SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC

2016-2017 Parent & Student Competition Handbook

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Competition is a great way for children to learn!

At SpotLite Dance Studio, we strive to assure that children learn what competition truly means. We promote competition as a positive learning experience, not solely on winning top awards; instead, we promote children to perform the best they can and to use their talents to the best of their abilities.

Our goal is to have the dancers be proud of who they are individually and their progression in their talents. We feel we have accomplished a successful competition when children get off stage, feel confident they have done the best they can, and are happy about their performance.

Children learn how to compete respectfully and always encourage other dancers, on not only their SpotLite teams, but their competitors, as well. Competitive dance is also an opportunity to meet people from different places and make new friends.

Children learn the importance of dedication to their art and the benefit of practicing to achieve desired results. This teaches them that ultimately working hard for what they desire, in not only dance but also in every aspect of life, will pay off.

Children learn constructive criticism in a positive environment; developing a unique sense of courage and confidence by getting up on stage in front of a panel of judges and their peers.

SpotLite Dance Studio offers competitive dance classes to the dancer who is more committed to learning about the dance world on a competitive level. We will have several dances that vary in level of ability and commitment.

We look forward to a wonderful and successful competition year!

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TEAMS

THE INTERMEDIATE & ELITE COMPANY – SDS

SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC offers competitive dance classes to the dancer who is more committed to learning about the dance world on a competitive level. We select dancers for each team based on their varied levels of ability and commitment.

Dancers are always required to tryout for the competition teams and chosen for dances based on their level of commitment and abilities.

Peewee Team

Mini Team

Junior Team

Pre-Teen

Teen Team

Senior Team

Though the teams are set, often some of the teams are combined in classes. Just because your child is in class with a higher-level student does not mean that your child will actually dance in a large or small group with your child. Do note: skills and accuracy of skills is important.

COMMITMENT

Participation on the SDS competition team is a great deal of fun but it requires a significant commitment to dance and a good deal of time and effort. Both students and parents should decide if they have the time to commit to the team before deciding to be on team. No matter how talented a student is, if they do not have time to put dance and the team first or they do not have enough parental support, they may be better off in non-company classes.

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EXCLUSIVITY POLICY - IMPORTANT

For all competition level dancers- “Competition Level” students are representing SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC and may not perform or compete for any other studio, competition team or dance company unless discussed with the instructors. Taking Master classes, Workshops, or strictly technique classes elsewhere are acceptable, WITH PERMISSION, as long as students aren’t performing, competing or representing another studio, and as long as they are meeting all of their class requirements at our Studio. We feel that it is a conflict of interest for any student to represent two studios simultaneously. Conflicts could arise if the two different teams had incompatible practice schedules or competitions on the same weekend. We practice the week prior to a competition and conflicts could occur at that time, as well. Please be sensitive to this issue as you have others on the teams who have dedicated their time. Please clear any other classes taken with Mrs. Meghan, i.e. theater productions, etc. to guarantee that we do not have a conflict of interest. Students may not attend other competitions as “independent” competitors without our studio or permission to do so from the instructors. This year, this will be limited as this can often take away from practice time and/or burn out the kids.

Expectations of team participation

The team handbook details, in full, the expectations of members of the team. Rehearsals will be separate from your competition technique classes. If you plan to be on team, you must plan to give up a few hours on Saturday afternoons. Team members will be expected to maintain good attendance in all classes and will have a minimum of classes and rehearsals they are allowed to miss. Too many missed rehearsals will remove the dancer from the team or could negatively affect which dances and how many dances you are in the following year. Parents must accept this rule. We have had many parents pull dancers from a scheduled rehearsal because they decided to "take a little trip" at last minute. Please know this could cost your child to be removed from team or a spot in a dance or small group. Before we set our schedule for September of 2016 through May of 2017 please let us have a list of dates or times that will be inconvenient for you – seniors, as soon as you have graduation dates, please let us know. We will also have a calendar hanging in the office so that dates can be written in for those things we may not know until later in the year. We will work the schedule around these times, as best as possible. Once we have our schedule in place and you sign the competition agreement, you must work your schedule around our schedule! (We realize there are uncontrollable circumstances that may require you to miss a class. That is why dancers are allowed to miss a given number of times before you are removed or reprimanded. Just use these allowed misses wisely and you should have no problems.) Before auditioning, all dancers and parents should take into consideration their school grades and outside activity loads. Sometimes you have to make choices that are best for you and your family.

SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC - 4 - ATTENDANCE

Class attendance is imperative. Missing solo, duet, trio, and group practices are discouraged but understood within reason. You are allowed to miss six classes for the season unless otherwise approved by Mrs. Meghan. These missed classes cannot occur the weekend prior to a competition unless otherwise approved by Mrs. Meghan. We understand that things happen, but we do not want to be unfair to the rest of the team. If for any reason you have to miss a class, please notify Mrs. Meghan.

Intermediate and Elite team members (Peewee, Mini, Junior, Pre-Teen, Teen, and Senior) are required to take these classes weekly: • 1 Ballet class • 1 Body movement • Stretching • Conditioning – please provide juniors – seniors with 5lb – 10lb hand weights • Pilates (Mat) – seniors need Pilates Circle • 1 Progressions class (combined with turns and leaps) • 1 Lyrical • 1 Hip Hop class • Acro/Tumbling (level of placement by instructors)

Intermediate & Elite dancers eligible to be considered for solos, duets, trios, small and large groups as long as they are meeting the requirements of the team.

It is very important to come to class on time, dressed and ready to dance. If you are later than 15 minutes, the instructor reserves the right to ask the dancer to sit out and watch the class rather than disturb the class. Again, if you are tardy, frequently, you may be asked to drop down from full team to partial or drop your small group, solo, duet/trio.

Peewees are required to take a combo class during the week as well as their scheduled Technique class and their dance practice class.

If you are participating in technical classes at a school of fine arts/performing arts, not another competitive studio or dance team that technical class may substitute for a technical class at SpotLite. You must have this approved by Mrs. Meghan. There will be forms in the office for you to complete during summer camp. We do understand that many students like to participate in school activities such as dance team and cheerleading. Those students on school dance teams/cheerleading teams are still required to take technical classes required to by the team rules. If you are unable to make those classes, then you MUST make them up with private lessons. We are currently working on getting a private ballet instructor for Fridays as Mrs. Sarah is taking time off on Friday’s this year.

SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC - 5 - TEAM TUITION

Students on Partial team or Full Company, if you would like to take additional classes or want to prepare for the Elite Company for the following year, you can pay the appropriate fees per additional hour or pay the unlimited class tuition of $180.00.

The Elite Company: $180.00 per month

The Company Peewee’s: $140.00 per month

Multiple student discounts will apply.

Prepayment of Tuition

Students accounts that have prepaid yearly tuition will be afforded a free month of tuition. Refunds will not be given for prepaid tuition unless the student moves or becomes disabled. In certain other instances, we will consider a partial refund based on the number of months remaining on the contract and any fees that must be paid to vendors.

Payment of Fees

A payment plan will be provided to each team member at the beginning of the season. This plan does not have to be followed exactly; however, it is imperative that the following fees be paid first:

Team fees – We require ½ of team fees by August 22nd with the balance remaining due by October 3rd. Your plan will reflect these fees as due.

In-House Group Choreography Fees: Line $10 per person per group, Large group $15 per person per group, Small group $20 per person per group

Outside Choreographers fees will be different.

This year, you will be asked up front how many groups you believe you can afford based on the schedule below. SDS ownership will look at each account to verify that this will not be an overwhelming strain based on previous experience. If you are new to the studio, please really assess the number of group dances (including solo/duo/trios – if offered).

Small Group Fees: $600 Includes Costumes and Competition Fees Large Group Fees: $550 Includes Costumes and Competition Fees Solo Fees (No Title): $500 Competition Fees Only – No Costumes Included Solo Fees (Title): $670.00 Competition Fees Only – No Costumes Included

We will adjust the competition entry fees with a credit based on how much the competition actually is since this is a budgeted number for competition fees. A total of 50% of your group fee must be paid and tuition must be current in order to receive your costume. Mrs. Janet and Mrs. Ilaine will check your account before allowing your costumes to be released.

SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC - 6 - If you quit the team you will be assessed a $200 fee if you do not leave your costumes at the studio for another person to fill your spot. This is not negotiable. If you do not leave your costumes, for each costume needed, your account will be charged a replacement cost.

