HEALTHY ATTITUDES

At 'You Can Dance', we foster an attitude of acceptance of anyone who wishes to learn the performing arts. We expect everyone to work together as a team and create an atmosphere where we all feel we have something worthwhile to offer. In all our classes we aim for a high level of energy & enjoyment and aim to develop a love for the performing arts through dynamic and positive learning experiences. Our teaching staff will help our students reach their potential by embracing and developing their talents and building their self esteem by continually encouraging them to extend themselves. We want our students to feel motivated, challenged, nurtured and develop a desire within them to improve their own abilities by 'having a go' and displaying a good attitude toward learning. Like any class environment there requires discipline, a need to be cooperative and a respect for the expertise of our teachers - this is an expectation of all our students. We also expect everyone to work together, encourage their peers as well as having a good time in their classes! Petty squabbles and unhealthy rivalry does not and will never belong in our school. Unkind behaviour of any manner will not be tolerated under any circumstances (this is inclusive of parents). If at anytime you have an issue with another person at our studio, whether it is a student, teacher or parent, please see or contact Jane so any negativity or problem can be resolved quickly and amicably. If you are unhappy about treatment by someone at our school, or you are aware of any mean spirited behaviour - we need to know. Everyone who attends 'You Can Dance' classes have a right not to be disturbed by those who want to be disrespectful- any behaviour of this nature is absolutely unacceptable. We promote good manners, encouragement of our student's successes and we wish to also develop professionalism in our students where we are all team players. 'You Can Dance' has always had this philosophy and as a result we have very happy students, parents & teachers which is something we are proud of and wish to continue. It is also an expectation of parents that they do not at anytime disrupt classes by discussing matters with teachers within class time - this is unfair to all class participants. All issues that require discussion are to be dealt with before classes resume or after teachers have concluded their classes. Any major problems please contact Jane immediately and without hesitation.

CLASS PRICES/FEES

Fees are invoiced by the term (usually a 10 week block of classes) based on the NSW school term. Fees are inclusive of GST and a costume levy charge. Apart from a $20.00 enrolment/administration fee which is charged annually per student there are no extra charges or hidden costs.

Fees are expected to be paid 2 weeks from the time you are invoiced.

Fees can be paid by cash, cheque, money order or direct deposit via the internet. Fees can be paid in a lump sum or by instalment if this suits your budget - we are flexible, however if fees are not paid in full by the end of each term your child will not be able to participate in classes the following term. If fees are not up to date by our end of year concert, children's costumes will not be sent home and children will not perform. If fees remain unpaid after reminder notices have been issued, your details will be passed on to a collection agency where legal action may be taken. When you enrol you are agreeing to pay for all classes that are taken and therefore if you only attend for part of a term it is expected that these classes will be paid for. 

If you are having financial difficulty you need to see Jane, so a financial plan can be put into place.  We are understanding & as flexible as possible, so please communicate with us if the need should arise.

We are however a business with overheads to cover and unfortunately are unable to provide services for FREE!

STUDENT REFERRAL DISCOUNT: If you refer a new student to You Can Dance you will receive a 5% discount off your term fees. UP TO 25% discount per term. So tell your friends and reap the rewards!!

We have one major fundraiser a year in term 3 to assist in raising funds for our presentation day awards (everyone receives a trophy) and with costuming leading up to our end of year concert. in term 4.

 'YOU CAN DANCE' has an affordable uniform available for purchase through the studio. Uniform stock is available at most times from the studio throughout the year; however there may be a short wait for uniforms to be made and printed. Uniforms will need to be paid for at the time of ordering (cash payments only so we can maintain our low prices).  All students are to have at least a 'You Can Dance' leotard or singlet top by the end of term 1. There are a variety of other uniform garments also available which are displayed in the foyer - so you can mix and match! Any combination of uniform pieces can be worn to classes. Ballet students are required to wear ballet stockings with their YCD leotard/uniform.

Uniform prices have risen slightly in 2010, however this was unavoidable due to an increase in printing costs.

