OPEN HOUSE REGISTRATION

• An Open House is held 2-3 weeks prior to each session for new students to see the studio and meet the teachers. Existing students who want guidance on class placement or who wish to have a parent/teacher meeting with a teacher should attend as well.

• Current Dancelot Studio students may use this opportunity to show friends or family members their dance studio “home”!

MAIL-IN REGISTRATION

• For your convenience Class Registration may be made by mail. 
  PLEASE NOTE: 
  In order to stay in compliance with the fee schedule shown below in the Registration/Bookkeeping Fee Table, your tuition and registration by mail MUST be stamp-dated by the Post Office NO LATER than 2 days prior to the Priority Registration Date deadlines publicized for that session.  Mail-in registrations must contain the proper tuition and fees in order to be counted as registered.

• Checks ONLY may be mailed to Dancelot Studio.  Dancelot Studio accepts no responsibility for lost cash payments that were mailed or dropped in the front mail slot at the studio.

GENERAL TUITION INFORMATION

• Tuition payments may be made in 1 payment per session or 2 payments per session with a registration/bookkeeping fee added to each payment.  The 2-payment method requires submitting both checks at the time of registration, one dated for the present, one post-dated for a date halfway through the session (Nov. 1st for session I, April 1st for session II.) 

• Dancelot Studio instituted the 2-payment plan as a courtesy to the client. Tuition submitted in this manner is still considered a contract to dance for the entire semester and is not meant to encourage withdrawal midterm. Client cancellation of the second check in the 2-payment method will be handled the same as a "returned check" (see below under "Returned checks".)
  

• Tuition is non-refundable after a certain date (see "Tuition Refund" guidelines below) except in cases where injury or diseases prevents a dancer from continuing dance for an extended period of time within the semester. In case of a short-term injury, dancers will be asked to make-up missed classes in an appropriate class. Medical documentation (see instructions below under "Tuition Refund") is required for withdrawal from dance class where refund is requested.

• Tuition or other payments may be made in cash or by check made out to “Dancelot Studio.”
  

• Tuition checks ONLY (no cash) may be dropped through the front mail slot of Dancelot Studio along with registration or accounting forms.  Cash must be given person-to-person during operating hours.

REGISTRATION/BOOKKEEPING FEE FOR CLASSES

• The Registration/Bookkeeping fee covers the expense of creating or updating your account as well as the expense of administering to the formation or changes in classes.  Your timely attention to registration deadlines is greatly appreciated! Early registration saves you money because it saves us work at the last minute which makes for a smoother, more efficient, transition into a new session!

• Class schedules will be posted online as well as on the bulletin boards at Dancelot Studio before a new session begins.  We recommend that dancers register for classes no later than 2 weeks before the new session begins.  This allows time for classes to be formed and /or altered according to enrollment and allows time to inform all class attendees or teachers of schedule changes before the starting week of classes.

• Current students (new students excluded) who register BEFORE the PRIORITY REGISTRATION cutoff date (posted online and on hard copies of the Dancelot schedule each session), pay a $10 registration/bookkeeping fee per payment.  ($10 on the 2^nd payment, also, if choosing the 2-payment plan in the fall or winter semesters; 2-payment plan not available in the summer.)
  

• Current students who register 1 week (to the day) before the starting date of the new session will pay a $20 registration/bookkeeping fee on the 1^st payment ($10 on the 2^nd payment if choosing the 2-payment plan in the fall or winter semesters; 2-payment plan not available in the summer.)
  

• Current students who register AFTER the PRIORITY REGISTRATION cutoff date, (posted online and on copies of the Dancelot schedule each session) pay a $10 late fee in addition to the registration/bookkeeping fee. 
  

• New students who register for classes at Dancelot Studio at any time will be assessed a $10 registration/bookkeeping fee ($10 on the 2^nd payment if choosing the 2-payment plan in the fall or winter semesters; 2-payment plan not available in the summer.)
  
  

FAMILY TUITION DISCOUNT

• Dancers who are related and living in the same household who are enrolled in ballet, jazz, creative movement, tap, or belly dance classes are eligible for a $10 family discount for each student registering after the first family member.
• Ballroom class registration is not eligible for this discount.