This year you will be asked HOW MANY groups you can actually afford to be in for the season. That is the number of groups your child will be in for the year. There will be no subtractions or additions, unless discussed with Mrs. Meghan and Mrs. Lyndee. This allows you to fully budget for the season.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND STUDIO ETIQUETTE

If you post negative things on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, etc., or exhibit behavior reflecting negatively on our studio, we will consider this grounds for probation or suspension from competition. This includes the behavior of the parents. If we are in a public situation, i.e., parades, recital, competitions, etc., the expectation is that you will conduct your behavior responsibly. Remember you are a representative of SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC. If there are situations that need to be addressed, please remember that we can handle those upon return to the studio. In a public forum, it is unacceptable.

Our goal is to foster a healthy competitive team environment. With so many personalities, we realize that conflicts may arise, but we must be respectful of one another. Be kind to one another. There is no room for personal conflicts. Do not bring them to the dance studio. It is hard to stop gossip among girls or parents but we do not want it to become destructive. If you have a problem with a parent, instructor or staff member, we attempt to function with the biblical law of Matthew 18 and the law of do unto others. With that in mind, please note the following if you have issues with either children or parents in the studio:

a. Talk to the parent individually b. Talk to the parent with an instructor or staff member present c. NEVER approach the child on your own without specific approval of the parent. Children can feel threatened or misinterpret your words or actions, even if your intentions are good. Remember, they are only children. If you have a problem with someone’s child, this should be addressed with the parent and/or staff…NEVER approach any student without consent.

While we understand the protective instincts of parents do surface, you must remember that you are an authority figure and that the dancers from the age of 18 and lower are minors and have not experienced many of the situations you have in life. Before you do anything, think…how I would feel if my child was approached in a specific situation.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

SOLO/DUET/TRIO

If your child is selected to perform a solo, duet and/or trio, the extra fees are as follows:

• Always, for Solo/Duet/Trios, an initial choreography fee is paid to the choreographers. Solo choreography fees are $250, Duet choreography fees are $125 per person, and Trio choreography

SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC - 7 - fees are $100 per person. This is a one-time fee that must be paid before your dance has been choreographed. Again, these fees go through the choreographer, not the office manager, Mrs. Janet or the competition team, Mrs. Ilaine. This is separate from your monthly practice fees.

Monthly Solo/duet/trio Practice Fees

• Solos - $100.00 per month (four 30 minute practices) • Duets - $50.00 per month per person (four 30 minute practices) • Trios - $34.00 per month per person (four 30 minute practices)

Typically, there is only one 30-minute practice a week, unless additional time is required. Setting up practice times should occur between you and the choreographer, not Mrs. Ilaine or Mrs. Janet. Should you need additional practices, the additional cost per practice is $25.00 per person per session. Any child may have private instruction, even if they do not have a solo, duet, or trio. Soloists may be required to take private ballet lessons twice a month if instructed by the choreographer. Please see Directors for more information. Your practices are maintained on a card system. See Meghan, Janet, and/or or Ilaine regarding your cards.

The practice fees are not included in your monthly statement. Please keep a book and get receipts for practices paid for in the studio. Mrs. Janet & Mrs. Ilaine do not keep up with your practices, so they do not know when the fees need to be paid. The teachers will typically tell you when the card is full. It is your responsibility to keep track of this particular fee. If for some reason, your child does not get four practices per month the fees will rollover to the next month or the practice is rescheduled. If you know that you are missing a scheduled private lesson (solo, duet, trio, or privates) and do not let the teacher know by 12 noon, you will still be charged.

Again, additional choreography fees are charged and must be paid in full before choreography is completed on your dance. These fees are paid directly to the choreographer and are separate from the monthly fees associated with the solo/duet/trios.

Delinquent Tuition Penalty- Please note, your duty to keep current with your monthly tuition is mandatory and remains of the highest priority. Being selected for a solo, duo or trio is an honor, and while practicing these routines is of high importance, it is not more important than your monthly tuition obligation. It has become an apparent issue lately that monthly tuition is falling behind while practice cards for these additional dances are being purchased, i.e. solo, duo, trio cards. Therefore, in the 2016-2017 season, each time a solo, duo, trio card is purchased, your tuition account will be checked for delinquency prior to applying the monies for additional solo, duo, trio cards. The office reserves the specific right to apply any monies received towards your monthly tuition delinquency without your express permission. Said solo, duo or trio will not be permitted to practice until such time your monthly tuition is current and accordingly you have purchased a solo, duo or trio card.

DRESS CODE

As members of the SpotLite Competition Team, it is important to always observe the dress code. Remember you are setting an example for the non-company dancers and for your younger teammates.

SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC - 8 - Ballet: Solid colored black leotard, footed pink tights, and leather or canvas ballet shoes. No tutus or scarf skirts. Hair must be pulled back off the face and in a bun with bobby pins and a hair net. All dancers must come to class in the proper dance attire, leotard, and tights. No dance pants, or sports bras for this class. – Boys – White T-shirt or wife beater, shorts or cut-off sweat pants.

Hip-Hop: Hair up out of their faces, Tennis Shoes or dance tennis shoes, comfortable hip hop clothes (cut off sweats, t-shirt, etc.). NO JEANS or JEAN SHORTS!

Progressions/Lyrical: Sports bra top (any color, no t-shirts or tank tops) and black boy shorts, jazz shoes, dance paws, foot undeez, or Pedini’s. Girls – NO SWEATS - CUT OFF OR LONG! Boys – White T-shirt T- Cut Shirts, shorts or cut-off sweat pants.

Stretching & Conditioning: Sports bra top (any color, no t-shirts or wife beaters), and black boy shorts. Girls – NO SWEATS, CUT OFF OR LONG! Boys – White T-shirt T-Cut Shirts, shorts or cut-off sweat pants

Tumbling/Acro: Solid Sports bra top (any color, no t-shirts or wife beaters), any color boy shorts foot undeez or no shoes. Girls – NO SWEATS, CUT OFF OR LONG! No shoes. Boys – White T-shirt T-Cut Shirts, shorts or cut-off sweat pants

The Dance Store from Murfreesboro will be supplying our team with supplies this year. They will be available at different times of the year including the beginning of the year, prior to showcase, competitions and recital. STUDENTS PLEASE DO NOT WEAR YOUR DANCE SHOES OUTSIDE ON THE CONCRETE, YOUR PARENTS PAY A LOT OF MONEY FOR YOUR SHOES TO LAST!

On Stage at Competitions - All Competition students must wear a studio wind suit to be worn on stage at each awards ceremony. NO GUM CHEWING! Be respectful of other teams, clap for them and congratulate them. Remember you are representing SpotLite Dance Studio. Please see Mrs. Janet for information regarding the purchase of the wind suit.

COSTUMES AND ACCESSORIES

We purchase some of our costumes and accessories from high-end costumers or from outside seamstresses. They are custom made to our specifications and the costs may vary per costume. We make every attempt to keep the costs reasonable. Collection of costume fees or accessory fees occur during the early part of the season (by November). We will request payments on costumes, early, this year for deposits as we are using local seamstresses as well as our out of town seamstress. This ensures that the number of costumes that must be made does not overwhelm the seamstress or that all purchased costumes arrive prior to the showcase and can be fitted, accordingly. The instructor selects group costumes; there is very little input from the parents. SHOES ARE NOT ACCESSORIES. The dancer and parent select solo costumes and can go through their own tailor or find their own costumes through other channels; however, the costume should be discussed with the instructor for appropriateness and to make sure it goes with the song selected.

Most of the costumes we have will need to be rhinestoned. Each parent will be required to stone their own child’s costumes using the design or layout given by the seamstress. If you are a new competition parent, other experienced competition parents will be there to help you. Once the costumes are ready to be stoned, we will have a parent “rhinestone party” at the studio where we all get together and stone the costumes. It is very important to make every effort to be there so that you can stone your child’s costumes to match the other costumes or for any questions that you have prior to attaching stones to the costumes. The best rhinestone glue SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC - 9 - to use is E6000 and each parent is responsible for bringing a tube of their own glue and toothpicks or straight pins to attach the stones to the fabric. You can purchase E6000 at most craft stores, Wal-Mart and Kmart or other craft stores.

MUSIC FEES

SOLO/DUET/TRIO music will be done by a professional. If you choose to use someone other than who we recommending then the music must be cut at an appropriate speed, level and exact times, as directed by your choreographer. The fee will be split between the duets and trios when the choreographer gets the music from the vendor. Your fee must be paid in order to receive a copy of your solo/duo/trio music.

COMPETITION DANCE SHOES

The Company dancers will be required to purchase appropriate dance shoes to go with each costume. Parents please do not allow your child to wear their competition shoes during class unless requested by their teacher. A separate pair of practice shoes should always be bought for class times. An in-house fitting will be provided so that all shoes, tights, etc., are consistent. Shoes are not a part of the budgeted plan that you receive.