HAIR - All students are to wear their hair tied up off their face for classes. For ballet - hair must be in a bun.

APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR:

Jazz/Funk - Black jazz shoes for Jazz - Students under the age of 12 are to wear soft leather jazz shoes - preferably split sole to ensure students are using their feet correctly. Those above the age of 12 may wear jazz boots. 

Tap - Black Tap shoes for Tap classes - Flat tap shoes are also recommended rather than those with a heel for all students.

SECOND HAND SHOES - A large range of pre-loved dance shoes are available for sale at the studio - if you wish to sell shoes, bring to the studio in a sealed large sandwich bag labelled with your child's name and the price you wish to sell them for.

If you wish to wait to purchase all of your child's shoes & uniform needs until you are sure your child is going to stick with their new classes this is no problem, but what is listed above is what they are expected to have for their classes - if you need further advice please don't hesitate in asking for assistance.

ATTENDANCE

PERFORMANCES/PERFORMANCE CLASSES

In 2010 'You Can Dance' will have one concert production in term 4 to showcase the achievements of our students - all students attending our school will perform and have their chance to shine on stage! We will also be having a mid year 'STAR SEARCH' production where all students are encouraged to perform. This is a new event for 2010 to replace our mid year concert More information to come!!

 Performance & 'Elite' Cheerleading classes are by invitation only. Performance class students are our 'You Can Dance' representatives throughout the year at the many events we perform at. Majority of performances will be restricted to the performance classes and “Elite” cheerleading class - however from time to time other students will be invited to perform at extra performances throughout the year. Performance classes & the Elite cheerleading class will comprise of students selected from their usual classes. They will be selected based on their ability, attitude in class, commitment, willingness to learn and their ability to work as a team. All performance students (dancers) will need to enrol in Ballet or Contemporary - as this strengthens technique enormously in all facets of dance and a Jazz or Funk class. If you wish to be a singer in the performance group you must attend a singing class as well as a jazz or funk class. To be a part of the 'Elite' Cheerleading class you must enrol in a cheerleading class. All students have the opportunity to try out for our performance classes in 2010. An audition will be held in term 1 - so any You Can Dance student can try out for a place in one of the performance classes. I thoroughly encourage any of our students to try out. It is a great morning, where all students are given a report on how they went - the dance audition is also lead by someone independent to the studio, so it is a great experience.

Performance and 'Elite' class costs are discounted as this is an extra class on top of regular classes (unless you have reached a 5 class maximum charge for classes - then there is no extra!) In addition there is no extra charge for extra rehearsals or extended class times. You Can Dance on the rare occasion participate in Eisteddfods/competitions, however majority of performances each year are for community based events or organised tours. We are also looking at the possibility of an overseas trip in the near future more information to come!!

COSTUMING COSTS??

To keep things as affordable as possible, a levy will be charged as part of your tuition fees, to go toward costuming. Rather than parents/students spending a lot of money on each costume (especially around Christmas time!), term fees will cover all your costuming needs for the year, apart from the basics (ie: shoes & stockings etc). Costumes will remain property of the studio so we can build up an extensive wardrobe; this allows us to keep all costumes in full sets and will be far more economical for everyone - considering that some costumes may cost anywhere between $50 - $100 per costume or more in some cases. If a student is involved in more than one class this ends up being very costly if you are paying out right for costumes. It can also be frustrating if a costume is only worn once and has cost a small fortune! By incorporating a small costume hire fee within your fees, YOU WILL SAVE!!

TEACHING STAFF

'You Can Dance' aims to ensure that all teachers leading classes are highly trained and have a lot of experience teaching and performing professionally. We will ensure the quality of teachers is always of the highest standard to make sure that children are learning the maximum they can in each class. It is also of extreme importance to us at 'You Can Dance' that teachers have a great rapport with their students, and really care about their well being - we want our children to not only learn through great tuition but also love coming to us because they know we care about them.

COSTUMING & CHOREOGRAPHY

COMMUNICATION

If you are a new student in 2010, we sincerely hope your experience with 'You Can Dance' is a positive one!!