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.

Cindy Ginanni, Director

Dance Connection Classroom Etiquette and Attire

Proper classroom etiquette and attire 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.

Classroom Etiquette   • 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. • 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 • 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.

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Attire - Please change into dance shoes when you arrive. Do not wear dance shoes outdoors!   • Proper dance attire must be worn at all times. • Students’ hair must be neat and in place, pulled back off of their face and neck. In Ballet, a bun is required at all times. Loose hair is an impediment while dancing and is a distraction to the dancer during class. When hair is secured properly, it allows the student to completely focus on their dancing. • No jewelry (except for small earrings) is to be worn to class or rehearsals. • The appropriate dance shoes must be worn in class. Ballet and Jazz can not be executed properly in bare feet or tights. Elastic is to be on all Ballet shoes, and all Jazz shoes should be tied in double-knots. If you do not have your dance shoes with you for class, your teacher will ask you to observe. • For all Ballet classes (with the exception of Level 6) pink tights and a black leotard must be worn. Level 5 may wear the color leotard of their choice.For Boys, black tights or jazz pants and a white t-shirt are the appropriate attire for Ballet. • For all Jazz classes, black jazz pants and any color leotard may be worn. • Warm-ups may be worn during barre/warm-up at the teacher’s discretion. Please check with your teacher for their policy on warm-ups. In order to make accurate technical corrections, the teacher must be able to view the student clearly without the obstruction of extra garments. “Sloppy attire encourages sloppy performance. Dress beautifully and the dancing will follow!” Would you wear ballet attire to hip hop? Of course not, so why would you wear hip hop attire to ballet? You will dance as you have dressed. Your attire sets the tone for how you will dance. Dress Code BALLET Girls • Pink Tights • Black Leotard – any style (Level V and Adults may wear any color leotard) • Pink Ballet Slippers – elastic securely sewn on • Hair in a Bun – neat and secure • No skirts (except in advanced variations class) or warm ups Boys • White T-shirt – well-fitted • Black Tights, Jazz Pants or Shorts • Black Ballet Slippers – elastic securely sewn on   JAZZ and TAP Girls – Jazz • Leotard or Dance Camisole – any style or color • Black Jazz Pants, Capri pants, or leggings • Black Jazz Shoes (Jazz Sneakers may be worn in Levels 3 and higher) • Hair pulled back off of face and neck – neat and secure Girls – Tap • Leotard or Dance Camisole – any style, any color • Black Jazz Pants • Black Tap Shoes • Hair pulled back off of face and neck – neat and secure Boys – Jazz and Tap • Solid color T-shirt (no lettering), well-fitted • Black Dance Pants – any style • Black Tap or Jazz Shoes (Jazz Sneakers may be worn in Levels 3 and higher) Hip Hop • Jazz dance attire and shoes or athletic pants, leotard or dance top (no tummies showing), or tee shirt • Black jazz sneakers or non-marking athletic shoes with soles that are non-marking and not too sticky.   PRE-SCHOOL and COMBINATION CLASSES Girls • Pink or White Tights, or Bare Legs • Leotard – any style or color • Pink Ballet Slippers/ Black Tap Shoes – elastic securely sewn on • Hair pulled back off of face and neck – neat and secure Boys • White T-shirt – well-fitted • Comfortable Pants or Shorts – any style • Black Ballet Slippers/ Black Tap Shoes – elastic securely sewn on   Warm-ups may be worn during barre/ warm-up at the teacher’s discretion. Your teacher reserves the right to ask you to observe class if you are not dressed appropriately.   [back to top]