RETURNED CHECKS & CANCELLED CHECKS

• Checks returned for “insufficient funds” or 2nd payment checks marked to "stop payment" are subject to a $35 administration charge.
• A Dancelot Studio  staff member  will inform you privately by email or phone that a check was returned “ISF” or “NSF”.
• Tuition must then be paid in full in CASH along with the $35 charge, before you or your child may attend the next scheduled dance class. 
• Issuing a bad check without compensatory remuneration as described above may result in civil action and the filing of a police report under OHIO REVISED CODE 2307.60 and 2307.61.

RECITAL FEE & VOLUNTEER TIME
Dancelot performs at least two shows each year, a Winter Holiday show (for Ruby level dancers and up) and a Spring Recital for any Dancelot Studio student who is qualified, per instructor decretion, and wishes  to participate   Just as with any team sport you or your child may have been involved with,  a show is a group effort and only accomplished with hands-on behind-the-scenes help of ALL parents or older dancers.  A recital fee of approximately $45- $65, depending on the show produced, is charged per family (regardless of number of family members) to help cover some of the costs of renting the theatre for the week and producing a stage production of this size.  The fee does NOT come close to covering all labor and stage costs, however, (ie, backdrop and prop creation, costume management, stage crew fees) thus parents of young children, teen dancers (14 or older) and adult dancers are expected to volunteer as needed towards the creation of the show.  Please be proactive and eager to pitch in!  It’s FUN when we have enough hands to do it in a leisurely fashion! During each recital a Recital Packet with specific information pertinent to THAT show will be sent online to all participating dancers during the session of the show in question. Be sure to provide us with an accurate email address! Be sure to sign and turn in the back page of the Recital Packet to show your commitment to helping us attain a creative and entertaining show.

TUITION REFUND POLICY 
Dancelot Studio policy states clearly on the website, and in the Policy Manual (posted on the bulletin board) that you are asked to read, sign and agree to therein, that "tuition is due before the commencement of classes and is non-refundable," ie, registration and payment is due before taking the first dance class. Our reason for a non-refundable tuition is business-based and is necessary to protect the integrity and continuity of classes for the serious dance student. We decide to hold a class (or not) based on having adequate class enrollment when the class first forms each session. Once the class starts, Dancelot Studio cannot cancel a class mid-session because some one decides to drop out bringing enrollment below "adequate" to pay the class expenses (overhead, teacher pay, etc.) We must be able to rely on each person’s commitment to their decision to dance, upon which we based OUR decision to continue offering that class (or a related class with lower enrollment which it supplements.) Potential students are encouraged to observe a class or two, OR try a single class (at the trial class rate) BEFORE they enroll, so they understand their commitment prior to payment.

If however, a student desires to withdraw from the class after registration has been sent, tuition refund, if any, will be handled as follows:

 FOR 100% refund:   Request for withdrawal must be given to Dancelot Studio in 2 forms 1) by written letter AS WELL AS, 2) by phone voice mail message OR written email message.  This request must be postmarked as well as voicemail-dated or email-dated 30 days or more prior to the exact starting time of the first class of the session.  Note that speaking directly to a Dancelot Studio representative does not constitute a request for withdrawal from class.  The Registration/Bookkeeping Fee is nonrefundable at any time.

 FOR 50% refund:  Request for withdrawal must be given to Dancelot Studio in 2 forms 1) by written letter AS WELL AS, 2) by phone message OR email message.  This request must be postmarked as well as voicemail-dated or email-dated 15-29 days prior to the exact starting time of the first class of the session.   Note that speaking directly to a Dancelot Studio  representative does not constitute a request for withdrawal from class.  The Registration/Bookkeeping Fee is nonrefundable at any time.

 FOR 15% refund:  Request for withdrawal must be given to Dancelot Studio in 2 forms 1) by written letter AS WELL AS, 2) by phone message OR email message.  This request must be postmarked as well as voicemail-dated or email-dated 8-14 days prior to the exact starting time of the first class of the session.   Note that speaking directly to a Dancelot Studio  representative does not constitute a request for withdrawal from class.  The Registration/Bookkeeping Fee is nonrefundable at any time.

