Brenda Lee Dance Company

2005-2006 Studio Policies & Procedures

Levels:
During the first 6 weeks of classes we evaluate students to make sure they are placed in the proper classes. This procedure assures that students receive the correct training for their abilities, age and level.

Parents in the Class:
Parents are not allowed to watch class. Focus is paramount for the serious study of dance. We have 2 Open House functions per year where Parents and friends are invited to see what their children are learning. Our reception areas are purposely small to encourage Parents to handle their business, leave and enjoy a time of solitude, shopping, personal pampering etc. You may send payment in with your child and call between the hours of 4pm- 9pm if you have further questions or needs. Our office staff will contact you if the need arises.

Dance attire:
Students should wear proper dance clothing for all classes.
Females: Black leotard, (Fall/winter/Spring: longsleeve- Summer: short sleeve) suntan tights, pink ballet slippers, tan jazz boots, black tap shoes (Mary Janes: age 11 and under, 1 1/2 inch black tap shoes with Heels: age 12 and up, levels 8 and up: Hoofer tap shoes as well as heels.) Black ballet skirt, Black jazz pants. In Ballet class: extra clothing such as jazz pants, sweatpants, etc. should not be worn. The instructor needs to see the form to facilitate proper corrections in class. Hair must be back. Beads, excessive hairbows etc. not allowed. No jewelry. Scarves are allowed only if they are tied neatly, look presentable and are secured. They must not come off and force other dancers to slip. See studio newsletter or call for more details if needed. (Remember: real dance tights will serve as the undergarment when in dance class, rehearsal or performance.)

CT/PT females: Must have attire listed above as well as pink tights, tap shoes with 11/2inch heels if in tap level 5 or higher or age 13 and up. Level 8 and above tappers must have hoofer tap shoes as well as the 11/2 inch heels.

Hip-Hop: Black dance sneakers with loose, movable, breathable, flexible clothing. No jewelry. Girls must wear a leotard underneath regardless of clothing choice for hip-hop for the sake of modesty. Color of the leotard and tights is up to the student and Parent.

Mommy and Me: Adults may were anything that's comfortable. The baby ballerinas (age 3 & 4) should wear pink ballet slippers with a leotard & tights selected by the Mother.

Males: (Tap/Hip-Hop curriculum) Tap: Black tap oxfords, Black sweat pants, white or black T shirt. Dance Belt. Hip-Hop: Black jazz sneakers, moveable, breathable urban styled clothing.

Males: Int. - Adv Ballet: White male tights, white Ballet slippers, white male Tank leotard.

Males: Int. - Adv. Modern: (feet out, all black same items used in ballet class)

Males: Beginner Ballet/Modern: Black sweat or parachute pants,white T, dance belt, white ballet slippers for Ballet, feet out for Modern.

Clothing & shoes may be ordered at the studio for your convenience with pre-payment. You will receive your items within 7-14 days. Dancewear can also be purchased at "Baums" on 11th street near Chestnut in center city Philadelphia or "Footloose" on Old York Rd. in Abington.

*Everyone: Official Dance Studio T-shirt

*Optional: Dance Studio Backpack or drawstring bag

CT/PT and Aspiration dancers: must have studio wind suit, garment bag and makeup kit for performances, competitions and travel.

Tuition:
We guarantee 33 weeks of class per dance year. Our tuition is based on a yearly fee broken down in to 10 monthly installments for the financial convenience of our Parents. A 10% discount is given to those who pay the entire tuition the 1st week of class each year in September. Fees are due the 1st class of each month when dancer comes to class. Remember: monthly installment tuition is due on the dancers first class day of the month. If tuition will come after the 1st 7 days in a month, a phone class must be made by the Parent informing the office and giving a promised date we can expect payment. Grace is given in these situations only 3 times in a dance year per student and will incur a $15.00 late fee if paid after the 10th. This gives everyone one class day to make the payment (1st-7th of the month), then a 3-day grace period (if phone call and promise has been made) to get the payment in. If a student is not in class on the first class day, Parents have several days to mail in the payment, bring it by the office, etc. Dance is an art. It's study requires a financial commitment.

