Greendale Dance Academy

15 Ararat Street

Worcester, MA 01606

508-854-1434

www.GreendaleDanceAcademy.Com

Miss Melissa Singley, Owner/Director   -   Miss Jamie Graves, Assistant Director

Quality Dance Instruction For 30 Years!

Handbook 2023-2024

Welcome to our family!! We are glad that you are considering Greendale Dance Academy for dance lessons. We are proud to be family owned and operated and we strive to make everyone feel like they are a part of our family. This handbook will answer most of your questions.

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Registration

 Registration is open ONLINE. Visit our website and click CUSTOMER LOGIN to setup an account (or login into your account) and register for classes. A credit card is required and will be automatically charged to register online. All registrations are processed first come first serve with online registrations taking priority. Registrations will not be completed without payment of the registration fee and the first month’s tuition. If using a credit card, be sure automatic billing is turned on.

There is a yearly $30 non-refundable registration fee for the first dancer, $5 each additional with a $40 family cap, due upon registering for classes. Be sure to include this with your registration form.

Competition dancers are asked to register as soon as possible after summer hours and placement. Competition dancers registering for recreational classes or have siblings in recreational or classes should know that their dances WILL most likely be in different recitals. That means you will have to purchase tickets to multiple recitals in order to see all of your child(ren)’s dances.

Payment & Tuition

        We accept Cash (Exact amount please), Check, Debit Cards, MasterCard & Visa. Credit/Debit card payments can be made during office hours or online. The option to automatically charge your credit card monthly is available in the parent portal. Automatic charges that are declined will be retried later in the month. This carries over year to year. Automatic Billing will charge your credit card on the 1st of each month for tuition and for Recital Costume (October 1st). We also offer gift certificates.

Tuition is based on a yearly fee and is divided into 9 equal payments due the first class of every month for 9 months (Sept-May). It is not based on the number of classes each month. We encourage you to use automatic billing. Checks can be mailed to the studio or there is a tuition mailbox inside the entrance door on the right. Tuition is always due by the 7th of the month. A $15 late fee will be assessed on the 8th day of the month if not paid in full. Mail must be postmarked by the 7th to avoid the late fee. After May 14th, ALL payments must be cash or credit. Balances over 30 days result in your child not being allowed to dance until it is paid.*NEW* - Unlimited Class for $330/month. If more than one dancer in the family, see office for unlimited/family cap details. Family Cap of $472/month.

Any days off listed in the calendar have already been figured into the tuition. There are no discounts for vacations, holidays or days missed due to weather or public emergencies (see Snow days and Cancellations).

        If a late charge is assessed to any student’s account 3 times, the remainder of the year’s tuition will be due in full and the dancer will not be allowed to dance until payment is made.

Checks that are returned will be assessed a $25.00 return fee. If the tuition and returned check fee are not paid in full by the 7th of the month, the payment is considered late and will follow the fees for late payments as well.

        A 5% discount is available if the dance year tuition is paid in full with cash by October 7, 2023.

        Students in the same household may combine hours for greatest savings. Does not apply to solos, duos, trios or private classes. Private lessons and competitive solos, duos and trios are cash only.

        While we don’t have a waiting area, we do have Zoom streaming so parents can watch class. The waiting area is now a homework area for dancers that take multiple classes per night with a break in between. The office is open for payments and to answer questions. Automatic Billing will NOT be turned off if we are required to temporarily close and move classes online. You can turn off Automatic Billing in the parent portal or by contacting us by 12am on the first of the month. Parents will be able to watch class remotely via Zoom. Details will be provided before the first class.

Office Hours

        Office hours will be 4pm-7pm Mon-Thur, 4pm-6pm Fri and 9am-12pm Sat during the first week of the month (additional hours TBA). If paying with cash, please bring the exact amount. Please do not contact your child’s teacher on their personal phone or social media pages. Direct all questions to the office.

Year Long Expenses

        We believe in up front pricing. Here is what you can expect to pay for during a typical dance year:

1. Dance Tuition- due by the 7th of each month – September - May.
2. Recreational Recital Costumes- $60 per costume for Creative Movement Classes $70.00 per costume for all other dancers.  Recital costume due date is October 15th.  Credit Cards on Automatic Billing will be charged on October 1st for costume fees. Competition Costumes will range from $70-$110. (Subject to change)
3. Recital Tickets (based on 2023) appox. $20 per person plus fees.
4. Leotards, Tights and Shoes which can be purchased at any dance store. Ask us for local stores.
5. OPTIONAL EXPENSES- GDA Clothing (Order Online 24/7) and Recital Portraits (Appointments typically April vacation and June before recital).

Dress Code (Shoes sometimes change based on availability. Updates will be on our website in August.)

Creative Movement

Any Colored Leotard ● Any Colored Tights ● Pink ballet slippers Capezio Lily (boys – black) ● White Tap Shoes (Boys-Black) SODANCA TA-35 (with sewn elastic ties or button ties).

