First Position Dance Academy Information Packet
There is a $25.00 registration fee. There is a $10 sibling registration discount price. Returning student is a $10 registration fee.
CURRICULUM:
Our teachers are committed to not only keeping the traditional dance styles alive but also furthering their education with the latest styles and techniques. We are proud to offer all types of dance and offer an all-inclusive environment. Classes are available for 18 months to Adults. Classes offered are Tiny Dancing Stars, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Placement is dependent on ability, not age! Dancers will be placed in the level at which they have room to grow and learn. Classes can range in all ages based on ability. Students are not guaranteed to advance every year. This is based on the progress of each individual student. Some students may skip levels if we feel they are ready to do so. Some students may advance in some areas and may remain at the same level in other areas. This is in the best interest of your children. Each student will receive individualized attention. It is very important to understand that this studio may operate very differently from other dance studios you may have attended. We offer instruction in the following dance subjects:
Preschool Combo Class
Jazz
Hip Hop
Ballet
Modern
Musical Theater
Lyrical
Pointe/Pre-Pointe
Tap
Acro
Contemporary
Tumbling
Solos/Duos/Trios
Technique Class
DRESS CODE:
Our dress code will be firmly enforced. Female students are allowed to wear any color leotard, dance shorts, sports bras, yoga pants, and tights. The yoga pants have to be tight fitting. T-shirts, tank tops, loose pants, and loose fitting clothing are strictly prohibited. If your child is registered in a Hip Hop class, we allow them to wear sweatpants, t-shirts, and loose fitting clothing. This is the ONLY exception. Male students are to wear shorts and t-shirts of any color. ALL ballet classes must wear a leotard with tights and ballet shoes. No exceptions! Hair that is long enough to be pulled back must be secured in a bun to ensure it is not a distraction. The shoes that must be worn by ALL students for class, for pictures, and for the recital are as follows:
Tap Advanced: Lace Up Hard Sole Beginner/Intermediate/Novice: Mary Jane Style Tap Shoes
Ballet All Levels: Ballet Pink Split Sole
Jazz All Levels: Jazz Gore Boots
Lyrical - Half Sole Turning Shoes
Acro/Tumbling All Levels: Bare Feet
Hip Hop All levels: TBA for costumes - Clean Tennis shoes for rehearsal (not shoes that have been worn outside) Preschool Pink Ballet, Mary Jane Tap Shoes
Dancing Without Limits - Whatever your dancer feels comfortable in (No Street Shoes)
Technique - All Levels: either ballet, jazz, or lyrical shoes
All Shoes can be purchased through the studio and is highly recommended to ensure everyone has the right shoes for recital.
TUITION:
Your tuition will be the same price monthly. If your child withdrawals from a class, you are still responsible for paying for that month's FULL tuition. We will only adjust tuition at the beginning of a NEW month. ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS will be given for tuition or on any costumes if your child withdrawals. You will also not receive a refund on the registration fee if your child withdrawals at any time. Monthly tuition is a flat rate and does not reflect the number of lessons in each month. This is to accommodate months that have any holiday breaks, pictures, and the month of our dance recital. The monthly tuition is divided amongst the 9 months we are in operation. Payments must be paid by the 15th of every month. Payments after the 15th of the month will be deemed late and a $25.00 late fee will be added to that month's tuition. Please make note that if the 15th falls on a weekend, FPDA is not in operation on Saturdays and Sundays. If you have more than one child you will be required to pay a late fee on EACH child. If you are supposed to pay a late fee and you do not add it onto your child's tuition for that month, we will take the liberty of adding it to the following month's tuition in the form of an email invoice, as well as note it in our system. NEW THIS YEAR, If tuition is not paid in full by the end of the month, an additional $10 late fee will be added to your account. Please do not try to take advantage of the system. You will know the price of your tuition before classes start. Here at FPDA we have a drop date. Our drop date is October 1st, 2022. If you decide to drop any classes after October 1st you will be responsible for paying for ALL of your costumes in full. If you drop classes BEFORE the drop date, you will not be responsible for the remaining balance on costumes for that particular class/classes. Any deposits that are made are not refundable, even if you drop before the drop date. They are also not transferable to other students or to other costumes. You will just not owe the rest of the balance. You can use a credit card to pay for tuition, costumes, tickets, etc. There will be a cash discount for those who wish to pay cash instead of card. No checks will be accepted.
