Studio Policies
REGISTRATION / TUITION
A $35 registration fee ($25 Returning Students), due at time of registration, will be charged per student. This fee holds your place in the class and is non-refundable. Upon registration parent/student agrees to abide by ALL policies set forth by Backstage Dance Company.
Tuition is due at the time of registration or on the first of each month for those on a monthly payment plan. Tuition is due on the first regardless of studio closings, missed classes, etc. To ensure payments are made on time you may enroll in our monthly audo debit. A 10% discount is offered for full school year students if tuition is paid in full by the first week of classes. Monthly students are encouraged to keep a credit/debit card on file to be billed automatically the first week of each month Students who do not wish to keep a card on file are responsible for making payments on time each month. Late payments are subject to a $15 late fee. Please make all checks payable to "Backstage Dance Company."
Summer camp tuition is non-refundable but is transferable to another open camp or future class with a minimum two week notice.
All refunds require a two week notice and will be issued in the form of a studio account credit for the full amount of any remaining classes or in the form of the original payment for the full amount of any remaining classes minus a $25 administrative fee.
COMMUNICATION POLICY
Important class information and announcements will be posted on our whiteboard, bulletin board as well as emailed. It is each student or parent’s responsibility to check the whiteboard each week to make sure you stay up to date. If you miss a class or for whatever reason do not come with your student to class, it is your responsibility to check the whiteboard and bulletin board, or cal the office and ask for the weekly announcement information.
DRESS CODE - CLASSES
Students work harder and stay more focused when outfitted properly for class. The studio is a special place with a special dress code. All students are to adhere to the BDC dress code for each class. Many thanks for your cooperation!
Dress Code
This year, each level/dance style will have its own leotard color! This will help both students and faculty identify everyone, and give each child a sense of advancement through the levels. Any student with long hair must have it neatly secured in a bun or twist; the office will have extra elastics and pins for students who forgot their own. Ponytails and braids will not be permitted.
We prefer you get your classwear through us so that students look the same.
CHEER
Students are to wear studio shorts, and studio tank/fitted tee, and tennis shoes to class.
TUMBLING
There are 3 studio Biketards for ages 3-13 to choose from. Students ages 13+ are to wear form fitting clothing. A leotard or biketard is recommended. If wearing tights they must be footless or convertible. No shoes or socks please. No baggy clothing
HIP HOP
Students may wear any comfortable clothing and clean tennis shoes. No denim please.
TAP, JAZZ & TAP/JAZZ COMBO CLASSES -
Black leotard and tan tights for girls. Black dance pants and white T-shirts for boys. Tan tap shoes and/or tan jazz shoes.
LITTLE ELVES & BALLET/TAP COMBO ages 2 - 3.5
Studio light pink leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes & Tan tap shoes for combo.
LITTLE FAIRIES
Studio lilac leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes
DANCING PRINCESSES, BALLET/TAP COMBO & BALLET/JAZZ COMBO ages 4-6
Studio light blue leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes and/or tan jazz or tap shoes.
BLOSSOMING BALLERINAS
Studio black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes
LYRICAL -
Black leotard or unitard, tan footless or convertible tights, lyrical sandals.
MODERN -
Black leotard or unitard, footless or convertible tights, bare feet
MUSICAL THEATRE -
Black dance pants, tan jazz shoes, white t shirt or black leotard
For all your shoe and apparel needs we are happy to refer our students to Bella Dance Couture. Ourstaff will professionally fit your child for both shoes and apparel. Our prices are 15%-25% lower than all other area dance stores. Find something cheaper somewhere else. We will price match!
WEATHER RELATED STUDIO CLOSINGS
In the event of inclement weather, BDC class cancellations follow Knox County School District closings. We will also post cancellations on our website and email everyone for your convenience. There will be no make-ups for these missed classes - refunds will not be given.
If our area is experiencing severe weather, please call the studio at 865.524.2300 at least one hour before your scheduled class time. There will be a recorded message giving updated information as to studio closings. If the Knox County school system is closed during the day, we will not have classes during the evening. Road conditions, teachers traveling distance and studio parking lot conditions all come into play regarding our decision.
ALWAYS CALL THE STUDIO AND/OR CHECK THE WEBSITE WHEN IN DOUBT ABOUT WEATHER.
CLASS PLACEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT
Placement in the appropriate class is important to each student’s skill development and personal growth. For students younger than seven, placement is based on the student’s age as of the first day of class. For students age seven and older, skill level and experience are also considered. Premature advancement to the next level can have a profound and negative impact both on a student’s self-confidence, and on skill acquisition and development of proper technique. The instructor’s placement decisions are final and are always meant to be in the best interest of the student.
