The Dance Connection Performing Company (DCPC) and Dance Connection Dance Team (DCDT) is dedicated to developing the whole person with dance as a contributing aspect of the learning process.
Not only is it important to learn correct dance technique, our philosophy is to teach dancers about discipline, honesty, trust, responsibility, commitment, dedication, team work, self-control, respect, perseverance and to provide them with the confidence to work through experiences they may encounter in all aspects of their life.
Dance comes from the heart and we hope that each dancer's love, passion and desire to succeed in dance will help each and every person achieve their goals in life.

Download the new 2012
Dance Connection Performing Company (DCPC) Audition and Dance Connection Dance Team (DCDT) Information

Download a 2012 Warm Up Suit Order Form.

Downlod a new 2012 Event Calendar.

Check out the 2012 Winter Showcase January 25th 2012! More info here.

Dance Connection Performing Company (DCPC) AND Dance Connection Dance Team (DCDT)

• Performance in Dance Connection's Annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Benefit (March 25)
• Palo Alto's Annual May Fete Parade (May 5, 2012)
• Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade for dancers 10+ years of age (November 27, 2011)
• Invitations to participate in special event and sports entertainment shows
• Attend professional dance shows and cultural performances as a group
• Attend required weekly classes and weekend rehearsals and events as scheduled
• Attend ALL mandatory rehearsals prior to participating in an event

Dance Connection Performing Company – Competitive (DCPC)

Our Dance Connection Performing Company will continue to offer cutting edge choreography for the competitive dance experience. DCPC provides a positive training ground for the serious dancer who strives for their personal best in a professional environment.

• Dancers must audition and participate in the Workshop Intensive.
• Attend 2-3 mandatory convention/competitions (weekends)
• Participate in TAMJAMS! (in-studio workshop; March 17-18, 2012)
• Winter Showcase-tentative (January 21, 2012; this is an event we have been invited to be in)
• When possible, we will also accept invitations to other community events such as: Stanford Basketball games, Downtown Dancin' in San Jose, other benefit performances, etc.

Dance Connection Dance Team (DCDT)

Our newest program, started in 2010 is our Dance Team which is a non-competitive group that focuses on performance and team building. It gives students the opportunity to work with professional choreographers, gain additional performance experience, and expand their knowledge in specialty styles such as hip hop, tap and contemporary, in a noncompetitive environment.

• Participation does not require an audition however participation in all or selected classes at the workshop intensive is highly recommended
• Attend a weekend convention-Dupree Dance (February 25-26 at the Doubletree Hilton-SJ)
• Participation in TAMJAMS! (in-studio workshop; March 17-18, 2012)
• Tentative - 10th Annual Dancin' Downtown in San Jose (3rd weekend in April)
• We will also accept invitations to other community events

• Opportunity to attend a weekend conventions.

• We will also accept invitations to other community events

Teaching Staff

The Dance Connection Performing Company (DCPC) is lead by Tami Burton as Artistic Director with the assistance of our teaching staff. If invited to be a member of this group, we do not want to underestimate what type of commitment this means. It’s huge! You will be asked to give your best effort, time and financial commitment as well. We will expect a lot out of you. If you are committed to the group and each other, we will be committed to you.

The Dance Connection Dance Team (DCDT) is lead by Erin Olmstead with the assistance of our teaching staff. The goal of the Dance Team is to provide students with opportunities to perform without the pressures of competition. Students of all ages and levels will work together and represent Dance Connection in performances throughout the bay area. In order to perform at our best, we will hold Team rehearsals and classes during the week and some possible scheduled weekends. For additional exposure to different styles of dance, we will organize events and outings to performances.

We plan to have a variety of levels and styles of dance represented by our Dance Team, and the team will be structured according to the number of participants. Our younger dancers between the ages of 5-7 who love to dance are called Connectors. The Connectors are a part of the DCDT, and are given the opportunity to do some extra training and performing. Routines and performances will be determined on the number of participants. If you are a member of the Performing Company (DCPC), you can also join and participate in the Dance Team (DCDT).

Estimated Commitment

Yearly Fee:
Although we do our best to keep costs down, there will be unavoidable costs involved with becoming part of the team.

• Dance Connection Performing Company (DCPC) dancers pay a yearly fee of $175 and must register for classes per the requirements listed on the Minimum Class Requirements list.

• Dance Connection Dance Team (DCDT) – Must register for class(es) and team rehearsal class(es) per the requirements listed on the Minimum Class Requirements list.

