Policies and Procedures: What You Need to Know About Your Dance Studio

With the start of new dance lessons comes new dance studio policies to know! Once you’ve registered your child for lessons, be sure to know the following information about your studio to ensure a great start and a smooth dance season!

Know Your Studio’s Dress Code

Your studio will likely have a dress code that includes tights, leotards, or other dancewear and dance shoes. Be sure to clarify what your child needs to wear for class, including specific colors/styles for dancewear and dance shoes. Some studios sell these items in-house, or your studio director can help you locate a reputable dancewear website or a preferred local dance supply store nearby.

Know How Tuition Payments and Accounts Are Handled

Expenses and fees do vary from studio to studio, but you will need to be aware of registration fees, payment methods, tuition rates, and due dates. Tuition for dance classes are typically due to your studio in monthly or quarterly increments. Your studio may collect payments at their front desk, or they may require creating an online family portal and setting up autopayments.

You may want to inquire about sibling or family discounts, whether tuition is refundable if your child drops out of the class, and possible fees on late tuition payments.

Know Your Studio’s Layout

If you have a young child attending class for the first time, it’s a good idea to arrive at the studio 10-15 minutes before class starts so he/she knows where the bathroom, drinking fountain, and dance room are and meet his/her teacher. There may be a dressing room or cubby area where your child can put his/her dance bag and belongings shoes as well. Your studio may also have a Lost and Found area if any of your child’s items are misplaced.

Some studios have lobbies, viewing windows, or circuit TVs where parents can can watch class. Younger siblings are not allowed to run around or play in the dance rooms, so you may wish to bring toys or other quiet activities for them while they wait. Note that some studios may have to limit people in their building due to space issues or COVID-19 protocols, so you may wish to inquire about this as well.

Know Parking, Drop-off, and Pick-Up Procedures

If your studio is in a busy downtown area, you may need to inquire about where to park and any associated parking fees.

I’ve worked at some dance studios where busy parking lots prevent parents from dropping their older children off at the front door, and others that have a designated drop-off zone. Just note you may need to park and walk your older students into the building, even if you’re not planning to stay for the duration of his/her class.

Students who are dropped off do not need to arrive much more than 15 minutes before class and should be picked up after class promptly, as they likely cannot be supervised by the studio staff.

Know About Important Dates

Be sure to add important studio dates to your calendar, including when class tuition and recital costume deposits are due. Recital season is a busy time of year, so you’ll want to know the dates for mandatory studio rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and the recital performance itself. Studios also close for holidays and breaks, so be sure to note those as well.

Know Attendance and Make-Up Class Policies

Consistent attendance is essential for continued growth for your dancer, but illness, injury, family events, or studio closures can certainly lead to a few missed dance class. Check with your studio about make-up classes and how to schedule those if your child has to be absent or if the studio closes due to inclement weather.

Know Your Studio’s Use of Social Media

Many studios promote their businesses on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Pictures and performance footage of dancers are often used for promotional purposes, so discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your studio director.

Know Your Studio’s Preferred Communication

Your studio will have a preferred method of communication to keep families abreast of studio happenings throughout the dance season. Newsletters, social media posts, email, bulletin boards in the studio, and phone apps are all messaging methods studio’s can utilize, so make sure you know where to look for studio information.

You may want to keep your dance studio’s phone number or email address handy in case your child will be late to or absent from class. Your child’s dance teacher will appreciate the heads up!

Ready to locate the perfect dance studio for you or your dancer? Click on the “Find Dance Studios” tab to begin your search by location, dance styles, ability levels, and age ranges!