PRICES: Convenience fees apply to use a card online. 1/2 hr class - $30mo 45 min class - $38mo 1 hr class - $45mo
Technique is required for all dancers over the age of 6 on the competition team- $35 fee for both technique and choreography per month
Tiny Dancing Stars - 30 min class $35mo
Solo - $450.00 per routine ($50 per month)
Duos/ Trios - $225 per routine per person ($25 per month)
There is also a discount when you take more classes. Please see the price list.
**Anyone wanting to pay in full for the year (for strictly monthly tuition) will receive 5% off. This does not include solos, duos, trios, costumes, pictures, etc. It is solely monthly tuition. This must be done by the due date of the first month's tuition. **
SOLOS, DUOS, TRIOS
Solos, duos, and trios will be determined at the discretion of the owner. Students are not limited to taking only one solo. If we feel they can handle more than one solo, they are entitled to do so. They may also participate in duos and trios if they have a solo, if we feel they can handle this. The price of the solos, duos, and trios is the same whether 100 hours are spent with us or 10 hours. It covers our choreography and knowledge, not time. Please understand that not every person can have a solo, duo, or trio. There is simply not enough time. If you are scheduled for a solo, duo, or trio practice, you will be responsible for contacting the teacher if you are not able to attend. Our time is precious, so if you must cancel, please do so at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled time, so we are able to adapt our schedule. We do not want breaks between students.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is a very important factor in the success of each individual dancer as well as the success of a class. Please do not miss class unless your child/children have to do so. If your child is not well enough to dance in class, but is well enough to come and watch class, please let them do so. However, if your child is contagious and/or very ill, for the sake and safety of our staff and students, please keep them home. If displaying any symptoms of Co-Vid 19, please keep your child at home. If your child misses classes, you are still responsible for paying that month's FULL tuition and payments will still need to be turned in on time or a late fee will be added. We will not make up any missed classes. If your child participates in musicals, cheerleading, other after school activities, sports, etc., and if they are sick or injured, you will still be responsible for paying that month's FULL tuition. No discounts will be given.
BEHAVIOR:
FPDA students are ALWAYS expected to be on their absolute best behavior. This applies towards their fellow classmates, as well as any student helpers and staff members. If a child misbehaves towards another student, they will be warned of their behavior and the parent/guardian will be notified. If a child acts out in class in an inappropriate way, they may be asked to leave class or go to his or her parents/ guardian. Class must continue on with the students who ARE behaving appropriately and respectfully. We do not tolerate any bullying or disrespectful behavior. If it becomes an issue, you will not be permitted back to FPDA and will receive no refunds. We want this to be a place with a peaceful and happy learning environment. There is to be no running, tumbling, or carrying on in the waiting room. There is to be no gum, food, drinks, or CELL PHONES inside the dance area. This is all to be kept in the waiting room. Any food, drink, or messes need to be cleaned up by each student. Please help take care of our dance home. Please have clean shoes on as you enter the dance room. Do not wear your dance shoes outside. No street shoes are to be worn on the dance floors, please. If you are not taking class, you are expected to be in the waiting room. Parents, if you leave your children here without your supervision, please know that they are not being monitored unless they are in our classroom. If they ask to use the restroom, they are expected to go and immediately return straight to class. They will not be escorted. If they happen to leave the building and you were not in the waiting room to see, we are not responsible. We are also not responsible for walking them to and from your cars and making sure they get into the proper hands. We are in the dance room 99.9% of the time we are here. Students should never be waiting outside or leave the waiting room unless they are being escorted by an adult. If they are old enough to drive, you are trusting them to come to class and go straight to where they should be going. If they lie, and don't come to dance or leave with someone else, we are not responsible. There is a Dollar General across the street from us. We are not responsible if students go across to the store.