Rehearsals

• DCPC: Rehearsals begin in late summer/early fall. It is difficult to pinpoint a specific day/time because our rehearsal schedule is based on studio availability and our Nutcracker production takes priority on weekends but you can plan for at least two 2-hour rehearsals per month per piece from the end of August through December. Beginning in January, it is approximately every weekend excluding most holiday weekends. Details will be on the schedule.

• DCDT: In addition to your weekly classes, Dance Team members must attend weekly Dance Team classes to learn choreography and set formations. Once performance dates are set, dancers must attend two prior consecutive rehearsals, in order to perform with the group. Some weekend rehearsals will be scheduled for special performances combined with the Performing Company.

Minimum Weekly Class/Rehearsal Requirements

All dancers participating in any of these groups will need to fulfill weekly class requirements and will vary by group. DCPC will have many weekend rehearsal requirements as well. Dancers participating in specialty acts can expect more time and rehearsals on the weekends. DCDT may have a few weekend rehearsals but these would most likely only be required prior to a big event (e.g., Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer benefit and Spring shows). All details will be on the schedule and all dancers will be given ample time to look it over before making any commitments. Teachers reserve the right to allow dancers to participate in an event or not and decisions will be based on commitment to the teacher, fellow dancers and themselves.

Minimum Class Requirements

Dance Connection Performing Company (DCPC) Ages 12+

1. Be in Level III-VI (depending on ability) in both Ballet and Jazz dance at Dance Connection.
2. Enroll in unlimited classes at Dance Connection for the entire 2011-12 season to include a minimum of three ballet classes and two jazz classes per week. Enrollment in Tap, Lyrical and Hip Hop is optional but highly recommended.
3. Enrollment in weekly DCPC rehearsal class(es) will be required and registration will be taken care of by Dance Connection once acceptance into the DCPC is confirmed.
4. Dancers chosen will have danced at Dance Connection for at least two years OR have shown performing ability with prior dance training at the audition.
5. Maintain a high academic standard as agreed upon by parent, student and dance teacher. Dancers must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Dance Connection Performing Company (DCPC) Ages 11 and under

1. Be in Level I-II or higher in Ballet and Jazz Dance at Dance Connection.
2. Enroll in a minimum of one ballet class (two is recommended) and one jazz class (two is recommended) per week at Dance Connection for the entire 2011-12 season.
3. Enrollment in weekly DCPC rehearsal class(es) will be required and registration will be taken care of by Dance Connection once acceptance into the DCPC is confirmed. If the dancer is not signed up for unlimited classes, the rehearsal class will be counted as a regular class for payment purposes.
4. Enrollment in Tap, Lyrical and Hip Hop is optional but highly recommended.
5. Dancers chosen will have danced at Dance Connection for at least one year OR have shown performing ability with prior dance training at the audition.
6. Be a good student and work hard to excel in all areas academically.

Connectors

1. After acceptance of invitation, enroll in a minimum of one weekly class at Dance Connection for the entire 2011-12 season preferably in jazz and/or ballet in addition to the weekly Connector class.
2. Attend required weekend rehearsals for special performances as scheduled.
3. Commit to all requirements as outlined in the invitation letter.

Dance Connection Dance Team (DCDT)

1. Enroll in one weekly class (in their preferred style(s)) at Dance Connection for the entire 2011-12 season.
2. Enroll in the weekly team rehearsal class (one per style/group) to learn choreography and set formations.
3. Attend two prior consecutive rehearsals, in order to perform with their group.
4. Attend required weekend rehearsals for special performances as scheduled
5. Be a good student and work hard to excel in all areas academically.

*NOTE: These are minimum requirements. Many dancers take more than the minimum as this helps to excel their technique and advance them to higher levels in all aspects of dance.

