Being a part of a team requires a lot of hard work, time, and dedication from all dancers, directors, and parents. We hope that you are ready to join us on this adventure for a successful and exciting season.

AGREEMENTS

If at any time, any of these agreements are broken, the dancer and parent will receive notice by verbal/written warning depending on the situation. If more than one of these agreements is broken within a short period of time from each other, the dancer will be put on a probationary period, which may lead them to be ineligible to perform/compete. Progression and improvement may get a dancer out of this probation.

REHEARSAL/CLASSES

1. Attendance:

1. Arrive to all classes, rehearsals, workshops, performances, and competitions on time.

2. You must notify the Front desk (frontdesk@elementsdancespace.com) if you will be missing rehearsal at least 2 days prior, unless it is an emergency. Notifications in hallway passing are not acceptable. In case of same day regrets, please call the studio. 626-817-9988

3. Attend your classes and follow EDS class guidelines and etiquette. 

1. If you miss a class, it must be made up within 30 days of the day it was missed. All makeup classes should be made up before the end of the season. Classes are just as important as rehearsals. 

4. Excessive absences (even with make-up classes), even when excused, will not be tolerated.  It is imperative for the Dancers to train TOGETHER as a team, and for each dancer to train consistently as an individual.  Dancers may lose the opportunity to perform or compete due to excessive absences. 

2. Mandatory Rehearsal and Class Schedule – see individual schedule 

1. Dancers must enroll and remain enrolled in their assigned classes throughout the entire season beginning Sept 5th - May 25th.

2. MHL and JHL - Please confirm with the frontdesk@elementsdancespace your choice of 2 classes no later than 8/21. Classes will fill up so be sure to choose your option for classes ASAP! 

3. Extra rehearsals will be scheduled depending on the progress of the routine and the amount of work the team puts into regular rehearsals. If you would like to take any other additional classes, please speak with Miss Samantha to add to your schedule and tuition accordingly. Each dancer is required to attend their scheduled classes. Taking classes consistently is a part of training and will help them improve. 

3. Be sure to set up an account on Jackrabbit AND Mindbody. Ms. Tu will send links to ensure you have accounts on each system. We will automatically enroll all Dancers into their classes on Jackrabbit once you have turned in your signed agreement, but it is your responsibility to login to keep your information up to date such as credit card information, etc. Please see the Front Desk for assistance.  

Jackrabbit - tuition, competition fees, etc
MindBody - private lessons

ROUTINES

1. Each team will have 1-2 group routines that they will compete for the season. 

2. Entourage dancers may be awarded additional choreography (solo/duo/trio) based on technique, ability, artistic aesthetic, work ethic, and attitude. You will be notified in your specific schedule attached. Additional choreography is OPTIONAL and parents must confirm their dancers participation with Miss Samantha by September 2nd.

COMMITMENT/MORALE

If you are going to be a part of the Team, you must be ready to be committed to rehearsals, training, performances, competitions, socials, events, and each other. You are now a representative of this team AND Elements Dance Space. Please be respectable and good representatives of not only the team and the studio, but of yourselves.

1. Classes: You are a big representation of the studio, so when you are in class, be respectful to all students and the instructors. You will want guest instructors to remember your team especially when you’re at competition/performances.

2. If you and your child make the commitment now to compete and train with Team EDS, we need you to honor that commitment. Keeping them from a rehearsal or performance as a disciplinary device is unfair to the rest of the team and may lead to dismissal from the team.  This hurts the other members of the group and places your daughter or son in an embarrassing situation and gives the wrong message about the acceptance of responsibility. 

3. Appropriate attire and shoes are required for each dance rehearsal/class. If you do not comply, you will be dismissed from rehearsal/class for that day.  Keep all shoes in your dance bag at all times.

4. Dancers are expected to practice at home on a regular basis to retain their choreography.  Rehearsals are not the time to reteach.  

5. Grades: Being on a team requires a lot of commitment, but we also need to make sure that you are not falling behind in your studies. All dancers must maintain a grade point average of your Parent’s expectation. Any dancer that fails to maintain good grades will not be eligible to perform. You must attend rehearsals and competitions and “not being able to go because you need to catch up on homework” is unacceptable. 

TUITION AND FEES

see Individual Breakdown

TUITION AND FEES
see Individual Breakdown

Autopay will be scheduled for the last day of each month for the following month. First AP date will be 8/31 and the last will be 4/30
*All Tuition is collected via autopay. No exceptions.

