FUSION COMPANY COMPETITION GROUPS Requirements, Expectations, Payment Schedule, Contract 2019/2020

The purpose of this packet is to provide the information you and your dancer will need when considering auditioning for and dancing with Franchise, Ensemble, and Crew competition teams.

It is important that you understand the time and financial commitment involved. Being a competition team dancer is both a TIME and MONETARY commitment. Tuition, costume, competition, and convention fees really add up so please review them and make a realistic decision for your family. A cost breakdown and schedule of payments is included in this packet. All payments are due on due dates without exception. Fusion Dance Company does not make special arrangements for payments to be made on a family’s personal budget or pay schedule. Please do not ask for an exception. It is your responsibility to budget for these expenses. Fundraising opportunities are usually arranged by a group of parents and are open to everyone.

REGISTRATION & SUMMER INTENSIVE

Summer Intensive and registration fees will be drafted on Monday July 8th, 2019- no exceptions. You will register for Company classes after group placement results have been determined at the conclusion of the Summer Intensive.

All families are required to enter a credit or debit card in their portal which will be drafted for all payments on due dates provided in this packet. If you fail to maintain a valid card on file, there will be a $25 admin fee posted to your account for each month that a valid card is missing.

If your dancer would like to take classes other than company classes, they may register for them at any time. Each additional class is $50.

During the summer intensive, dancers will train in technique and work with guest instructors. Attendance is MANDATORY as is payment. Cost is based on the instructors hired for the week not hours of instruction.

Camp A: $300 Camp A + Crew portion: $375 Camp B & C: $425 Crew Only: $200

Students will not be permitted to attend camp if there is an outstanding balance on the family account

ADMISSION

Auditions for current members and new students were held in April. The Director of Fusion Dance Company makes selections after careful consideration of judges’ evaluations and collaboration with instructors.

Students enrolling after the dance year has begun may audition privately for the Director. Dancers will only be admitted to the company if there will be no hindrance to , , and costumes as determined by the Director.

PLACEMENT

The Director will place the students in the appropriate group according to age and ability. Previous years’ performance, class attendance, behavior and attitude demonstrated in class DOES make a difference.

REQUIREMENTS

Students must be enrolled in all company and classes during the dance year. They must participate in ALL scheduled events and attend ALL extra rehearsals; failure to do so may result in dismissal from company. Dismissal results in a $250 penalty, as per the contract, as all dances will have to be re-choreographed. Only illness (doctor’s note required) or deaths in the family are exceptions for missing class, rehearsal, performances, competitions or conventions. It’s important to consider the dancer’s schedule when planning other school and/or personal activities as this is a team effort and choreography is disrupted when students are missing.

Attending the summer intensive is mandatory.

All required shoes, tights, leotards, and attire for each class must be purchased prior to the first class in August. Students are expected to wear the required attire to each class. Hair must be worn in a bun for Ballet and Pointe classes. Hair must be in a bun or ponytail for all other classes.

Company members must attend all competitions, conventions, and performances in which Fusion Dance Company participates. Competitions are usually scheduled February – May. Regional competitions take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so students must be available all three days.

Franchise, Ensemble, and Crew dancers will participate in 4 regional competitions. Franchise dancers will attend one convention. Convention attendance is optional for Ensemble dancers. Other community performance events may be added to the schedule.

Company jackets and bags are required and may be purchased online. The link to purchase these items will be provided after the summer intensive. If you are a returning dancer, you will already have these items. Dancers must wear their jackets at competitions, particularly on stage for awards, and to other performances or community events.

A complete list of requirements can be found in the demerit portion beginning on page 4.

DEMERITS Fusion Dance Company uses a demerit system as the basis for its disciplinary action. This system is an objective way to monitor and track student behavior and to provide a positive team experience for all students who adhere to the rules and standards set by Fusion Dance Company. The demerit system is designed to strengthen the values of our teams, hold everyone accountable to the same standards and regulations that we deem fit for a successful dance team and to promote an environment of respect and reverence for one another, the teachers, and the studio. When a student’s behavior contradicts the core values and rules of Fusion Dance Company the student will receive demerits. Please see the pages at the end of the packet for this full listing of rules. This list will be read and reviewed by the Director with all groups of FDC Competition Team members during the beginning of the dance year.

COMMUNICATION

FDC communicates most often through email. It is the responsibility of the parents to keep your email address current in the parent portal. Emails sent via our software program are saved in the portal for 180 days. Be aware that some messages may end up in your junk or spam folder so remember to check those folders too. A personal email address is preferable to a work address.

