Class Attire
Students must arrive to class in appropriate attire in order to participate. If a student is not dressed appropriately they will be asked to sit and watch class.
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Student's hair must be pulled back neatly away from the face and secured in a ponytail or bun for all classes. A bun is required for all Ballet classes.
Here is a Ballet Bun Tutorial for multiple hair types from Houston Ballet Academy.
General attire guidelines for all students: Leotard, convertible tights, tank tops, leggings, dance shorts, or tightly fitted athletic wear, in any color. Appropriate footwear/dance shoes as specified below for each class. No loose jewelry is permitted in the studio.
When buying dance shoes, please do not purchase Stelle brand shoes. Please get a reputable brand like BLOCH, Capezio, etc. from dance retailers such as these:
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Dancewear Center - Renton
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Centerstage Dance Shop - U-District, Seattle
Attire by Class:
Creative: Any style or color of leotard and convertible tights. Leggings, dance shorts, or dance skirts may be worn. Bare feet.
Contemporary: Any style or color of leotard and convertible tights. Leggings or dance shorts may be worn. Bare feet.
Ballet: Any style or color of leotard and convertible tights. Leggings, dance shorts, or dance skirts may be worn. Ballet shoes. Hair in a bun.
Jazz: Any style or color of leotard and convertible tights. Leggings or dance shorts may be worn. Black Jazz shoes.
Acro: Any style or color of leotard and convertible tights or form-fitting athletic wear. Leggings or dance shorts may be worn. Bare feet.
Hip Hop: Athletic Wear. Clean Sneakers.
Tap: Any style or color of leotard and convertible tights or form-fitting athletic wear. Leggings or dance shorts may be worn. Black Tap shoes.
Student Handbook
Communication:
Please open and read our emails and reference our website for current information. It is your responsibility to keep up to date. Please make sure you have an accurate email address registered through your parent portal account.
We also share important reminders and updates through the DASSdance social
media channels. Be sure to like and follow us on platforms that you frequent.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DASSdance
Instagram: www.instagram.com/DASSdance
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@DASSdance
Important Contact Information:
Daniel Wilkins, Artistic Director Email: daniel@dassdance.org
School Administrative Team Email: info@dassdance.org
Please contact our team via email with any concerns that you may be having. If you need to speak personally with the Director or an Instructor, inquire with us to schedule an appointment for a private meeting so that we can make time to give you our full attention. During or in between classes is not a good time to discuss concerns or ask in-depth questions.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up:
Dancers may enter the building through the Republican Street entrance that will be open during class hours. The studios are located in Rooms 118 and 120.
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Water Bottles:
Every student is required to bring a water bottle. Students will not be permitted to leave the classroom for water breaks during class time.
Electronics:
The use of electronic devices is not permitted in class, including smartwatches. Smartwatches should be left at home or set to “Do Not Disturb” mode.
Lost and Found:
Any items left in the studio will be donated at the end of each month. Please check the lost and found before the 1st of each month.
Registration & Parent Portal:
The parent portal allows you convenient access 24 hours a day to register for classes, make payments, update account info, view communications and studio policies. All the important info that you need is located in one convenient place. You can access the parent portal at https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/jr3.0/ParentPortal/Login?orgId=531119
Registration Fee:
DASSdance has a non-refundable $30 annual Registration Fee per family that is due upon enrollment each year.
Tuition Payments:
Tuition is billed on a monthly basis and is deducted from the payment method on file on the 1st of each month. Tuition is non-refundable and is paid to save your child's place in class.
Productions:
Throughout the year there are multiple performance opportunities for all dancers at DASSdance.
Seattle City Nutcracker: Rehearsals begin in September - Performances in November
All-4-1 DANCEPALOOZA: Levels 3,4,5,6 ONLY. Rehearsals begin in December - Performances in March
Spring Production: Rehearsals begin in March - Performances in May
Production & Costume Fees:
Families participating in productions will be assessed a non-refundable production fee that helps cover costs associated with the production such as rehearsal time with choreographers, event staffing, theater rentals, etc. We assume all dancers will participate in productions throughout the year unless they opt-out with written notice before rehearsals begin.
Production Fee Schedule:
Seattle City Nutcracker - $100 due October 15th
All-4-1 Dancepalooza (Levels 3, 4, 5, 6 only) - $100 due January 15th
Spring Production - $100 due April 15th.
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Production Fee Multi-Student Discount: Families with multiple dancers performing will only be charged $75 for each dancer per production.
Costume Fees:
Dancers performing in school productions will be assessed a costume fee to cover the costs of costuming each show. This fee is in addition to the production fee. Costume Fees are $50 per dancer, or $35 for Creative and Mini students.
Please contact us if production or costume fees are a hardship for your family. We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform.
Mandatory Rehearsals:
Tech and dress rehearsals for performances are held in the week leading up to the shows. All dress rehearsals are mandatory for anyone wanting to perform in the shows. (Dancers who do not attend the dress rehearsal WILL NOT be allowed to perform in the shows).
Student Code of Conduct:
Please go over our student code of conduct with your dancer to ensure you and your student are aware of what we expect of them as a dancer at DASSdance.
