" Dance Center Handbook" UPDATED 08/2010
"Civic Dance Center"
Peach Tree Central – 6341 Central Avenue
Portage, IN 46368
219 764 0099
Director: Natalie J. Kolosci
Greetings! And welcome to the Civic Dance Center. We are focusing on sharing the wide spectrum of dance - from classical to contemporary. We are asking for your assistance to increase the awareness of what we are trying to build here in the Portage, Indiana area - The Civic Youth Dance Ensemble. This in turn will lead to others getting involved and sharing the vision of a dance company for this great area.
As Artistic Director and Instructor of Civic Dance Center, I am here to shed light and understanding and a pathway for each student in the classroom. I feel blessed with the opportunity to enlighten and liberate each student, through dance and movement. My goal is to reach each student with the pleasure of instruction, as I recognize my responsibilities to his/her potentil.
Our Purpose is to facilitate the promotion of the Arts by way of Civic Dance Center throughout the community in the fields of fundraising, advertising and education
Our Goals are to bring dance, theater quality productions and special performances to the community and schools.
Our Desire is to serve others with integrity and morality, leading by example and remaining above reproach.
Our Mission Statement/Belief - Being a dancer is not only a physical activity - it is a state of mind. The longer one studies, the more each of the attributes is developed. The gifts of ballet training forever enrich who we are and remain with us throughout our lives.
Classes Offered:
Ballet – Pointe – Partnering – Choreography - Tap – Jazz – Hip Hop – Musical Theater - Tumbling - Toddler through adult
Group and private classes are available. (See Class Schedule for tuition prices)
Class structure is specifically designed by each instructor to prepare the student with the appropriate level syllabus, to include warm ups, center combinations and choreography. It is imperative that the student arrives on time to participate in the warm-up section of class so no injury occurs. If a student is more than 10 minutes late, he/she will be asked to observe the class, rather than participate.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND OR DISMISS ANY STUDENT WHOSE ATTITUDE, ATTENDANCE OR CONDUCT IS UNSATISFACTORY.
ABSENSES from class for reasons other than illness should be reported to the director at least 2 days in advance and scheduled to be made up in another class within said term. Any un-used classes will become null and void. No classes will be credited for the following term.
ATTENDANCE is important for the advancement of the student. Even if the student is unable to participate in the class, he/she should sit and watch the class.
A NEWSLETTER will be posted on the bulletin and sent to your e-mail to keep you informed with dance center issues. Be sure the director has your up-dated address. It is YOUR responsibility to contact the director if you have not received appropriate information.
PICKING UP YOUR STUDENT. It is important for your student to be picked up on time, as other classes are taking place and a baby-sitting service is not provided. It is not fair to the Director or instructor to have to wait after classes are dismissed for the student to be picked up. They generally get out of class the same time every week!
CLASS APPAREL/SHOES. Dance etiquette is also taught at our center. It is imperiative that the student's dress code be maintained. Your preparation for class reflects our business - and I want our customers to be proud of our dance center. Discipline starts here in the classroom!
ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR THE FOLLOWING:
Toddler/Preschool I - pink tights, pink leotard, pink ballet shoes, tan taps
Preschool II - same as above, except yellow leotard
Leveled students are required to wear pink tights for tap and ballet class; pink, tan or black tights may be worn for lyrical, jazz or hip hop class, with the following colored leotards:
Level I - lavender; Level II - lightblue; Level IIIA & B - burgundy; Level IV - hunter green Level V - royal blue cami; Level VI and above - black; Boys - black jazz or sweat pants, plain white T shirt, clean white socks, black ballet shoes
Professional students - any color leotard
I realize there are many styles of dance clothing and shoe, but each dance school prefers to establish their own identity with what is expected at their school.
CLASS PLACEMENT. The following list is only a guideline for class placement. Placement is based on age, but determined by ability. It is up to the discretion of each teacher to make proper appointment of each student into their proper class. Please do not compare your child with other students. Each student matures and advances at different levels - no more and no less will be expected from him/her.