COMPETITION FEES AND TRAVEL

SDS Competition Team will compete in four or five regional competitions and one national competition each. Depending on scheduling by competitions it could be more or less.

TUITION AND COSTUME PAYMENTS

Consistent delinquent payments on regular tuition accounts over 30 days may result in the suspension of that student’s participation in the competition company and dance classes. No student will participate in a competition until all fees, regular tuition and competition fees; late fees, NSF charges, or costume fees are received and cleared. If needed, please contact the office to discuss payment plans. We do not want to deny any student the opportunity to dance but at the same time cannot allow a student to get too far behind on their payments. A total of 50% of your group fee must be paid and tuition must be current in order to receive your costume. Mrs. Janet and Mrs. Ilaine will check your account before allowing your costumes to be released.

If you are behind on your fees, you WILL be pulled, at the Director’s discretion, from participating in competition. Accordingly, dances will be re-choreographed until such time that you have caught up on your fees. Severe delinquency may result in permanent removal from the dance. It is not fair for the choreographers, or the ones who pay timely, to have to constantly re-choreograph because of your inability to maintain currency.

If at any time you are dismissed from the team for violation of the terms of this handbook, or at any time voluntarily quit the team for any reason, and have acquired any tuition

SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC - 10 - and/or fees, you must immediately make arrangements to pay any outstanding fees. If said arrangements are not made and fees are left unpaid, legal action will be taken to obtain a judgment against you for any and all unpaid tuition and/or fees, to include any necessary attorney and/or court costs in seeking said judgment.

COMPETITION RULES & ETIQUETTE

SDS Company dancers and parents are expected to support and encourage each other at all times, especially at competitions. Support of your team is vital to our success.

• SDS Company dancers, without exception, are expected to treat each other, teacher, parents, competition judges and fellow students from other studios with the highest level of respect at all times. Dancers are always expected to represent themselves and the studio with class and dignity. • SDS Company dancers are expected to exhibit good sportsmanlike behavior at all times regardless of their score at competitions. This includes thanking the judges, applauding and congratulating the other dancers at awards and accepting awards on stage gracefully and with gratitude.

• Please arrive at the competition site two hours before your dance, however, if someone on the team is dancing earlier, you are highly encouraged to come and support him or her. Remember that competitions sometimes run ahead of schedule and if you are running late, your child may miss their dance. If you are late for your dance, including pre-practice, you will not be allowed to dance at the next competition. When you arrive at the competition, please check in with one of the directors so that they know you are ready. There will be a practice place set up, you are to be at the practice spot at least 15-20 numbers before your own. • Parents, please make an effort, when possible, to bring your child to the competitions (or send them with someone) to support and encourage their fellow team members in all the company dances. It means so much to the dancers when they have an audience of 50+ parents and team members as opposed to a handful of family members cheering for them. • SDS Company members must wear a cover-up at all times while in the audience. • During a dance, please refrain from leaving your seat or talking. Always enter and exit the audience during a break between dances. • Competition companies do not allow any form of videotaping during the competition. Please remember that your studio or dance can be disqualified from the competition for breaking this rule. • Parents and dancers, before leaving home please inventory all costumes, accessories, shoes and any props (chairs, etc) that you may need for the dances. • Each SDS dancer must have a copy of their birth certificate on file in the office. Competition companies require these in case of an age dispute. • Competition companies require a signed parental consent form from each dancer. Please be sure you have signed our main form for competition. • Parents are not allowed backstage at competitions when Ms. Meghan and Mrs. Lyndee are warming up the dancers. Once your child is ready for a solo, duet or trio, please leave them with Ms. Meghan and go to the audience.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By affixing my signature below, I, as the parent, legal guardian, and/or family representative of ______, a Spotlite Dance Studio, LLC competition team member, do hereby acknowledge that I have read, and completely understand, the terms of the 2016-2017 competition team handbook.

I further understand and agree that my signature below signifies our agreement to company rules, fees and policies as laid out with the handbook, and that said agreement was entered into willingly and knowingly.

Further, I agree to be responsible for upholding all terms as specifically lay out therein. I understand that this form will constitute a notarized legal contract between myself, on behalf of the dancer below, and SpotLite Dance Studio, LLC:

Parent Signature : ______Parent Name Printed :

Dancer Signature : ______

Date: ______

STATE OF TENNESSEE COUNTY OF RUTHERFORD

The forgoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ______day of ______, 20__,

By ______.

______Notary Public

My Commission Expires ______

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