Welcome to Farnsworth Dance Academy! We are a recreational to pre-professional dance school, offering classes in all dance styles. FDA is also home to the FDA Performance and Competition Companies. Below you will find information on our policies, dress code and tuition. We ask that all students and parents follow these guidelines so that we have a fun and respectful environment for both students and instructors.
Studio Policies – for Parents and Families
- Please respect our learning environment. Students who are waiting for class, siblings and parents – please keep the lobby area distraction-free for ongoing classes. Any person causing a distraction may be asked to leave the premises.
- The studio doors open 20 minutes prior to the beginning of the first class. FDA is not responsible for students who arrive prior to this time.
- To protect the safety of our students, FDA requires that dancers arrive and depart as close to the scheduled class time as possible. FDA requires students to be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the end of their class. We are not able to provide childcare, and families who cannot follow this policy may be subject to additional fees or dismissal. Call if you are running late. (707-745-1834) - FDA is not responsible for children who are not enrolled at the studio. Children may not be left unattended.
- No food or drink is allowed in the lobby, dance studios or carpeted areas of the studio. Water bottles are permitted, and tables outside are available for eating areas.
- Class should only be interrupted in case of emergency. Parents/observers are not allowed to enter the studio for any reason unless requested to do so by the instructor.
Class Policies and Etiquette – for Dancers
- Students will attend class on a regular basis. If a dancer is more than 15 minutes late, they will be asked to observe class rather than participate to avoid possible injury due to improperly stretched muscles.
- Have a professional attitude – be respectful, attentive, and ready to learn. Leave the day’s baggage at the door!
- Arrive on time, wait by the studio door, or inside the studio, as requested by the instructor.
- Water is allowed inside the studio; no food or gum is allowed. Tables outside the lobby are available for eating.
- Wear proper attire (see dress code). Students who do not follow the dress code may be asked to sit out of class.
- Raise your hand to speak, do not interrupt the instructor. Be attentive, even if the instructor isn’t speaking directly to you.
- Request permission before leaving to use the restroom. Please go before class.
- If a dancer needs assistance using the restroom, a parent must be around to assist if they come out of class.
- Always thank the instructor at the end of class.
- The dressing room is an electronic-free zone. Any dancer with a phone in the dressing room will have to leave their phone at the front desk until they leave the studio.
Dress Code
The dress code and shoe requirements for each class can be found on our website.
Hair – For all classes, hair should be “performance ready.” For ballet, buns should be secured with bobby pins and/or hairnets. For all other classes, a ponytail should be worn. Hair should be sprayed/gelled down with no fly-aways.
Shoes – Dance shoes are to be worn indoors only.
Street shoes should be worn to and from the entrance to the studio.
Jewelry – No jewelry is allowed except for stud earrings.
Media Release
As part of enrollment in Farnsworth Dance Academy, parents/guardians give their permission for photos and videos of their dancer(s) to be used online (website, social media, etc.) or in any other advertising or promotional materials for Farnsworth Dance Academy, to be used this dance season and/or in future seasons.
2024-25 Tuition
Tuition is based on the cost of yearly enrollment, and not as payment-per-lesson. Non-dance days (holidays and holiday breaks) are considered in overall tuition cost. Tuition is split into 10 payments via Dance Studio Pro Autopay. Note: There is 2.75% fee through autopay if you would like to avoid the fee pay prior online or come in person to pay cash or check.
Registration – all students pay a non-refundable annual registration fee of $40 ($55 for a family with more than one dancer). The registration fee is due along with the completed registration form and once received, holds your dancer’s place in class.
Cancellations – All cancellations/drops need to be emailed to the studio prior to tuition payment due date (the first of each month). Cancellations cannot be called or texted to the studio.
Family rate – a 10% discount for the first additional family member, and a 5% discount for additional family members is offered. Family discount may not be combined with other discounts. Family members are parents and their children, or more than one child from the same household and does not apply to a person providing tuition for dancers outside their family. Discount is not applicable to private lesson costs.
Refunds – tuition is non-refundable and due in full regardless of the number of classes taken or missed. There is no deduction allowed for missed classes or refund for withdrawal from classes. A studio credit may be given for withdrawal from classes. We will stop the AD. There will be no refund of tuition in the event of suspension or expulsion.
Rates
Rates below are shown as the cost per installment.
Technique Class Rates – 10 payments of:
1 x week - $75 5 x week - $230
2 x week - $135 6 x week - $250
3 x week - $185 7 x week - $265
4 x week - $210 8 x week - $280
45-minute class – 10 payments of $65
Private lessons* (30 minutes or more) - $70 an hour
*A no-show or cancelled private lesson with less than 24 hours’ notice will be billed at total cost.
Payment dates – the first payment will be debited on September 1st and following payments will be debited on the 1st of each month, with the final payment on June 1st. A late payment of $15 will be added to payments that are seven days late and will double each week thereafter.
Waiver
I understand that Farnsworth Dance Academy and its staff are not responsible for any injury, losses, damages, or other liability that may occur in the building or during class. Enrollment of a dancer (by parent or guardian) and adult student is done on his or her own initiative. I will not send my dancer into the studio if they are showing any symptoms of COVID-19 or any contagious sickness. I understand that Farnsworth Dance Academy reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who is not complying with the guidelines set in place. I have read the above statements and agree to them
