and Answers!
We are currently enrolled in the class. Why do we need to re-register for each new semester?
Schedules may change depending on the time of the year, enrolment, and your feedback. Your emergency contact information such as email and phone numbers may change as well. Your child may decide to try a different style of dance, or may discover their love of movement a little bit later in the year. For these reasons we ask you to complete our online registration form prior to each semester.
Alternatively, check out our brand new DSA Dance Club! Benefits include priority registration, no need to re-enroll. Discover more here: https://dancestarsacademy.com/dsa-dance-club/
Do I need to buy special dance shoes/uniform for my child?
Yes, a special uniform is required for most of the classes, including Tiny Star and creative movement levels. Dance class involves physical activity and we must ensure comfort and safety of the child. Please refer to our uniform policy under our general policies section.
We are so excited about our upcoming dance class! We read your class attire guidelines but couldn’t help but purchase a fancy outfit (tu-tu with flowers, brightly coloured leotard, etc.) Is this ok?
Unfortunately no, for several important reasons. Uniforms in class have a particular utility, especially for our Tiny Stars . A proper uniform can help students learn proper movement, and is crucial for instructors view and ability to correct technique. Depending on the movements required, they may interact with their uniform in different ways, and could be prevented from full movement by embellishments on the clothing. Additionally, they may spend too much time and attention playing with adornments like flowers and sparkles instead of listening to the instructor, and enjoying their dance. Not to worry, your dancer will get plenty of opportunity to dance in their fancy costumes during our several performance opportunities throughout the year!
Can parents/guardians be present during the class?
Dance class is a new world for your child to discover, and all students must be comfortable in their environment for them to flourish. For this reason, family members are not invited into the classroom. There may be occasional opportunities to peek into your child’s class progress, as well as performances like our Holiday shows and year end recital, where all family members are invited to attend and celebrate students progress and success!
For guardians of 3-5 year olds, please see “My child is 3-5 yrs old…” question below.
My child is 3-5 years old and tried dance class before. They sometimes cry and have a difficult time staying in class without a parent. What can be done about it?
This is one of the key questions and can make or break your child’s interest in dance. Our experience shows that following a few simple rules can make a world of difference in this situation.
First, on your way to class explain to your child where they are going and what they will be doing, and about the new friends they will meet.
Second, always bring your child 5-10 minutes early. Give them time to change, and get into the atmosphere of the class. Bringing a child late and pushing them into the class after it started almost always results in confusion and a feeling of being put on the spot. This leads to crying in many cases.
Finally, and contrary to logical thinking, if a child sees a parent during the class they will almost surely want to be with them, and not with other kids dancing.
Our Tiny Stars methodology is specifically designed for small children of this age. At the Instructor’s discretion, they may invite the parent into a class for a few minutes or may take the child outside for a parent to calm them down. Please follow the instructor’s suggestions, and your child will have the best experience. It usually takes 2-3 classes at most for children to become comfortable with their new friends and the atmosphere.
We understand this can be a difficult situation for both dancers and parents, but ask that you please reflect the rules of the class for your student. Dancers who are not encouraged to follow the rules of the classroom set the example for the rest of their peers, which can sometimes lead to bad feeling between students. If your dancer will not stay inside of the classroom, please speak to your instructor about staying in the room for one or two classes, or leaving the door open slightly.
Rest assured that all DSA instructors have experience with shy students, and this behaviour is completely natural and common.
What is the age range for classes?
Class age groups can be found attached to every class name, as well as in the bottom left corner of every class block in the schedule. Required ages are structured in a way to help align our progressional syllabus with the abilities of the dancers. Each age group used in our classes corresponds to the physiological development stage of the students, with opportunity for in-class evaluation of individual level at the instructors discretion.
Is my child ready for the next level up?
At DSA we believe in a firm foundation for our dancers, and follow a progressional syllabus for all of our dance styles. This means that students must be able to correctly perform and comprehend a set of level appropriate skills and technique before they can move to the next level. Most often this lines up securely with our class age blocks, but especially hard working students may achieve this a little bit faster than others.
Once the instructor feels your student is ready for the challenge of the next level, the studio will recommend the next appropriate class. We strongly believe that all students should be given an opportunity to challenge themselves and progress, however advancing too early will almost always lead to feeling uncomfortable and insecure in class.
If you have questions about your child’s progress, please contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions about our different syllabi and how they apply to your child’s best dance education!
Do classes include bathroom and water breaks?
Classes do not include formal bathroom breaks, short water breaks are given at varied frequency depending on the duration of the lessons. For our Tiny Stars, classes do not include a break due to short class time, students needing to use the bathroom during class are able to do so as needed. Instructors do not leave the room at any time during classes.
Classes that are 60+min do include typically one short water break, but these will not exceed three minutes.
For all classes, please be sure your student visits the bathroom before class, otherwise they will miss important exercises and disrupt the lesson for other students.
Do you offer private lessons?
Yes, we offer private classes and choreography work. Please email us with your goals, style, age, timeframe and any other information that may help us direct you to the right Instructor. Private lessons must be approved by the studio director prior to booking.
When do students start pointe work?
The age at which dancers start pointe work varies from student to student. Strength is paramount in being able to wear pointe shoes for extended periods of time. Premature wearing of pointe shoes or insufficient training can result in serious injuries and/or disabilities. We are strongly committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our dancers.
