Policies & Procedures :

Studio Information & Policies and Procedures for 2011-2012

Dance Attire:  The appropriate dance attire is required for all classes, as described below. Dance attire may be purchased at any dance store such as La Strada Dance Wear on Grand Boulevard in Deer Park, Instructor's Dance Choice on Sunrise Highway in Massepequa Park, All That Dance in Babylon Village. We require a specific brand of ballet slippers and tap shoes for certain classes, which can only be purchased through the studio. If you have any questions about appropriate attire, please speak to one of the S.O.S. staff. Please let your child (ren) know that they cannot wear street clothes or t-shirts with graphics/writing to class unless it is Spirit of Soul personalized attire.

Young ladies: Students can also wear sweater shrugs and legwarmers to class during warm up, which can be purchased either through the studio or at a dance store.

Apprentice Company: Black leotard, pink tights, pink leather ballet slippers, and black tap shoes. A skirt is optional.

Company Pink: Black or pink leotard leotard or pink studio shirt, black dance shorts/pants, pink tights, pink split sole leather ballet slippers and black jazz shoes. If taking tap, black Mary Jane tap shoes are required.

Company Blue: Blue leotard or blue studio shirt, pink tights or flesh-colored tights, black dance shorts/pants, pink ballet slippers and black jazz shoes. Black jazz oxford tap shoes are required if taking tap, preferable full soled.

Company Gold: Gold studio shirt, gold cami tank or leotard, black or flesh-colored tights, black dance shorts/pants, black or flesh color ballet slippers and black jazz shoes. Black jazz oxford tap shoes are required if taking tap, preferable full soled.

Young men: Black plain T-shirt (no writing), dark colored sweatpants (no jeans), black gymnast/ballet male shoes, black tap shoes (if enrolled for tap).

ANY STUDENT NOT PROPERLY DRESSED FOR CLASS WILL BE ASKED TO SIT AND OBSERVE FOR THAT DAY.

 

ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is taken at each class. Students should arrive at least 5 minutes early prior to the start of class, dressed and ready to go. When students arrive late, it disturbs the flow of class. Good attendance is a vital part of being a dancer. Dancers who are constantly absent may not be allowed to participate in upcoming performances.

REGISTRATION:   There is non-refundable registration fee for the year of $15 per student which includes a personalized studio bag and company shirt. Please note that the class sizes are capped at 15 students per class, and we cannot reserve a student’s spot without the registration fee. If a class has less than 5 students registered, Spirit of Soul reserves the right to cancel that class and/or combine it with another one of the same category, if possible.

TUITION: There are only three payment options for tuition: 1) Auto EFT monthly drafts from your checking/savings account; 2) four installments via check, money order, or debit/credit card (Pay Pal); semi-annual payments via check, money order or debit/credit card. A $25 late fee will be assessed for payment received after tuition deadline. Tuition is due as outlined on the payment schedule page. You will only receive a bill if your tuition has not been received by the due date. No refunds on tuition will be given. In the case of an injury that prevents the student from taking class for at least a month, your account will be frozen until the student is physically able to take class again. However, we will need a doctor’s note in order to freeze the account.

No student may participate in class, until his/her tuition account is up-to-date, if a payment is past due for more than 10 days. Any tuition not received after three months will be sent to an attorney for collection. We also reserve the right to file paperwork for a judgment with Suffolk County in case all other collection options fail. All tuition must be paid prior to your child’s participation in any studio events. If there is a past due tuition balance upon the ordering of costumes or any other events, any monies received will be first applied to outstanding tuition balance – no exceptions. Please review the Schedule and Pricing page for tuition due dates and pricing.

PERFORMANCES/EVENTS: We have at least four schedule events performances throughout the year: 1) Wyandanch Wheatley Heights Ambulance Center Haunted House on Monday, October 31 (optional); 2) Holiday Show – tentatively scheduled for the second weekend in December; 3) Talent Showcase – February/March 2012; and 3) local Memorial Day Parade (optional). We are working on additional performances for the year and you will be notified as soon as they are booked. Because of the number of performances scheduled, it is crucial that students can attend their company classes and rehearsals. Students having three unexcused absences consecutive classes/rehearsals prior to a scheduled performance may not participate in that performance. Outside activities such as a party, etc do not count as an excused absence.

COSTUMES: For the most part, costumes for scheduled performances will come from prior year’s costumes, or parents may be asked to purchase certain items from a retail store or through the dance studio at a very minimum price (i.e. a pair of red pants for $10). We will be issuing a list of all required dance costumes for performances no later than the fourth week of the dance season. For those students who are competing, costumes will be ordered by the second week in November

FUNDRAISING: We will still offer our annual holiday brochure fundraiser to offset dance expenses. 40% of the proceeds can be applied towards dance related expenses – tuition, studio warm-ups, competition fees, etc. All monies must be turned in directly to the dance studio and a credit will be issued upon final calculation. You will receive a statement of the amount sold and percentage of your dance credit.

COMPETITION: For the student who wants additional opportunities, auditions will be held for the 2011-2012 competition season. The studio will once again be competing at the Long Island regionals for the United States Tournament of Dance (for Company Gold) and at least one or two more other regional competitions in mid April/May. Students will be judged by both studio staff and outside judges. Competition fees are separate from regular tuition fees. Auditions will be held the end of September, and all students (and their parents) who pass auditions will be handed a complete competition handbook. Fundraising will be offered to offset the costs. Rehearsals will be held outside of a student’s regularly scheduled company classes/rehearsals.

INSURANCE:  Spirit of Soul Dance Studio does not carry medical insurance for its students. It is required that all dance students be covered by their own family insurance policies, and if injury occurs it is understood that the student’s own policy is your only source of reimbursement.

MEDICAL CONDITION:  Please inform us if your child has a medical condition.  If necessary, please speak to your doctor about your child’s participation in dance class.

CANCELLATION OF CLASSES/STUDIO HOLIDAY CLOSINGS :  We will try to make every effort to notify you via public voice announcement if class must be cancelled or delayed due to inclimate weather or extenuating circumstances. Alternatively, you may call the studio for a recording on whether classes will be held or not. Make-up days for classes cancelled due to inclimate weather will be scheduled accordingly. Please see the dance schedule for the dates of studio holiday closings and rescheduled classes.

PICTURES/VIDEOS: Any pictures or videos taken of the students at Spirit of Soul during any time can be used for marketing and promotional purposes at the sole discretion of the owner.