Toddler (age 3) includes basic dance moves to a variety of diverse music, mat exercises and tricks, walking the beam
Pre Dance (age 4/5), introduces your child to the basic positions and steps,terminology, and classroom procedure, while learning to move to different tempos of music; through repetition, the student learns and retains the material taught; we cover tap, ballet and tumbling
Classical Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Tap. These levels are determined not only by age, but number of years of previous experience; technical abilities are also taken into consideration. Some students have studied one venue of dance longer than others which will also determine class placement.
Level I - age 6; Level II - age 7; Level III - age 8/9; Level IV - age 10; Level V - age 11 to 13; Level VI - age 13 to 15; Senior level - age 16 and over
TEEN LYRICAL/CONTEMPORARY classes concentrate more to the older beginner/intermediate teens wanting to start dance classes This class gives them a good foundation prior to a regular classical ballet class. Students must wear pink, tan or black convertible or footless tights, any dark leotard and lyrical sandals or "paws."
ADULT tap/ballet classes are offered to students age 18 - 80. Black stretch pants (capri's preferred) and a plain white or black top (T shirt, ami, tank) are to be worn, along with appropriate shoes. Also acceptable are black or nude tights, black leotard and wrap skirt or shorts. NO T SHIRT WITH LOGOS other than CDC permitted - please!
OpenTumbling is available for students of all ages and all skill levels. They work at their own level with tricks, which include stretching and low beam work.
Ballet is the foundation of all dance and is taught to help strengthen, produce flexibility, improve posture, as well as to educate the student with the knowledge of (French) terms, grace and poise;
Choreography consists of composition of dance routines. This class is for higher level students, comprising their dance education into actual dance themes.
Variations will consist of ballet "routines" from various repertoires, solo and group, and will consist of ballet "routines" from various repertoires, solo and group, and original contemporary pieces.
Dance in Motion is a Christian song and dance class which allows participants to express their faith creatively with music and motion.
Conditioning includes a blend of an exercise program designed to give you strength, relax you and burn fat as you "let go" with free style dance steps and combinations.Male dancers Tight fitting white T shirt (short sleeve or tank), black jazz pants or boys/men’s tights or sweats, dance belt, white socks, appropriate black or white shoes;
Musical Theater Black T strap character shoes, mid-calf length wrap skirt may be required, along with the Grecian sandal.
CHANGES in Attire and shoes
1. Students will no longer be required to wear ballet skirts.
2. All level III and above students will be required to purchase/wear a pink dance/hip alignment belt. Used to determine placement. The students have been using their skirts to cover up a tummy that has not been pulled up for their placement. This is a MUST to obtain mulitple turns and leaps.
3. All ballet and pointe students MUST wear pink full footed (or convertible tights) covering the feet - unless otherwise specified.
4. Tap and jazz students may wear black (only) booty shorts over their leotard and tights, unless they are wearing their white cami and black jazz pants.
5. SHOES: lyrical class - "Paw" - footundeez - lyrical shoes; tumbling - bare feet; hip hop - (converse-type) gyms, jazz boot, or jazz gyms;
Level V & above - ballet - canvas ballets (optional), pink pointes; tap - tan or black tie taps (color t/b/d by teacher); jazz - tan jazz or Grecian sandals (aka Pedini's)
Level III/IV - ballet - split sola pink leather ballets; tap - tan tie taps; jazz - tan jazz shoe or boot (t/b/d by teacher)
Toddler thru Level II - ballet - pink leather ballets, tan slip on taps (Level II) have tan tap boots
Please check with your class instructor for any optional attire and footwear
SMALL CLASS SIZE & cancellations (due to weather or holiday)
1. For 3 students, the class will be cut by 15 minutes;
2. For 2 students, the class will be cut by 20 minutes;
3. For 1 student, the class will be cancelled and made up at another time.
TUITION/PAYMENTS
1. REGISTRATION FEE will be charged to everyone once a year.
2. No one wil be permitted to participate in class until payment has first been made.
3. Private classes are available upon request.
4. It is YOUR responsibility to be sure payment is made on time.
5. There will be a $10.00 late fee if tuition is not paid on time; this includes payment on the first week of the month of class.