Combo Classes

Black Leotard ● Pink or Tan Tights

(Ballet/Tap Combo) Ballet Capezio Lily (Bloch S0203 is okay too) Girls Pink Boys Black, Tap Bloch S0302 Girls Tan Boys Black (Jazz/Acro) Capezio EM1 Agility Shoe.

Competition Combo Class

Black Leotard ● Convertible Pink or Tan Tights ● Shoes no changes ● Bare Feet for Acro

Ballet and Pointe

Black Leotard ● Pink Ballet Tights (Dancers with back to back classes may wear tan tights)● (opt.) Ballet skirt that lies above the knees ● Bloch S0203 Pink Girls Black Boys ● Hair must be in a slicked “ballerina” bun

Tap

Black Leotard ● Pink or Tan Tights ● Bloch S0302 (Boys black tie up)

Competition Level III, IV & V No Changes

Jazz –Lyrical – Musical Theater

Black Leotard ● Pink or Tan Tights ● JAZZ & MUSICAL THEATER Bloch 401 Super Jazz in Tan (Boys Black)● Lyrical & Contemporary Capezio Lifeknit footUndeez

Hip Hop

Hair can be worn down. Have to be able to move comfortably. No jeans, sport bra tops or half shirts. Shorts only if wearing tan tights. Black leotard and tan tights are fine as well. Capezio DS03 Black Dance Sneaker.Hip Hop 2 will be moving to a new shoe in 2023-2024. **IF DANCING IN ANOTHER CLASS THAT NIGHT- wear a leotard underneath to change clothes quickly.**

Acrobatics

Black Leotard ● Pink or Tan Tights ● Capezio EM1 Agility (Competition Acro Classes are Bare Feet)

Boys (for all classes)

Black sweatpants or shorts ● Black or WhiteT-Shirt ● Boys Hip Hop Capezio DS03 Black Dance Sneaker

Local Dance Stores: Dancer’s Boutique, Fitchburg, MA – Workout Warehouse, Auburn, MA

Shoes get discontinued from time to time. Check the website for updated lists under Classes.

*A dance sweater and/or dance pants are admissible, at the discretion of the teacher, for all subjects other than Ballet *

*Tights must be worn at all times * *Street clothes will not be accepted, this includes warm up suits, sweats, etc.*

*Two Piece Leotards Not Allowed* *Shoes MUST be worn to all classes which they are required.*

Dancers must be in complete dress code by October 7th.

Attendance

        Dancers progress best through consistent attendance. These are our policies regarding attendance.

1. If a student is unable to attend class, please call the studio ASAP prior to the start of class.
2. Makeup classes will be at the discretion of the director.
3. There are NO REFUNDS for missed classes.
4. Classes canceled due to the weather are not counted against a student’s attendance. However, there are no refunds for these classes. If we are required to close due to COVID-19 or other health emergency, Zoom or another online platform will be used for dance classes.
5. Students are welcome to watch a class if they have an injury. Students who opt to watch a class due to injury must have a doctor’s note to return to dance. However, students should NOT come to dance if they are too sick to dance or have missed school due to illness. Students must be free from a fever and/or vomiting for 24 hours before returning to dance.
6. Please be on time. Dancers will not be allowed into class if more than 5 minutes late. Arriving late is not only a disruption to class, it also prevents the dancer from properly warming up and can increase their chance of injury.
7. Students who miss 5 minutes or more of class (being late or leaving early) will be marked absent and will not be able to makeup that class.
8. Students missing 6 or more classes in one subject (3 for competition) will not be allowed to dance in the recital.

Snow Days and Cancellations

        If there is a morning delay or cancellation for Worcester Public Schools, ALL MORNING CLASSES WILL BE CANCELED. AFTERNOON CLASSES may be held even if school was canceled for the day. Please check  our website www.greendaledanceacademy.com or FACEBOOK and  INSTAGRAM will have weather cancellations. Classes will be canceled at least 1 hour before the start of class. There are no refunds for snow days or cancellations.

Studio Etiquette

        To help preserve our family friendly environment, we expect that you will:

1. Treat staff, dancers, and your own family members respectfully. That includes no swearing, yelling, or roughhousing (pushing, shoving, etc.) while on studio property.
2. NO SMOKING on the studio property.
3. Dancers may bring bottled water to class if they participate in more than 1 class per night. We ask that water be the only drink brought into the dance studio and that they label their bottle.
4. Clean up after yourself. If a spill happens and you can’t pick it up, please let a staff member know.
5. No gum in the studio, PLEASE.
6. Dancers need to use the bathroom before arriving at the studio. Leaving in the middle of class will be discouraged.
7. Students will silent their phones while inside the studio.
8. SmartWatches should not be worn to class.
9. Please pick your child up on time. After 15 minutes, you will be charged $10 per quarter hour.
10. Please follow the One Way Traffic Pattern and be courteous to others in the parking lot.