LEVELS OF DANCE:
PRESCHOOL: For students who are just starting dancing at a young age. This will be a class where different styles are introduced to your children. Ballet/Jazz/Acro/Tap combo will be the styles this level will be studying. All preschool classes are 30 minutes long and meet once a week. This is for students who are potty trained. Each week will be a different style with the parents being informed ahead of time.
BEGINNER: For students who are just beginning to learn the basics of a particular style of dance. If your child has not learned the very basics of dance, but has taken dance before they will be placed in this class. Emotional skills will be introduced to them.
NOVICE: For students who have mastered the beginner level and are ready to move on to the next level. We will be working on strengthening their emotional connections to their music and their dance technique.
INTERMEDIATE: For students who have mastered both the beginner and novice levels of dancing with strong technique. Classes will be more difficult with higher standards and some classes being longer in length. Emotional skills will be worked on and must show in their dancing. This will prepare your child for the advanced classes. ADVANCED: For those students who have mastered the beginner, novice, and intermediate levels of dance and are ready for our highest level of dance. These students need to have emotional and technical skills that are very strong. LEVELS OF ACRO/TUMBLING:
BEGINNER, NOVICE, AND INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED. CLASSES ARE DETERMINED AT THE OWNER'S DISCRETION.
SPECIALTY CLASSES:
POINTE: This class is for students who are at least 13 years of age and are at the advanced or intermediate level of ballet. In order to take pointe it is required for you to be enrolled in a ballet class for the year. Entry into the pointe class will be determined by the owner's discretion. YOU MUST WEAR YOUR HAIR PULLED UP AND WEAR A BLACK LEOTARD WITH PINK TIGHTS.
PRE-POINTE: This class is for students ages 9-12 who are preparing to take Pointe when they are of age. You can also take this class if you take Pointe to work on technique. YOU MUST WEAR YOUR HAIR PULLED UP AND WEAR A BLACK LEOTARD WITH PINK TIGHTS.
COSTUMES:
You will be required to make 2 costume deposits. One at the end of September and one at the end of October. The deposits are $30 per costume. You will then pay the balance of the costumes in the middle of November. Each dancer will be measured by our seamstress and costume manager, Faith. Please note nothing is to be added or taken away from an assigned costume. All alterations will be done through the studio. Each FEMALE student regardless of age will be required to wear dance earrings for dance pictures and for the dance recital. The color and style you must have is the crystal earrings that are outlined in rhinestones. They are not dangle earrings, they are studs and they are available in clip ons as well. These can also be purchased through the studio.
STUDIO CLOSINGS:
In the winter when the Laurel Highlands Area School District cancels due to inclement weather, First Position Dance Academy will also be closed. We have many school districts that we work with and we feel the safety of our students is more important than risking any accidents. We are not responsible for making up these classes as we cannot control the weather. You are still responsible for paying that month's FULL tuition and no refunds will be given for missed classes due to the weather. If classes would be canceled on the day that tuition is due, you will have until our next working day to get your payment in without a late fee. If we are mandated to shut down by the Governor for any reason, we will continue classes online through Zoom and full tuition will be paid by all students. Also, if there is a family emergency or a death in the family, we will close First Position Dance Academy. Please keep in mind that we too have families and things that happen in our lives. We will always do our best to find someone to fill in for us, however we have very few people that can fill in as a substitute. Please be sure to like our Facebook page as this is where all of our updates are. We will not refund or discount anyone for classes that are canceled due to emergencies or deaths in our families.
PICTURES:
Pictures will be taken in March. Our pictures are taken by Simply Photos. Pictures are not required by any student. We have a dance book that is sold at our annual dance recital. You can or cannot have your child in their group pictures and you can or cannot purchase full and half pages if you would like. You can also not be in anything and just purchase pictures from the photographer for your own use. More information will be given out in January/February.
