to eliminate distractions.
-Be respectful to teachers, staff and other students at all times
-Keep conversations quiet and appropriate.
-Treat our studio with kindness.
-No running in the hallways or studios. No congregating in the stairway whatsoever!
-Clean up after yourself. Dispose of trash in the recycling or trash cans.
-Don’t forget your belongings after class.
-Dancers should be on time and ready to dance. Intermediate and Advanced dancers should always arrive early and warm up in the dancer warm-up room on the top floor.
-We welcome all comments and concerns and would love to address any of those with you outside of class time. Please email us at papadancers@gmail.com to let us know or set up an appropriate time to discuss your concerns.
-Only staff and appropriate volunteers are allowed behind the office desk.
-No photographing or videotaping classes without instructor’s permission.
Thank you for helping us keep our studio a positive place of learning!
Recital Rules & Etiquette
As we are in the business of educating dancers, we also think it is important to educate about dance performance etiquette. To do so, we want our shows to be as close to a professional show as possible. Part of this involves educating our audience members and also all helpers and volunteers involved. We ask for your help in demonstrating and helping others at the show.
*Parents/family/friends are not allowed in the auditorium or backstage before the show or during rehearsal (unless you have been educated as a parent volunteer). Please understand, we do not do this to be unkind. It is very important for us to only have the people who have been given instructions ahead of time involved backstage. We will not be making exceptions, regardless of how much we like you. Please help us to enforce this important rule. Extra people make things more chaotic, and it becomes harder for us to control the environment and concentrate on what is important – the dancers. We use a check-in/check-out system for the safety of our dancers. You will be checking your child in for the show and checking them out after the show.
*If you would like to help during the show, you will need to sign up in advance and attend the helper meeting(s). The instructors have very little time the day of the show to give instruction. It is very important for those volunteering to be at the meeting to get directions and ask any questions you may have.
*We do not allow any photographs to be taken in the auditorium during the show or rehearsals (this includes students and helpers). Feel free to take posed photos in the lobby after the show or in the green room if time allows.
*Older students are not allowed to leave after the show until all areas are cleaned up. We will work as a group and leave as a group. Students are responsible for bringing and taking home all of their performance clothes and items.
*Please silence your cell phones.
*Please remain seated during the show unless there is an emergency.
*Please do not talk during the performance, but please feel free to cheer for your favorite dancers and applaud at any time!
*Help us create a positive and professional dance experience for all of our dancers.
Thank you for your patience and support.
Enjoy the recital!