Drop Off and Pick Up IMPORTANT

        Our classes are 50 minutes. Dancers taking consecutive classes can stay between classes. Dancers should be dropped off on time for class. Please use the drop off line if possible. For pickup, parents should arrive and park in a parking spot approximately 5 minutes before the end of class. If younger dancers need parents, you may wait for your child at the exit to their dance room. Please do not be late. Please do not park on the exit hill before 5:30pm and never park in the pickup line.

Annual Recital and Recital Tickets

        The Recital Will Be  June 8, 2024. There is no rehearsal planned.

We do our best to limit the number of recitals your dancers are in, but we can’t guarantee they will be in the same show. Please note that in some cases, this is just not possible and siblings may end up in 2 different recitals based on the classes your dancers take and you may have to purchase tickets to two recital shows.  In general plan on Creative Movement & Combo Classes in the 1st recital. Level 1 classes in the 2nd recital. Level 2 & Competition classes in the 3rd recital. Select competition dances may also perform throughout the day.

Participation in the recital is not mandatory, however once a costume is purchased, you have committed to performing in the recital.

Recital tickets are General Admission. Tickets are non-refundable and GDA will not be responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Due to state and local fire laws, everyone needs to have a ticket to enter the auditorium. This includes infants and children that may sit on your lap. Dancers who are dancing do not need a ticket unless they watch the show. All of this is subject to change based on the state guidance for large group gatherings.

        No dancer will be allowed to dance in the recital unless their account is paid in full. Dancers with injuries need to provide a Doctor’s note at least 2 weeks prior to the recital in order to participate.

        All dancers in the recital need to purchase a costume (see above). Any costume not paid for in full by the due date will not be purchased. There are no refunds for paid costumes. Please note: Costumes are NOT custom made to fit every student exactly. We compare the dancer’s measurements to the company’s sizing chart and order with a little room to grow. Costumes come in sizes much like a store: Small, Medium, Large, etc. Alterations are sometimes necessary and are your responsibility.

        Dancers who planned to be in the recital but quit or are dismissed beforehand may need to allow another student to borrow their costume to fill their spot in the dance. However, a refund for the costume will not be given.

Competition

        Competition requires a high level of commitment by the dancer, teacher and parent. While this is a rewarding experience, please understand that in order to get a dance team to the competitive level, dance must be the primary extra curricular activity of the dancer and summer classes are mandatory. Here are some other things to consider:

1. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY – only 3 absences per dance will be allowed. Dancers may not be absent from the last rehearsal before the competition.
3. + At the discretion of the director, the competition experience may be offered by audition only.
4. Competition fees and costs are the responsibility of the dancer. That includes costumes, entrance fees, make-up, travel, instruction, etc. All fees are due by the dates announced.
5. In order to be considered for competition team dancers must have accumulated a minimum number of hours of dance at our studio over the summer.  Dancers must also register for all mandatory classes.

While we take competition seriously, we want the dancers to have fun, learn, and be proud of their accomplishments.

Lost And Found

        The lost and found box is in the waiting area and is emptied each month. All items will be given to charity.

GDA Attire and Gifts

        Warm up suits, jackets, t-shirts, bags, and other GDA attire is available for order online through our website and we will also have “Pop-Up” sales for special events like the holidays.

Gift Certificates

        Gift Certificates are available for purchase. See the office for details.

Schedule

        Sept:        9th Classes Begin (Sat.)

        Oct:        7th-9th Closed

                14th Recital Costume Money is Due.

31st Closed for Halloween!

        Nov:         22nd-25th  Closed for Thanksgiving (Resume classes on 11/27)

        Dec:         23rd – Jan 1st  Closed for Christmas and New Year’s. (Resume classes on Tuesday 1/2/2024)

        Jan:         2nd Studio Reopens

        Feb:         19th-24th Closed for Vacation (closed second Saturday)

        March:

        April:     13th-19th Closed for Vacation (closed first Saturday)

        May:         TBA Recital Ticket General Sale Date

                24th-27th Closed for Memorial Day (Closed Friday-Monday)

        June:          3rd Last Day of Dance

                8th Our 30th Annual Recital

Questions

        Answers to most of your questions will be found here in the handbook or online at www.GreendaleDanceAcademy.com. You can feel free to write Miss Melissa, Miss Jamie Graves or the teacher a note, call the studio or email us at info@greendaledanceacademy.com. We do our best to return messages in a timely manner.

        We want our studio to run as smoothly as possible, but it is up to you to help us make that happen. It is very important that you do your part by reading what we send home, especially the notices during the year.

☺ THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING GREENDALE DANCE ACADEMY! ☺

*Subject to change. Any discrepancies in this handbook will be decided at the discretion of the director*