Dartmouth Dance Academy

Info & Policies

Goals	Terms	Attendance	Attire	Exams
Parent Day	Notices	Recital	Costumes	Photography
Shoe Change	Cancelled Classes		Contact Info	Fusion Dance Team

Welcome to Dartmouth Dance Academy!
(For a Printable PDF version of this information, click here.)

Info & Policies
Please Read Carefully- Dancers and Parents will be responsible for all information found in this package.

GOALS:
Our goals are:

To provide a warm, friendly atmosphere allowing students to create and express themselves.
To encourage students to reach their full potential.
To develop amateur and professional qualifications.
To provide students with performance opportunities.
To develop team spirit, exercise, poise and character.
To develop sound technique and a love of dance.

TERMS
Dance is offered for two terms of progressive training, September to May. The time will be consistent providing sufficient enrollment. We end our Dance year with a Recital in May.

ATTENDANCE
To fully participate in class and out of consideration of fellow students and teachers, we ask students to be prepared to dance at the time designated. We appreciate the effort that students and parents make to be on time. We ask that students use the washroom prior to class.

Parents/Guardians of young children must be available outside the studio to attend to any emergencies that may arise (e.g. washroom) during students’ class times. We ask that children be picked up from class at the correct time, as exchanging of students between sessions does not allow for adequate supervision for baby-sitting. Teachers will discuss what we do to provide a systematic and safe method for pickup.

POLICY: ANY STUDENT MISSING 3 CLASSES IN ANY GIVEN TERM MAY RISK NOT BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE YEAR END RECITAL OR DANCE EXAMS- THIS IS LEFT UP TO THE TEACHER’S DISCRETION.

ATTIRE
Dress code: Dance attire is listed in our brochure and is posted on our bulletin board and website. Dance attire should be labeled (including shoes) to prevent loss.
*** If it is deemed that your child’s attire may cause a safety issue, your child may be asked to remain seated for the duration of the class.

EXAMS
Exams are optional. They are taken at the discretion of the teacher in all three disciplines. Students are not required to take these exams but are encouraged. They prove to be a valuable assessment of progress for student and teacher. They are recognized across Canada and are high school credits in some provinces. Dance examinations are not usually taken until the second or third year of dance and are usually taken in the spring. Students are evaluated through the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA), a national organization that provides the standards for dance school students and instructors.

Students may take graded (theory) and medal testing (performance) and they receive certificates and/or medals. These exams can lead to professional certification. You will be notified if your child qualifies for a Dance Exam. Parents should understand that Dance Exams are sometimes booked during regular School Hours (during a weekday morning or afternoon) and are at times booked in another location than where your child normally takes their Dance Classes. Payments for exams will be required in February.

PARENT DAY
Watch for a notice near the end of 1st term to invite you to attend a class in progress. This time can be used for Questions and Answer. If a matter is urgent, please give the teacher your phone number and the teacher or Lisa will call you rather than take up class time.

New students, particularly students in the Toddler and Pre-School Classes, are often nervous or shy in the first few classes. The teacher will make suggestions, such as a parent attending the class or allowing the child to see you if you are waiting outside. The aim is to diminish the need for a parent to be present all the time. Students participate more freely when others are not watching and look forward to Parent Day to be able to perform for their parents.

NOTICES
During the Dance Year, there will be several notices sent home regarding Parent Day, Recital, and Exams etc. Please check with your child as well as the bulletin board for important information. Information and notices will be available on the DDA website- visit anytime at www.dartmouthdance.ca

RECITAL
Our annual recital takes place in May each year and is a wonderful experience for Parent and child alike. The costumes, dances and the ambience of the theatre is a rewarding experience for a dancer. If you cannot participate let the teacher know by the second term if possible, as costumes and dances will be prepared by then. Recital costs are kept to a minimum. Rehearsals are held for the recital and are counted as a class during the second term. For safety reasons the rehearsals are mandatory to participate in the recital. Complete recital information will be distributed and posted on the bulletin board.

COSTUMES
A costume is required for each discipline (Ballet, Jazz, Tap etc) that your child is enrolled in. Costumes are resold, revamped, re-used, loaned and/or wearable for everyday use if possible. The staff spend many hours trying to find the best prices for you that they can. Payment for costumes will be required in November for older dancers and January for younger classes . Costume costs are non-refundable once ordered. It is advisable to keep your costumes from year to year because Dartmouth Dance Academy may be able to sell, re-use or add to existing ones. Please pay your costume fee on time so that the instructor can proceed with purchasing costumes. Please see DDA Bulleting Board or website for costume policy.

PHOTOGRAPHY
DDA school photos are done in May each year. These pictures are done by a professional photographer and are taken in full dance costume. All dances are photographed and we ask that all students be present even if you do not wish to purchase photos, as group pictures are taken as well. Photo days are counted as a class during second term.

SHOE EXCHANGE
Shoes for sale should be tied together in a see-through bag with name, telephone number, and price listed on the shoe or on an index card that is attached. Shoes can be put in the 2nd hand box at either location. DDA cannot be responsible for lost or stolen shoes.

CANCELLED CLASSES
This facility rarely cancels classes. In emergencies there will be public announcements so check TV, radio, or call the Facility. In case of cancellation, a staff member will also try and reach you.

FUSION DANCE TEAMS
Ms. Lisa Hart directs Fusion Dance Team(s). Fusion is a competitive performance troupe. For complete info click here, or see “Fusion Competition Dance Team” in the menu at the top of this page (right-hand side).

CONTACT INFO
For further info, visit our website at www.dartmouthdance.ca DDA Faculty each have work emails posted online. Questions pertaining to your class, inquiries, or attendance notes may be sent to your teacher’s email. Staff are not available for contact by phone .

For Information anytime email director@dartmouthdance.ca

We hope you enjoy the year with us.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING DARTMOUTH DANCE ACADEMY!