Declined credit card transactions will be charged an automatic $15 NSF fee.  
*Private lessons will be charged weekly on Monday for the previous week’s lessons to the card on file. 

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parent involvement is crucial in having a successful team.  It is every Dancer’s responsibility to relay any messages from Director to Parent. Directors will send emails often regarding information about the studio, team, performances, competitions, etc. It is your responsibility to stay up to date on the information that is given out. Occasionally, we will hold Parent meetings via ZOOM. We also connect on DISCORD when we are at competitions, events, etc as email may not be checked. 

EVENTS

Dancers will be expected to attend the following events. All performances and competitions are mandatory and any potential absences must be brought to the Directors attention immediately.

Regional Competitions

We will attend 2 regional competitions in the spring. Please reserve the full weekend, Friday afternoon through Sunday night as we don’t receive the exact schedule until the week prior to the competition.  Please email spring weekend conflicts now or as soon as you are aware.  Please do not ask if the schedule has been released. Once the schedule is released, we will notify you via email. It is usually sent about 1-2 weeks prior to the event. 

National Competition

It is OPTIONAL to attend 1 National competition. Dancers must qualify to compete at nationals at their regional competition.  

Community Performances

Selected routines will be expected to attend community performances between January-July.  These performances will be chosen once choreography has been started so we can select appropriate pieces for each community show. These community shows not only give the Dancers another opportunity to perform, but to 1) give back to the community pending on the event 2) represent Elements. 

Revue / Holiday House - TBD

Dancers perform in our EDS Showcases Revue and may perform at  Holiday House..  Revue is a studio wide showcase. They will perform their competition routines. More information to come. 

ATTIRE/HAIR/MAKE-UP GUIDELINES

ATTIRE

BALLET

Females:

Any color leotard

Skin tone or Pink Tights

Pink split-sole ballet slippers – see website for style #

Males:

Form fitting white t-shirt

Black shorts that come above the knee

Black ballet shoes

JAZZ / PILATES / STRETCH & STRENGTH

Form fitting clothing for all dancers

Preferable for females : Leotard or Sports Bra / Jazz Shorts or Leggings

Tan jazz shoes or half shoes – see website for style # 

HIP HOP

Basketball shorts / Sweatpants / Leggings / T Shirt / Tennis Shoes. Please do not wear any dance shoes, including tennis shoes used for Hip Hop/Production outside.

Production – all black attire

HAIR

Ballet: Hair and bangs should be pulled back in a neat bun. It is unacceptable for hair to continuously fall out during class. It must be secure.

Jazz/Pilates/Stretch Strength: Hair and bangs should be pulled back into a neat ponytail or bun, unless otherwise specified by the teacher/choreographer. Depending on how thick your hair is, 2-4 thick rubber bands MUST be worn.

Pop Dance/Hip Hop:  Hair must be pulled out of your face. Hair may only be worn down if he/she/they understand how to “work” their hair. In the event that the hair is a distraction, the instructor may ask the student to pull it back. 

MAKE-UP

Dancers must always portray a professional image. Make-up, hair and costumes are always the first impression. There are two looks for the Dancers.  The community performance look is a lighter look. The setting is usually less formal where there are no stage lights, so the Dancers can wear a lighter amount of make-up. When at competitions, the Dancers are under heavy lights and will need a stronger, darker look for their faces to be seen on stage (some community performances may require heavy make-up and will be specified).  We will have a hair and make-up tutorial for new members before the first competition. More information will be emailed later. 

MISCELLANEOUS

If you are not ready to perform, Directors have the right to pull you out of a section or not cast you in a routine/performance. It is up to you if you want to perform. Additional classes and private lessons are highly recommended for exponential growth for all Dancers and may be mandatory for some Dancers. Do well and work hard if you want to share the stage with everyone else. 

It is important for the Dancers to understand the importance of taking care of their bodies for their health and well-being. Eat nutritiously. Stay healthy. Use proper technique. We offer classes in stretch, strength, and Pilates to ensure that our Dancers have the opportunity to be at their best. 

DANCER/PARENT CONDUCT

Dancers and Parents must both learn to always be prepared.  All information regarding scheduling, performances, and competitions will be posted and emailed in a timely manner. It is imperative that this information is read and understood. 