Additional DCPC Information

• Costs: There are costs associated with both DCPC and DCDT. Some of these include costs for warm-up suits, costumes and shoes. There are fees for master classes, summer intensive, convention/competition fees, hotel fees. For those traveling to conventions/competitions, there are incidentals such as transportation (gas, parking, etc), food/dining and extra spending money.
• Dancers invited to be on DCPC will receive a letter that will include more detailed information as well as the schedule for the season. At that point, you can determine if the Performing Company will be a good fit for you. Dancers will have approximately a two-week period to talk it over with their family to determine if they can commit to the Dance Connection Performing Company (DCPC).
• Dancers invited to be a Connector will receive a letter that will include more detailed information as well as the schedule for the season. They will need to commit to weekly rehearsals as well as specific events throughout the year.
• Dancers interested in DCDT are not required to audition. They only need to show their commitment and desire to dance, perform and participate in the minimum requirements outlined by the Director. Please note that although no invitation or audition is necessary, dancers must commit to themselves, their group and to the teacher in charge and follow all guidelines presented to them.
• We encourage ANY serious dancer to try out a convention/workshop. They are an invaluable experience and provide all dancers with exposure to teachers currently in the industry. DCPC requires participation in a few conventions/competitions and DCDT will also be required to participate in an outside event as well. These will be published in the calendar at the beginning of the season and information will be sent out as it is available.

Specialty Pieces

In addition to pieces set by Dance Connection's own staff, we will have out-of-town guest teachers setting specialty pieces both during the week of the intensive and the two weeks following the auditions. If you are asked to be in one of the pieces, please be prepared to attend the rehearsal since this will be the only time to learn the piece. Note: These rehearsals will take place prior to the deadline to turn in your acceptance forms so it is very important to know the following:

• If asked to be in a specialty piece, we encourage you to participate in the rehearsal even if you do not yet know if you will be able to fulfill your commitment to DCPC and accept the terms of agreement for participation. We understand that choices must be made and your family plays a major part of your decision so it is important to sit down with your parents and consider your time commitment.
• Tami WILL need to know your final decision by the contract deadline date.
• Your participation in the rehearsal will not go to waste even if you decide you can't commit to DCPC because you will have had the benefit of learning new choreography and expanding your dance knowledge.

ALL specialty pieces not set forth by the DCPC Director must be pre-approved. You must be a member of DCPC and represent Dance Connection at any event you choose to perform your piece at. A Specialty Act application or equivalent email must be turned in as early as possible and no later than 7 weeks prior to a competition you wish to compete the piece at. All choreographers must be a Dance Connection teacher or a teacher pre-approved by Tami (student choreography is also accepted but you must set up a time to show your piece to Tami at least four weeks prior to a competition). Remember that DCPC dancers represent Dance Connection.

Fees: There are additional fees (above and beyond all other DCPC fees) for ALL specialty piece participation. The fees cover the choreographer fees, rehearsal time during the season and possibly props if applicable.

Solos: minimum of $400 (many guest choreographers charge more than this amount for a one time choreography session) If using a Dance Connection faculty teacher, this fee covers the following

• 2-3 hours to teach choreography (this can be done in one session or split into 2-3 sessions; arrangements are made between the dancer and teacher)
• 1 one-hour for cleaning and polishing Duos/Trios: $250 per dancer
• 2-3 hours to teach choreography (this can be done in one session or split into 2-3 sessions; arrangements are made between the dancer and teacher)
• 2 one-hour sessions for cleaning and polishing

4-9 dancers: $160 per dancer
10-16 dancers: $130 per dancer


Conventions and Competitions

There are a multitude of conventions/workshops and competitions to participate in throughout the year. For DCPC, the minimum requirement is three weekends at an outside convention/competition plus TAMJAMS! however many dancers choose to participate in more than this. To participate in any convention/workshop/competition that is not a requirement, please follow the procedures below:

• Notify Tami (via email) as early as possible and no later than 7 weeks prior to the event you want to participate in.

• If you plan to compete a specialty piece, all the proper information must be turned in (per the Specialty Act application).

o Tami will NOT be responsible for asking you for this information. It is up to you to submit everything ON TIME. If you do not submit the necessary information on time, you will be charged a non-refundable $25 late fee and there is no guarantee that you will be properly registered for the event. The event organizer may also charge a late fee and you will be required to pay this in addition to the Dance Connection late fee

• All fees are paid directly to Dance Connection and Tami will manage registration for ALL Dance Connection dancers. Please note that as a member of DCPC you may not register yourself for a convention/competition during the season. ALL registration must go through Tami (with the exception of summer events). If you choose to register yourself through another teacher or organization, you will be automatically dismissed from DCPC without question.

• Dance Connection Dance Team (DCDT) members will also be invited to attend convention classes and workshops. Same registration procedures (as listed above) apply for DCDT and Tami will take care of all registration for these events.

Fees for these dance convention events can range anywhere from $150-$220 for the workshop portion and $25-$35 for competition pieces.