NO  refund:  No refund of tuition or the Registration/Bookkeeping Fee is given 7 days prior to the exact starting time of the first class of the session.  Again, we strongly suggest that you understand the level of discipline required of students to be a dancer and KNOW what you are “biting off” when you commit to a semester of dance training at Dancelot Studio. That is why we recommend that you observe a class or two for free, or take a single class at the trial class rate.

TUITION REFUND POLICY EXCEPTION FOR MEDICAL ISSUES
Tuition, whether made in 1 payment or 2, is only refundable per the timeframe carefully laid out in this manual/online text, except in cases where injury or disease prevents a dancer from continuing dance
for an extended period of time (greater than 4 weeks) within the semester. If an injury or serious chronic illness should prevent a student from continuing class for part or all of the semester, official medical documentation on the official letterhead stationery of the doctor treating the dancer must be submitted with the request to withdraw from dance class with a refund, transfer, or crediting of tuition. All decisions are handled on an individual basis after a written request is made to and reviewed by the Dancelot Advisory Board. The Dancelot Advisory Board makes the final decision on transferring, crediting, or refunding tuition. The Registration Fee is non-refundable in all cases. Discontinuation for medical reasons may be handled in one of three ways depending on the ailment.
1) A refund in the amount of the unused classes for the remaining balance of tuition (minus the registration fee) may be granted.
2) Class credit in the amount of the unused classes (minus the registration fee) may be given in place of a refund and may be forwarded to a future time when the injury or illness has subsided, within a period of a year from the date of the ailment.
3) Tuition in the amount of the unused classes (minus the registration fee) may be transferred to another family member within that semester. Proof of family affiliation is required.

OUTSTANDING BALANCES ON MONEY OWED
Please understand that Dancelot Studio tries to keep costs down in order to keep tuition prices as low as possible for you. Thus, "bill collecting" is not a cost we see as mandatory if you do YOUR part. We expect that you take the responsibility upon yourself to pay your bills when they are due, with little prompting or reminding, so we are not required to pay our bookkeeper to be a collection agent. IF bookkeeping records show that you have an outstanding balance due to Dancelot Studio for any services or item which Dancelot Studio has provided for you and which you have failed to pay in a respectable and timely manner of less than 2 months, (such as tuition, costumes, accessories, tickets, or fees) you will be contacted via email and/or by phone concerning this bill. In the event your account is still overdue after 4 months from the initial due date (as determined by the date of ordering the tickets, the costumes, the services, etc.) the account will be assessed a 20 % (percent) late fee on any outstanding balance. After that time, a 10 % (percent) interest charge will accrue weekly (Monday to Sunday) on the unpaid balance. Remember, tuition and fees are due in advance of taking class. During the Winter-Spring semester, costume and recital fees are due early in the semester. Be ready to pay for these items by having your checkbook close at hand!

STUDENT HEALTH ISSUES
If a dancer comes to class presenting an apparent injury or illness, Dancelot Studio  instructors have the right to ask the student to refrain from taking class or to leave the building, depending on the condition and its affect on the dancer or others around him/her.  The health and safety of each and every student is important to us.

CLASS ABSENCES, CLASS MAKE-UPS
MAKE-UP CLASSES MUST BE TAKEN IN THE SEMESTER OF THE CLASS THAT WAS MISSED. Please call and leave a message if you will be missing class, then plan to make up that time in another class offered at Dancelot Studio sometime within that semester. Instructors will be happy to make suggestions on make-up classes appropriate for your level and interest. Feel free to inquire about dance classes outside of the style you are currently studying. Tuition is not refunded or prorated for missed classes. Make-up classes are to be taken only AFTER a class had been missed. CLASS MAKE-UPS MAY NOT BE MADE IN ADVANCE OF A MISSED CLASS EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL. WHEN MAKING THIS ARRANGEMENT, YOU MUST INFORM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DATES YOU WILL BE MISSING.