Information that concerns the entire studio is posted on our website, thefusiondancer.com. We encourage you to like our Facebook page and to follow us on Instagram as we post on those sights frequently. We have a YouTube channel as well. Look for the icons on the top right corner of the homepage on our website to join.

Each company has a volunteer Team Mom. Her responsibility is to receive information from FDC and relay it to her team. She also fields questions and provides answers as needed. The Company Mom is the contact person at competitions, conventions, and performances as the Director and instructors are working with the dancers and coordinators during this time.

EXPLANANTION OF COMPANY GROUPS & TEAMS

Franchise Company: These groups of dancers represent Fusion Dance Company’s principal, most advanced level competition groups. They train 5-9 hours per week in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and pointe. They attend 4 regional competitions and at least 1 convention a year. To be in this group, members must put dance over other extra curricular activities.

Ensemble Company: These dancers train 3-4 hours a week in ballet, tap, and jazz. They attend 4 regional competitions per year. Attending convention is optional. The financial and time commitment is less than the Franchise Dance Company. If your child is involved in sports or other school/church activities, they should choose this group.

Crew: Crew dancers are the most elite Hip Hop dancers. They attend 4 regional competitions. Conventions are optional.

Demerit System and Rules for all FDC Competition Dancers

Demerits are given for breaking standard, pre-set rules set forth by the staff and faculty of Fusion Dance Company. Demerits are only officially given and recorded by the Creative Director but can be suggested by any member of the faculty. Once a demerit has been given, the student and parent will be notified by email. The demerit will then be recorded in the parent portal where dancers can check their own demerits with specific offenses. Once 3 demerits have been received, dancers will not be able to participate in the next performance...including a recital, showcase, competition, Christmas show, etc. and any fees associated with said performance are non-refundable.

Dancers will receive one demerit for each of the following:

3 unexcused Absences in a collective of all classes and extra rehearsals. Unexcused absences are those in which prior notice (not the following day) was not given to the studio via phone call or email. TEXTING ANY TEACHERS, including Mrs. Haleigh, IS NOT ALLOWED...FOR DANCERS OR PARENTS.

Excused absences are those in which a doctor’s note has been provided (within 2 days) for an illness or injury, death in the family, or other instance approved by Director. In all of these instances except illness with a doctor’s note, Director MUST be given prior notice. Injured dancers must still attend all regular classes even if they are unable to dance.

Examples of unexcused absences: Dinner with family, too much homework, taking a night off after competition, being too tired for dance, having a headache, missing over half the beginning of a class, leaving class before it is halfway over, or only attending the first 3 out of 4 classes in a day.

DANCERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MISS THE WEEK PRIOR TO COMPETITION FOR ANY REASON SHORT OF A MAJOR ILLNESS. Missing a night of class the week of competition does not result in an unexcused absence but a full demerit. • Example A - Jane misses Monday’s dance classes with no notice given to teachers, Tuesday and Wednesday because of Strep Throat, and then brings a doctor’s note on Thursday giving notice of Tuesday and Wednesday: only one unexcused absence will be recorded for Monday.

• Example B - Joe misses Monday dance because of a concert, comes to class on Tuesday, only attends 5- 7pm dance classes on Wednesday when classes are from 5-9pm with no notice given to teachers, and has a school play on Thursday night that he notified Mrs. Haleigh about; two unexcused absences will be recorded, one for Monday and one for missed classes on Wednesday

Forgetting any item of /attire at competition or not being prepared. • This includes - Any hairpiece (hot bun or costume hairpiece), accessories (socks, not having extra tights, gloves, etc.), jewelry, any appropriate shoes, costume pieces or props that you are responsible for, not having warm-up jacket, not having on the appropriate makeup/eyelashes and not having a CLEAN, SLICK hair style. Colored nail polish is not allowed at competition - only French manicures or clear polish. Extra jewelry is also not allowed at competition - if a dancer has more than one ear piercing, a clear diamond, gold, or silver stud must be worn. No eccentric colored hair worn at competition - ask director if unsure. • Dancers who have to use extra accessories from the FDC tackle box, WILL BE charged.

Showing up late for any call times. Not following rules for call times. Call times include arriving makeup and hair ready for competition, dress rehearsals, studio shows, Recitals etc. at a certain time. If you are given a 2-hour early call time for competition and arrive 15 minutes late, that is cause for a demerit (unless in case of emergency). We also ask you to arrive hair and makeup ready because we are never sure of the dressing room situation at venues. Mirrors and dressing room space are sometimes limited.