1. Gossip will not be tolerated among Team Parents or Dancers.  Parents are expected to support all Directors/Instructors decisions.  Please do not question Instructor choices in front of your Dancers.  Please speak with the Director and Instructor first.  There may be a miscommunication and questioning the Instructor in front of your Dancer will cause them to not trust their authority in the class/rehearsal. 

2. Each Dancer must be responsible for his/her commitment to the competition group. Competition Dancers must be willing to work hard, practice daily and most importantly, they must have excellent behavior during rehearsal and class.  Poor conduct by any dancer will lead to dismissal from rehearsal and/or dismissal from the group.  Poor behavior, attendance, effort, or level of performance could lead to dismissal from the group.  If this should happen, no financial compensation will be given for any cost of costumes, lessons, competition fees, etc. 

3. We reinforce the ideology that it is not about the award received at competition.  It is about personal growth and progress for each dancer.  Please do not place too much importance on the dancer’s ribbons/pins/trophies.  

4. Competition Conduct – The following guidelines apply to Dancers, parents, family, or anyone attending competitions that represent Elements Dance Space.  

   1. We APPLAUD for EVERYONE! Applause should take place after every routine and during each awards ceremony. It doesn’t matter if the dance is from our studio or not, the Dancers on stage rehearse just as much as we do, and their efforts deserve attention. 

   2. Etiquette: Parents and Dancers must not enter an auditorium or walk in aisles while any routine is on stage.  Please remain in your seat or outside the auditorium doors until the Dancers have finished.  It is disrespectful to the Dancers on stage as well as to the other parents in the auditorium. 

   3. Noise Makers are strictly PROHIBITED at competitions. External devices are banned from most if not all competitions and place the parent at risk of being removed from the competition venue, or a loss of points for the Dancers on stage.  Please also remain quiet in the auditorium. 

   4. Dancers and Parents MUST conduct themselves in a respectable manner at ALL times during studio events, competitions, rehearsals, etc. Talking about other dance studios and dance companies in a negative manner is not allowed.  You are representing Elements Dance Space so please watch your language and choice of words. 

   5. Competitions do NOT allow photography or video to be taken inside the theater. There are paid professionals who will be taking pictures as well as videos for purchase at the events. Again, pulling out your camera at an event may result in points being deducted from the routine on stage. Photography and video is allowed at most informal community performances. 

   6. Dancers must arrive ready before their call time. Competitions can run as much as an hour early so Dancers must come with their hair and make-up completely finished for their first routine.  They must be prepared with all costume pieces, undergarments, shoes, etc.  If a dancer is missing items, please notify the Director as soon as possible so we can come up with a solution. 

   7. If you are at a competition and a routine from EDS is on stage, please watch and support your fellow Dancers. 

   8. Dancers should not be left unattended at competitions. Each Dancer must have an Adult responsible for them. This does not mean that the parents of every Dancer must attend the competition, simply that any Dancer who is not old enough to drive themselves to competition must have a ride home and someone who can make sure they are fed properly throughout the day.  

5. We focus on the importance of teamwork, as well as the progress of the individual Dancer.

   1. We want the Dancers to know that every one of them is just as important as the next.  Just because a Dancer isn’t front and center, does not mean that they are not important.  The supporting actors are just as important as the leading actors. 

   2. At the same time, each dancer is unique.  We ask that you encourage your Dancer to be the best that he/she can be, regardless of what others may achieve.  Dance is an individual art form and each Dancer needs to achieve at a pace that’s right for them.  No two students will progress at the same rate, even if they experience the exact same training.  It’s important to encourage your Dancer to focus on themselves, give their all, and be satisfied with their own accomplishments.  

6. Refrain from anything negative about yourselves, your team, and each other in and out of classes, competitions, and on online websites. Keep all personal drama off the internet and out of the studio. Dancers will be dismissed immediately. No refunds will be given. 

   
   

CONCLUSION: 

We ask that each of you has read this carefully and thoughtfully and that you fully understand your commitment of time, finances, and effort that is required in being a part of the Team at Elements Dance Space.   Please complete the online confirmation by SATURDAY AUGUST 19 to confirm your Dancer’s participation in the upcoming season.  

I have read the previous pages and I understand the above Agreements between Elements Dance Space and myself.  I fully understand that in the event that I may break any of the above agreements my Dancer and I will be dismissed from the Elements Dance Space Elite Competition Dance Team. 

Elements Dance Space

1222 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Suite 110

Pasadena, CA  91103

626-817-9988

Please fill out this portion of the agreement by Saturday, August 19.