Our Policies

Thank you for your interest in Dance Works Unlimited. We would like to welcome all of our new students as well as our returning students for another amazing season of dancing. At Dance Works Unlimited, we strive to create an atmosphere where children are excited to learn and grow.

Our 4000 square foot studio is located in Lancer Square shopping center. Come and experience our spacious instruction areas, larger lobby, and unlimited parking.

Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with our polices.

NOTE: Policies are subject to change without notice.

Classes Offered

CLASSES OFFERED
Classes offered for ages 2-Adult
Classes: Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Tumbling, Cheer Dance, Pointe, and Clogging. Competitive classes available through audition.

Registration Fee and Trial Class

REGISTRATION FEE
A registration fee of $25.00 per family is required to reserve a space for the student in a particular class. A student’s space is not reserved and registration is incomplete until the registration fee is paid. Registration is non-refundable, and all registration fees received after September 1, 2010 will be charged a $15.00 late fee, no exceptions.

FREE TRIAL CLASS
Prospective students are invited to take class on a trial basis for which they will not be charged if they do not enroll at DWU.

Class Tuition

CLASS TUITION
The price for tuition is calculated by month. The monthly payment is expected to be paid in full by the first day of each month, regardless of absences. There will be no pro-rating of fees. If payment is not fully paid by the 10th of each month, a $15.00 late charge will be added to the balance. If a balance is not paid, a student may be prohibited from participating in class until the balance is received in full. If any balances remain on the day of the dress rehearsal, the student will not be allowed to participate in the recital. Fees must be paid BEFORE the day of the rehearsal. Payment will not be accepted on the day of the dress rehearsal. If a student decides to drop from a class, the studio must be notified IN WRITING so that their account is closed and they will not be billed. Tuition is expected in full for the entire month of the last class the student attends, no matter how many classes the student actually attended. If unpaid balances still exist, the entire amount will be turned over to a collection agency.

Late Fees: $15.00
Returned Check Fees: $30.00

Special Classes and Private Lessons

SPECIAL CLASSES
Students who wish to perform a solo, duet, or trio should schedule classes with the instructor. Payment for these will be due at the completion of the choreography.
            PRICES
            Solo: $250.00
            Duet/Trio/Quad: $150 per person

This payment includes four cleaning classes. After those four classes have been complete, additional classes may be scheduled at a monthly rate.

If payment is not received at the completion of choreography, a $15.00 late fee will be added PER MONTH until payment is received in full.

PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons can be scheduled with the instructor at a charge of $25.00 per hour.

Insurance and Liability

INSURANCE
Dance Works Unlimited does not carry medical insurance for its students. If an injury occurs, the student’s own policy shall be the only source of reimbursement. If an injury does occur, the student should still attend class to observe and learn what is being taught, even if participation is minimal.

UNSUPERVISED STUDENTS
If a student stays at the studio between classes, comes from school, etc., the studio will not be held liable if the student does not follow their parent’s expectations. There is many things going on at the studio, therefore it is not possible to monitor all activity going on inside and outside the studio. The parent MUST inform their child of their expectations, and whether or not the child has permission to leave the studio under any circumstances. Parents do have the option to let the studio staff know whether the child has permission to leave between classes.

Class Placement, Advanced Level Classes, Competition, and Attendance

CLASS PLACEMENT
Studio staff meets regularly to discuss students’ progress and/or placement. Placement is made based on a student’s talent, ability, and skill level. Many times a child may be placed in a particular class level or group to foster self-esteem and confidence. If a student is placed in a level too advanced, they often become discouraged and lose their desire or, in some cases, a student may respond to the challenge by pushing themselves. Placement is based on an individual basis and many things are factored in before a decision is made. If a student needs to be moved after classes start, it will be at the instructor’s discretion to place them accordingly. If a change is needed, the instructor will notify the student and parent. If a parent feels a move is necessary, the request must be made in writing to Ms. Karen. SHE WILL DISCUSS THE REQUEST WITH THE INSTRUCTOR(S) TO DETERMINE IF A CHANGE IS APPROPRIATE. POOR ATTENDANCE WILL DIRECTLY AFFECT PLACEMENT ADVANCEMENT.

ADVANCED LEVEL CLASSES
All students enrolled in advanced level classes, with the exception of Hip-Hop, will be REQURED to attend a ballet class as well. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.

AWARD-WINNING COMPETITION CLASSES
Our competition teams are designed for students who desire more intense dance training beyond a weekly basis. Classes meet at least twice a week and attend a minimum of 4 competitions per year. Admittance to these classes is by AUDITION ONLY.

ATTENDANCE
In order for the student to gain as much knowledge, skill, and practice as possible, it is imperative that the student have good class attendance. Please make an effort to attend every class, as it holds the entire class back if one student is missing. If an absence is known about in advance, please inform the instructor so that they can be better prepared. Students who miss an excessive amount of class will be expected to schedule private lessons to make up missed time.

Class Observation and Waiting Area

CLASS OBSERVATION
Parents are allowed to view classes through the convenience of our two-way mirrors in each of our rooms. This allows parents to watch class progress with out disturbance.


