Proper dance etiquette is essential to the education and training of a dancer.
The following rules are universal and are followed by all major dance programs and professional companies. We ask that you apply them at Dance Connection as well.
• Arrive at least 10 minutes early to prepare yourself appropriately for class. If late, wait for the exercise in progress to be over before entering the studio. Students arriving late may be asked to observe instead of participate. Class time in very limited and tardiness reduces the amount of time the dancer has to perfect the intricacies of their dance technique.
• If a student needs to leave early, he/she must ask the teacher’s permission before class begins. Please leave discreetly so as not to disrupt class.
• If you are going to be absent, call the office so that the teacher can be notified before class begins. If a make up class is available for your class level, arrangements can be made then.
• Stay in the back of the room if you do not know the combination.
• Students should never stop in the middle of an exercise unless an injury is sustained.
• Eyes and attention must always be on the teacher. Talking, leaning on the barre, yawning or leaving class before it is over is not acceptable.
• Dancers show respect for others by: keeping their hands to themselves during class, waiting quietly for others to have a turn, waiting until the music is finished before entering the classroom if they are late to class, and talking only when spoken to by the instructor (or asking a question).
• Dancers show respect for their teacher and the art form they are learning by: listening when the teacher speaks, being prepared for their turn, always asking before leaving the room for any reason, and thanking or applauding their teacher at the end of class
• Be appreciative of corrections and apply them. Students will progress only as well as they can take corrections.
• Do not talk back to your teacher regardless of the situation. It is improper to question the teacher’s authority. If you have a problem, you may talk to the teacher after class.
• Be kind to your classmates. A positive attitude and tone must be kept at all times in the studio and dressing room.
Displays of temper and rudeness are unacceptable. Your teacher reserves the right to ask you to leave if negative behavior is observed.
• After class, applaud your teacher and thank him/her for class (in Ballet, a bow or curtsey is appropriate).
• Keep your things neat, in your dancebag and off of the studio floor during class.
• No gum chewing, eating or drinking is allowed in the studios, and use the trash can!
• Do not wear your dance shoes outside the studio and do not wear street shoes inside the studio, this preserves the life of your dancewear and the life of our dance floors!
• Please label shoes and other personal items and do not bring valuables to the studio.
• Please leave the dance studio area as soon as your class is over. Remaining in the studio to change clothes, chat with friends, etc. creates a disturbance and often delays the beginning of the next class.
• Parents and siblings who are observing a class should remain quiet at all times. If this is not possible, please wait in the waiting area.
• Parents wishing to discuss their child’s progress with the teacher should leave a message on the studio phone, or send an email and the teacher will return the call in a timely fashion. It is very difficult for the teachers to maintain their tight class schedules if they are answering parents’ questions in between classes. We appreciate your understanding on this matter.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL DANCE CLASS OBSERVERS
The teaching staff at Dance Connection works hard each week to provide your children with the best possible dance class they can offer. In many classes, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult to teach our dancers due to the noise and distractions of those who are watching the classes. Please help us to do a better job of teaching your children by observing the following studio rules:
• No cell phones. Turn the ringer off. If it is an emergency, please discreetly leave the room to talk on your phone.
• Absolutely no food or drinks on the dance floor and in the studio. This includes toddlers, siblings, and coffee. There is no garbage can in the studio because we should have no garbage. Dancers are encouraged to bring a re-usable or recyclable water bottle.
• No sitting on the dance floor space, even in chairs. The studio foyer in L5 near the garage door may be used as a watching area. If it is full, use the lobby area. If that is full, arrive earlier to claim your spot. In K5, chairs are permitted only in the back, and no one may sit near the dance barres.
• If you would like to visit with other parents, please use the lobby viewing area or outdoor space where you are welcome to talk. We ask that there be no talking among the dance class viewers in the dance space.
• Do not allow your children to touch the mirrors. This is a very important safety issue! Not only are they glass, and breakable, but every little finger produces a print which lasts until those large mirrors are cleaned once again.
• Keep all young children completely under your control. Toddlers may not run loose anywhere on the dance floor, as tempting as this may be. I have had a CD burning stereo broken by a toddler, and have had dancers knock down and crash into exploring toddlers. Another huge safety issue! They are so cute, but keep them safe and close to you. Please explore the area with your young child outdoors.
• Leave the teaching to us. Even if you have been, or are a professional and qualified dancer, while your child is in class, let us do the teaching. You can practice all you want with your child at home. As a dance instructor myself, I find that dance class is also the perfect opportunity to teach a variety of other important life-lessons. Self-confidence, improvisation, perseverance, respect, consideration, discipline, appreciation, and the importance of giving one’s heartfelt effort are just a few. We strive to teach our dancers the value of a solid dance education, as well as dance etiquette skills that will be useful throughout life. We value all of our wonderful parents, and know that we all want the same thing from our dance class experience: to give our students the best possible dance education. Thank you for helping us to reach our goals in a positive way.
