Policies and Procedures
THE IMPORTANCE OF BALLET
At Trenton School of Dance, we want to steer every parent in the right direction when you begin bringing your child to our dance school. We recommend that EVERY student take ballet in addition to their other classes from the very beginning of their training. Technique begins in the ballet class, and from there students will find much greater success in other art forms such as jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and tap.
TUITION
-Trenton School of Dance charges a one-time Registration Fee every year of $35 (one fee per family.)-All families are required to have a Credit Card/Debit Card or Bank Account on file. -Tuition fees will be debited on the 7th of each month. -Bank transactions are free, while there is a 3% convenience fee added for credit/debit transactions. -In person payments can be made with a check, cash or credit card before the 7th of the month. *ANY UNPAID ACCOUNTS WILL BE DEBITED WITH ACCOUNT ON FILE ON THE 7th.-Tuition is a yearly amount broken down into 9 installments.-Families can receive a 10% discount for making a one-time yearly payment. Deadline is upon completion of first week of dance.
-Cancellation of membership: Cancellations must be made between the 1st and the 6th of the current month to discontinue bank drafts. Any cancellations made after the 6th are subject to full monthly tuition payment with no refund on classes. Cancellation must be made via email, phone call or in person. Without notification, your account will continue to be charged for the 9 month dance year.*FAMILIES CANNOT CANCEL ON A NEGATIVE BALANCE.-Membership is continuous (unless notified) from September 9th, 2024 through recital 2025.-There is a $25 late fee for declined/unpaid payments on my account after the 7th of the month.-Please notify Trenton School of Dance of any EFT account changes including lost/stolen or expired cards. -Trenton School of Dance will not be financially responsible for any overdrafts on accounts if we did not receive the proper notification.-Trenton School of Dance will not refund missed, canceled, or unused classes. Dancers may take a makeup class in any approved level. You must notify the receptionist if you would like to make up a class.-There is no pro-rating of tuition for late registration or unused classes.
ATTENDANCE
Excellent attendance is at the very pinnacle of a child's success in a dance class. Consistency and repetition are crucial if a dancer is to excel. It is also important for instructors to have the class as a whole when teaching new elements or choreographing routines. There are make-ups available for missed classes (schedule your make-up classes with our receptionist.) Remember that being late disrupts the class. Dancers who are late should see the front desk receptionist and be escorted in by a staff member. They should then wait for the instructor to let them join the class.
DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP YOUR DANCER
Trenton School of Dance is not responsible for children who are left alone when they are waiting for their classes or to be picked up from dance. Pre dance parents are expected to remain in the studio for the entire duration of their child's attendance in class. Kinder parents must wait for their child to go into class but can then leave when their child is called in. Parents should be waiting and timely for their child when class is done. If you will be late please call the front desk to alert the receptionist. Siblings of dancers in class must be behaved and non-disruptive. If siblings are causing a disruption, you may be asked to take them to your car. We do not allow parents to watch classes, unless it is Parent Observation Week. We have two throughout the year; one in the fall and one in the spring.
CLASS PLACEMENT
At Trenton School of Dance, the instructors make all decisions regarding class placement and advancement. Please remember that we are professionals and watch your dancers and their progression on a daily basis. Hard work, ability, and dedication are all factors considered for placement; age and training is considered but not always used to make a final decision. Mini, Petite, Junior, Teen, and Senior levels require former training, multiple ballet classes a week, and instructor approval.
REGISTRATION
We offer an Early Bird Registration Day in May to register for the upcoming fall season. The registration fee is waived at this time. New students must pay for the month of September at this time to hold their spot. All parents MUST come in on this day to sign up. We do not accept phone/email registrations at this time.
Age Requirement: Students must be 3 by September 1 and potty trained.
NUTCRACKER
Nutcracker is by audition only. Auditions are held the first week back to dance in September.
Auditions are open to any student who takes ballet in a Kinder level or higher.
Nutcracker fee is $150 and covers rehearsals, costume rental, and a t-shirt. Some students may be required to buy their own leotards and skirts.
Performances are in December.
Rehearsals are on Saturdays and times are announced each week.
RECITAL AND COSTUMES
All students participate in our May recital.
We have a recital photo day in April.
Costumes are selected and shown to parents/students in October or November.
Recital costumes are only granted with a paid in full balance. Any accounts that are past due will result in the loss of recital costumes.
Parents are responsible for measuring their dancers and selecting a costume size. A measurement form will be handed out.
A $25 per class costume deposit is due in October and November along with your tuition, with your balance on costumes being due in December. Costumes generally range in price between $75 and $90 per class. EXAMPLE - If you take ballet, tap, and contemporary you will owe $75 in October and $75 in November for costumes with a balance due in December.
INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS
The studio DOES NOT follow Trenton Public Schools for closings. Please check our Facebook page and/or our website if you feel the weather is questionable.
DRESS CODE
The dress code is strictly enforced at Trenton School of Dance. The correct outfit will ensure that instructors can easily view posture, arm placement, foot position, etc.
The following dance stores are in or around the Downriver area:
Dancer’s Boutique - 6585 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Bee's Costume Creations - 6025 N. Wayne Rd., Westland, MI, 48185
WE DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY DANCE SHOES FROM PAYLESS SHOE STORE.
CLASSROOM STRUCTURE AND BEHAVIOR
Dance is a disciplined art form, in addition to being fun and physically beneficial. To prepare students for this, instructors will expect respect from dancers at all times. Teachers strive to make every class stimulating and productive, while maintaining a sense of order at all times.
CECCHETTI BALLET CLASSES
“What is the Cecchetti Method of training? It is a rigorous system drawn up with careful regard for the laws of anatomy, and it is designed to endow the human body with all those qualities essential to the dancer...balance, poise, strength, elevation, elasticity, "ballon" and so forth.” (Cecchetti.org).
Some dancers may choose to participate in Cecchetti classes between the ages of 8 and 10. The Cecchetti method of ballet is highly recommended for all students who wish to become serious and proficient in the art of dance. Cecchetti is a graded syllabus, containing 7 grades that students must excel at before passing to the next grade. The primary goal of the Cecchetti Method is that the student shall not learn to dance by trying to imitate the movements executed by her teacher, but shall learn to dance by studying the basic principles which govern the art, and to become completely self-reliant.
COMPETITION
At Trenton School of Dance we offer competition classes for the serious dancer that would like to expand and refine their skills. Competition involvement is through audition only. Inquire upon registration.
