FAQ's Listed below are the most commonly asked
questions and answers. If you require further assistance please contact any of our studio managers or the director. (Listed in #8)
1. HOW DO I FIND THE BEST CLASS FOR MY CHILD? If your child has indicated they are interested in learning
how to dance, our staff will help you find the most suitable program. For a full description of each discipline and how the styles vary please refer to our website at www.yorkdance.com
. In order to place your child in the correct level our staff will ask the following questions:1. Does your child have any experience or are they new to the dance experience?
2. Has your child participated in other activities which might help them with co-ordination? 3. Is your child looking for a more active or passive dance class?
(For example hip hop is more of a cardio workout where as ballet develops grace & flexibility) Generally we place students according to their age & level of ability. For example a 7 yr old,
with no ballet experience would be better in a class of 6& 7 year olds, rather then a class of 7 to 9 year olds. We also often suggest a private lesson for students who are beginners, to provide them with one on one
technical instruction, before fitting them into an existing group of dancers. Private lessons are arranged through the office and range anywhere from $65.00-$85.00 per hour (this depends on the instructor and their
level of experience) 2. ARE YOUR TEACHERS QUALIFIED?
All of our teachers are fully certified dance instructors. Many are still performing professionally and many have had a past career in dance. Their bios and photos are all posted on our website.
3. HOW LONG IS THE DANCE SEASON & WHEN DOES IT START?
Our first term is 14 weeks & begins on the following dates: Saturday, September 12 December 19 (No class Oct 10)
Sunday, September 13 December 20 (No class Oct 11)
Monday, September 14 December 21 (No class Oct 12)
Tuesday, September 15 December 15
Wednesday, September 16 December 16
Thursday, September 17 December 17
Friday, September 18 December 18
Winter Break is from December 22 to January 2, 2010Second Term commences on Sunday, January 3/2010 and continues until our year end recital in June.
4. WHAT ARE YOUR CLASS SIZES? Typically we try to keep the class size to around 12-15 students. In some cases the class may go to as high at 16 students; however we will always have an assistant with
larger classes. 5. DO I HAVE TO ATTEND ALL YEAR OR CAN I JUST ATTEND FOR ONE TERM? We hope that your child will continue dancing all year as it is an excellent form of exercise, develops grace, balance, strength and posture. The year-end recital provides
students with a goal to work towards, an opportunity to develop confidence, stage presence and ultimately to share with their families and friends what they have been learning all year. If your child is absolutely not
enjoying their dance experience they may withdraw at the end of term one. 6. WHAT IF I DROP OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE TERM? If a student withdraws before the
end of a term, a $60.00 administrative fee will be charged and the balance of your fee will be refunded. Our administrative fee is to cover book keeping charges and also lost revenue as we would have turned other
students away. 7. WHAT HOLIDAYS DOES THE STUDIO CLOSE FOR? We value the faith diversity in our studio and respect the fact that there are numerous holidays celebrating various faiths throughout the year. We have chosen not to close
for any of the faith based holidays as there would be far too many cancellations. Given the fact that dance is an exercise and many people dance to keep fit we feel it is important to remain open as much as possible. We
do however close for some of the statutory holidays, to allow families the opportunity to spend time together. The studios are closed for the following holidays throughout the dance season;
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND October 10th -12
th inclusive HALLOWEEN October 31st
WINTER BREAK December 22nd January 2nd inclusive FAMILY DAY February 15th SPRING BREAK March 13th
19th inclusive *Note: There are classes on March 20th GOOD FRIDAY April 2nd
VICTORIA DAY WEEKEND May 22nd -24t
8. WHERE ARE THE STUDIOS LOCATED? York Dance Academy has three locations in York Region. Each location has two large dance studios with sprung dance floors, parent viewing areas, washrooms, homework rooms and
change rooms. The studios are located in: AURORA
at 305 Industrial Pkwy S Unit 19 & Unit 20 TEL: 905-726-1241
Admissions Manager: Lisa Ogston -
lisa@yorkdance.com
NEWMARKET at 17665 Leslie St. Unit 28 TEL: 905-836-4939
Manager: Sharon Wilson - sharon@yorkdance.com STOUFFVILLE
at 10 Commercial St. TEL: 905-640-6082
Manager: Melissa Spence - stouffville@yorkdance.com Maps & Directions are on our locations page 9. WHAT ARE YOUR FEES? Our term one fees begin
at $13.00 per class, plus GST and we offer a discount for additional family members or classes taken by the same student. In addition to the fees we charge a "one time" annual registration fee of $20.00 per student