WAITING AREA
The waiting area is provided for parents and students, but it can become a distraction. The noise level should be kept at a minimum, and walkways should stay cleared for incoming traffic. If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please address the studio staff and not another parent, so that all questions and concerns can be addressed and handled.  Parents are to supervise their own children, and children ARE NOT to be left unattended FOR ANY REASON. All students and parents are expected to clean up after themselves and their children.

Keeping Up To Date

MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
Each month, a newsletter will be available containing important new information, schedule changes, and upcoming events. It is the responsibility of the students and parents to obtain a newsletter each month and read over the information carefully, making sure that each portion is understood. Information will also be posted on the website, www.danceworksunlimited.com, and questions can be answered through email or by phone.

HOLIDAYS
Students will be notified of studio closings due to a holiday through the monthly newsletter. With many students attending school in multiple school districts, it is imperative to use the newsletter as their source of notification.

Recital, Trophies, and Costume Fees

RECITAL
Dance Works Unlimited’s Annual Recital will tentatively be held at Lancaster High School in the auditorium (pending contract approval). Rehearsal will be scheduled for the evening before the recital. The specific dates will be announced as soon as possible, once everything is confirmed. REHEARSAL IS NOT OPTIONAL, AND STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MISS THE REHEARSAL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. STUDENTS WILL BE WITHHELD FROM THE RECITAL IF REHEARSAL IS NOT ATTENDED. It is the student’s responsibility to let the studio know of a conflict PRIOR to the scheduling of the recital and rehearsal. All conflicts will be taken into consideration as much as possible when creating the rehearsal schedule, so that as many accommodations can be made as possible. Once the schedule is complete, it cannot be changed. There will be two recital performances, and students may be participating in only one performance or both. A schedule will be available so that parents know when their child will be performing, and in which performance.

A recital fee of $40.00 will be due no later than April 1, 2011. For families with more than one student, a $7.00 charge for each additional student (the first student will be covered in the $40.00 flat fee) will be due on the same day. This fee includes one copy of the recital program book per student, trophies (if applicable), and a medal for each student. The fee also covers facility rental charges, security charges, decorations and props.

Extra practices will be scheduled in order for students to get ready for performances (competition or recital). There will be no additional charge, but students are expected to be at all additional practices. If a student fails to attend additional practices, the instructor may choose to remove the student from the show.

The studio will sell t-shirts for the 2011 Recital. T-shirts are a great way to remember such an important event, and the shirt is perfect to practice in on the night of the rehearsal. The design and price will be given at a later date.

Students, parents, friends, and the community are given the opportunity to support the dancers by placing an ad on the t-shirt or in the recital program. Flowers and DVDs of the performance will also be available to pre-order or order on the night of the performance. Ms. Karen will have more details closer to the recital date.

TROPHIES
Three, five, ten and fifteen year trophies will be presented to each student upon the completion of those years of dance study.

COSTUME FEES
Costume fees can run anywhere from $50.00-$75.00 per costume for non-competition students. This does not include tights, and the studio will work to keep prices as low as possible. A $45.00 deposit (per class) will be due before October 1, and is non-refundable. A second deposit of $45.00 (per class) will be due December 1, 2010. Costumes will not be ordered until both deposits are paid in full. Remaining costume balances will be due in full February 1. You may choose to add funds to your monthly tuition fee to be applied toward your costume balance. If a costume balance is not completely paid by March 1, a $5.00 late fee charge will be added to the costume balance. An additional $5.00 late fee will be added each following month until the balance is paid in full. If a child decides to drop a class prior to the recital, the costume deposits will NOT be refunded. When costumes are ordered, the company supplying them does not guarantee refunds. When costumes have arrived, students will be notified so that they can pick up their costumes. If a student would like a specific size, the size and their name need to be in writing to be turned into Ms. Karen. The studio is not responsible for alterations-this responsibility falls solely on the student. If an exchange is needed, the studio cannot guarantee that the costume will arrive in time for competition or for the recital. If a parent/student decides to exchange their costume, an exchange fee of $25.00 will be charged to cover shipping costs or manufacturer’s fees. If a student has a balance that is past due, they will not receive their costume until all of the balance is paid. This includes costume deposits and fees and tuition fees.  Information regarding hair or jewelry will be given to the student and also will be listed in the monthly newsletters leading up to spring competitions and the recital.

Etiquette, Dress Attire, Appearance, and Personal Items

CLASS ETIQUETTE
No food, soda, gum or cell phones allowed in dance room. Cell phnes will be taken and only returned to parent if answered during class time.

Please keep our studio clean. There are tables located in the back of the studio for homework and crates for book bags.

PROPER DRESS ATTIRE
  · No jewelry allowed in class
  · Tights must be worn at all times
  · Ladies should wear tight fitting dancewear. Babies who wish to wear skirts should have skirts attached to leotard.
  · Boys should wear black sweat pants (not too baggy and not too long) and a solid color short sleeve t-shirt or tank top.
  · NO soffe shorts allowed except in cheer dance class and tumbling
  · No panties should be worn under dancewear.

HAIR:
All students must have hair pulled back away from the face and neck (pony tail, braid, or bun) at all times.

SHOES:
The proper shoes are a necessity for class participation. You will receive a list of required shoes upon registration. All tap shoes for younger children need elastic ties in them with the ribbons removed.

PERSONAL ITEMS
Label all shoes and dancewear with students’ full name. We are not responsible for lost items.
Dance Works Unlimited