1. DRESS CODE

Dance Soul is committed to providing a professional atmosphere for its dancers and follows a required dress code for all half and full year classes. Dance Soul carries all needed dancewear throughout the year with our exclusive supplier and items are not available at other dance stores. Please ensure your children are prepared for class in the following ways:

• Hair must be securely tied back for all disciplines, with those in ballet wearing proper buns with no bangs or flyaways.
• Shoes are clearly labeled with dancer’s name.
• Always bring proper attire for dance. No outside shoes, jeans or inappropriate clothing are ever allowed in class.
• Dancer has the required footwear, leotard and tights.
• Dancers are to bring their dance bags into every class with the required shoes for their discipline and a bottle of water.
• Sweats are allowed for warm ups only.
• NO CELL PHONES.

2. CODE OF CONDUCT

• Arrive for classes 10-15 minutes early and be waiting outside your studio 5 minutes before class starts. If you are late, parents please ask the instructor if your child can participate.
• No gum chewing, or eating in class. No running, playing, or goofing around to avoid unnecessary injury.
• All students are encouraged not to leave the room once class has begun. Please allow for appropriate restroom use prior to class. Very young children will be treated sensitively as the need arises. Please do not leave the waiting room when very young children are in class without informing the office or having another parent responsible during your absence. We make every effort to have all children feel safe and cared for in a loving and inspiring learning environment.
• When a teacher is talking or instructing, there is to be no talking.
• Any student who does not show their instructors proper respect will be asked to sit down or leave. Their case will be reviewed for remittance after a written apology has been issued.
• Students are expected to have excellent attendance. If a student is going to miss a class, the parent/guardian must call to let the office staff know. Parents should also tell their instructors well ahead of time if they will be away on a trip, or will miss any type of performance or exam.
• During class if a student complains of being ill, or sustains an injury and cannot participate, the instructor will send them to the office were the parents will be notified if not on the premises.
• Only students with a pre-existing sickness/injury are allowed to observe class. The parents must notify the office if a student is to observe class.
• All dancers and parents should show consideration to all dancers, other parents, staff and volunteers in the studio and at studio performances and festivals. No one should be overheard making negative comments about another child, studio or adjudicators decision.
• At no time may parents use profanity or make any public scenes directed at Dance Soul staff.
• All students, siblings and parents are to respect other people’s property as well as studio property and décor.
• All outside shoes must be taken off and placed in the boot racks. No exceptions at any time!
• Students and parents are to use the lunch room to eat meals and are expected to clean up after themselves.
• Dance Soul is not responsible for items lost or stolen at the studio and other events. Parents should be aware of dance items or shoes that are “from a friend” and thoroughly investigate new items brought home. All students, siblings and parents are to respect other people’s property as well as studio property and décor.

3. CLASS PLACEMENT

The most important aspect of class placement is that students are put into the level that will provide the most benefit to them. For class placement to be truly successful, both the parents and students must trust the professional judgment of each instructor.

Each class level has set requirements. Before a dancer is to advance to the next level, their instructor must be satisfied with the execution of the technique demonstrated and style initiated of the level they are currently working at. In all classes, there will always be dancers who are at the top of the class, those in the middle and those at the bottom. However all dancers excel in different areas. While Student A might be an excellent turner, her/his jumps might lack turn out. Consequently while Student B might have great extensions, s/he might have no control of their centre. And Student C might be behind in most technical areas, but demonstrates the most passion and style for her/his class. Again, it is up to the parents and students to trust the judgment of the Dance Soul staff.

Most times, students are placed according to their age, ability and experience. Of course there are some exceptions, such as a young student whose talent and focus (determined by the instructor and not the parent) require that she be placed in a class above her age level. Other reasons may be that there are simply not enough students to form two levels of classes. The minimum number of students needed to run a class is five, so in some cases multilevel classes might need to be formed. In this situation, the instructor will accommodate both levels’ needs. Additionally there is the case of older beginners. Mature students can understand, remember, and master the basics faster than those who are younger and less experienced. Consequently they will progress to higher levels at a faster pace.

4. INJURIES

Dance Soul Inc. and its staff are not held responsible for any injuries occurring while at the studio or in class. If a student suffers an injury, a doctor’s note will be needed before the student is allowed to physically participate in class again. Insurance waivers were attached to the registration form; if you have not read and signed one please do so at your earliest convenience.