California Dance Company's Competition Team Policies

Welcome to California Dance Company's competition team family! This is a select group of dancers who were chosen based on class participation, attitude, work ethic and passion for dance.

Our purpose is to:

• Offer a higher level of involvement for students who desire to work with a greater level of dedication.
• To build character and to teach that success is not being the best, but rather doing your best.
• Learn responsibility, self-discipline, commitment, loyalty and leadership skills.

California Dance Company's Competition Team is a 10-month commitment, during which many events take place. It is crucial all dancers and parents stay informed of new information throughout the entire year. A lot of the information will be contained in this policy sheet, while some will be posted in the studio, as it becomes available. Here are some expectations and requirements dancers and parents must follow in order to maintain a smooth and enjoyable year:

• Students must attend all competitions their groups are entered.
• Regular attendance is essential and mandatory. Students may not miss any of their regularly scheduled classes/choreography the week before competition. Some exceptions will be made if the teacher has plenty of advanced warning and agrees to excuse the absence.
• Every effort must be made to make all extra practices agreed upon by the group.
• All dancers agree to practice, practice and practice some more. You, along with your teammates and teachers, will be pleased with the results.
• All dancers chosen for jazz or character routine(s) must take at least 1 jazz class per week. Also, all dancers chosen for hip hop routine(s) must take at least 1 hip hop class per week.
• All dancers (except those only competing in hip-hop routines and the mini's) shall take a minimum of 1 hour of ballet per week AND must also take the jazz technique class. All dancers are encouraged to take more than just the bare minimum. Ballet is the foundation of all dance.
• Dancers must be prepared for their dance classes; i.e. know your routine, wear appropriate attire, hair secured and clean/neat, etc.
• Dancers must wear their California Dance Company team jacket at competitions, conventions and award ceremonies. They also must wear a cover up, preferably the team jacket, over their costumes when sitting in or walking through an audience of a competition.
• The billing policy is as follows: Each dancer will receive a monthly bill, which includes tuition, choreography and competition/teacher's fees. A payment must be made in each calendar month that a balance is due. If you cannot make the entire payment due to serious financial constraints or emergencies, you must contact the studio and establish a payment plan. However, some payment must still be made. If no payment is received during a calendar month, a $25.00 fee will be added to the account. It will increase by an additional $25.00 for each month no payment is made. If the account is not kept current, the dancer may be removed from regular classes and performances. Most payment plans can be accommodated as long as payments are made each month and according to the agreement made with the studio. Under no circumstances can payment plans be arranged for entry fees. These fees must be paid on time and with a separate check. They will be posted as soon as they are known, with the first one usually being due in January. Entry costs will vary depending upon the individual competition plus a teacher's fee of $20 will be included with your totals. Please remember this policy will be applied universally and is not meant to punish or deny, but rather to keep balances current and ensure fair treatment of all dancers and families.
  
  
  • Solos $30 per ½ hour
  • Duet $15 per ½ hour
  • Trio $10 per ½ hour
  • Quartet $9 per ½ hour
  • Group $6 per ½ hour

For example, a dancer participating in a duet, a quartet and two groups would pay $36 per week in choreography fees.

• Some routines will be done by outside choreographers. Their rates will be posted at the studio and the fees will be due on the day the routines are choreographed.
• Rhonda from ActiveWear4U makes all competition costumes and arrangements for payment can be made with her.
• California Dance Company will supply a practice CD for $5. The CD will contain all of the competition music for this season.
• Dancers are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one of the available conventions.
• Parents will not use "taking away dance" as a punishment, unless it is absolutely the last resort. Your child will not be the only one affected.
• When attending conventions and competitions, students and parents must behave in an appropriate manner. Poor sportsmanship, inappropriate attire, and being disrespectful to anyone (including other studios' dancers and parents), is unacceptable. Please remember you are representing everyone at California Dance Company.
• Competitions will usually post their schedules 1-2 weeks prior to the event on their web sites. A copy of the schedule will also be posted in the studio. All dancers must be at a competition, dressed with makeup and hair done, at least two hours before your scheduled time. This allows for stretching and running of the routine(s) before show time, minimizing stress on all.
• Suggested hotels for each competition will also be posted, however it is not necessary to all stay at the same place if you prefer a different hotel or have other accommodations.
  

With all of your hard work and dedication, we will meet the following goals:

• To share our passion for dance with our community
• To achieve excellence at competitions and conventions
• To display superior dance technique, style and stage presence at all events
• To work hard, be dedicated and fulfill all commitments
• To maintain and even improve our skills throughout the year
• To be good role models and set good examples for all dancers
• To have fun and enjoy every moment of our season!
  

All of California Dance Company's teaching staff is very excited about the upcoming competitive year. Questions and concerns may arise so please feel free to contact any of them for further information.

"Champions do not become champions when they win the event,
but in the hours, weeks, months and years
they spend preparing for it.
The victorious performance itself is merely
the demonstration of their championship character."

-T. Alan Armstrong