It’s important to understand that pointe work is specific to a dancer’s strength and skill level, not to an age, syllabus, or methodology. However, children under the age of 12 will not be permitted to perform on pointe. Qualified teachers must decide as to when a student is ready for pointe work and the studio director and parents must first discuss and agree before a student is to progress to pointe work. In addition, students must take pointe conditioning for a minimum of two years before progressing to dancing on pointe and a minimum class requirement of two ballet classes at respective level which must be continuous. For more information on this topic, please visit the Orthopedics Institute article.
What happens when a class is cancelled?
If the circumstances are in our control we will make every effort to find a substitute instructor. If classes are cancelled due to Dance Academy reasons we will offer a make up class. If the cancellation is weather related, there will not be a makeup class.
Cancellation notice will be sent via SMS text message and email through your Parent Portal account.
If I wish to withdraw from a class half way through the semester, is it OK not to pay our second payment?
No, our tuition payment plan is offered for your convenience. Semester tuition fee payment is not optional. In addition, withdrawal must be completed on the studio end, so please talk to us before you decide to leave class. We always want make sure that, even if you decide to withdraw, you have no unaddressed problems or concerns.
All registered students are required to pay in full, and students are considered registered until a formal email request is made to be removed from class. Please see our refund policy for more information.
If I wish to withdraw from a class, can I get a refund?
Yes, if we are notified prior to refund deadline. Please refer to refund policy for details. To ensure quality instruction for your child, we limit the number of students for each class. We often have waiting lists, but we close the registration after the first week of class, and turn away students who otherwise could have been enrolled. If a registered student decides to drop after trying 1-2 classes we can no longer fill this class space. We offer Open Class events throughout the year where anyone can attend and try any age-appropriate class at no cost.
Can I try a class out first to see if I like it?
Absolutely! Throughout the year we offer “Open Class” weeks, which is the best time to try out a new style, as well as single day workshops and weekday camps for all ages! If you are looking to join our Dance Family we invite you to sign up for a free trial class of your choosing here!
Open Class dates and special studio events can be found on our Studio Calendar.
How many students are in the class?
To ensure quality of instruction and learning experience, classes for ages 3-5 and 5-7 years old are limited to a maximum of 10 and 12 students respectfully. Classes for 7.5 years and up are limited to 12 students.
I missed the registration, can I start the semester late?
In the effort to provide the best possible class experience for all of our students, we do not recommend enrolling later than 3-4 weeks into the current semester. However, we do understand that circumstances may prevent your student from beginning as planned! We recommend a trial class for families looking to enroll mid-season to ensure your student will be comfortable entering the class prior to late registration.
What special events does Dance Stars Academy have and how will I know when they are?
We offer “Open Class” weeks, Parent Observation classes, and Shows/Recitals, along with fun seasonal events such as pajama days and costume classes. We will be posting announcements on our Studio Calendar, in-studio, and through email announcements.
How many classes are in the semester and how long are they?
Classes last for anywhere from 45 min to 1.5 hours depending on the group age and class type. Classes and registration are offered on a semester basis. Depending on student age and class style the semester may be 6 to 20 weeks or a full year.
How do I register for classes?
You can register online by visiting our Registration page. Payments can be made in full upon registration, or in monthly installments per semester. A completed registration is required before a child can take a class. Included in your registration are recital fees to cover associated expenses, such as costumes, props, etc.
What methods of payments do you accept?
We accept online payments via credit card, direct bank transfer, PayPal, and Interac e-transfer, as well as cash payments of the full tuition amount due on the first day of class. Please see our methods of payment section for full details.
Do I need to pre-register for classes?
We announce schedule and registration via social media and newsletter distribution list several weeks before each semester begins. Class space is limited, therefore we suggest you reserve class space when registration begins. Please note, cancellations are rare but we do have waiting lists.
Which technique/syllabus do you teach?
We use Vaganova method syllabus, otherwise referred to as Classical Russian Ballet methodology. You can find more information on this and other major ballet training methods on the internet. A brief overview can be found here.
We use ADAPT Syllabus training for Jazz and /Tap, Acrobatic Arts for Acro, Dance Cirque for Circus Arts, and Baton Arts for Baton Club.
Our child has never taken dance before. What would you recommend to start with?
We have a variety of styles to suit the different personality traits of children. Our Tiny Stars classes cater to the musicality and interests of younger children who are new to dance. For older students, we have a variety of options depending on their interests. Feel free to send us a message and we will be happy to help you decide!
Why does my student require a recital costume? Why are we required to pay a rental fee?
There are many views on recital costumes, and here is ours:
For all performance arts a year-end recital is a very special event for your child. Unlike showcase routines or classroom demonstrations, our year-end recitals follow a particular theme and require special costumes and equipment to present the narrative of your dancers routine and make the day as special as possible for them!
Costume prices consist of two components the Price and the Handling effort. The Price consists of the following: sale price ($80-$100 USD) plus taxes, shipping, import duties, custom broker fees, and replacement parts for costumes damaged during use. The Effort cost includes the following: measuring each student, selection, sourcing and ordering the appropriate style of dance costume, handling of costumes (on average each costume is handled 6-7 times per semester), matching accessories, fitting, repairing, adjusting, distributing and collecting, washing, cleaning, storing, labeling, and ironing.
Costumes are selected for a specific recital theme. They have limited use outside of the show. For that reason, we do not sell or charge our students the full costume fee. We charge a Rental Fee, included in your regular tuition payment, which we hope will help us offset the total cost involved, and will enable us to make this event a true celebration for your child year after year!