Not being prepared for class at FDC. This includes not having appropriate shoes and attire for each class. No bulky sweatshirts, t-shirts or cover-ups are to be worn in dance class.

Failure to demonstrate a positive, supportive attitude when at any FDC competition, function, or class. This includes gossip, negativity, un-sportsmanlike and non-supportive behavior of any FDC group and/or dancers and other studios and dancers. Failure to be a TEAM PLAYER, both PARENTS and STUDENTS This includes bringing team morale down by behavior that creates rumors, disharmony, or loss of faith with the current members. In addition, but not limited to, comments regarding the ability level of teammates, the progress of routines, the status of membership, and gossip that is intended to turn one member against the other. This rule applies to dancers and parents. Members need to be supportive and encouraging, not demeaning.

Abuse of Social Media Any electronic communication, including, but not limited to: online journaling/blogging, instant messaging, emailing, photo posting, text messaging, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat etc. that contain sensitive information about other members, team, or FDC or that are of a negative nature including nudity, underage drinking, illegal substances, profanity, and negative behavior. We have a zero tolerance rule for this. Excessive abuse of this rule could result in expulsion from FDC.

Studio Respect We love our studio! We expect each dancer to help us keep it neat and clean by following these rules: eating only in designated areas, throwing food trash in the large black trash can behind Studio C, keeping personal possessions in a cubby, not leaving costume tags or bags on the bathroom floors, alerting staff to spills, toilet paper outages, or other messes to clean up, etc. Cleaning up after yourselves always – in the studio, dressing rooms, recital venue, etc.

Classroom Etiquette 1. Show respect for your teacher - Including no talking in classroom when teacher is teaching/choreographing/explaining during class. No leaving the classroom without prior permission and do not enter another class while it’s in session. No cell phones in the classroom. If a teacher sees you on a cell phone during class, the phone will be placed in the cell phone bucket until class is over. It will be the student’s responsibility to retrieve it at the end of class. 2. Be on time and ready to start class – with hair up! There is no excuse for being late and it disrupts other students and the teacher. 3. Be considerate of students around you. People learn at different rates and in different ways. Be patient with others who may not grasp the movement as quickly as you do. 4. Wear suitable attire appropriate for each specific dance class. No jewelry is to be worn and hair must be pulled back and neat unless otherwise stated by teacher. 5. Avoid being a “know it all” and be conscious of how you come across to your dance peers and teachers. It is normal to become frustrated in such a demanding sport from time to time...but remember that we are a team and learn/grow together best when in a positive environment. 6. You are expected to show up for class and pay attention when sitting out of active participation for injury. No books, phones, or homework in class. 7. Let the teacher teach. Under no circumstances should you voice an opinion or give opposition in a teacher’s class, unless you are asked to do so. We know it is hard to resist helping the dancer next to you, but it is not your place. Let the teacher do the teaching. 8. Keep an open mind and please do not complain. Be open to new ideas and possibilities. Try to focus on how your teacher can expand your dance repertoire.

Costume Care Competition and Recital Costumes cost a lot of YOUR money and our time spent designing, making, altering, rhinestoning, and organizing them. Take care of your costumes. They should ALWAYS be transported in a garment bag to and from performances, hung up neatly after used (even during competition), and kept clean and neat between performances. It is not acceptable for a costume to be wrinkled before taking the stage! Hair accessories should be stored in a HARD container so as not to break. Fusion Dance Company will not be responsible for any needed costume repairs, alterations, or rhinestoning once costumes have been distributed.

Unacceptable Convention Behavior This includes any behavior that misrepresents our dancers and studio such as, sitting out during convention classes, talking during class, not being on time for the first class of the day and leaving early before the end of convention. Conventions are a great learning opportunity and should be approached with respect and discipline.

Financial Obligations

All Company parents MUST have a credit card on file. All fees will be drafted on the due dates. If a card is declined and payment is not received within 5 days, a late fee of $15.00 will be posted to the account. If you fail to maintain a valid card on file, there will be a $25 admin. fee posted to your account for each month that a valid card is missing. There are no exceptions made to the payment schedule. Please do not ask to make a payment on an alternate date. We suggest a credit card on file as opposed to a debit card. Failure to keep account current will result in your student being denied entrance to class. We reserve the right to pass on any price increases we receive and will always give you notice of any increase as well as an explanation.

Below is a listing and explanation of the financial obligations. After registration, all fees will be added together and divided by 10 (number of months) so that you will make 10 equal payments. That way, you know what to expect each month and can budget accordingly.