CLASS PLACEMENT
Students will be assessed in the first 2 weeks of class for appropriate placement. This may be done in one of two ways. A special one half hour audition may be scheduled privately with the instructor or director of the school at the rate of $10. Alternatively, the student will be asked to take a class with other students (at the single class rate) and will be placed in a level of class that appears to be appropriate after a verbal interview. The student will usually be asked to take a class that is below his/her level. We have found it is less intimidating for new students to be assessed in a class that might be LOWER than their skill level until they are familiar with the new teacher's method and style. When it becomes obvious that the dancer should move to a class requiring more skill, we do not hesitate in placing the student in the more challenging class. Moving UP in level is usually less awkward a transition than moving down! The reverse, putting a student in a higher level class at first during the assessment period, can be intimidating or embarrassing if she/he isn't familiar with the teacher’s technique or vocabulary. Best to start slow and move up fast!

JOINING THE CLASS MIDTERM
Once a session has begun and the curriculum started, new students wishing to enter the class may have some difficulty (even advanced dancers) if they are not knowledgeable of the teacher’s particular style of dance or do not pick up choreography quickly.  This can pose a problem for all.  Thus, Dancelot Studio must enforce the following stipulations for midterm enrollment:

• The student must have the express approval of the instructor to enter the class.

• The student must show clear determination to “come from behind” and catch-up through outside, at-home practice.

• The dancer and parents (if a child) must understand that, try as they may, the goal was too high and the dancer may need to be cut from the choreography if he/she isn’t able to learn it adequately to fit in with the class by show time.

• Late costume order fees are the responsibility of the dancer.

• IF a costume cannot be purchased in time the student may not be able to dance with the class. 

CHILDREN & CHILD CARE
We regret that Dancelot Studio cannot provide childcare during adult dance classes.  Thus, for safety and liability reasons, children under 12 years of age who are not taking dance class MUST be accompanied at all times by a parent or other adult in the lobby. 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Absolutely NO food or beverage (except plain water in closed water bottles) is permitted in the studio areas or the carpeted hallway area.  Please observe this rule without exception!  We do not wish to draw rodents and insects to our dance area!

ROLES &  PARTS (behind the scenes!)

JUNIOR TEACHERS
Any Dancelot dancer between the ages of 10 and 18 years of age who wishes to be a Junior Teacher for the Saturday classes should contact Ms. Judy.  Auditions will be held by having you assist on a Saturday morning and watching you interact with the younger dancers in the Pearls, Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds groups.  Junior Teachers should be animated and interact well with children, be willing to learn their names, and be attentive to their needs.  Your dance duties would include 1) modeling the dance steps, 2) assisting with stretches or warm up at the beginning of classes, 3) assisting the teacher in spacing or moving the children around the studio or stage, and 4) leading choreography during the recital on Stage L or R.  The position of Junior Teacher is awarded only to those dancers who take seriously the opportunity of LEARNING how to teach and choreograph from experienced teachers.  If you are chosen for this position you must always wear appropriate dance attire (including a smile!) and be punctual and consistent in your attendance.  ALL Junior teachers who fulfill their commitment will receive 2 free tickets to the Recital.  Let us know if you are interested! 

 RECITAL HELPER
A Recital Helper is a person who volunteers and is chosen to be backstage during the show to help in a number of capacities to help the production glide along smoothly.  One to two adult Recital Helpers may be chosen from the classes of the young dancers ( Pearls, Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Emeralds) to assist in dressing rooms with dancers. Recital Helpers do not need to purchase a ticket on the day that they assist backstage, however, they cannot leave their assigned post to go into the auditorium to watch the show. Recital Helpers should wear PLAIN black clothing, shoes, and socks, during rehearsals and on the day of the show to identify them as authorized backstage staff.  Some Recital Helpers are adult dancers who dance in 1-2 numbers. Since they may be in costume they are not required to wear black clothing unless their number is in a different act.  