FUNDRAISING:
We offer fundraising here at FPDA. You may choose to participate in as many fundraisers as you would like, or choose to not participate in any at all. It is not mandatory to participate in these fundraisers. These are fundraisers that are put in place to help each individual student or family. The profits are put into accounts for each individual student based upon how much profit you made off of each fundraiser. The money you profit from can be used for tuition and costumes. You may not use fundraiser money to purchase recital tickets, for recital apparel, to order DVDS of our dance recital, to purchase pictures directly from our photographer, or for any summer dance classes. The owner's hold the ability to make changes at any time.
We will have one mandatory fundraiser in February or early March this year. This pays for the cost of recital to keep ticket cost and the recital overall at a minimum for our families. More information to come!
Reminders.. We will be emailing all of our newsletters and not handing them out in class. Please be sure we have a valid working email of yours and to check your email weekly. Also, please add First Position Dance Academy on Facebook and check it regularly as that is where we put our reminders, information on fundraisers, emergencies, closings, etc.
CONTACT INFORMATION: First Position Dance Academy 202 S Mt. Vernon Ave Uniontown PA, 15401
Email: firstpositiondanceowner@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER:
BY SIGNING THIS, YOU ARE AGREEING THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PAYMENTS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A LATE FEE PER CHILD THAT WILL BE ADDED ON TO MONTHLY PAYMENTS IF YOU ARE PAYING AFTER THE 15TH OF ANY MONTH. YOU ARE ALSO AGREEING THAT THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON AND THAT IF YOU LEAVE First Position Dance Academy, LLC FOR ANY REASON YOU FORFEIT YOUR FUNDRAISING MONEY AND OR CREDITS AND THAT THEN BECOMES PROPERTY OF First Position Dance Academy, LLC. YOU ARE AGREEING THAT IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR CHILD STAYING IN THE WAITING ROOM WITHOUT YOUR PRESENCE/ SUPERVISION THAT First Position Dance Academy AND ITS FACULTY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CHILDREN. IF THEY LEAVE First Position Dance Academy, LLC OR INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN ANY INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS THAT First Position Dance Academy, LLC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. THIS INCLUDES AND IS NOT LIMITED TO, COMING TO AND FROM DANCE, ENTERING AND EXITING THE BUILDING, THE PARKING LOT, THE WAITING ROOM, AND ANY OTHER OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES LIKE PARADES, RECITALS, ETC. First Position Dance Academy, LLC WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES THAT MAY OCCUR ON ITS PREMISES, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER DANCE RELATED FUNCTION: THIS INCLUDES BUT NOT LIMITED TO PARTIES, PARADES, REHEARSALS, AND RECITALS,ETC. BY SIGNING THIS YOU ARE STATING THAT YOUR CHILD IS FULLY COVERED BY YOUR OWN PERSONAL INSURANCE REGARDLESS OF SITUATION. First Position Dance Academy, LLC IS ALSO NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR STOLEN ITEMS ON OR OFF OF ITS PREMISES OR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOMS. First Position Dance Academy, LLC WILL NOT USE MATS FOR ANY OF THEIR CLASSES FOR THE DANCE REHEARSAL OR DANCE RECITAL AND SOMETIMES DURING THE DANCE YEAR AT THE STUDIO. PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS. BY SIGNING THE BOTTOM PORTION YOU ARE AGREEING TO ALL TERMS AND INFORMATION STATED IN THIS PACKET, REGARDLESS OF IT BEING IN THIS DISCLAIMER OR NOT.
I __________________________________ HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF First Position Dance Academy, LLC AND ALL THAT IS STATED IN THE ENTIRE REGISTRATION PACKET. I AGREE TO ADHERE TO ALL OF THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE IN THE ENTIRE PACKET AS WELL AS THE STATEMENTS ABOVE IN THE MEDIA RELEASE AND IN THE DISCLAIMER. BY SIGNING THIS I AM ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PAYMENT TO FPDA.
STUDENTS NAME: ___________________________________________________________________ PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE:______________________________________________________ DATE:_______________________________________________________________________________ THIS FORM MUST BE TURNED IN TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD AND BEFORE THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN CLASS.
