River Dance Centre

you! Family and multiple class discounts are available. Dress Code-

Here at River Dance Centre, we want our students to be comfortable in dance class. Options of dance wear include leotards and tights, spandex hot shorts or Capri pants. Fitted dance tops or tanks are also acceptable (No swimsuits, pantyhose, or school uniforms should be worn). Tights are preferred to be worn with leotards. Tap shoes should have flat heels for 3, 4, 5 & 6 year olds. Seven year olds and up need jazz tap shoes. Jazz shoes are required for ages 9 and older. They are optional for children under 9. Dance shoes should not be worn to and from dance class. All supplies and clothing should be labeled with names! WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR STOLEN ITEMS!!! (Items that are left at the studio will be put in the lost and found bin). Do not enter the dance room while class is in progress! No gum, food, or drinks will be allowed in either studio room! Cover-ups should be worn to and from class (no t-shirts or shorts are to be worn while dancing, unless they are spandex hot shorts. It is preferable to have hair pulled back and out of the child's face. Tara Breaux's Ballet Class * Must wear leotard (may be of any color) with pink stockings (can be capri length or footed) and pink ballets. Ballet skirts or hot shorts may be worn. Hair MUST be pulled out of the face. General Rules-

Students need to arrive 5 minutes before their scheduled classes and are to be promptly picked up at the end of class. If this presents a problem, please call River Dance Centre. The observation window will be open the 3rd full week of each month beginning in October running through February. Please refer to our message board outside our studio. Missed classes can be made up by attending another class time. Please call for other class schedules. A lost and found bin is provided in the waiting area. I expect all students to be on their best behavior in class and whenever representing River Dance Centre. If a child needs to leave class early or will not be able to attend class-parents, please notify the our office. Placement-

The policy of River Dance Centre is to place students according to age in classes Primary AM - Beginner. Through years of experience our teachers have recognized that around ages 7 and above, children begin to mature differently in their dance expression. Due to this fact, we will be placing students based on ability rather than age. We do this in order to maximize your child’s dance education in hope that this will help with self-esteem and alleviate intimidation. Competition-

If you choose to participate in competition, you are making a commitment to your teacher as well as to the girls. Once you have committed and your fees have been paid...There is no dropping out!! Extra practice will be required. This may occur on weekends and during holidays. Girls can miss no more than 3 extra practices in order to compete. Successful competitions require cooperation from both parents and children. Throughout the year information will be sent to you concerning dance competitions and conventions. When you are representing River Dance Centre at a convention or competition, you must maintain your best behavior. If you choose to compete during the year, I would like for you to attend at least one dance convention. Costumes-

Costume installments will be due in two installments. The first will be due in September and the second is due in October. Some classes may require a third payment. Once costumes have been paid for there will be no refunds! Costumes that are ordered through a costume company are not custom made for each child. We do our best with measurements to determine the best fit for the child. We are not responsible for any alterations that may be needed to a costume. Also, when your child receives her costume...make sure all pieces are accounted for in the costume bag. We are not responsible for the costume after it leaves the studio. This is the parent’s responsibility. Please DO NOT let your child play in his or her costume until after the revue! Graduates-

River Dance Centre requires that you meet the following criteria in order to perform a graduate solo. Must be in Advance II or Advance III class to perform a solo in the dance revue

40-50 assisting hours

3 years minimum of competition experience within your high school years

4 years minimum of ballet and jazz training in your high school years

If you meet the above requirements and would like to perform a solo, you can either choose a teacher to choreograph the dance or you may choreograph it yourself. There will be a choreography fee, and you will be required to contribute to the dance. If you do NOT meet any of this criteria, you are still able to be presented on stage and are allowed to do a group dance if you would like. If you have any questions concerning this policy, please feel free to contact the studio. Dance Revue Rules-

Every year we highlight our dance training by showcasing a performance at the Heymann Performing Arts Center. For Beginner dance classes through Hip Hop classes… Once rehearsals begin for the dance revue, it is critical to have full attendance from this point. Due to past problems, we have established a revue rule: Only 3 missed classes are allowed beginning in JANUARY. If you miss more than those 3 without teacher approval, the teacher has the right to pull the child from the dance revue number!