POINTE
Pointe can be a beautiful and exciting extension of a student's ballet training. However, going en pointe is a serious commitment and not something to be undertaken lightly. It is BDC's
policy that no student will be allowed to start pointe work before they are both physically and technically prepared. Readiness will be determined by the instructor and all decisions made by the instructor in this matter are final. General guidelines for pointe readiness are as follows:
- No student will be allowed to go en pointe until they are at least 11 years old. The average age is 12 - 14.
- No student will be allowed to go en pointe until they have at least 3 years of prior dance experience.
- No student will be allowed to go en pointe before they have developed sufficient strength in their feet, legs, and center to maintain proper alignment and balance in flat shoes.
- All decisions made by the instructor are final and are meant to be in the best interest of the student.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons are available in any style subject to teacher and space availability; call the studio to inquire. In order to perform a solo or duet in the recital, the student must be enrolled in a technique class corresponding to the solo/duet style as well as a ballet class and be at least 10 years old.
HOLIDAY & END OF YEAR RECITAL
Holiday Performance is staged before Christmas Break. All students will get the opportunity to perform on stage with their class, complete with lights, music and an audience filled with supportive loved ones. The Holiday Performance serves as a stepping stone for our end of the year recital. Dancers are excited to show what they have learned thus far in the dance year (August-December).
Annual Production
Second to none - definitely not your ordinary dance recital
A Spectacular Performance, showcasing our students, the “stars” of this production. Complete with professional staging, sets and scenery, lighting, music, costumes and professional program/yearbook. All BDC students are invited to participate in our Annual Production and since Dance is a Performing Art, we encourage each student to take advantage of this opportunity. Our productions are carefully planned and we make sure that our students are prepared and feel confident about their performance – and it shows!! Audiences filled with family and friends and many, many dance teachers from studios near and far, comment on how impressive our production is. It is more than just a dance recital – it’s a gala production!
Summer session students do not perform in a recital but have a smaller, in-class demonstration instead. The annual recital gives students the opportunity to showcase what they have learned throughout the year and is meant to be a fun and exciting way to cap off the season.
Withdrawal Policy
It is studio policy that there are no refunds on the registration fee for any reason. Please do not register unless you plan to attend class regularly. The school year begins in August and goes throughout the end of June.
We hope that each student will complete the year, but if a student should discontinue a class a 30-day notice is required. A WITHDRAWAL letter must be submitted to the office by the 1st of the month to stop the next months charges to your account. Any withdrawal forms completed after the 1st will be considered dated as the first of the next month. Monthly tuition is computed on the entire school year and is the same each month, including those shortened by holiday's, etc. Please do not ask to be an exception to this policy. This policy goes for each and every student. There will be no exceptions for ANY reason.
Class Cancellations
All classes are subject to possible cancellation based on low enrollment. Cancellations are rare (more prevalent in summer, however) but the policy is necessary to ensure a quality dance experience for each dancer as it relates to performing groups as well as financial reasons. If a class is canceled, you will receive your option of either a refund or credit for classes not taken.
Make-Ups
Like most scholastic institutions, Backstage Dance Company offers classes on a session basis. When you register your student, you are registering for the entire session and not on a per-class basis. Therefore, individual classes that are missed cannot be substituted and will neither be refunded nor credited to an account.
With several hundred students and with years of experience, we have found that make-ups do not benefit students. When children are placed in a new setting for only one class, it creates confusion, disciplinary problems, and unnecessary strain on both the students and the teachers. Every class works at its own pace, has its own unique performance dances, and most of our classes are full to capacity, thus additionally preventing make-ups. Regular attendance in a child's own class is what works best for all.
In case of unexpected teacher absence, sickness, or the like, if we cannot provide a substitute teacher, we will reschedule the class. Accounts will be credited only if BDC is unable to provide a substitute and/or reshedule the class.
If you would like to schedule a meeting with your child’s instructor please call the office 524-2300. You may also e-mail your questions to us at
Drop-off/Pickup
Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up students on time. For younger students, please arrive to class early as it helps to alleviate separation anxiety. Classes will begin on time. Please do not pick up your children in the parking lot. You are welcome to come into the studio five minutes prior to the end of class to ensure that your child safely leaves the building. Students who are minors must be accompanied by an adult before their lesson and when leaving their lesson. Instructors will ensure that students stay inside the studio. Please notify us if a different adult will be picking him/her up. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD UNDERSTANDS THESE POLICIES.
*Please refer to your student handbook/recital handbook for more detailed dates and answers to any questions that you might have.
