Forever Dancing holds a purpose to nurture our dancers as they grow in strength, skill, humility, and respect. As a member of the Forever Dancing Competition Team, we expect these qualities to be exemplified to their fullest potential. Our dancers are expected to grow a stronger sense of teamwork and connect with other dancers through additional community events. Forever Dancing promotes a positive environment for all dancers. The Competition Team requires 100% commitment from the studio, students, parents, and staff. Forever Dancing will provide you with the information you need to make decisions regarding your dancer(s) and the competitive program. Please make sure you are able to commit to all rehearsals, competitions and all other requirements outlined in this handbook.
COMMITMENT
If you are involved with other programs that require specific time commitments, we will need to know about the other commitments you may have. While we encourage participation in all things your child is interested in, if the other program will consistently create absences for dancer(s), we will require a decision regarding a choice between competition dance and the other programs.
As a member of The Forever Dancing Competition Team, you are expected to:
• Do what is in the best interest of the TEAM as a whole
• Promote a positive studio spirit
• Practice our skills and routines in class and at home
• Follow the team dress code.
• Adhere to our attendance policy.
• Maintain respect for one another and our teachers. One direct verbal warning will be given for disrespectful behavior. Anything following will result in the dancer's removal from class.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Unless previously discussed and approved, all team members are required to be at all performances and/or promotional events for Forever Dancing Team.
-Missing required classes or rehearsals in the WEEK prior to a competition or performance will result in the dancer's removal from any and all routines taking the stage at that time.
-If a dancer is consistently missing class, we will contact you regarding makeup class requirements needed to continue participating with the team.
-If attendance does not improve, it is up to the director’s discretion to remove a dancer from any or all competition routines.
If a dancer misses more than 15 minutes of a class, it equals to one absence. Dancer will miss crucial warmup exercises and/or choreography when they are not present for the entire class.
If a dancer is regularly arriving late or leaving class early, it is up to the director's discretion to remove the dancer from any or all competition routines.
CLASSROOM DRESS CODE:
• Ballet: Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair in bun or ponytail. Optional skirt or shorts. NO socks.
• Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Contemporary: Black leotard, Black leggings or shorts, jazz (Capezio Jazz Bootie, color TBA), lyrical (Nude, Capezio Leather Pirouettes) and tap shoes*, hair in bun or ponytail. *Junior Competition Teams and UP are required to have Black, Capezio "Roxy" tap shoes. All other teams will be notified what type and color tap shoes that will be needed for performances by late October. NO socks for jazz or lyrical. Bare feet is optional for contemporary.
• Hip Hop: Sneakers, Black leggings, black top. No hoodies, Jeans.
CLASSROOM - TO - STAGE:
Dancers are expected to be on time for all scheduled events.
• Competition call times are minimum 1.5 hours before scheduled stage time. Please come performance-ready with hair, makeup and costume(s). No exceptions.
• Recital call times are a minimum of 2 hours before showtime.
• Dancers and parents should understand that missing a piece of the costume or prop, in a routine with and number of dancers, may prohibit them from taking the stage, per their instructors' discretion.
• Team Members are required to stay for awards. It looks very bad on the studio if a routine receives an award and no one is there to accept it. It is also unfair for some members to stay, and others get to leave. You compete as a team, you accept awards as a team.
• Team Members are required to wear their warm ups on stage to receive awards.
DANCER CODE of CONDUCT:
Dancers may be pulled from a routine or team for one or more of the following reasons.
• Unsportsman-like conduct or disrespect in OR outside of the studio
• Disregard for contract rules and guidelines
• Poor attendance and any classes pertaining to the team.
• Pulling a dancer from any routine for the above reasons will not result in refunded competition fees.
PARENTS and GUARDIANS CODE OF CONDUCT: Parents and Guardians are expected to follow all of the above. Most dancers do not drive themselves to class or events. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Parent or Guardian to facilitate and promote the above guidelines to their dancer. Any disrespectful conduct by a parent or guardian towards another student, parent, teacher, any staff member or the director in AND out of the dance studio will result in the dancer being removed from the team. Parents and Guardians are expected to be respectful to other studios, competition staff or any staff at ALL Team related events. Any conduct of a parent or guardian deemed disrespectful or inappropriate may result in the dancer's removal from team at the directors discretion. All choreography, song choices, costumes and any details relating to competition teams is the sole discretion of the director.
SOLOS/DUOS/TRIOS/Small Groups:
Solos, Duos, Trios and Small Groups are a special privilege. You can request a solo, duo or trio. However, it is up to the director’s discretion if the dancer(s) are ready for such a performance. Small Groups are by invite only and are based on the dancer(s) level and attendance. All Solos, Trios, Duos and Small Groups are separate fees and determined by instructor/choreography fees. Regular dance class tuition must be up-to-date when starting and continuing with solos/duos/trios and small groups.
MANDATORY PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES:
Below is a list of events, but not limited to, required of team members. If you have a conflict or concern, you must contact Marianne ASAP.
• ALL Team Members are required to perform in The Nutcracker on Dec 3, 2023.
All Teams will be competing in 3 competitions. Except “Mini Red” will be in 2 competitions and “Small Fries” will be in 1 competition.
Competition Dates will be announced by Oct 15, 2023. We will try to avoid conflicts like communions, confirmations, bat mitzfas, sweet 16s, graduations. HOWEVER, if you don’t notify us by Oct 1, we can’t attempt to avoid it. Communicate to Marianne at forever_dancingny@yahoo.com any conflicts and she will try to work with you.
2024 Recital: Sunday June 23, 2024. ALL Team members are in BOTH shows at recital.
Other Upcoming Events TBA:
-Bayside Saint Patrick’s Parade
-Pep Rallies
-Picture Days
COMPETITION TEAM FEES:
Below is a summary of fees associated with our competition teams. Please note, these are estimated and based on previous year’s. Some of these dates and costs are subject to change.
• Competition Team Tuition fees are based on the team they are on and how many classes are required for that team and are due the 1st of each month* *Please see “registration policies”
• Nutcracker Fee is Due by Sept 15, 2023
• Rehearsal Fees: $100 per dancer due by Oct 1, 2023. Teams will have a few closed rehearsals separate from their regular class times. This will include an off-site rehearsal on stage at Saint Francis Prep before competition, date TBD.
• Costume Deposits are Due Nov 1, 2023
• Competition Fees are due by Dec 1, 2023
Costume balances are due by Jan 15, 2024
• If you are a new team member, you will need to purchase a Team jacket
TEAM COMMUNICATIONS:
Marianne will communicate with team parents via email, texts and a team app. This year we used “BAND” as our main source of communication. Once registration is established, you will be notified of your main communication source going forward.