. Fees are billed in two semesters; September to December and January to June. The June invoice will also include the costume fee for the year-end performance which ranges from $75.00 - $125.00 depending on the age
of your child. Payment options are cash or debit, cheque, VISA/MASTERCARD or AMEX. If it is necessary we also accept post-dated cheques for the full season. Adult classes are billed for the course length which will
depend on the discipline. Please refer to the program outlines for further details on these courses. Our current government has passed legislation which allows a $500.00 tax credit, per child on fees for
"physical" education for children. Our dance fees are eligible for this credit and we will provide the necessary receipts so that you may deduct this expense at tax time. 10. WHAT IF WE MISS CLASSES? If a student misses a class due to
illness, it can be made up by attending another class in the same or a different discipline that he/she is registered into. Please check with your instructor to find out when other classes are offered. During recital
season this is more difficult as all classes will be working on different choreography however there is usually a "mini session" offered at some point during the year, which students can attend to make up the missed
class. 11. INCLEMENT WEATHER
During our dance season we very rarely cancel classes however, in the event of a severe winter storm we may find it necessary to cancel classes. Please contact the studio after 2:00 PM and listen to our voice message
for cancellation information. If we cancel a class for a reason other then severe weather conditions a make-up class will be scheduled at some point in the dance season. 12. WHAT IS YOUR DANCE WEAR REQUIREMENT? All students are to attend class in proper dance attire as follows:
ECD/Primary Ballet
: (3-6 Yrs) Pink Bodysuit, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.Jr Ballet Program: (7-10) Navy Bodysuit, pink tights and pink ballets slippers. Sr. Ballet Program
: (10 & up) Black Bodysuit, pink tights and pink ballet slippers.
Note: Chiffon dance skirts are optional but highly recommended.
Tutu's or costume/dress-up skirts are not acceptable for dance class.
Jazz/Hip Hop/Musical Theatre: (All levels)
Bodysuits or tank tops in basic colours (Black, Navy preferred)
Jazz or hip-hop pants which are not too baggy or bike shorts.
Black Jazz shoes or dance running shoes, which have not been worn outside. Acro Dance: Unitard or Bodysuit with Bike shorts, bare feet or half soles. Tap: Bodysuits or tank
tops in basic colours (Black, Navy preferred) Jazz or hip hop pants, which are not too baggy, or bike shorts. Capezio Mary Jane Beige Tap shoes or similar style.
For the safety of all dancers please ensure that hair is tied back for all disciplines in either a ponytail or a bun.
Do not wear any jewellery to class and absolutely
no gum chewing is allowed. NOTE: Competitive students should check with the instructors before purchasing dancewear as there may be different requirements for these students. 13. WHERE CAN I PURCHASE DANCEWEAR PURCHASE We sell dancewear at
all locations during registration. Once classes have started, dancewear will be sold during retail hours only, which are posted at each location and also on our website. There are also many retail dance stores
throughout York Region. Please check the yellow pages for locations. To view some of our dancewear available see our dancewear page.
14. HOW DO I HEAR ABOUT THINGS GOING ON AROUND THE STUDIO? Throughout the dance season, we will send home newsletters,
periodically. These letters will also be posted on the bulletin boards at each location. To ensure that you do not miss important news we will also be posting this newsletter on our website on the news page.
15. WHO IS THE DIRECTOR/OWNER OF THE STUDIO & HOW DO I REACH HER?
Angela Tucker founded the York Dance Academy in 1986. She has over 40 years of training in Ballet, Jazz, Ballroom and Latin Dance. Following a career with a professional dance troupe, she was employed by
Seneca College as their dance and fitness consultant for 8 years. During that time she designed the Fitness Leadership Training Program and developed the children's dance programs. She has written and published a
book and video on Couples Dancing and is the creator of Teddy & Me Workouts
,© a unique children's dance and exercise program. Angela is a certified fitness instructor and appeared as a guest host on CBC televisions; The Fitness People. You may contact Angela directly via email
at angela@yorkdance.com
or call her at the main office at 905-726-1241 16. DANCE EXAMINATIONS
Examinations are held annually through the C.D.T.A./P.A.E.C. or the I.S.T.D. Students who wish to take exams will be required to attend an
additional class to prepare for their exam. These classes are setup in January, with the examination date around the middle to the end of June. Examination is available from the Primary Level to the Advanced Level.
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