General

The following School policies were created in order to answer the most frequently asked questions and establish a code of conduct. The School has the right to modify and add to these policies. It is your responsibility to keep yourself up to date. We encourage open communication with the directors, teachers and School staff. Teachers and staff may be contacted directly or by contacting the School:
www.dance-defined.com

• There is NO smoking or alcoholic drinks allowed inside the School premises.
• School information is always posted at the school lobby and web site.
• Please help maintain a clean School. Food and drinks are not allowed inside the classroom - with the exception of water - all food and drinks must stay in the designated eating area of the lobby.
• Street shoes are not allowed on the dance floor.
• Please, mark all your belongings with your name. We are not responsible for items left at the studio. However, there is a lost and found box. Should your child lose an item, please ask to check that box. All items not claimed will be donated to charitable organizations.
• Students are to wait inside the School for their rides. Please tell your children not to wait alone outside for you. Students WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to leave the studio without a parent or specified individual (please notify teacher if someone different will be picking the student up). This is for their safety!
• Students are not allowed to leave studio in dance attire. Please wear cover-ups when outside of the studio.
• Please notify the office immediately of any suspicious or disruptive activities.

On Attendance

If a student misses a class they may make up the class in another class that is close to their skill level. Ask your teacher for suggestions if not sure. Make-up classes must be completed within the term you are registered, and cannot be transferred to another term. Students must obtain a “Make-up Card” at the front desk before attending their make-up class.

If your child is well enough to watch class, we encourage she/he do so. It is very important to be consistent to class, both for learning and to avoid injury. If a student is ill or has another obligation, it would be appreciated if the School received a call. We take a “hands on approach” here at Dance Defined. We care about your children and like to know the reasons they are not attending class. Please be prompt to class.
We realize that sometimes it is difficult to be on time, but it can be harmful to a dancer's body if they are not warmed up properly. If a student is chronically late, the parent will be contacted. This is especially important with intermediate and advanced classes. If a student is 15 minutes late, she/he may be asked to observe class rather then participate. Homework and other materials should not be brought into class.

Class Attire

Hair: needs to be pulled securely into a bun for Ballet. Hair may be pulled back in a secure ponytail for other classes. Students entering class unprepared will be asked to return when they are properly attired. If they miss their first exercises they may be asked to observe class rather than participate.

Ballet: Black leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes. Ballet sweaters may be worn for warm ups.

Tap: may wear ballet or jazz attire with form fitting sweaters, stretch pants and a solid color T-shirt or sweat shirt that is not baggy, as well as, black tap shoes.

Jazz/Hip Hop: leotard with tan, black or pink tights. You may also wear soffe shorts or jazz pants over your tights, with black or tan jazz shoes. Jazz sneakers may be worn for Hip Hop. Jeans, street shoes and baggy clothes are not allowed. Jeans are difficult to dance in, street shoes destroy the dance floor and the teachers cannot correct a dancer's placement in baggy clothes. If you have any questions regarding attire please ask your teacher.

Adult classes may wear whatever they feel comfortable in.

Inclement Weather Policy
We do not always follow the Fairfax County Public Schools decisions to close. Please call the center at 703-941-3332 during inclement weather for a recorded message explaining if we are closed or not or check the web site (www.dance-defined.com).

Incentives and Discounts

Refer a Friend Discount
If you are a current member of Dance Defined, you can bring a friend at the rate of $15 per class. If they become a registered member of the School, you will receive a $25.00 discount on your next tuition. *

* friend must be a new member to Dance Defined. Discount applies to your next tuition payment.

Professional Discount
In keeping with Dance Defined's mandate to support professional artists, we will provide a 10% discount to fees associated with all recreational dance classes to the following individuals:

• Professional dancers
• Dance instructors (outside Dance Defined)
• Students enrolled in a post-secondary dance program and who have graduated from Dance Defined's Intensive Training Program
  Professional discount does not apply to workshops, and cannot be used in combination with any other incentive or discount.

Free Trial Classes

Can’t decide about what class or level to take? Try a free trial class within the first three weeks of the term. See the Front Desk for details and a "Free Trial Class Card."

Recitals
Participation in the School recital is not mandatory, but if you wish to perform, the recital costume payment is due November 1st. Costume prices will vary for each class from ( $50 to $70). You will be notified what you will owe for the year. If you decide to participate in the recital, the recital rehearsal is mandatory. Any student missing the recital rehearsal will not participate in the recital. Remember, for the safety of the dancers, NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY is allowed during the recital or recital rehearsal.

Observation
Parents and Students are to wait outside of the classroom for their children and friends. The classroom door will normally be closed during class. This is for the benefit of your child as well as the other students. Dance Defined allows parents to watch the last 15 minutes of class during the last weeks in November and March. Instructors are authorized to allow observers to watch class on a case-by-case basis. Please do not enter the classroom, take pictures or video without asking the instructor first.

Privacy
Information Disclosure - We do not rent, sell, or trade any personally identifiable information about you to third parties.

Non-Discrimination Policy
Dance Defined does not discriminate against any student based on race, color, national origin or beliefs.