Installment Plan:
Monthly Class Payments are due the 1st day the dancer attends class in the 1st week of each month. Financial obligations, bills, and other expenses of the studio do not change from month to month. We ask that the Golden rule principle would be applied in the paying of your child's tuition. We hope you appreciate our grace policy and understand our payment policy. If a student becomes more than 2 months behind in tuition and late fees, we will drop her/him from our roll. Bounced checks require a fee as well. Our rates are extremely reasonable. We offer a professional staff along with a loving family atmosphere and a 25 year track record of excellence in dance and the performing arts. Teaching true Technique, our graded levels, instructors with dance degrees and certifications as well as our stellar reputation have lifted us up to a special pinnacle and place in the history of Northwest Philadelphia and it's surrounding suburbs. Class, dignity, sincerity and artistry are hallmarks of our studio.

Makeup Classes:
Tuition covers 33 weeks of class. Makeup classes are not needed because our dancers will receive more than 33 weeks of class by the time our recital is held in June which will cover missed lessons. We will not charge any extra fees for the extra classes that each dancer will receive. Therefore, Makeup classes are not necessary. Tuition is based on a yearly fee broken into installments. Parent must pay regardless of absences. If a student misses an exorbitant amt. of classes, re-leveling and remedial teaching may be needed. The office staff or director will contact the Parent if remedial work is necessary.

Bad weather closings:
In the case of inclement weather, we will close whenever Philadelphia or Springfield's public or parochial schools are closed. Please call the studio if you are ever in doubt before venturing out in bad weather. (A recorded message will inform you when you call in.)

Newsletters/Communication:
Once per season, each student will receive a newsletter. Students involved in the CT/PT will receive a monthly gazette as well. Beginning Oct. 30th: We will have a file box with each students name that is alphabetized and available for Parents to check at least once per month for notices. Our office staff is very communicative with Parents will communicate if there are pressing issues and our calling post recorded service will make courtesy reminder calls and bad weather alerts.

Parking:
Our Wyndmoor location features excellent parking on the side street as far down as the playground. We hope you will use this street. There is a small shared parking lot in the back of the studio. If you park there, do not block the other drivers. Please do not park on Willow Grove Ave. in front of the building. It is unlawful. There is also a hardware store with a parking lot. Our Philadelphia location offers residential parking as well.

Parents Club at Large:
Every year in October, we offer a candy sale fundraiser in October to help defray recital costume accessory needs. Tights have been provided for each student through this fundraiser for over 24 years. We ask that every Parent/student would help with this fundraiser. Other annual Parents club fundraisers include flowers buds in the Spring and a trip to Dorney Park in the summer. They help with gifts for teachers at the recitals and in years past have been successful enough to pay for a complete recital costume for the active Parents. If you want to participate, please tell Mrs. Lee (the studio GrandMother/Ms. BrendaLee's Mother) by filling out the special form that will accompany our newsletter.

Booster Club:
This is a fundraising team for the Parents, GrandParents and GodParents of our Competition Team and Performing Troupe. (CT/PT) It includes "Aspiration CT/PT represents our studio family. Therefore, all students and Parents are encouraged to buy their delicious concessions at various events and attend their fun pantry partys, roller skating parties and dinner dance entertainment extravaganzas. If you want a mouth watering soul food meal, it will be available at our Open House functions made with love by the Mothers and GrandMothers of our booster club.

Students are not to arrive too early for class. We do not have the room or anyone to watch after them. Please pick your child up promptly when class is over.

No refunds will be given for missed classes. We have a yearly tuition fee with monthly installments for the financial convenience of Parents. We guarantee 33 weeks of class during our dance year.

If you miss a class, you still pay for that lesson. If you miss several weeks of classes, we will arrange a time for remedial work. Re-leveling may be necessary.

Our dress rehearsal dates, photo shoot, and recital dates will be announced.

Costume payments must be made on time. A late fee will be assessed if payment is not received on time.

Absolutely no food or gum chewing is permitted. Bottled water is permitted and encouraged. We have studio refillable water bottles available for purchase.

BLDS and its employees cannot be responsible for your personal property.