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Demonstrate respect for yourself and your fellow students
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Keep your hands to yourself
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Be safe with your body
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Do not say negative comments to your peers
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Be encouraging and caring
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Demonstrate respect for your teachers
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Listen when the teacher is speaking
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Raise your hand to ask questions
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No unnecessary talking in class: In dance our body is how we communicate!
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Arrive to all classes and rehearsal on time
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Be prepared and ready to dance in the appropriate attire
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Always work to the best of your ability
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Progress builds pride
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Achievements you have worked hard for are the most rewarding
DASSdance Keys to Athleticism & Artistic Accomplishment:
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Focus
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Confidence
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Hard Work
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Passion
Refund, Cancellation, Attendance, and Privacy Policy
Refunds:
I AGREE and understand that there are NO refunds for monthly tuition, production, or costume fees. Tuition is charged on the 1st of the month. Production and costume fees are charged for each production in accordance with our seasonal schedule.
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Cancellation:
I may withdraw from classes if I provide an email notification to info@DASSdance.org or request a drop in the Parent Portal between the 1st and 5th of any given month prior to the month you wish to withdraw. Example: You want to withdraw your child starting in February. You must notify the office between the 1st and 5th of January.
Closures:
DASSdance follows the Seattle Public Schools decision on class cancellation for bad weather. DASSdance reserves the right to cancel classes at our discretion. If there is an unexpected closure we will contact all affected families via email.
Breaks and Holidays:
Please refer to our school year calendar on our website (https://www.dassdance.org/school-year-calendar) to be aware of all regularly scheduled closures and breaks throughout the school year. Our tuition rates factor in all breaks and holidays throughout the year.
Attendance:
I AGREE and understand that if my student will be absent from class or rehearsal for any reason I must notify DASSdance. Absences can be scheduled in the Parent Portal or you may email info@DASSdance.org. All excused absences are eligible for makeup classes. Makeup classes should align with your student’s age and level and be scheduled in advance with DASSdance via the Parent Portal or email.
Good attendance is important for the progress of the student and their ability to perform in productions. Missing class or rehearsal for personal engagements or appointments is not considered an excused absence. You will receive a calendar of expected rehearsal dates in advance and are expected to schedule personal obligations around those commitments.
Tardiness:
It is important that students arrive on time and ready to dance. Late arrivals cause disruption to the entire class and risk student injury if not properly warmed up. If a teacher deems the student too late to participate, they will be asked to watch and take notes that day.
Privacy Policy:
DASSdance does not share customer's personal or financial information.
Release, Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY:
In consideration of being accepted by DASSdance school to participate in any activity, I hereby agree to hold DASSdance and it's employees, agents, contractors and owners, harmless from any and all liability, action, causes of action, losses, damages, debts, claims and demands of every kind and nature whatsoever (collectively, “Damages”), which I now have or which may arise from or in connection with my or any member of my family’s participation in any DASSdance activity. I agree to assume all risk of such Damages. The terms of this agreement shall bind, and also serve as a release and assumption of risk from, any heirs, executors and administrators for all members of my family. I further agree that this RELEASE and ASSUMPTION OF RISK agreement and WAIVER OF LIABILITY is intended to be as broad as permitted under law, and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that all other portions shall continue in full legal force and effect.
Assumption of Risk:
By signing below, I agree to the following waiver and release.
I understand that by being a participant in DASSdance school activities that:
1) I will have the opportunity to participate in various activities, including dance classes, workshops, rehearsals and performances held at DASSdance. I will receive information and instruction about dance and other related activities. I understand that by participating in any of these activities that I may be subjected to a variety of hazards and risks, foreseen and unforeseen, which may cause me to suffer property damage, injury or death ("DAMAGES"). I know that these DAMAGES can occur due to natural causes, the active or passive negligence of DASSdance, or the negligent or intentional acts of third parties and or fellow participants. I understand that I should therefore exercise extra care for my own person. I choose to participate in DASSdance school activities, agree to pay the required costs therefore, and voluntarily assume the risks of such DAMAGES occurring while I am participating in DASSdance activities.
2) DASSdance may at times deliver participants to various third parties who are not DASSdance employees, who will conduct, supervise, guide or instruct participants in various activities. DASSdance assumes no duty to certify, monitor or verify the qualifications of any third parties involved in these activities. Participant's concerns regarding the qualifications of any third parties conducting those activities should be directed to the third parties. Participant agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless DASSdance for the liability for DAMAGES arising out of negligence of such third parties.
3) I recognize that dance and all related activities require intense physical exertion that may be strenuous and may cause physical injury and therefore involve unique risks of DAMAGES, and I am fully aware of the risks and hazards involved. I understand the nature of Marley floors, mobile floor barres and other dance equipment, and the consequences of wearing ballet slippers, pointe shoes, socks or bare feet and other related dance footwear, and I accept full responsibility for my own choice of footwear. I am satisfied with the condition of DASSdance facilities and hereby assume all the risks inherent in the activities there. I voluntarily assume the risks of any and all damages I may incur at DASSdance, unless such DAMAGES are directly related to the negligent operation of the facilities by DASSdance.
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Photo Release:
I hereby waive and release any and all ownership or use of video or photographs bearing my image while at DASSdance facilities or off site DASS events, and grant permission to DASSdance to use and display said video or photographs for commercial or non-commercial use.