ATTIRE & DEMEANOR

SPEECH AND WORDS
While we DO believe in the freedom of speech (if it is constructive and helpful) we don’t believe in cussing or character put-downs.  We, like, ALSO, like, DON’T LIKE the word “like” to be so sorely misused, misplaced and mistakenly interjected between every OTHER word in a sentence! Ms. Judy, especially, would LIKE for all of her dancers to act LIKE educated students who have had proper instruction on how to use the word "LIKE"! Be prepared to receive this instruction along with dance technique at Dancelot Studio if prior instruction is missing.
(Are you, like, smiling ? :)

ATTIRE
Policies regarding dance attire are based on safety and training requirements and vary with the dancer's age.  As with any serious endeavor, such as sports or learning to master a musical instrument, the study of dance requires having the proper “tools” to make the training most effective.  The dancer's "tools" are dance shoes, dance apparel, dance bags, and hair accessories. Getting the proper dancewear may cost as little as $25 and as much as $250 depending on the level and number of classes you will be taking at Dancelot Studio.  

Males:   Black leather ballet slippers.  Tight white T-shirts (no graphics) and tights or leggings of any color. 

Jazz:  Leotards and tights of any color.  Black jazz pants are permitted. Black tie on jazz shoes.  NO BAGGIE clothes.  Youth/Teens: Warm-up clothes are permitted during the warm-up only. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Ballet and jazz shoes must fit tightly, like a pair of socks.  Tap shoes must fit the size of the foot NOW.  Shoes that are bought too large for “growing into” make learning tap difficult and frustrating as the student cannot control the toe tap!

Adults/Teens in Ballet
Females: Pink leather or canvas ballet slippers. Leotards of any subdued color that do not  reveal excessive cleavage or hip.  Tights of any color.  Warm-up clothes are permitted during the warm-up only.  Short voile or chiffon skirts are permitted during adult ballet classes.
Males:   Black ballet slippers.  Leotards/stretch shirts and tights or leggings of any color.  Dance belt. Warm-up clothes are permitted during the warm-up only. 

Adults/Teens in Jazz
All genders:  Any color leotards, tights, stretch dance shirts, and tight-fitting jazz pants.  Black or tan (check with your instructor on the color for YOUR class) tie-on jazz shoes. No jazz sneakers. Hoodless sweat suits or warm-up dancewear may be worn during the warm-up only.  

Adults/Teens in Tap
All genders:  Comfortable but tightly-fitted apparel make it easier for the instructor to see body alignment, thus, leotard, tights, or jazz pants are highly encouraged.

Tap shoes: Black tie-on low-heeled tap shoes;  split-sole permitted but not required or recommended.

Adults/Teens in Belly Dance
Comfortable clothing.  Chinky belts and skirts as approved by the instructor.  Bare midriffs ARE permitted in this class as NO floor warm up is performed.  Ballet slippers are recommended but bare feet are allowed.

Ballroom Classes
Hard leather-soled shoes are required for swiveling and pivoting, thus, are recommended for the Ballroom classes.  Gym shoes have too much friction and should not be worn. High-heels are discouraged for training classes and spike heels are not permitted on the studio floors.

Note:  Many ballroom dancers designate a particular pair of street shoes as their “dance shoes “ once they discover the best pair to wear for dance class.  They carry these shoes with them and change into them prior to class and do not wear them outside of the studio. 

PROBLEMS & RESOLUTIONS

All adverse or uncomfortable situations that might arise in the course of a semester, show, or rehearsal cannot be foreseen or discussed in detail in this Dancelot Studio Policy Manual. Please defer to the judgment of the instructors (excluding junior teachers) or designated hired staff members (introduced and identified at shows or events) when issues arise and must be handled on the spot. If you have further issues to resolve, please consult with the director of Dancelot Studio immediately after an incident and she will follow up on the issue as expediently as possible.  Please put the incident in writing as soon after it occurs as possible; this will ensure more accurate recollection of details as well as a more appropriate resolution. (Items to note: place and time of incident, what was said, who said it, names of witnessess, possible repercussions if problem persists, possible solutions in your opinion.) Thank you, in advance, for bringing problems (and possible solutions) to our attention!