Policies 
& Procedures

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Just as in sports, that has traditions, rules, etiquette, equipment and uniforms, dance through the centuries has evolved a set of etiquette and rules, equipment and uniforms and requirements that have come about to aid artistry, safety and efficiency. With this in mind, we’d like to share a few expectations. As with any other physical discipline, dance requires systems, training and practice in order to obtain the best results in a safe manner.

 

School and Classroom Etiquette for Students

“To be early is to be on time, and to be on time is to be late”.

“Begin with the end in Mind.” - Stephen r. covey

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As a pre-professional training facility, it is our goal to bring up our students to a standard of professional excellence. The pre-professional dancer will always observe decorum, respect themselves, others and the space, in addition to having a positive, cooperative and willing attitude. These valuable attributes for the developing dancer will ensure a successful experience in their training and beyond.

 

Before class, students should:

• Arrive 15 to 20 minutes prior to their class time to establish themselves in the space.  This time allows them to change, use the restroom, and find a place in the studio for proper warm up both mentally and physically. A dressing room with allotted spaces will be provided for safe storage of personal items for each student.

 

• Wear cover-ups over class attire that cover the entire body when entering and leaving the building.

 

• Wear street shoes when entering and exiting the building.  Dance shoes should ONLY be worn in the dance studio, NEVER outside the studio.  It reduces the life of the shoes, and it can bring hazardous materials into the studio that can damage the dance floor and/or cause injuries for students.

 

• Bring appropriate class attire and hair supplies.  Class dress and hair codes MUST BE FOLLOWED. Students out of dress and hair codes will be asked to observe class that day. No jewelry, except small non-dangling earrings, should be worn. This includes fit bits. Valuable jewelry and accessories should be left at home. We are not responsible for the loss of valuables.

 

• Wait quietly in the student lounge, “The Well”, until the studio becomes available.

 

• When the studio is open for warm up, students are to enter the space quietly and begin their established physical conditioning while waiting for the instructor.

 

• “To be early is to be on time, and to be on time is to be late.” Punctuality is a professional expectation. If class has already started, the student should wait for the instructor to invite them in. However, if more than ten (10) minutes late, the student needs to see the front desk in order to schedule a makeup class. The student is allowed to observe the class that they are tardy for and commence with their subsequent dance classes.   

 

Classroom Etiquette

• Do your best and have a positive attitude!!!

 

• Be attentive. Focus on the instructor when they are giving direction

 

• ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONES IN CLASS, unless requested by the instructor for recording choreography or creative projects.

 

• Listen to and try to apply all corrections.  Each dancer will be required to maintain a dance journal to keep a record of their personal corrections, tips and tools.

 

• Complete each exercise. Students should only stop in the middle of an exercise if an injury is sustained.

 

• Communication in the studio should be between teacher and student only.  There should be no talking out of turn or between students. Questions regarding the exercise should be addressed to the teacher ONLY.  Students should raise their hand to answer or ask appropriate questions. Avoid miming or eye-rolling.

 

• If you need to use the restroom, adjust shoes or need a tissue, raise your hand to ask permission. Unless it is an emergency, please wait until between exercises.

 

• If you are feeling ill, you may ask to leave class or sit in the front to observe.  It is not appropriate to get up and dance once you sit down.  Students observing class should sit quietly so as not to distract their fellow students.

 

• Respect the personal space of others.

 

• No horseplay during class. 

 

• No hanging or leaning on the barres or sitting down during class.

 

• No chewing gum, eating or drinking in the studio except for water. 

 

• Show appreciation by thanking your instructor with a bow or curtsy at the end     of class.

 

• HAVE THE MOST FUN LEARNING AND CREATING!!!

 

Facility Etiquette & Rules

• No littering.  Keep the studios, dressing room, and lobby areas clean as well as outdoors.

 

• Food and drink are only allowed in the student lounge, “The Well”. We encourage studetns to bring a water bottle with them to class. 

 

• The Conservatory is a secured facility. 

 

• Students must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after their class, unless exceptional circumstances are communicated by messaging 919.664.4768.  A late pickup fee of $1/minute will be charged after 15 minutes.

 

• After class, students must wait in the student lounge, “The Well”, for pickup unless they are driving themselves.

 

• Inside behavior ONLY includes walking and quiet voices. Please DO NOT yell, run, or do gymnastics.

 

• Please remain within the confines of the academy. Students are not allowed to roam around the campus.

 

• Dressing room:  Cubbies are available to store dancer's bags and backpacks only during class time. Please do not sit on the counter or climb into cubbies.   Respect other people’s property. Do not go through other dancer’s belongings. Check that you have everything with you when leaving the dressing room at the end of the day.

 

• Label all your dance attire and shoes. We are not responsible for lost, misplaced or stolen items.  Items found at the end of each day will be placed in the Lost & Found box. Items not collected are donated to a charitable group before winter break and the end of the school year. 

 

“You can either be exceptional OR make exceptions. We choose to be exceptional.”

 

Absence

• Please text the communications number @ (919) 664-4768. if a student is going to be absent, late or needs to leave early so the instructor can be notified.

 

• Make-up classes will be arranged for any classes missed for absence or tardiness.Parents or adult students should let us know when their dancer or when they are available to do a make-up class. The make-up class should be comparable to their regular level. 

 

• Attendance, as a percentage, will factor in the final determination of continuation in the program at the end of the year.  

 

• In case of illness or injury that results in multiple absences, arrangements will need to be made with the Directors.

 

Communications

• The teacher-student studio time is very structured and does not allow for unscheduled interruptions; therefore, any communication needs to be through electronic means or verbal communication with our front desk staff or by appointment. To request an appointment, text 919.664.4768.

 

• It has been our experience that text messaging allows for a quicker response time than does voicemail. Priority will be given to text messages received, then to voice messages and email.

 

 Behavior Management Policy

• If the ground rules and policies are not complied with, the following behavior management plan WILL BE implemented.

 

• First offense – dancer will verbally be corrected by Instructor and notation will take place on their file.

 

• Second offense – an email to the parent(s)/guardian will be sent and an electronic signature will be required confirming compliance of rules and policies.

 

• Third offense – a Director/Parent conference will be scheduled prior to dancer’s continuance in the program.

 

• Fourth offense – dancer will have an observance day where they sit, observe, and notate each class with an expectation of an end-of-day submission to the Directors. This will also be communicated with the parent(s)/guardian via email and/or voice message.

 

• Fifth offense – the dancer will be asked to leave CODA for a period at the discretion of the Directors. As tuition is nonrefundable, a credit will be held for the student if they are able to return to CODA.

  

Continuance in the Program (Pre-Professional Program Only)

Continuance in the P3 program will be determined by an examination to be conducted each February. This examination will be a cumulative dance lesson, taught and rehearsed during January lessons. 

It has been our experience that those who are consistently in class perform better in both the dance and written portions of the exam. 

By attending consistently and taking advantage of make-up classes, each trainee can maximize their placement potential.

*Placements for the following academic year will be made available during each parent-director year-end conference in May.

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