Company fee covers rhinestones, competition jewelry, accessories, props, alterations, banquet, and recital fee.

EXCITING NEWS! THIS SEASON FDC WILL PRODUCE ONE SENSATIONAL PRODUCTION ROUTINE FEATURING FRANCHISE, ENSEMBLE, & CREW! WE CAN’T WAIT!

Production rehearsals are scheduled throughout the season. A $25 charge will be added to your account for each rehearsal held. No adjustments are made based on duration of rehearsal or attendance, as these rehearsals are mandatory.

Tremaine Convention Fee is $265 and includes 2 – 3 days of classes. Dancers will usually take 7 – 10 different classes with different teachers. All Franchise Dancers are required to attend this convention. It is optional for Ensemble and Crew. The minimum age is 6.

Franchise:

Premier and Starlet

Company Fee 250 Tuition 2,160 ($216/mo x 10 months) Costumes 625 – includes all competition costumes + ballet Convention 265 Competitions 1088 (entry fees = 4 competitions, 4 dances per competition) $4,388 divided by 10 months = $439 per month Debut

Company Fee 250 Tuition 2,160 ($216/mo x 10 months) Costumes 750 – includes all competition costumes + Jazz Line + ballet Convention 265 Competitions 1360 (entry fees = 4 competitions, 5 dances per competition) $4785 divided by 10 months = $478.50 per month Glitz

Company Fee 250 Tuition 2,560 ($256/mo x 10 months) Costumes 850 – includes all competition costumes + Jazz Line + ballet Convention 265 Competitions 1632 (entry fees = 4 competitions, 6 dances per competition) $5557 divided by 10 months = $556 per month

Ensemble:

Spotlight, Fame, & Celebrity

Company Fee 250 Tuition 2180 ($218/mo x10 months) Costumes 625 – includes all competition costumes + ballet Competitions 816 (entry fees = 4 competitions, 3 dances per competition) $3871 divided by 10 months = $387 per month

Celebrity with optional Lyrical

Company Fee 250 Tuition 2580 ($258/mo x 10 months) Costumes 750 – incudes all competition costumes, ballet, and Lyrical Competitions 1088 (entry fees = 4 competitions, 4 dances per competition) $4668 divided by 10 months = $467 per month

Convention is optional. Minimum age is 6. Fee ($265) will be posted and drafted if applicable.

Crew:

Tuition 700 ($70/month x 10 months) Costume 240 (costume, accessories, shoes and recital fee) Competitions 272 (entry fees = 4 competitions, 1 dance) $1212 divided by 10 months = $121 per month

Convention is optional. Minimum age is 6. Fee ($265) will be posted and drafted if applicable.

**Crew fees are reduced for Franchise and Ensemble dancers. Tuition is $50/month and $165 costume fee.

Tuition 500 Costume 165 Competitions 272 $937 divided by 10 months = $94 per month

Pointe

The tuition for Pointe is $50 per month. The costume fee is $80 and will be drafted November 15th.

Additional Required Items:

• Team Jacket $80 • Team backpack $55 • Members must purchase all shoes, tights, and required attire for each class

IMPORTANT:

Franchise, Ensemble and Crew will be attending a National Competition this year. This is mandatory for all dancers. Fees will be communicated as soon as we have them and will be collected in April or May. National fees are typically higher than Regional fees.

Schedule of Due Dates/Payments

July 8 Registration and Summer Intensive Fees drafted

July 15 - 19 Summer Intensive

July 26 Team placement announcement – posted on website

July 31 Registration deadline/contract signed – done online via parent portal

August 1 1st monthly payment due

August 31 Must have purchased team jacket and backpack

Some members may be selected to do small groups, trios, duets or solos that require additional costume, choreography, and rehearsal fees. If you accept this invitation, rehearsal and costume fees due upon acceptance and will be drafted from the card on file. No exceptions. The choreography fee is due to the instructor the first day of rehearsal. Competition entry fees for these dances will be drafted prior to attending each competition.

SOLO: Choreography Fee: $425 Costume Fee: $125 Rehearsal Fee: $325

DUET/TRIO Choreography Fee: $150 per dancer Costume Fee: $125 Rehearsal Fee: $250 per dancer

SMALL GROUP Choreography Fee: $150 per dancer Costume Fee: $125 Rehearsal Fee: $175 per dancer

Parents and students may organize and conduct fundraisers upon FDC approval. Sponsorships are allowed as well. All funds raised may be applied to costume, competition, and convention fees only – not tuition. All fundraising is voluntary.