6. All audition classes are charged at a single class rate, unless the student registers for a monthly term, then said amount will be applied.
7. A term is considered as four (4) weeks
8. All tuition is non-refundable unless serious or long-term illness, in which case a physician's certificate is required. All refunds will be charged a $25.00 administration fee.
9. If you study more than one class per week, you automatically recieve a discount. No further discounts will apply.Customer (Parent) Observation. It is more beneficial for the student and teacher when the parents are not directly in the classroom week after week. On the first day of class, after the student has been introduced to his/her instructor, it is suggested that the parent either wait in waiting area or leave and come back to pick your child up after class. We do have "Watch Week" in November, March and August.
PROPER CLASSROOM STANDARDS & ETIQUETTE:
1. The Civic Dance Center is not a 'play school' or day care center. You are here to learn! All classes are taught with organization, discipline, authority and respect. As each teacher produc es these qualities to her student, the same is expected from each student.
2. No one is to enter the classroom until it is class time for said student. Your instructor will escort you in and out of the classroom.
3. If a customer has any questions or concerns, they must either leave a note for the director at the front desk or contact her via e-mail or phone call during non-class hours; not in-between classes.
4. Absolutely NO loose fitting clothes for any class! (See Handbook for more info) No excessively baggy clothes. No NON-CDC logo shirts; no excessive jewelry, hoodies, loose or unkept hair.
5. Hair is expected to be up in a secured bun. NO ONE should enter the class room with their hair flying around. If you have short hair, be sure it is pulled back, off the face with a black stretch head band. Use gel or spray to keep your hair in place.
6. Absolutely no gum, candy or drinks allowed in the classroom area. Only plastic water bottles permitted.
7. No inappropriate chatting permitted in the classroom. When the teacher is giving advice to other students, this would be a good time for you to also listen in case it should pertain to you.
8. Proper class attire and shoes are expected from each student. The dance center provides you the opportunity to purchase these items. All students must be in proper apparel and shoes by the 2nd week of class. These items will be ordered twice a month.
9. Customers, please make sure your dancer is dressed appropriately for class. It is important that all dancers follow the dress code; there will be no exemption to this policy; discipline starts here in the classroom!
10. If a student becomes disruptive or continues with negative behavior we will recommend the student to discontinue the classes until he/she is ready to adhere to studio policies.
11. We are NOT presponsible for lost or stolen items, so be sure you write your nme in all shoes and dnce apparel and keep them in your satchel.
12. Any unused classes will become null and void; no classes will be credited for the following month.
13. Scholarships are available for specific cases.Civic Dance Center has established these policies since the dance center opened. Please refresh yourself with them so there will be no misunderstandings. We try to implement these plicies as to operate our dance b usiness in a professional manner.
Please discuss this Handbook with your student and encourage him/her to properly follow "the rules."
Any amendments made to this Handbook will be posted on the website, on the bulletin board and e-mailed to each student.
Performance/Costume information. Please check Handbook, available at the dance center for appropriate information.We want to thank you for choosing Civic Dance Center as your home to your dance education. As a dancer, you are a "special" person. The Art of Dance changes lives:
a. Through enhanced academic achievement;
b. Improved thinking abilities;
c. Likelihood of pursuing higher education;
d. Better discipline;
e. Increased self-confidence.
We don’t expect everyone passing through our doors to become professional dancers, but we do expect them to be appreciative of what they have learned and all the people they have met, to be an asset in their lives at some point in time.
The Dance Ensemble is always looking for localities to provide their dance knowledge. So, if you ever are in need of entertainment for social or civic functions, school activities, lecture/demonstrations, please feel free to contact the dance center at 219 764 0099.
"Thank you for blessing me with the opportunity to teach you and carry on my dance education with another generation of young people."
Dancingly yours,
Natalie J. Kolosci
Owner/Director