Community Expectations:
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Masters Dance Academy strives to be a safe, fun experience for all. It is expected that all dancers and families maintain a positive, productive, and respectful attitude while representing the MDA community.
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We are committed to fighting against systemic and institutionalized oppression. If any member of our community feels overlooked, undervalued, or exploited, we have all failed. We expect all members of our community to hold each other accountable and learn from mistakes to ensure we all feel safe and respected.
Attendance / Late Policies:
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Dance is about dedication and part of our studio motto is “commitment”. Please try your best as a family to prioritize classes and rehearsals as much as possible. If a family is aware of an impending absence, please notify the studio ASAP.
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Private Instruction - $30 “No-Show” fee may be charged for any missed private lessons without at least 12 hours notice.
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All dancers should arrive ready for class 5 minutes early to warm up and prepare.
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If a dancer misses a class for an excused reason, they are welcome to take another class at their level as a “make-up”. Please notify the studio and/or instructor beforehand.
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If a competition dancer arrives more than 10 minutes after the start of rehearsal, they will be marked late. After more than 2 unexcused absences or 4 unexcused late, the dancer’s commitment may be called into question, resulting in a possible removal from the piece.
Injuries:
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Dance is very demanding on the body and mind. If injuries occur in class, Masters Dance Academy and its instructors/choreographers and their landlord will not be held responsible in any legal or financial way.
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If a dancer is injured, it is strongly recommended the dancer still attend classes. A lot can be gained from observing peers and listening to others’ corrections.
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If a member of team and/or group dance is injured, they are still required to attend all rehearsals unless otherwise specified.
Tuition / Refunds:
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Tuition for all recreational classes is due on the first day of classes for that session.
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Late payments will have an additional $25 added for every 15 days an invoice is overdue.
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If a dancer withdraws from a class before the halfway point of a session, they will be granted a refund or credit minus $25 per class that has already taken place.
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Tuition for Competitive Rehearsals and Private Lessons have been broken down into monthly installments for your convenience. Each payment will be the same each month regardless of vacations, holidays, snow days, or any other interruptions in regular class schedules. Payments required September – May.
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If a competitive dancer withdraws from a team/group dance, their remaining annual tuition is due immediately in full. This will be used to cover additional rehearsal time to fix formations, order new costumes etc.
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Ultimately, all refunds are at studio’s discretion and are never guaranteed. That said, Masters Dance Academy understands that dance is an expensive sport and we will always strive to make dance as accessible as possible. If you need a different payment schedule or would like to work out a different pay scale, contact the studio at any time.
Parking
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Parking at the studio is very limited. Please park on the street whenever possible.
Fees & Extra Expenses:
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Registration fee of $35 will be charged for each session. If registering for the full year, only one charge will occur. This covers administrative fees studio needs to function and run efficiently.
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Competition and costume fees are not included in tuition prices. Competition fees will be charged for each dance per competition. In some cases, special costume pieces or accessories may be rented and will need to be returned.
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Dancers and families are responsible for all methods of transportation and/or accommodations necessary for attending a competition and/or performance.
Competition Dancers
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All MDA competitive dancers must be taking at least 1 technique class (in any style) through Masters Dance Academy.
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Whether attending a competition or simply taking class, the dancer and their family members are representatives of Masters Dance Academy and are therefore expected to be professional, polite, & respectful and conduct themselves with the utmost sportsmanship.
Competition Protocol:
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All dancers are expected to arrive by the specified time assigned by their teacher. Punctuality is especially important on competition days. All dancers must be present on stage during any award ceremony where they are expecting to receive an award.
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If there is a Masters Dance Academy dancer performing on stage, there should be no dancers in the dressing rooms (unless having a quick change). We are a team who support and respect one another and that means cheering for one another in an appropriate manner.
Costume Policies:
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All dancers and families are responsible for purchasing appropriate shoes, tights, makeup, and other necessary items to prepare a dancer for class and stage.
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All costumes should be presented on stage as specified by their choreographer. All shoes and tights must be the correct maker/style as specified.
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Dancers and families are responsible for the whereabouts and safety of all costume pieces once brought home. Any lost costumes, accessories, and/or headpieces will result in an additional costume fee charge. Replacement costume is not guaranteed.
Class Cancellations
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A class may not run for the session if it does not get 3 or more registered students.
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If a class must be cancelled due to instructor illness, car trouble or other unavoidable reasons, a make up class will be offered and scheduled by studio owner. If a class must be cancelled due to inclement weather, make up class may be offered, but is not guaranteed.
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All dancers and/or families should be following Masters Dance Academy on social media. If there is a class cancellation, Masters will post about it there either as a post or story. In addition, there may be an email sent out and/or posted on the website.
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No make ups will be guaranteed for classes where dancers are unable to attend due to illness, bad weather, or vacation.
Dress Code Policy:
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It is MDA policy that gender dress is up to dancer and family’s discretion. Each student should feel comfortable and confident in what they wear to class and on stage.
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Hair should always be out of dancers’ faces and teachers should always be able to see the dancers’ bodies to better correct lines, alignment, and posture.
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Any additional dress code requirements requested by instructors should be observed.
Photographs / Marketing:
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When registering for any classes, dancer and family give permission for the dancers’ image to be used by Masters Dance Academy for all advertising, marketing, and promotion. This may include social media, website, and other advertising platforms as needed.
Bullying / Risky Behaviors:
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Masters Dance Academy has a strict policy against bullying in the studio and beyond. This includes all online/social media platforms. If a dancer or family member is found guilty of bullying another Masters community member, they may be asked to leave the studio. Depending on severity of bullying, law officials may become involved.
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If a member of our community is being bullied, alert the studio owner ASAP so we can best monitor and resolve the problem.
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Absolutely no tobacco, alcohol, other intoxicating substances, or weapons may be brought onto Masters Dance Academy property or any venue where Masters Dance Academy is competing or performing. Any dancer or family member found doing so may be asked to leave the event and depending on severity of the problem, may be asked to leave the studio.
Mask Policy
Life in a Post - Covid World
Registration for classes will now ask if dancer has received their vaccination shots for Covid-19 and the dates. If anyone ineligible or unvaccinated is present during or after your class, masks will still be required.
If everyone entering the building during or after your class is vaccinated, masks will not be required. However, if any dancer feels more comfortable wearing a mask, they are always free to do so.